My Grove Quilt Pattern was one of my very first patterns that I launched back in 2011. It’s a design I still stand by, and I’m so happy to have a new version to show you. Here is my new Grove Quilt in Collection CF.
The Design
Having spent most of my life surrounded by orange groves, I find there to be something really beautiful about their long rows and reaching branches. This design celebrates that with angular shapes that can be softened or highlighted with the color and fabrics you choose. Over the years, it’s been fun to see how these shapes play out in solids, prints and all kinds of colors.
With new fabrics coming out in Collection CF, I knew this would be a perfect project to show them off. Some of the prints are more bold, and some are softer and read more like a solid. This print mix plays with the shapes in an interesting way.
Fabric Selection
First I explored going with more of a uniform color palette, mixing the new pieces with some of the previous pieces in the collection. This one is heavy on the cool shades, and although I didn’t ultimately go with it, I think it would be very lovely!
The way I’m auditioning the fabrics in the pic, the top two pieces would each be a tree, and the fabrics underneath would be the background for those trees. There are 12 blocks in the project. Of course you could mix it up and have different background fabrics too.
Ultimately I decided that I liked how the newest pieces worked together on their own, and this project would be a good way to show that off. The 15 new colors offer a good mix of lights and darks.
I used 6 of the 15 pieces for backgrounds, which means each is used in 2 blocks. Then I used the rest of the fabrics to make the trees, with 3 of them being used for 2 blocks and the rest for 1 each.
As for the sashing, I waited until I had all of my blocks made before deciding on that. Do you like picking this stuff out at the beginning, or do you tend to wait? I think I’m more often a wait-er. Sometimes I’ll have something in mind, but I pretty much always wait to auditione the different options with the actual blocks.
With the sashing I chose, I like how it adds some serious visual texture while still allowing the trees to pop. You could imagine how a darker choice would frame the blocks–just depends on the look you are going for!
Going with a dark border gives the quilt a nice frame. I really debated going with a something light and subtle, which I think could have worked nicely too. That would have been a totally different outcome.
Quilting
The quilting is straight-ish lines via free motion quilting. I outlined all of the trees first, and then I quilted in some repeated lines in the background. From the back you can really see it on the dark backing fabric. I like how this gives you an echo of the design on the back.
The Pattern
The pattern has been fully updated, and now it also includes a bonus mini tree block. I have a couple of new quilts using the mini block, and I’ll be sharing them here soon.
In terms of skill, it’s intermediate foundation paper piecing with plenty of guidance. On this pattern I have a full cheat sheet for you on the sizes of fabric to cut for each section of the block. If you’re new and want the guidance, it’s there for you. Or if you’re a confident paper piecer–do as you wish!
Pattern: Grove Quilt Pattern
Fabric: Collection CF, new 2020 colors
I have the original pattern but since I do not know how to do foundation piecing it has just stayed on the shelf for many years. It sounds like the new pattern offers more advise for beginners of foundation piecing. Im really looking forward to the extra help. Thank you for your patterns and fabric.
Hi, Penny! Yes, this pattern is more of an intermediate project, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can certainly take it on. Otherwise, you can always try something with more of a beginner ranking and/or watch my Creativebug videos. Here’s a link to my workshops.
Love this pattern. I recently purchased your Sunrise pattern and still haven’t received a download link. I’ve sent messages to you but no response. I don’t know if they are getting to you. I would appreciate a response. Thanks,
elaine530@centurylink.net
Hi Elaine! I’ve emailed you at least 4-5 times, and I don’t know why they aren’t getting to you. I’m hoping this works. There are a couple places to find the pattern.
-First place was on your order confirmation page, there were links to each file to download. (I’m assuming you no longer have this page–no biggie! You can still find them in a few other places.)
-Next place would be in your order confirmation email that you received after making the purchase. In that email are links to the downloads (under each product next to “Download” section). Make sure to check the email address that was used when making the purchase as well as your junk folder in case it went there.
-Otherwise, you can always find your files by simply logging back in to your account on my website using the username you created when making the purchase. Go to “Shop” > “My Account” and log in. You’ll find your downloads here as well.
Make sure to save the file to a place/folder that you can find it again.
Hope that helps!
I love your pattern, and these fabrics are fabulous!
Thank you!
Simply divine! Love the colour combinations and anything to do with trees is always captivating. Thanks always for the inspiration! Be well.
Thank you! Same to you!