Potato Chip Quilt Layout Tutorial in EQ8

A potato chip quilt is one of those projects that quickly becomes addictive — once you start sewing, it’s hard to stop at just one. This beginner-friendly quilt pattern is perfect for using up scraps, precuts, or jelly rolls, and it relies on a single patch size throughout the design: typically 2-1/2" x 4-1/2".
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While many potato chip quilts are assembled into traditional blocks, you can also create a striking quilt layout without pieced blocks at all. In this week’s tutorial, I’ll show you how to design a dynamic potato chip quilt in EQ8 using only 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" rectangles.

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Choosing Fabrics

For this project, I selected the Montgomery Mountain Charm collection by Belle of Seams for Benartex.

Inspired by the scenic beauty of the Ouachita Mountains and National Forest, this 25-piece collection features woodland animals, wildflowers, quartz textures, forest trails, woven prints, and nostalgic mountain-inspired motifs.

The collection is available in the 2026 Stash 1 download from the Electric Quilt Company, or you can download individual swatches directly from the Benartex website.

This fabric line works especially well for a potato chip quilt because it includes a balanced mix of light and dark fabrics, helping create strong contrast and movement throughout the layout.

Montgomery Mountain Charm Fabric Collection from Benartex

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Drafting the Quilt in EQ8

Open EQ8 and begin on the Quilt Worktable.

1. Select New Quilt > Horizontal Quilt
2. Set the layout to:
   • 2 blocks horizontal
   • 2 blocks vertical
   • Block size: 2" x 4"

​Next, move to the Borders tab. Each border in this design uses the Blocks border style.

Border Setup

• Border 1
  • Add to the Top and Bottom
  • Width: 2"
  • Blocks in border: 1
• Border 2
  • Add to the Left and Right
  • Width: 2"
  • Blocks in border: 2
• Border 3
  • Add to the Top and Bottom
  • Width: 2"
  • Blocks in border: 2
• Border 4
  • Add to the Left and Right
  • Width: 2"
  • Blocks in border: 3

Continue alternating between top/bottom and left/right borders, increasing the number of blocks with each round. This keeps the patch proportions consistent at either 2" x 4" or 4" x 2".​

To finish the quilt, you can optionally add:

• A long horizontal border
• A binding border

Quilt Center with added Borders for a 45" x 45" Potato Chip quilt

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Coloring the Quilt

One of the easiest ways to create visual impact in this design is by alternating light and dark fabrics with each round of borders. The contrast creates movement and emphasizes the layered layout created by the rectangles.
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Experiment with different fabric placements in EQ8 to see how color value changes the overall appearance of the quilt.

Potato Chip Quilt with Added Plain Border

Potato chip Quilt with Binding

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​Pro Tip: Calculating Fabric Pieces

EQ8 makes it easy to determine how many rectangles you’ll need from each fabric.

Go to:
Print & Export > Yardage

EQ8 will generate a fabric chart showing:

• Each fabric used
• The number of patches required

​If you added finishing borders (such as a long horizontal border or mitered border), remember to subtract those pieces from the totals to calculate the exact number of 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" rectangles needed for cutting.

Edited Yardage Chart for Potato Chip Quilt

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Watch the Full Tutorial

Watch the video below to follow the complete quilt design process step by step in EQ8.

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