We've got a new quilt to share with you today! It is the next release from our Pretty Easy Pattern series. I've had the idea for this quilt in my head for a really long time, and I am so excited to finally share it with you!
We call it Formation and it is my take on a patriotic quilt that is a bit more subtle than your typical themed quilt. I've always loved the red, white and blue color combo. It's so clean and classic, but I've never found the perfect patriotic fabric or quilt that spoke to me. So I designed my own using solid quilting cottons. (Added bonus of making a quilt with all solids - it's a great deal!! All the fabric for the twin size quilt top is only a little over $60!)
I feel like this quilt is the perfect expression of my patriotism. It's simple and classic but with a deeper rhythm and pattern running through it. My time in the Air Force really grounded my love for America. I enlisted when I was 18 and traveled the globe for the next 10 years. I learned so much, but most importantly how fortunate we are to be Americans. I try hard to never take for granted the freedoms and opportunities we are blessed with in this country.
The stacked rows were inspired by a rug design I've seen. We've strip pieced the rows to help this quilt come together quickly! The pattern includes layouts and instructions for throw, twin, queen and king size quilts. Another great feature of the design - it uses 2-1/2" strips, which you can cut in no time on our Accuquilt fabric cutter in our classroom. Stop in to pick out your fabric and we'll get you set up on the Accuquilt. You'll have your quilt ready to sew in a flash!
While our inspiration was for a patriotic quilt, this design has unlimited possibilities! The easiest way to choose colors for this quilt is to start with a main color family. In our original quilt I picked blue. Then choose a light, medium and dark shade of that color. Add in a bright contrasting color and a neutral and you're set! Here are a few more color ideas to help inspire you as you think through the Formation quilt. (All layouts shown are for the Queen size quilt.)
Main Color Family: Grey
Dark: Bella Solids Graphite
Medium: Bella Solids Steel
Light: Bella Solids Zen Grey
Contrasting: Bella Solids Maize
Neutral: Bella Solids Off White
Main Color Family: Green
Dark: Bella Solids Christmas Green
Medium: Kona Cotton in Clover
Light: Bella Solids Jade
Contrasting: Bella Solids Maize
Neutral: Bella Solids Off White
Main Color Family: Blue
Dark: Bella Solids Navy
Medium: Bella Solids Prussian Blue
Light: Bella Solids Teal
Contrasting: Bella Solids Jade
Neutral: Bella Solids Off White
Our original red, white and blue sample:
Dark: Bella Solids Navy
Medium: Bella Solids Prussian Blue
Light: Bella Solids Mist
Contrasting: Bella Solids Cayenne
Neutral: Bella Solids Eggshell
Not only can color change the look and feel of the quilt design, but the layout can easily be changed up to! Once you've strip pieced and cut the units, we encourage you to play with the layout. There are a ton of possibilities with this quilt to make many different layouts - either completely random or with a specific pattern. If this doesn't sound like your kind of thing, no worries! We've provided defined layouts for each size to simplify the process.
In case you ever wondered how we take quilt photos!
We hope you love Formation as much as we do. Wether you make a patriotic quilt to celebrate the 4th or do your own thing with color and layout, we hope you enjoy the process and love your quilt. Stop in the shop to grab a copy of Formation, or find it in our online store.
Happy Quilting!
Connie
