Bones Main Fabric: Sewing Projects for Halloween Prints

By Crosscut Sewing Co.: Online Sewing Classes and Kits for Kids | Published: 2026-11-04

Category: How-to Guides

Turn Riley Blake's Bones Main fabric into Halloween quilts, treat bags, and table runners with a simple step-by-step plan that keeps spooky prints readable.

Quick answer

Start with a small project like a treat bag or table runner to test how the bone print reads, then scale up to a quilt using the same cutting and pairing rules.

Why scale matters with a directional bone print

Bones Main is a 100% cotton print featuring dog bones on a 43/44-inch width. Because the bones run in a clear direction, large quilt blocks can look busy if you cut without checking orientation. Smaller projects let you see the repeat before you commit to a full quilt layout.

The print is designed for quilting, apparel, and home decor, so it can move from a quick Halloween bag to a wearable or a table runner. The trade-off is that a bold, repeating motif needs calm coordinates to keep the bones from competing with every other print.

Pair spooky prints with quiet contrast

Let Bones Main carry the Halloween theme and choose low-volume or solid fabrics for the rest of the project. A busy second print can make the bone shapes disappear, especially in small pieced blocks.

If you want a second Halloween print, keep it to one accent and separate the two with a solid. That gives the eye a place to rest and keeps the bones recognizable across the room.

Plan for washing before you cut

The fabric is machine wash cold and tumble dry low. Prewash if the finished project will be washed often, such as a treat bag or table runner, and test a small scrap first so you know how the cotton behaves before cutting into the main yardage.

Step-by-step: sew a Halloween project with Bones Main

Choose a project size that matches the print scale: Start with a treat bag, mug rug, or table runner rather than a full quilt. Cut one test block or panel first and view it from a few feet away to confirm the bones read clearly. If the bones look muddy at that distance, simplify the layout before cutting more fabric.
Check print direction before every cut: Lay the fabric flat and mark the top of the bones with a pin or chalk line. Cut all pieces for the project in the same orientation so the motifs run consistently across seams. A common mistake is cutting some pieces upside down; a consistent top edge prevents that.
Build a calm background around the print: Pair Bones Main with one solid or low-volume fabric and limit yourself to one additional accent print. Use the solid as sashing or borders to separate the bones from other patterns. If the layout feels busy, remove the accent print rather than adding another solid.
Sew a small sample seam before the main project: Stitch a scrap of Bones Main to your chosen background fabric with a 1/4-inch seam. Press the seam open and check that the bone print still lines up well enough for your design. Adjust your seam allowance or block size now, before chain-piecing the full project.
Finish with wash-friendly construction: Prewash the fabric if the item will be laundered often, then sew with a slightly shorter stitch length for bags and runners. Follow machine wash cold and tumble dry low for the finished piece. Test-wash a scrap first if you are combining Bones Main with an unwashed contrast fabric.

Fabric facts for this project

Bones Main from Cooper by Bella Blvd for Riley Blake: 100% cotton, 43/44 inches wide, designed by Bella Blvd for Riley Blake Designs. Standard quilting cotton width means you can cut most bag and runner pieces without piecing, and the cotton content suits quilting and home decor.
Bones Main from Cooper by Bella Blvd for Riley Blake