Cue the trumpets! It’s pattern release day. I’m super excited to present my newest pattern - - -

Wild Oranges!

What began earlier this year as a vague idea for my Kismet fabric crush turned into a cozy new quilt that we’re already cuddling under. Sewing the sweet orange peel shape at the machine was a practical choice, because I wanted my quilt done sooner rather than later. The simple layering technique of applique requires no fancy curved piecing skills. It’s relaxing and straightforward - well, I found it perfectly delightful and think you will too!

Are you intimidated by the color and fabric choices? Don’t be. I’ve written the pattern to be adaptable to your needs. It offers multiple levels of color challenge, depending upon how you wish to use it. As part of my Color Mentor pattern series, Wild Oranges teaches color design concepts. In this case we’re exploring analogous color schemes and value in quilt-making. Here are three ways you could take it - - -

COLOR MENTOR :: LEVEL 1 ::

COLOR CAREFUL - HELPING YOU EXPLORE COLOR

The pattern cover quilt features the Kismet collection by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics. Quilt kits are available at Winter Creek Cloth and Sojo Fabric. When using the quilt kit, this is a Level 1 pattern. You can learn by following my example without taking risks.

COLOR MENTOR :: LEVEL 2 ::

COLOR CURIOUS - EXPERIENCES TO BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS

The pattern includes very detailed fabric requirement and fabric placement instructions. You can choose your own colors and fabrics, but follow the highly detailed quilt maps to place those fabrics as shown. The print and value relationships that make the sample quilt so charming will thus easily carry over into your new Wild Oranges iteration.

COLOR MENTOR :: LEVEL 3 ::

COLOR CONFIDENT - CHALLENGES FOR THE COLORFUL SOUL

Do you have experience using value in quilt-making? Work more intuitively with your unique fabrics by choosing the placement of prints yourself. You can reference the simplified quilt maps, which only indicate value, to maintain the dynamic layout of Wild Oranges.

Wild Oranges quilt embraces the classic orange peel block with a dynamic, modern layout! The pattern includes templates for cutting and pressing the orange peel shape.

Two quilt sizes included:

• Throw 60”x 68”

• Baby 40” x 40”

Shown right is the simplified quilt map for the baby-sized Wild Oranges. This type of map only show value relationships; whereas, the detailed maps shows the placement of every fabric.

If you’re short on time, you can have your fun with the compact baby version and still sew-along!

In Wild Oranges pattern I’ve included extra tools to help you stay organized. For example, after we discuss fabric choices and fabric cut requirements, I’ve provided a 2-page Fabric Key printable. Here’s the first page of the key, to give you look-see. The idea is to cut a fabric swatch and glue it to the empty square to save your fabric choices. This way you don’t have to remember which medium-value fabric is Medium 1 and which is Medium 2 as you cut and sew blocks. That’s definitely going to be handy when I’m making my next Wild Oranges rendition!

I can’t wait to choose fabrics for my sew-along Wild Oranges quilt. Next week I’ll talk more about the sew-along and explore approaches to choosing fabrics. You can get started now by reading through the first few pages of the pattern, regarding color and fabric. Now is the time to gather supplies!

Sew-Along Coming Soon!

Check back Monday for the sew-along master post. We get started October 10th! Until then you can - - -