Rustic chic doesn't get any better than a snowball quilt made with Amy Butler's Gypsy Caravan and real linen.
Linen is so organic & soft after washing, and as always, Gypsy Caravan doesn't disappoint. Amy Butler's patterns & colors harmonize next to each other and the linen adds a natural element.
There are lots of tips for sewing garments with linen but not many on how to make a quilt with it. The biggest caution seems to be a concern with the linen edges unraveling when using a 1/4" seam. Internet advice suggests that sewing with a larger 1/2" seam is a safer option.
Good advice but this was not possible if I wanted my corners to fit into the 'snowball' and not make a distorted block.
A scant 1/4" was my only choice. I pressed my seams open and quilted on them in a grid pattern, as well as through the middle of the snowball using a medium broken zigzag stitch. That way, any stray or loose linen edges are sewn down on the inside - and the seam is really secure.
I did pre-wash in hot water & dry the linen on hot a few times to maximize shrinkage (which was a few inches). This really did tighten up the fabric weave (which was a good thing). Between starch and ironing, the linen did become 'shiny' - but in the end everything looked great after washing. If you are nervous about how the linen will look in it's final stage - iron and starch a decent sized scrap piece. Throw it in with your hot washes a few times. Afterwards you will see that you really can't ruin this natural fiber and be able to sew with confidence.
The most time/labor portion of this quilt seemed to be in the ironing. Fabric for 528 corners and 132 snowballs needed to be starched/cut/sewn - and ironed again - but the Accuquilt die was fun and the cutting part went quickly.
The end goal was not to make this look like beautiful pressed linen bedding - but a textured quilt worthy of a 'very cool & fancy gypsy caravan." Materials: Amy Butler / Gypsy Caravan Natural Linen IL090 from Fabric-Store.com Warm & White twin sized batting Aurifil 50wt. Light Sand 2000 for piecing & quilting Accuquilt Snowball die Faultless Starch (lots)
This herringbone pattern made with half square triangles is so easy and effective for any quilt - not just a sweet baby boy blanket.
Using my Accuquilt 4.5" finished sized half square triangle die, starch, a scant 1/4" seam and small stitches (1.5) - the squares came out perfectly.
This template here from Riley Blake Designs can be saved to your computer and then printed out - making layout very simple.
The best part is that everything is easy to keep track of. Chain piecing only two colors is fun - and using a dainty broken zigzag on the seams didn't take too long since the blanket was so small. For a larger quilt I would recommend a larger zigzag but still in the grid pattern.
Lastly, Riley Blake Blenders (or Shades) add such depth because of their mottled/uneven coloring. I've used this slate gray before in the Fancy Fox and Mustache quilts - and it is so much prettier in real life than any photo can show. For a selection of colors, check out The Loopy Ewe or Stash Addict Quilts.
Materials: Riley Blake Slate Blender Kona white Backyard Baby / Michael Miller for backing & binding Isacord #40 thread Warm & White (Crib size) Accuquilt HST 4.5" Size: 40.5" x 45" March 2015
