Today I’m releasing my fourth quilt pattern, the Hesper Quilt!
My Hesper quilt is my ode to two of my all-time favorite blocks: stars and Irish chains. When designing this quilt, I wanted something that felt vintage. I don’t know about you, but I just love something that looks like it could have been made a hundred years ago, too.
I also wanted to create a block that incorporated every single fabric from my Beloved bundle. I curated this bundle for Art Gallery Fabrics as part of their Sewcialite program. I didn’t want to leave any of the fabrics out and so I made the stars extra scrappy.
Curating fabrics for this quilt will be a breeze. Most fat quarter bundles contain 16 fabrics that already have been carefully matched by a designer. Then you just need to pick two favorites from the bundle to buy some additional yardage for the Irish chain blocks. Throw in background and you will easily have a quilt you will love.
You will have leftover fabric if you use an FQ bundle, to save for another project. Or to make another Hesper quilt. I totally would approve of that decision.
If you want to make it even easier, Alicia and Jen, from Wild Blooms Quilt Co and Piper Autumn Fabrics--respectively--are selling kits!
For the cover version shown above, head over to Wild Blooms Quilt Co (here). If you love Jen's version on that dreamy blue background, visit her shop (here).
Read on to see some of the other beautiful tester versions! They are all so good!
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
Mary used a blend of gorgeous Art Gallery Fabrics in reds and blues! Many are from the Kindred collection by Sharon Holland. I personally love the pop of golds. They are unexpected and the perfect accent. If you aren’t already following Mary, you should. She is an expert pattern tester and her work is always on point. You can find her on Instagram @embercraftcompany
Jen Cannon
Jen is a talented quilter and online fabric shop owner who put together the most wonderful bundle for her Hesper quilt. She used a mix of low volumes and a gorgeous blue background to really make those low volumes pop. She has kits for her version in her shop, Piper Autumn Fabrics. You can find her shop by clicking here. And don’t forget to follow her on Instagram @piperautumnfabrics.
Michelle Corless
Michelle used the wonderful Timberline collection by Jessica Swift for her baby sized quilt. Timberline has the most adorable prints of forest imagery—think foxes and acorns and pine trees—in a beautiful palette of teal and yellow orange. Michelle’s quilt would be perfect for any family that loves the outdoor life. Michelle is also a talented designer herself. Follow her @compassandwildflower to see her beautiful designs.
Susan Eiseman Levitin
Susan’s quilt is the scrappiest version with a mix of Art Gallery Fabrics. The stars are perfect and rainbowy and super scrappy. Her quilt makes me just feel happy when I look at it! I cannot thank Susan enough for lending her creativity and hard work to this quilt. If you want the same scrappy look, just mix up the HST's for each star. Perfect for all the scrappy-loving quilters out there.
Conni Frankl
Conni was such a champ and finished her throw sized Hesper quilt prior to starting her farm’s harvest! She worked tirelessly to complete this beauty. Her fabrics are from the Mindscape collection by Katarina Roccella. It is a wonderful palette of navy blues and peachy oranges. The result is sublime. You can follow Conni @prairie_hugs
Sharon Holland
Last, but not least, we have Sharon Holland's gorgeous quilt.
When Sharon offered to test my quilt, I almost fainted dead away. Sharon has been someone I’ve admired and looked up to for a really long time, so it was a surreal moment for me. Of course, Sharon did not disappoint! She used her gorgeous new fabrics from the Juniper collection. If you haven’t taken a look at them yet, you need to. With a mix of evergreens, oranges and wonderful low volume prints, it’s a palette that is wintry without being too Christmas-y. Look at how beautiful they are in the quilt! Take my advice and buy a half yard bundle for yourself.
You can follow Sharon @sharonhollanddesigns
I hope you are inspired to make your own version of the Hesper Quilt. And more so, I hope it becomes your new favorite quilt. Please tag me if you share photos on Instagram using @midlife_quilter. You can also always email me if you prefer to not share photos online. I just love seeing your work and don't want to miss a thing!
Until next time, happy quilting.