Today, I'm really excited to be releasing my first self-published quilt pattern. Called High Tea, it's fast to sew up, pre-cut friendly, and in the pattern I've given you all the information you need to make five different size options, from baby to queen size.
This is my version - my original idea for this quilt came about when I was trying to decide how to use the Bonnie and Camille charms from the charm swap organised by
Ms Midge (you should really nip over and check out all the other wonderful quilts made with charms from the swap
here). I laid the charms out on my design wall and my sister said they looked like a tea party - and the idea for the High Tea quilt was born! My version of this quilt was quilted by
Sue Burnett, and I love how it turned out. It's both fun and elegant at the same time.
I'm going to show more pictures of my finished quilt in another post, but right now I just have to show you all the different High Tea Quilts made by my wonderful pattern testers!
First up is this soft and deliciously sweet baby version made by fellow kiwi quilt blogger Rebecca from
One Wee Bird (find her on Instagram as
@oneweebird). I love her choice of quilting design as well - it's simple and keeps the quilt looking nice and squishy. What baby wouldn't want to snuggle with that quilt?!
Next we have this great gender neutral baby version by Jessica. I really like Jessica made the sashing stand out and the central squares fade into the background a bit more. You can find Jessica on Instagram as
@jmarrizle.
This fun graphic baby version is by Jas (
@jasminesews on Instagram). I think her use of the chevron in the sashing is particularly clever - I never would have thought of it but it works amazingly well.
Speaking of graphic, this knock-out black and white cot version by Amanda (aka
@muchoxoxo) is exactly that. You'll find mucho gorgeousness on Amanda's blog,
mucho xoxo.
Shelly (
@shellyjennifer) also made the cot version, but went a totally different route! I think her multi-coloured sashing worked perfectly with those vintage sheets.
The throw size was really popular with my pattern testers! Mary (
@maryemmens) created this vision of scrappy rainbow yumminess. Mary used a couple of different prints for her sashing and it's really changed the look of the quilt in an interesting and delightful way. Mary sent me lots of lovely photos and you should check them all out on her blog
Handmade by Mary Emmens.
Leanne (aka
@daisyandjack) made this sweet and pretty version, inspired by the name High Tea and thoughts of scones with cream and jam (I like the way Leanne thinks!). Find more deliciousness on Leanne's blog,
Daisy and Jack.
My long-time bloggy friend Kirsten from
Gemini Stitches made this elegant throw size version using What a Gem fabric. Kirsten (aka
@67kirsten) is super speedy and finished the whole quilt - I love being able to show you another option for the quilting design!
Katie (
@zipsnipvroom) made this bright and ultra cheerful version. Katie, did somebody tell you that I love yellow? Katie has demonstrated the versatility of this pattern by using a mixture of charm squares and layer cake squares to make her quilt top.
You know it's nearly that time of year! Melissa (
@babystepsquilts) does, and she made this very merry Christmas version.
My next pattern tester is Debbie, who blogs at
Life in the Doghouse. Debbie made not one, but two single bed size versions of this quilt, both to donate to children in need. Awesome work Debbie! The first one is a really fun and bright boy version, using Zen Chic Barcelona fabric and Moda grunge for the sashing.
This is Debbie's second quilt top, a super pretty girly version, using prints from Jeni Baker's Dreamin Vintage line. Debbie modified the pattern for this quilt, simplifying the sashing and including a mixture of plain and pieced squares. The plain squares are for Debbie to show off her long-arm quilting skills, and I cannot wait to see this one finished!
Abby (
@colorbarquilts) also made a single bed size version using Moda Grunge for the sashing. I love that purple and it really sets of the soft colours in the Persimmon layer cake Abby used. See more of Abby's quilts on her blog,
ColorBar Quilts.
Shelley (who blogs at
The Carpenter's Daughter Who Quilts) made this really bright and fun batik version. I'm sure it will provide a nice tropical vibe over the coming winter months in the northern hemisphere.
I have to give a massive shout-out to my pattern testers who took on the largest size option - it is a BIG quilt! Heather (find her on flickr
here) made this very beautiful scrappy rainbow version inspired by her own High Tea experience during Airbourne at Eastbourne last summer.
Last but definitely not least, Jeanne from
Grey Cat Quilts made this beautiful calm queen sized version using a very restrained colour palette of blue, grey and soft yellow. Jeanne's quilt is another great example of how this pattern can work for anyone, depending on your fabric choices.
Wow - I hope you've enjoyed seeing all the lovely quilt tops made by my wonderful pattern testers. I can't thank these ladies enough - I couldn't have done it without them, and I'm really grateful and very moved that they took the time to make these quilt tops and give me lots of great feedback on my pattern.
I also have to give a big shout-out to Ann Humphrey, who proof-read my pattern for me. She did a great job and really added value with her suggestions.
You can find the High Tea Quilt pattern
on Craftsy and
in my Etsy shop. To celebrate its release, it is on sale for US$4 for the next 48 hours. After that, it will go back to its normal price of US$8.
If you make your own High Tea Quilt, I'd love to see it! You can share it in
my flickr group or on instagram using the tags #highteaquilt and #onthewindysidequilts.
