A new year, a new quilt pattern! I’m happy to introduce to you the Lollies quilt pattern.
This pattern came to be as the result of a mistake (you can read all about that in this previous blogpost). Luckily, it was one of those happy mistakes that lead to something I hadn’t considered before.
The blocks in the Lollies quilt pattern are a pleasing diamond shape reminiscent of a hard candy lolly. They really remind me of the individually wrapped butter scotch candies that are so enjoyable on a cold day.
This quilt pattern comes with instructions for 6 quilts.
There are 5 fat quarter friendly sizes – baby, throw, twin, queen and king sizes. Here are their measurements:
The baby quilt finishes at approximately 42” x 46″.
The throw quilt finishes at approximately 58″ x 70″.
The twin quilt finishes at approximately 62″ x 92″.
The queen quilt finishes at approximately 92″ x 96″.
The king fat quarter (FQ) friendly quilt finishes at approximately 102″ x 96″.
Then there is a bonus king size which is layer cake (10″ squares) friendly, for all those looking for a way to use up some of those layer cakes that languish in your cupboard.
The king layer cake (LC) friendly quilt finishes at approximately 110½” x 103″.
The version I made for the cover photo is the baby size. It was made from 6 fat quarters that have been hiding in my stash for quite some time. Some of these fabrics are close to 10 years old – yikes! My background fabric is Kona Snow (found here on Etsy* or at the Fat Quarter Shop*.)
I think the yellow/orange/grass green is a very bright and happy combo. The citrus vibes give a fresh feeling that reminds me of spring. It’s also a good unisex colour palette, which can be handy.
Before I sewed my quilt top together I did consider a diagonal layout (see below), but in the end I went with a curated random look. (Curated random meaning delightfully scrappy rather than hot mess!)
For my backing I actually used a yellow Scrappy Lattice quilt top that I found in my stash. I felt very smug using up old FQs and a UFO quilt top in this quilt!
This quilt was quilted on my domestic machine using wavy lines. (I talk about how I do my wavy, organic quilting at the end of this post – there’s also a short video of me using the technique.) It’s a very easy and forgiving quilting method – thus one I use a lot of the time.
I used the remains of the yellow fat quarters from the Lollies quilt top to create a scrappy binding.
I considered sewing a zigzag machine binding (as per this tutorial) but was running a little low on yellow thread. Rather than sweating whether I had enough thread to make it all the way around, I went with a straight stitch machine binding instead.
I used these flat clips (found on Etsy*) to hold the binding in place as I sewed it down from front of the quilt.
I’m very happy with how this version turned out.
I’m looking forward to making other versions too. You don’t have to stick to the instructions as far as using FQs. You can use up scraps or larger cuts of fabric as well.
This is also a good pattern to have some fun with the layout. You could use a single colour in each row:
Or each column (gradating out from the centre):
Perhaps gradating across the quilt in columns?
Or a single colour for each diagonal:
What about the diamond shape layout:
The diamonds could also involve gradation – whether dark to light or light to dark:
The larger sizes could also be made in a zigzag pattern (this is the queen size – I’m getting a serene water vibe from this):
There are so many different ways you could make this quilt, there’s sure to be one that suits the fabrics you have in your stash. Don’t let your fat quarters hang around for a decade like I have!
If you’d like to make your own Lollies quilt you can find the pattern here in my shop. Thank you so much for reading this far and happy sewing!
Cheers,
Kirsty
*affiliate links. If you purchase through this link I receive a small commission which helps me pay my hosting fees (it doesn’t make your purchase any more expensive – it comes out of the product’s marketing budget). It’s a way you can help Bonjour Quilts at no additional cost to you.
Hi, Kirsty! Your new site worked super well on my iPhone 8–smooth & super fast. :)
Thank you for the pattern! I was waiting for it! And thank you for the remainder email with the discount! The thing I love most about Lollies is that it gives me comfort, looking at it it’s like being back in the crib, free of burden! It’s a nice feeling! Thank you! And happy new year!
We could all use a bit of that feeling at the moment, Deborah!
I just started my “ Lollies quilt today! I too was looking forward to the pattern coming available! Send pictures of your quilt when done!!
Wahoo, I’m excited to see it!
Hey Kristy, I just love your Lollies pattern! I really like a design that allows us to show off our beautiful fabrics. I do have a question for you: Is there a trick to making a reversible quilt that makes it easier to line up everything? I have to sandwich my quits on the carpeted floor using T-pins. I just finished quilting my 1st reversible quilt for my 5 yr old granddaughter. I’m thinking it will also be my last! It’s lined up close enough, but it was a real stinker getting there! You did a great job on your back!
It is a bit tricky, Sheryl, depending on the design. This one was fairly tricky as it has to be lined up in all four directions.
I always mark the midpoint of each side of the backing, batting and top with a water soluble marker before I start, so I have references for lining up. I also have a tiled floor where I can baste, which helps me to eyeball all the sides and see if they correspond to the same point on the backing. I also try to remind myself that perfection is the enemy of “done” and to not sweat it too much. Chances are your backing and top won’t be absolutely square/exact anyway, so it may be physically impossible to make an exact match.
This one didn’t turn out perfect but it’s pretty good, and honestly any slight wonk won’t be noticed in the course of the normal use of a quilt.
Hope that helps!
Love it ! Added to my growing list, what software do you use for planning colours? I’d like to plan mine
I have inadvertently ended up using a weird network diagramming software program for my illustrations which I really wish I hadn’t (it’s not the best program for it and I’m now in too deep and can’t be bothered changing!). But lots of people use EQ or Adobe Illustrator as it has the ability to upload fabric swatches which is very cool.
Thank you, Mary Lynn, it’s great to finally have the pattern published. Happy New Year!
Hi Mary, I only have a tutorial for my zigzag method (there’s a link to it in this post), not for straight line machine binding.
I sew the binding to the front of the quilt and then fold it over to the back and clip in place. I make sure the binding is clipped about 2mm over the stitching line that I sewed to attach the binding.
Then I sew with the front of the quilt facing up, stitching in the ditch where the binding meets the quilt, catching the binding on the back. I go very slow and steady and try not to shift the binding as I remove the clips.
I’ve yet to manage to sew without missing a bit on the back, but I just put in some hand stitches when I’m done so that it’s all secure. You could reclip and go back over those spots with the machine, but I find some hand stitches are easy and it looks neater.
Happy New Year! I’ve been looking forward to this pattern since the “mistake” :) always great to wake up to a newsletter from you. They make me smile!
I love this quilt. The pattern is great and the colors are greater- thank you.
Do you have a tutorial on your binding method? I always do mine by hand on the back of the quilt- traditional style. I have charity quilts that would benefit from your technique.
Happy quilting,
Thanks
Mary from S.W. Colorado
Sew to the back. Turn to the front and sew. I use 2-1/4″ binding strips to make sure I get the seam line covered.