Gossamer Garden Quilt

Gossamer Garden Quilt

Blossoming Inspiration is an introduction to the Gossamer Garden Quilt Project.

You might have experienced a love affair with a focal fabric panel, but couldn't seem to get a handle on how to frame it to make it a show stopping quilt, you're not alone. Sometimes quilters purchase beautiful panels purely for the aesthetic appeal, but only use them in their stash until they find a matching pattern that will give them the best look.

Enter the Gossamer Garden Quilt 2 by the Henry Glass Fabrics designer Color Principle. In this free pattern, a striking pastel floral panel is turned into a dreamy garden piece. This pattern combines fussy cutting and clever piecing to make for maximum visual impact whether you're making a weekend project or a gift that will blow someone away.

The Design & Focal Centerpiece

At the heart of the Gossamer Garden Quilt is the Gossamer Garden Panel - Pastel (2647P-10). This 24" x 44" beautiful small size panel is filled with delicate painterly florals, fluttering butterflies and whimsical dragonflies on a gentle gradient background.

To make the top of the quilt:

• The project begins with fussy-cutting a 22 1/2” x 41 1/2” rectangle from the middle of the main panel so that the floral clusters and insect motifs are centered.

• Inner Framing: Adding Folio - Off White (7755-04) side and top/bottom strips builds the centerpiece out to 24 1/2" x 44 1/2". The framing step defines a clear visual boundary that moves into the outer borders which are detailed.

Palette & Fabric Coordinates

The tone on tone coordinates that Henry Glass Collections has selected make them so satisfying to quilt with. The combination of soft pastels and vibrant accent colors in the Gossamer Garden project enhances the delicate tones and nuances of the panel prints.

• Focal Panel (A): Gossamer Garden Panel - Pastel | 1 Panel (Fussy-cut center block)

• Primary Framing (B): Folio - Off White | 1 3/8 Yards (Inner borders & unit framing)

• Outer Border (L): Medallion - Pastel | 1 3/8 Yards (Long outer border strips)

• Accent Blocks (C–K): Accent foliage, dragonflies, Fuchsia Flowers & Folio Solids | Assorted 1/8 to 1 yard cuts (Butter, Peach, Sky, Violet & Royal)

• Foliage - Royal (M): 5/8 Yard (7 strip cuts)

• Dragonflies - Violet is a backing made from 2 cuts of fabric (finished size 63" x 83").

Key Piecing Techniques

The center block serves as the backbone of the picture, while the pieces around the edges provide the quilted appearance.

• Precision Strip Assemblies: The side and top edges are trimmed with geometric units made from narrow 1 1/2" strips of Folio solids (Butter, Peach, Orange, Pink) and Off White sashing.

• Alternatingly paired with crisp 4 1/2" Butterflies - Cream squares, these strip units are sub-cut to form 2 x 11 (side) and 2 x 10 (top/bottom) matrices to create Matrix Border Construction.

• Seamless Outer Framing: 6 1/2" wide strips of Medallion - Pastel quilt the pieced borders and ground the pastel palette.

The pattern is heavily dependent on correct strip sub-cutting; if a sharp rotary cut is used, and an accurate 1/4" seam allowance is maintained it will ensure that all the side matrix units will line up flush with the centre panel assembly.

Final Thought

Henry Glass Fabrics' Gossamer Garden Quilt is an excellent reminder of why panel quilts are so rewarding. When all you need to surround a focal print is strip piecing and some great pastel borders, you have the depth and complexity of an intricate quilt in a fraction of the time.

This pattern will add quiet serenity to your home whether it's a hanging on a porch bench, a bed runner, or a pattern or striped hanging across a guest bed. Grab your rotary cutter, grab the Gossamer Garden collection and fall into the soft lyricism of the next project!

Full Pattern: Gossamer Garden Quilt Free PDF Pattern 🎁

The Great Outdoors Rag Quilt

The Great Outdoors Rag Quilt

Learn how to create a Cozy Up with Nature: Introduction to The Great Outdoors Rag Quilt.

I just love a rag quilt! It has the cozy weight of the finished product you want to curl up on the porch with a hot cup of coffee, the tactile beauty of frayed edges, and the convenience of quilt-as-you-go creation. The Great Outdoors Rag Quilt, designed by Northcott Studio is an absolute must sew for those who are looking for a weekend project to add rustic outdoor beauty to their home!

The pattern is ideal for anyone who has been quilting for some time and is seeking a nice ‘palette cleanser' between their more challenging paper-piecing work, or for those just starting out who want to get into quilting a full-sized throw!

Pattern Overview & Specifications

Constructed to accentuate luxurious wilderness printing, earthy colors and nature themes, this throw-sized rag quilt comes out at a generous 55” x 73”. Large enough to be used for a cabin lap blanket, as a throw for a couch or to wrap around a campfire.

Fabric & Material Requirements

When making this project to follow the official pattern specifications you will need five main focal fabrics, in addition to your batting and backings:

• Fabric A (Block 1): 1 1/2 yards – cut into 17 squares measuring 10" x 10".

• Fabric B (Block 2 Center): 7/8 yard – cut into 18 center rectangles 5" x 10".

• Fabric C (Block 2 Outer): 2/3 yard – cut into 18 outer rectangles measuring 3 1/2" x 10".

• Fabric D (Block 2 Outer): 2/3 yard – cut into 18 outer rectangles measuring 3 1/2" x 10".

• Fabric E (Outer Border): 1 1/8 yards – cut into 24 rectangles (6" x 10") and 4 corner squares (6" x 6").

• You will need 4 3/8 yards of flannel batting (cutting across all block sizes).

• Backing Fabric: 4 3/8 yards – cut across all block dimensions.

Construction Techniques: How the Magic Happens
In Rag Quilting, seam allowances are turned outwards, as opposed to the “traditional” way of turning allowances inwards. Each individual block consists of 3 parts, the back, flannel batting and the top of the quilt.

Here are a few important steps to follow:

• Quilting Each Unit: Blocks quilted one by one after being pinned. The simple diagonal "X" across the 10" squares is great and binding all layers very efficiently.

• Exposed Seam Assembly: Blocks are seamed together with backing up to each other with a generous 1/2" seam allowance. This results in the raw edges of the fabric to be visible on the front of the quilt top.

• Alternating Layout: The quilt has an 7 x 5 grid with both Block 1 and Block 2 laid out alternately. The direction of Block 2 is alternated row by row, resulting in a dynamic geometric flow.

• After placing the 6" border to the outer edges and sewing a 1/2" perimeter stay stitch line, the fun part starts – snipping! Perpendicular cuts are cut at all exposed seam allowances every 1/4" to 3/8" apart (but not at the seamline).

Final Thought

The most unique aspect of The Great Outdoors Rag Quilt is that it's forgiving and rewarding. No need to fear point matching and elaborate binding skills. The exposed and snipped seam allowance will puff up into fabulous fluffy ravel. Whether you're looking for a thoughtful homemade gift or a cozy weekend project to enjoy the beauty of nature, download this pattern, select your favorite outdoor prints and get clipping!

Full Pattern: The Great Outdoors Rag Quilt Free PDF Pattern 🎁