I’m a firm believer that making and sharing beautiful, meaningful objects can enhance people’s lives. I also recognize that keeping our hands busy can help calm our minds. Living in this time during the Covid19 pandemic, it is now more important than ever to make and share objects that are uplifting and hopeful. Today, I’m incredibly excited to share a project I’ve been working on with Aurifil, the premier thread company based near Milano, Italy.
introducing the FREE Andrà Tutto Bene mini quilt pattern
As a trained and practicing graphic designer, all of my quilt designs start with a concept. Quilts are a great graphic design medium since they are relatable and personal, making them the perfect way to promote and encourage kindness and love. There is also a rich history of makers raising awareness about important messages through their quilts. When my good friends at Aurifil asked me to design a mini quilt pattern with the concept Andrà Tutto Bene (Everything Will Be Okay in English) to share with the quilting community, I immediately said yes. My design for the mini quilt was inspired by the words and beautiful artwork created by children in Italy during the Covid19 pandemic in 2020. While children and their families in Italy were quarantined in their homes, many displayed rainbow-themed banners and posters featuring the phrase “Andrà Tutto Bene” to send messages of hope and positivity. Read more about my collaboration with Aurifil on this project here.
auditioning fabric
I really enjoyed sifting through my stash to find the perfect fabrics to make rainbows. The pattern is scrap and stash friendly as it uses the equivalent of 6 Fat Eighths (or scraps) for the rainbow, a Fat Quarter for the clouds, and 1/3 of a yard for the Sky/Background. I pulled fabric from my stash to make three different Andrà Tutto Bene mini quilts. I couldn’t pick just one direction, so I made all three versions!
the first version uses random scraps:
the second version uses Elements and PURE Solids from Art Gallery Fabrics:
the third version uses Ombre Stitches and Illusions from QT Fabrics:
piecing
Andrà Tutto Bene is constructed with one of my favorite piecing techniques, foundation paper piecing (FPP) using Aurifil 50 wt in 2024 (White).
quilting
For all of the mini quilts, I used the Even Feed (walking foot) on my Janome 6700p and matched my thread to my fabric. For batting, I used Warm and White by The Warm Company. I quilted the Andrà Tutto Bene minis with my favorite weight of Aurifil — 50wt in the following colors:
• 2024 (White)
• 2710 (Light Robins Egg)
• 1100 (Red Plum)
• 2235 (Orange
• 2225 (Salmon)
• 2865 (Emerald)
• 4182 (Dark Turquoise)
• 2540 (Medium Lavender)
customizing
Before I quilted my minis, I added the phrase “Andrà Tutto Bene (Everything Will Be Okay)”.
On one mini quilt, I hand embroidered the phrase using all 6 strands of Aurifil Cotton Floss in colors 4182 (Dark Turquoise) and 5004 (Grey Smoke).
On another mini quilt, I printed the phrase “Andrà Tutto Bene (Everything Will Be Okay)” on to Photo Fabric using my home inkjet printer. I then cut it out into a cloud shape and applied it using needle turn applique, using Aurifil 80wt thread.
my finished Andrà Tutto Bene minis
share hope
Make this mini quilt to display in the window of your own home or sewing space. Make one for yourself, for a friend, or even for your local quilt shop. Share hope.
download the pattern for free and get sewing!
9 Comments
Thank you for this terrific pattern. Perfect for this time! I picked it up on the Aurifil blog!
Thanks so much Karen for your note and kind words. I’d love to see a photo of your Andra Tutto Bene quilt when you’re ready to share!
What a pertinent sentiment for this time in our lives! Showed it to my husband as he has been teaching himself Italian so you know he liked it. Might have to make the pillow as a remembrance of this crazy time. Thanks for the pattern. I do love the precision of paper piecing.
Thanks so much for your comment Karen! I’m with you… I love foundation paper piecing because I can design and achieve precise motifs! I’d love to see your pillows when you’re ready to share! – Sheri
Thank you for so generously sharing your pattern. I love it! And such a great sentiment for such times as we are in. Thanks so much, Nancy
You’re welcome! I hope it brings you some joy making a mini! Enjoy, Sheri
Thanks so much, Sheri! Both my daughter and my son-in-law have lived in Italy at different times in the past and this will be a much welcomed gift during these trying times. And. . . I have plenty of time to make it 🙂
Karen
Hi Karen, You’re welcome! Thank you so much for sharing your connection to Italy. I had the opportunity to visit a while ago and it is absolutely beautiful (plus the food is amazing). I’m looking forward to a time when it’s safe to travel again. Italy is definitely on my list of places to visit. I hope you enjoy making the mini quilt! I’d love to see photos of it when you’re ready to share. Be well, Sheri