⚡ Quick Answer
- One charm pack, one project: each option below uses a single pack of 5" squares, so choose one per pack
- For the table: Zig Zag Charm Pack Table Runner, 19" x 44" finished
- For the couch: Mini Periwinkle Squared Pillows, two 18" x 18" pillows
- To carry: Three Totes One Charm Pack, one large and two small bags
- Before you buy: check the extra-yardage list, which is what really sets these three apart
A charm pack is the easiest fabric to buy and one of the hardest to decide on. You fell for the collection, the pack is sitting on the shelf, and you just need to pick what to make with it.
This isn’t a list of 30 ideas. It’s three small Missouri Star tutorials, each built around one whole charm pack, compared side by side so you can choose. They’re alternatives: one pack makes one of these projects, not all three. Looking for a full quilt? See 15 Charm Pack Quilts: Free Tutorials for Beginners.
Key Takeaways
- ➤: Pick by where it will live. The table, the couch, or over your shoulder. Each project uses up the pack differently.
- ➤: The extras decide the budget. The runner’s supply list adds only backing. The pillows and totes need background, lining or cork, plus forms or hardware.
- ➤: Count your squares. Most charm packs hold 42 5" squares, but not all. Check the product details, especially for the totes, which use 40.
- ➤: Gifts come in sets. The pillows come in a pair and the totes come in three, which helps if you’re giving more than one.
The Three Options Side by Side
| Zig Zag Table Runner | Mini Periwinkle Squared Pillows | Three Totes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you end with | 1 runner, 19" x 44" | 2 pillows, 18" x 18" | 1 large bag (13½" x 12" x 4") + 2 small (9½" x 10" x 3") |
| Charm pack | 1 pack | 1 pack of accent squares | 1 pack (12 squares per small bag, 16 for the large) |
| Extra fabric on the supply list | 1½ yards backing | ¾ yd background, ½ yd binding, 1¼ yd backing | Per bag: ¾ yd accent fabric (lining and handles); large bag also ½ yd cork |
| Other supplies | None listed | Two 20" pillow forms; batting and template optional | Scrap batting; rings optional |
| Video length | 15:56 with Jenny | 15:46 with Misty | See the tutorial |
Supply details come from each tutorial’s supply list and pattern sheet on missouriquiltco.mom.
Option 1: The Zig Zag Table Runner
The Zig Zag runner in solids. The stepped edge comes from setting squares on point.
Choose it if you want to keep every square together in one piece. Jenny calls it a quick and easy project that uses a single charm pack, and the only other item on the supply list is 1½ yards of backing. The squares are set on point so the edges step in and out, which means a busy print or a stack of solids both look intentional.
Know before you start: the tutorial lists it as Intermediate, and the finished size is 19" x 44". That’s a good length for a coffee table or the middle of a dining table. For other lengths, see Table Runner Sizes.
▶️ Watch it done: Zig Zag Charm Pack Table Runner tutorial
Option 2: Mini Periwinkle Squared Pillows
Mini Periwinkle Squared Pillow from Misty’s tutorial. The pattern makes two.
Choose it if you want a matched pair. The pattern sheet calls for one package of 5" accent squares plus ¾ yard of background and makes two 18" x 18" pillows. The sample uses two Kona Cotton solids, Snow and Rose, which shows the design works without a print at all.
Know before you start: this one has the longest extras list: ½ yard binding, 1¼ yards backing and two 20" pillow forms. The pattern notes that a form larger than the cover gives a fuller fit. Batting and the Small Periwinkle template are optional.
▶️ Watch it done: Mini Periwinkle Squared Pillow tutorial with Misty
Option 3: Three Totes from One Charm Pack
The three totes: two small bags and one large bag with a cork base.
Choose it if you’d rather give several gifts than one. The tutorial notes say one package of 5" print squares is enough for one large and two small bags. That’s 12 + 12 + 16 = 40 squares, so a 42-square pack leaves you two spares.
Know before you start: the extras are listed per bag. Each needs ¾ yard of accent fabric for lining and handles, plus scrap batting. The large bag also takes ½ yard of cork fabric. Rings are optional. If you’re only making one bag, you’ll have squares left over for a second project.
▶️ Watch it done: Three Totes One Charm Pack tutorial
💡 Pro Tip: Check the square count on your charm pack before you plan. Not every pack has 42 squares. If yours has fewer than 40, make the large bag plus one small bag and you’ll still have a pair.
Still Deciding? Start Here
- Lowest extra yardage on the supply list: the Zig Zag Table Runner.
- Best match for a two-color look: the pillows. Kona solids carry the whole sample.
- Most gifts from one pack: the totes.
- Shows off big prints: the totes and the runner keep each 5" square whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make all three projects from one charm pack?
No. Each project uses a full pack on its own. If you want two of them, buy two packs from the same collection so they match.
How many squares are in a charm pack?
Usually 42 5" squares, but counts vary, so read the product details before you buy.
Which project is easiest to finish in a weekend?
It depends on your pace. The runner and pillow videos each run about 16 minutes, and the runner has the shortest extra-supply list.
Do I need the periwinkle template for the pillows?
The pattern lists it as optional.
