Hello quilting friends (and plant lovers)! Today I’m ready to reveal a behind the scenes look at the new Greenhouse Garden quilt—a block of the month and quilt sew along project for 2024. Early Bird Registration is now officially open. Register here today and save!
2024 marks the fourth year of my year-long Block of the Month (BOM) series, and this time, we’re diving into the blooming beauties of Greenhouse Garden. Hundreds of quilters have sewn along with us over the years. Quilters of all skill levels have completed beautiful quilts and mastered new Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) skills.
Let’s explore the new Greenhouse Garden design!
From Sketch to Stitch
This project started in April 2023. I brought my iPad and Apple Pencil to my local coffeehouse and using the program Procreate, I started sketching a greenhouse scene while sipping on a latte.
Once I was back in the Studio, I brought that sketch into Adobe Illustrator and started tweaking it a bit. Once I was happy with the initial design, I transitioned the sketch to reality by drafting the entire design into Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) blocks, dividing the scene up into 12 rectangular quilt blocks. The blocks can be pieced next to one another to create a quilt with just the plants or sashing can be added between the blocks to make it look like they’re inside greenhouse windows.
This quilt pattern is TOTALLY Foundation Paper Pieced (no curved piecing or applique). The awesome thing about FPP, other than it being incredibly precise, is that you can sew a few straight lines near one another at angles and then it looks like a curve. It’s an easy way to achieve these organic, curvy plants! If you look closely at the quilt, you see the straight lines but if you step back, they look like curves.
I find that that most quilters either love FPP or haven’t found the love for it — YET. Foundation paper piecing requires thinking about piecing in a different way than other quilt projects and every quilter approaches it slightly differently. I find that with a little bit of patience and practice, quilters can pick up on it and learn to love this technique. Need a tutorial (or refresher) on FPP? I have you covered with a free Foundation Paper Piecing Tutorial/Mini Class.
The video below shows a little bit of my process — how I draft quilt sketches into paper piecing pattern templates. It’s a bit like putting a puzzle together.
Versatile Blocks, Bountiful Quilt Options
Quilters, rejoice in choice! These versatile Greenhouse Garden blocks offer multiple layout options. Instructions are included for how to assemble the blocks into: 4 runners, a throw quilt, or pick up the optional Add-On Block Pack and go big with twin and queen-sized quilts. If you prefer, incorporate your blocks into other projects—abstract mini quilts, wall decor, placemats, table runners, bags… the options are endless!
While this is a great quilt to get scrappy on and use fabric you have in your stash, I also love looking at fabric collection options. Let’s take a look at some of the possibilities (all of the details and specifications are included in this PDF document):
Chalk and Charcoal Fabric
by Jennifer Sampou for Robert Kaufman Fabrics
Grunge by Moda Fabrics
Chrysanthemum Fabric
by Alison Glass for Andover Fabrics
Speckled Fabric
by Rashida Coleman Hale for Ruby Star Society
Art Gallery Pure Solids
Let’s make a beautiful Greenhouse Garden quilt!
I had so much fun designing and making the Greenhouse Garden quilts but that’s just the beginning! I’ll be sewing along with lots of other quilters from all over the world throughout 2024 —jump in at anytime as this is a low-stress BOM sew along and we’ll all be working at our own pace as we make our own Greenhouse Garden quilts.
All skill levels welcome. This Block of the Month was designed for quilters who have some experience with foundation paper piecing (FPP) and are looking for a fun but challenging project. That said, beginners are totally welcome as I’ll be sharing all of my tips and tricks. Wherever you are with your FPP skills, by the end of 2024, your piecing skills and confidence will grow. I’ll be here to share all of my tips and cheer you on every step of the way. We’ll all go at our own pace. There’s no pressure to finish the block each month, but for those who want to keep to a schedule we’ll keep each other accountable and have a finished quilt top by the end of the year.
I hope you’ll join us! Early Bird Registration is now open. If you register before December 18, 2023 you’ll save $10 on registration. Get all of the details and register here:
Have questions about the Block of the Month?
I’d love to help you. Please send me an email and ask away!
