Retro Blossoms Quilt Pattern - all the details!

When choosing fabrics for this quilt, it might be helpful to think about each of these groups one at a time. It's important to note that the groups all work together to create a cohesive effect for the entire quilt. For this particular design, I tend to stick to a certain "formula" for choosing these fabrics. 
First, I would start with the Background. This is the largest portion of your quilt and it interacts with all of the other fabrics. The Background gives you a "canvas" for  the other colors, so spend some time considering what you want this fabric to be. 

Next, it's probably easiest to choose your Border fabric. This fabric goes along the perimeter of your quilt, which creates a nice frame along the scalloped edges. For the cover quilt, I created a high-contrast with a dark Background and light border. You can also use this fabric to add a pop of color, like the mock-up below. 

Then, I would think about your Orange Peels. This is a group of fabrics, so you'll refer to the fabric requirements to see how many fabrics you need. For the cover quilt (and the quilt seen above) I used various shades of pinks and purples. Choosing fabrics that are similar with slightly different shades and values will allow the design to "twinkle" a little bit, all while keeping everything compact and organized.

The same theory is also true for the Accent fabrics. This is a group of fabrics, again, I like to keep them all in the same color family. 

Then the Cornerstones are the icing on the cake. This is a great place to add a pop of color or contrast. 

All of the colors really play off each other, so I highly recommend trying out you color way ideas on PreQuilt before you get started. If you aren't familiar with PreQuilt, it's a digital coloring page service that allows you to try various fabric ideas within the context of a digital mock-up. Their interfacing is super easy to use and it makes planning your quilt such a breeze!

Through PreQuilt, you can use their FREE pre-loaded solid fabric swatches (hello Kona & AGF), randomize colors, and try new ideas so that you have a quilt plan before you get started. You can also sign up for a PreQuilt subscription, which allows you to: 

• Save all the customized digital coloring pages (can go back and revisit or change later)
• Download high resolution images of the quilt mockups
• Use printed fabric swatches in the coloring pages
• Create your own quilt ideas in PreQuilt

I had the pleasure of meeting up with Laura again at QuiltCon this year, and along with her husband, they really put so much thought into this program...and it shows! If you're looking to upgrade to an annual subscription, use the code LOANDBEHOLD for 20% off.

Once you're ready to start shopping, here are the fabric requirements for all of the sizes:

Let's talk about the cover quilt! 

The cover quilt is the Square Throw using Robert Kaufman Kona© solids.

• Accents:
• Roasted Pecan
• Yarrow
• Gold
• Taupe
• Background:
• Gotham Grey (or AGF Magnetism)
• Orange Peels:
• Gumdrop
• Ballerina
• Rose
• Foxglove
• Melon
• Blush Pink
• Primrose
• Shell
• Cornerstones:
• Wasabi
• Border:
• Snow

For the Backing, I used Kona Ballerina and for the binding, I used Kona Wasabi.

We have kits to make this exact quilt in our shop!

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This is probably one of my most intricate patterns. But don't let that scare you! The instructions walk you through every step thoroughly and clearly. The diagrams in this pattern are top notch, if I do say so myself. Not to mention each of the curves have ample margins for trimming that means that you make everything oversized, then trim it down so that you can avoid wonkiness and keep your points. I don't know about you, but I love me some wiggle room!

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Speaking of curves, Retro Blossoms includes three different kinds of curves: drunkard's path units, orange peels and half circles. There are printable templates included within the pattern (the Paper copy of the pattern includes templates that are already printed) OR you can opt to purchase a set of acrylic templates. 

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Ya'll. These template rulers are a GAME CHANGER when it comes to cutting out pieces for this quilt. Don't get me wrong, you don't need them for the pattern...I actually cut everything for the cover quilt using the paper templates included in the pattern. But the acrylic options makes things so much quicker and potentially more efficient and accurate. The set includes 6 different acrylic templates, which creates all three of your curved units within Retro Blossoms. The best part? You can reuse them again and again for future projects; AND...we just rewrote one of my older patterns, Shades of Citrus, so that you can use these templates for that pattern as well. Woot woot!

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If you're looking for further guidance around working with curves, Curve College, our intermediate online course, will open for enrollment early April! This comprehensive class is an incredible program that walks you through everything from cutting curves (three different ways) to sewing and trimming tips. We also share additional curved templates and projects so that you can go on an confidently create various curved piecing projects with ease. This lifetime access course includes thorough video instructions, a comprehensive workbook and access to a community where you can share progress and ask questions. It's a great place to be and we hope you'll join us soon! Be sure to get on the waitlist and read more about Curve College here. 

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But back to the cover quilt! Believe it or not, this pattern is a "mix and match" style pattern. Similar to Nightingale and Mosaic Star, each block will like slightly different based on how you pair your fabrics. It's a fun little component to creating this pattern! 

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I decided to quilt this quilt myself using one of my favorite quilting patterns. First, I pin basted my quilt top together with my batting (100% Cotton) and backing (Kona Ballerina). Then I quilted vertical and horizontal lines that are about 1.5" apart. Once those were finished, I quilted diagonal lines to go through each intersection. I'm obsessed with the texture that this creates!

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I used Aurifil Wine (5003)  50 weight thread on the top of the quilt and a 50 weight cream color thread (Aurifil 2026) on the back of the quilt. I love how it provides texture and a little bit of color, but it doesn't draw too much attention to itself. 

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For the binding, I used Kona Wasabi to match the Cornerstones. I hand-quilted the binding with an 8 weight black thread to provide a little bit of an accent. All in all, I'm thrilled with how it turned out!

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Be sure to grab the Retro Blossoms quilt pattern in our shop (printed or PDF) and checkout our quilt kits as well! I cannot wait to see what you create with the pattern!

 

LINKS:

• Retro Blossoms - PDF
• Retro Blossoms - Printed
• Retro Blossoms - Optional Acrylic Templates
• Retro Blossoms - Quilt Kits
• PreQuilt