Summer breeze quilt {Tutorial} and giveaway

Wersja polska już wkrótce:)

Summer Breeze is a fresh quilt with a modern twist. I made it for my daughter's bed, but it could brighten your bed too!
This quilt was made in cooperation with two great artists: Mo Bedell, fabric designer and Krista Withers, modern long-arm quilter (HERE and HERE you can read full story, you'll find there also photos of finished quilt).

Finished size: approx. 59" x 75" (150 cm x 190 cm).

This quilt is at intermediate level for quilters already familiar with sewing curves. If you are new in sewing curves, I recommend piecing first a few blocks to become confident in this technique (when I was new to this technique, at first I find it quite difficult to learn, but after piecing few blocks, I couldn't stop - it was so fun!).

If you have any questions or doubts about this tutorial or used techniques, please don't hesitate to ask me! :)

What you will need?

Half yard* bundle of Full Moon Lagoon by Mo Bedell

2-3 panels (1-2 in magenta and 1 in aqua) from Full Moon Lagoon by Mo Bedell

approx. 1 yard of background fabrics (i.e. Essex linen)

Fabric for backing

Freezing paper

Batting

Rotary cutter and cutting mat

Matching thread

Templates for Drunkard's Path block or Accuquilt GO! cutting machine with Drunkard's Path 3 1/2" finished die

*please note that the amount of fabrics used depends on amount of fussy cuts and the size of the outer border. Half yard bundle let you make the same quilt as mine, but you can use Fat quarter bundle and make some alternations in borders.

Seam allowances
I use 3/8" seam allowances. Most of the quilters use 1/4" seam allowances. The difference between main part pieced using 3/8" s.a. and pieced using 1/4" is approx. 2". Size of finished quilt pieced using 3/8" s.a. is approx. 59" x 75". Quilt made using 1/4" s.a. will be sligthly bigger. For making quilt that measures exactly 59" x 75", measure main part with background border after piecing it and add narrower outer border. 

Things to Remember

Remember to read the tutorial in full before starting.
Pre-wash fabrics.

Always press your fabrics before starting.

Press all seams as you go along.

DP block = Drunkard's Path 3 1/2" finished block

Step 1 - Cutting and piecing main part with Drunkard's Path blocks
The best way of cutting DP blocks is using Accuquilt GO! cutting machine and Drunkard's Path 3 1/2" finished die. You can also make templates by your own and rotary cut DP blocks, but be aware that this quilt contains 131 DP blocks (HERE you'll find the links to tutorials how to make it).

Cut the following amount of DP blocks as indicated on this scheme:

Pieces in two waves are cut from panel in magenta (from the part with medium pink droplets and light pink jellyfish). Some parts could be fussy cut (like seahorses in the wave first from the left).
Cut 10 DP blocks from background fabric.

Sew DP blocks using the following guide:

How to read the above instruction:

After piecing all DP blocks, cut off of each DP block two stripes:










Piece DP blocks into sections B-H using the following schemes:
(some sections contain squares and rectangles cut from background fabric)

Piece sections together:

Step 2 - Preparing and sewing on appliques

On the left side of panels trace shapes of seahorses, jellyfish and other sea creatures onto freezing paper. Cut the shapes with a small seam allowance and iron freezing paper shapes onto left side of panels. Cut all shapes with sharp scrissors. Lay them on the background and when you're satisfied with the layout, remove papers and iron shapes onto background. Zig-zag stitch appliques.

Applique layout in Summer Breeze:
(it contains 2 starfish which are not on the panels)

Step 3 - Adding Borders

Piece 4" wide strips of background fabric to top and botom of main part and press the seams. Piece 4" wide strips of background fabric to left and right side of main part and press the seams.
Cut 18" lenght strips with different windths from all fabrics in the collection (4 strips of each print). Some of the strips can contain fussy cut shapes. Sort the strips in "rainbow" order:





Piece strips into borders and press the seams. Piece 18" squares cut from panels to the top and bottom border. Piece left and right border to main part of quilt and press the seams. Piece top and bottom border to main part of quilt and press the seams.

Step 4 - Quilting and binding

Prepare backing (you can use FQ bundle and panels leftovers). Baste it and quilt it (or send it to long-arm quilter, maybe to uber-talented Krista?:). Make binding or use ready made binding. Add label and… enjoy!

Step 5 - Giveaway! giveaway is now closed. Thank you all for your sweet comments! I hope that you'll find time to try piecing curves:)

The winner is... Kerry (@ Penny Dog Patchwork) - I'll contact you asap:)

I thought that it would be fun if I share with one of you bundle of Drunkard's Path blocks die cut from Full Moon Lagoon collection (fabrics have been pre-washed before cutting).

To take part in giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post. It would be great if you could share with me your adventures in sewing curves, quilt market experience (any quilt market, not only the latest) or any other memory relating to patchwork and quilting.

Giveaway is open internationally. I'll pick a winner on next Sunday.
Name of the winner will be announced in this post. I'll contact the winner also via e-mail, so if you're no-reply blogger, please add your e-mail address in the comment.