Nineteen Thirty quilt

Cue the trumpets! The finished quilt is photographed, and I can’t wait to share it with you!!!

Introducing, Nineteen Thirty! This quilt was sparked by my love for 1930’s Dutch architecture. My friend Katrin was right when she said, “That was a lot of design work!” It was no short journey from inspiration to object, but I feel satisfied that the resulting quilt is a small reflection of the timeless beauty of the 1930’s houses. And that makes me glad!

The graceful curves of the orchid flowers remind me of curved doors and windows. The geometric border with its on point squares and fancy corners remind me of the endless array of unique stained glass. And the center medallion imparts a majestic elegance that sets the tone for the whole quilt.

I was really on a mission when designing this quilt, and I have often wondered how it will land with you all. Most of you have never seen a Dutch 1930’s house, let alone lived in one. Once I started sewing and sharing Nineteen Thirty it became obvious that the quilt has another template - the formal garden. You noticed that the center medallion looks like a regal fountain, complete with circle sprays. The flowers, of course, are manicured flower beds, with paths to walk between. The balance and symmetry of the quilt design feels precisely like that of well-planned garden, hemmed in at the edges by a beautiful wall.

Nineteen Thirty is a quilt with variety. There are courses of appliqué and of curved piecing, but the main dish is traditional patchwork piecing. It’s an intermediate level quilt, as none of these skills are required at a technically advanced level. For example, if you have sewed my Wild Oranges quilt, the appliqué for Nineteen Thirty is at the same level. The curved piecing is akin to the drunkard’s path block, which you might be familiar with from my Dear Dottie or Drummer Boy Dresdens patterns. As is typical with Stitched in Color patterns, I’ve built-in trimming steps as often as possible, so that you can trim-to-perfection. The pattern is long and detailed, in order to break down all the different elements of this quilt into clear and do-able instructions.

Last week I indulged in a day of custom longarm quilting. I chose a simple, white background fabric and aqua thread, so that the quilting creates a wholecloth quilt look from the back. The border quitting doesn’t show up very well on the quilt top, so I’m thankful that it gets to be enjoyed on the quilt backing.

I am particularly happy with the swirly motif that I found for quilting over the medallion center. It swirls at just the right places to embellish the circles! The crosshatch quilting over the flowers might be a tad on the big side, but as a result of the open-style quilting the quilt is soft and drapey. Just look at cuddly it looks in the photo above, when I was adding the binding!

I bound my Nineteen Thirty quilt in the same fabric used for the background and sashing - Tilda Solid in Soft Teal. It is a simple way to finish a quilt that already has a lot to say.

My Nineteen Thirty quilt was sewn from a Rifle Paper Fabric Co. fat quarter set in the collection Bramble. You don’t need all the fat quarters in the collection to make this quilt, so I’ve asked some quilt shops to create quilt kits with the fabrics you need, plus the background solid yardage.

Nineteen Thirty quilt kits are now available at Sojo Fabric in the USA and at Kleinkariert in Germany.

It was not an easy decision, but I have listed this quilt in my Handmades shop. I hope someone will give it a loving home!

If you’ll be sewing your own Nineteen Thirty quilt this spring, don’t be afraid to select your own fabrics. The pattern includes ideas for alternative color schemes as well as detailed instructions for fabric placement in the same value relationships that I’ve used here. If you follow the color value directions in the pattern, then your quilt will have a similar sense of balance and flow, even in different fabrics.

I hope that you’ll join me this March!

nineteen thirty

++ Pattern Release February 20 ++

++ Sew-Along Starts March 1 ++

You only need to sign-up and have a copy of the pattern to participate.

Over 4 months from March through June, we’ll sew this 66” x 66” throw quilt. As always, I encourage you to do as much or as little as your schedule allows, but I do think this is a perfect project for spring weather!

On Friday I’ll share ideas for alternative color palettes. I can’t wait to see your Nineteen Thirty quilts flourish!