I am here today to share that our newest Then Came June Quilt Pattern is available now - Simple Joys!
Simple Joys is a beginner friendly quilt pattern. I designed it to be fat quarter friendly and it is a strip piecing and batching sewing dream!
I love a pattern that is easy to envision and quick to make. Simple Joys includes SEVEN sizes - Baby, Small Throw, Medium Throw, Large Throw, Twin, Queen and King! This pattern is one (depending on the size) that can be finished in a weekend!
We have made four different quilt samples for this launch and today I am excited to share with you our Confetti sample!
The Confetti Simple Joys showcases the Large Throw which finishes at 72" x 84". There are two different blocks in a Simple Joys - a Bar Block and a Cross Block. The Large Throw requires 10 FQs for the Bar Blocks and 7 FQs for the Cross Blocks as well as 3 1/2 yards of a background fabric. I chose to go with a really happy light springy palette for this sample and it so is so yummy.
We used all Bella solids from Moda Fabrics. And here is how I divided all 17 FQs into two piles - one for the Bar Blocks and one for the Cross Blocks. I tried to make sure any colors that were represented a few times (yellow, peaches and blues) were divided slightly between two stacks.
Once I had my two stacks decided, I snapped a photo so I could keep them straight and then got to cutting!
One of my favorite parts of sewing is all the piecing. Sometimes I crave more intricate piecing but most times I want something that is efficient and quick. I adore binge watching TV or movies I've already seen while I sew (not too much stimulus). There is a hum and calm that comes over me when I can chain piece a quilt. Simple Joys provides that ease for me. Also, it creates stunning fabric ribbons.
Once all the strips are sewn together, you cut them down into their units and create the blocks!
Once all the blocks are ready then it's time to lay them out according to the diagrams provided in the pattern. The basic information is that each size has a certain number of columns and rows so for this size it's 10 blocks wide by 12 rows long. And the Bar Blocks and Cross Blocks alternate back and forth in a row. PLUS, some of the Bar Blocks rotate between vertical and horizontal orientation. I did this intentionally to create visual movement in the final top. But other than following Bar Block, Cross Block, Bar Block and looking at the slight rotation, all the fabric placement is random. You don't need to overthink it. This design is suppose to be light and freeing and fun!
Once it was all laid out (minus that very top row, one block WOULD NOT STAY PUT) we assembled each row together. And guess what!! You don't need to press any seams until all your rows are sewn together. I LOVE THAT! I love not having to stop and press all the time. And once the rows are together, then we start to press the rows opposite directions to make the blocks all nest. Yay yay yay!
The best part of sewing all the rows together is that the block seams nest and no other seams have to "meet" between rows. You know what that means in my world?! NO PINS! I am able to just quickly sew the rows together and keep them all in line because the nested seams give me the guidance I need. This top came together so fast!
The color interactions are so joyful. It reminds me a candy for some reason or a party. We almost called this the sprinkles sample but it more reminds me of a big can of confetti getting thrown into the air.
I sent all of my Simple Joys samples to my friend and local quilter, Emily, of So Sunny Quilts. I knew right away that I wanted a larger repetitive graphic design. I have used the Daisy Daze pantograph I think once or twice so far and wanted to use it again. The daisy is such a delightful addition to this already springy cheerful quilt.
Isn't this texture just stunning?! We also used a light shiny pink thread on the quilt. It is very subtle but super pretty up close.
I backed this quilt in Bella Dusty Jade and bound it in a Broadstripe Yellow fabric from Heather Ross. It is the perfect finishing touch on the entire sample. I love love love it!
This sample was really fun to photograph and shoot. I wore a bright yellow dress I've had for years and I knew would be perfect to wear for this photoshoot. For some reason I kept trying to hold bundles on my head and would twirl in and out of the photos. I am a child.
I couldn't stop twirling in this dress. And up next Redford wanted to be in some of the photos. He is our studio love bug and he is always around. We love having him here with us every day. He did a little twirl session with me.
He is just the cutest little doggo ever.
We adore how this quilt turned out. And the Simple Joys pattern is incredibly satisfying, quick and fun to make. I can't wait to dive into more fabric and make another one! Redford also thinks you would enjoy this quilt!
We used all Bella solids from Moda Fabrics. And here is how I divided all 17 FQs into two piles - one for the Bar Blocks and one for the Cross Blocks. I tried to make sure any colors that were represented a few times (yellow, peaches and blues) were divided slightly between two stacks.
He is just the cutest little doggo ever.
