The French braid quilt looks intricate, but it’s built from simple strips and clever angles. If you’ve been wanting a project that feels impressive without complicated piecing, this is it.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create the signature braided effect step by step—perfect for jelly rolls, scraps, and confident beginners ready to try something new.

Quick start

Skill level: Confident beginner
Time: 2-4 hours per strip
Technique: Strip piecing + angled assembly
Best for: Jelly rolls, stash busting

This is an easy strip-piecing project. Start at the bottom of the block, and add strips of fabric in a braid-like pattern. You can make a table runner in an afternoon.

What’ll you’ll learn

How to create a French braid effect with strips of fabric
Manage bias edges without distortion
Choosing fabrics for movement and contrast

One (1) Table Runner: 32-inches long x 12-inches wide

How to Make a French Braid Quilt Table Runner

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Active Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Make a table runner in an afternoon with the French Braid quilt pattern.

French braid quilts are quick and easy to make - perfect for beginners.

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Use your own fabrics, or a jelly roll! A perfect scrap happy project!

This makes a table runner that is 32-inches long by 12-inches wide. Add more braids if you'd like a longer table runner.

Materials

One (1) jelly roll or twenty-six (26) 2-1/2 inch strips of fabric cut into 10-1/2 inch lengths
Coordinating thread

Tools

Sewing machine
Iron
Ironing board
Rotary cutter
Cutting mat
Quilters ruler

Instructions

Step 1: Cut your fabric strips

Start by cutting your fabrics. You'll need one 2-1/2" square to start the braid, and 26 10-1/2" strips for the braid. I used thirteen fabrics, with each fabric twice in the table runner. Here is the collection of fabrics I used for the table runner.
TIP: Starch your fabric before cutting to reduce distortion on bias edges.

Step 2: Arrange your colors

Lay out strips in your desired order. Alternate light and dark fabrics for strong braid definition.

Step 3: Sew your strips together

Take your square and the first strip of fabric. With right sides together and raw edges lined up, sew the 10-1/2 inch strips of fabric to one side of the square with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

Press seams to your preference. Read our article on pressing seams for quilting for more information. This is how the beginning of your table runner will look. (I forgot to take pictures along the way!)

Step 4: Continue building the braid

Take your next strip of fabric. Line it up with the upper corner of the strip you just sewed to the square. With right sides together, sew this strip to the edge of the strip, down to the other side of the square.
Continue adding strips of fabric, going from one side to the other.
Here are more strips added.
Continue until all of your strips are added. (Back to the real photos!)

Step 5: Square up the panel

Next, you'll want to trim the sides, top, and bottom to give them straight edges.
Then, layer your backing fabric, batting, and the table runner quilt top. Learn more about sandwiching a quilt in our article.

Step 6: Assemble your quilt top

Quilt your table runner with a design or straight lines. Table runners are a perfect way to try out some machine quilting ideas! I did a simple straight stitch.
Once your table runner is quilted, you are ready to bind it. I used some of the leftover fabric strips to create my binding. Learn how to bind a quilt in our article.
Here is the finished table runner up close on a design wall.

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Can I make a French braid quilt with a jelly roll?

Yes! The key to a French braid quilt is the strips of fabric need to be the same width to make an even braid. A jelly roll makes it easy to get started – just cut the strips into 10-1/2 inch lengths for a 12-inch wide braid.

Make several braid strip lengths and sew them together to make a quilt.

What’s the best way to make a scrappy French braid quilt?

The easiest way to make a scrappy braid is to cut strips of fabrics all the same width. You can cut them narrow at 1-1/2 inch to have a finished width of a braid at 1-inch. Or go big with 3-1/2 inch strips with a finished width of 3-inches.

The key is to have all of your strips the same width and length. This makes your braid nice and straight.

RELATED: Fabric scrap project ideas
RELATED: How to organize your fabric scraps

Can I use strips of fabric that are different widths?

Yes. See the quilt sample above, the scrappy and wonky French braid quilt.

When you use different cut widths of fabrics, the center point shifts to the right or left of the braid depending on the width of the fabric. If you add a wider strip to one side of the braid, make sure to add a wider strip to the other side of the braid to keep your center point sort of on center.

It’s fun to play with using your scraps of strips of fabric. And, if the center point goes way wacky, embrace it and enjoy the wonky and wackiness of it!

Common mistakes

Pulling fabric on the bias causes warping
Inconsistent seam allowance
Poor color contrast – braid disappears

Tips and ideas for making a French braid quilt pattern

Use sashing strips between lengths of French braids to put together the strips of braids.
For more visual interest, switch your fabric values or print density as you add the next fabric. For example, if you have a light fabric that you are sewing the strip to, pick a medium or dark value next. Or, if you have a small or dense print, consider using a large print next.
Most of all have fun. This is a perfect quilt pattern for using up those scrappy strips of fabric left over from other projects!

Frequently asked questions

Is this a beginner quilt?

Yes, but basic sewing and quilting skills help.

Can I use a jelly roll?

Absolutely – this is a perfect jelly roll project!

Why does my braid look crooked?

Laying down your strips along a center point is important for keeping your braid straight.

Do I have to use angled strips?

Yes, that is what creates the braid illusion.

There’s something satisfying about watching simple strips transform into a flowing, braided design. Once you’ve made one French braid block, you’ll start seeing endless variations—play with color gradients, go scrappy, or scale it into a full quilt. Take your time, trust your seams, and most of all, enjoy the rhythm of the process.

Browse through more free quilt patterns on Create Whimsy.