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carolyn friedlander

carolyn friedlander

fabric and pattern designer

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Frond Quilt Pattern

April 28, 2022 by carolyn friedlander 13 Comments

My Frond Quilt Pattern is here!

frond quilt by carolyn friedlander
photo by Alexis Wharem

When developing my Long Leaf acrylic templates, I knew I wanted more patterns to use along with them. The shapes have been so enticing to me, and it’s been fun to explore more project possibilities.

long leaf acrylic templates

Frond is an exciting journey of a project. I think of any project as a journey if there is some creative story to tell as you move across the project, or in the case of Frond, as you wind your way around it.

folded frond quilt by carolyn friedlander

The Design

The design winds it way out from the center in rows and rows of repeated shapes. I decided to make it a colorful journey as I worked my way through all of the pieces in my new Languid fabric collection. You can see how I transition through all of the different pieces as you spiral out from the center.

frond quilt on a bed by carolyn friedlander

Another approach using these same fabrics (or any other fabrics, really) would be to forgo the groupings of like-fabrics and just mix them all up. This would work really well with scraps, and you can imagine how different the effect would be. (This makes me dream of making another version…) Since it’s such a symmetrical design, I liked how grouping the fabrics in these offset units broke up that symmetry.

frond quilt by carolyn friedlander

When using a lot of different fabrics, your background selection is obviously an important one. I always like to audition many choices over the accent fabrics I’m using, and in this case this pickle-y piece from Languid really did it for me. It cast a beautiful shade for the project and was also able to highlight both fabrics lighter and darker. (I find pickle-y shades do this so well.)

frond quilt detail by carolyn friedlander

On Technique and Challenge

In terms of skill level, this project can be a bit trickier if making one of the larger sizes and depending on the technical approach. It is a design that grows from the center, and so any discrepancies in seam allowances can compound. Being aware of this and being thoughtful in how you decide to piece your project can help you choose the best path for you. I offer up some tips and alternatives in the pattern.

Like with my Long Leaf project, you have the option to go with Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) or Template Piecing. FPP may be easier to create a professional looking result. That process bakes in a perfect seam allowance, plus the paper will stabilize the blocks for you.

Template Piecing can be a bit faster, but you will need to be diligent about your seam allowances so that your pieces fit together well. This is when I like setting my seam allowance with a magnetic seam guide to keep me on track and consistent throughout the project.

cutting out frond quilt using the templates

I’ve been in such a template-piecing mood lately, so that’s how I put this version together. I enjoyed cutting out the shapes, auditioning them in their place and sewing them all together.

frond quilt by carolyn friedlander

The Quilting

There are many ways to quilt this project. You could absolutely get fussy and highlight all of the individual shapes, or you could go with a curvilinear motif–sometimes that can work really beautifully with something so angular. Or you could hand quilt it too. I love a design that lends itself to a variety of options.

frond quilt quilting close up by carolyn friedlander

For me, I wanted an all-over, machine approach. I created an angular texture through free motion quilting that I changed up as I worked my way around the project.

In using so many different colors in the project, thread choice can be a bit tricky. I went with a light-medium neutral color that worked well with the background fabric. It also doesn’t stand out too much in the lightest or darkest fabrics either. Sometimes when you have such a spectrum it’s good to stay somewhere in the middle, especially if you have such a prominent background.

frond quilt by carolyn friedlander

Project Details

Pattern: Frond Quilt Pattern, queen size

Technique/Templates: Foundation Paper Piecing or Template Piecing (using Long Leaf Acrylic Template Set)

Fabric: Languid

frond quilt by carolyn friedlander
photo by Alexis Wharem

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. rebeca says

    April 28, 2022 at 2:00 pm

    It turned out well….thanks for writing about your process….I think it’s neat the way you even decided to quilt with the lines..some going this way and others going another way……and I am interested in your templates and magnetic seam…..your pattern is super nice and your color choices are great…..you can do no wrong CF. I’m like super happy you and Kaufman are super tight. 🙂 great partnership w/the fabrics.

    Reply
    • carolyn friedlander says

      April 29, 2022 at 3:58 pm

      Thanks so much, rebeca!

      Reply
  2. Jeni says

    April 29, 2022 at 5:55 am

    What a beautiful quilt. The green background really makes it!

    Reply
    • carolyn friedlander says

      April 29, 2022 at 3:58 pm

      Thanks, Jeni!

      Reply
  3. Melanie says

    April 29, 2022 at 10:52 am

    What a beautiful project!!!!

    Reply
    • carolyn friedlander says

      April 29, 2022 at 3:58 pm

      Thank you, Melanie!

      Reply
  4. Betsey Kuzia says

    April 29, 2022 at 2:37 pm

    I agree, I do like that pickle-y color too!

    Reply
    • carolyn friedlander says

      April 29, 2022 at 3:58 pm

      Yes, pickle is so much fun!

      Reply
  5. hillystitcher says

    April 29, 2022 at 11:16 pm

    Love the new pattern design and colors. The templates are simple, intriguing with many possibilities. I received the templates and original pattern last week. Immediately, I began cutting, piecing from scraps, a little each day which, has been so much fun. Thought there would be issues matching or stretching the triangles but, have been pleased they were quickly cut and easily sewn together. Thank you for designing the templates.

    Reply
    • carolyn friedlander says

      May 2, 2022 at 1:29 pm

      Yay! I’m so glad to hear that! Happy sewing!

      Reply
  6. Linda Selby says

    May 1, 2022 at 1:41 pm

    Hi Carolyn, what machine are you using with the magnetic seam guide? Thanks for a great new pattern!

    Reply
    • carolyn friedlander says

      May 2, 2022 at 1:28 pm

      Hi Linda! Thanks! I’m using a Janome HD9.

      Reply

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