New to my shop...Gemstone! I really like this quilt design and how it can highlight some favorite prints. Gemstone is now available in my pattern shop in both digital and print versions for a special introductory price.
FABRICS & MATERIALS
The cover quilt is made with (affiliate links):
Gemstone is prefect for prints that you want to showcase. For my version of Gemstone, I had a fat quarter bundle of the Smol collection and I loved the prints so much that I did not want to cut them into small pieces. The center of the stars is great for them. Layer cake slices (10" squares) would also work well.
I framed the center prints in solids and like-solids along with a really cool print from Rifle Paper & Co. I have had in my stash forever. I think that it adds interest without taking away from the Smol prints.
I used my favorite Warm & White batting by the Warm Company and Aurifil thread for the piecing and quilting.
For the backing, I went with a Tim Holtz print that was similar in colors to the Rifle Paper Co. print.
ABOUT THE QUILTING
Initially, I had planned on doing an all-over quilting design for my version of Gemstone. But when I was trying to figure out what design to use, I decided that I really wanted to treat each area differently to highlight each fabric.
For the block centers, I used a swirl design using thread that matched each fabric. The star points each got little cursive "l" shapes that followed the size of the triangles. I quilted the white areas using a back and forth line design placed on a 45 degree angle. This is one of my favorite parts of the quilting and I think that it adds an extra dimension to the design. The cream print and gray sashing were quilted using loose back and forth lines.
The quilting did take considerably longer (especially all of the thread burying) than an all over design but it was fun and kept my interest because I was able to switch quilting designs so often.
ABOUT THE DESIGN
The center of the blocks is perfect for larger scale prints and the pattern contains instructions for different prints (like the cover quilt) and using a single print for all of the centers. Here is a version of Gemstone using the Wild collection by Brett Lewis, Natural Born Quilter for Northcott Fabrics that is being released in August 2022. The center blocks use the focal "hero" print of the collection.
PATTERN DETAILS
Gemstone is a more intermediate level pattern due to all of the piecing involved, but a confident beginner can definitely make it. The pattern contains instructions to make three sizes: lap, twin, and queen.
Gemstone is on sale in my pattern shop in
digital and
print versions at a
special introductory price of $9.50 now through Sunday, January 23rd. Once you make an Gemstone of your own, you can share it via social media using the hashtag #GemstoneQuilt.
In my
pattern shop, you can combine this intro sale price with an additional coupon for more savings. Use the code "TWOPATTERNS" for $2 off 2 patterns and "THREEPATTERNS" for $4 off 3 patterns.
MANY THANKS
I would like to thank
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl for her amazing tech editing skills and quilting ideas. I would also like to thank the Warm Company for the Warm & White batting (my favorite!).
MORE PICTURES & RENDERINGS
Here is another version using more of Maureen Cracknell's prints, with the same print in the center of each block.
Here is Piper "helping" me with some pictures inside the house...
PINTEREST
I have been more and more active on Pinterest (check me out here). If you would like to save Gemstone for later on your Pinterest boards, here are some pinnable images.
In my pattern shop, you can combine this intro sale price with an additional coupon for more savings. Use the code "TWOPATTERNS" for $2 off 2 patterns and "THREEPATTERNS" for $4 off 3 patterns.
