Quilt Pattern of the Week - Around the World Quilt: An Easy Strip-Pieced Trip Quilt!

This week's pattern of the week is Around the World, and today I'm sharing the design in new mockups in fresh fabric collections!

This is one pattern that I haven't sewn enough times, unfortunately.  I find it very relaxing to make with the strip piecing and assembling in quadrants instead of rows like most quilts are.

The Around the World quilt pattern is available in the Busy Hands Quilts shop.

Around the World Quilt Pattern Features

• Includes 4 sizes - Baby, Lap, Throw, and Queen

• The design is exactly the same in all quilt sizes; piece sizes increase as quilt sizes increase

• Yardage friendly

• Strip pieced

• Pattern includes a color key of the quilt shown on the pattern cover

• Skill Level:  Confident Beginner

The Around the World quilt pattern includes an accent print that appears in several places, and usually it ends up a darker color than the rest of the fabrics, though in one quilt below, the accent is solid white.  In the quilts above, the accent is navy blue.

Read the Previous Around the World Posts

Around the World in Indigo Garden

Around the World in Citron Breeze

The Mockups

Petal Whispers by Joy Hall for White Owl Textiles / Lumin Fabrics

Tranquil Blooms by White Owl Textiles / Lumin Fabrics

Fundamentals Pop Culture by White Owl Textiles / Lumin Fabrics

Fundamentals Sheer Bliss by White Owl Textiles / Lumin Fabrics

If you're looking for an easy Trip Around the World quilt pattern with strip piecing, step-by-step instructions and graphics, head on over and grab a copy of the Around the World Quilt Pattern.  It's available in PDF Download and Printed booklet format.

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Around the World Throw Quilt Kit in Stratford Park Flannel: An Easy Strip-Pieced Design!

The Around the World quilt pattern has been kitted in the Throw size in a beautiful flannel collection called Stratford Park Flannel by Connecting Threads.  You will enjoy this soft and cuddly quilt!

The Around the World quilt pattern is available in the Busy Hands Quilts shop.

The Throw size Quilt Kit is available at Connecting Threads.

Photo Credit Connecting Threads

Around the World Quilt Pattern Features

• Includes 4 Sizes - Baby, Lap, Throw, Queen

• Design is exactly the same in all sizes; piece sizes increase as quilt sizes increase

• Yardage friendly

• Strip pieced for more accurate and faster piecing

• Includes a color key of the quilt shown on the pattern cover

• Skill Level: Confident beginner

Photo Credit Connecting Threads

Shop the Stratford Park Flannel fabric collection right here at Connecting Threads.

The Around the World quilt pattern is available in the Busy Hands Quilts shop.

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Playful Panels Quilt Pattern Mockups!

Today I'm sharing mockups of the newly released Playful Panels quilt pattern!  This is a eye-catching pattern written for preprinted panel squares but also includes instructions for using a focus fabric instead of preprinted squares.  

Below are current fabric collections that have panel squares in the sizes needed for Playful Panels.  You'll love that the pattern is written for any size of square from 8.5" to 10.5", with instructions on how to upsize the squares to the size needed to fit into the quilt top.

The Playful Panels quilt pattern is available in the Busy Hands Quilts shop.

Nottingham Rose by White Owl Textiles for Lumin Fabrics

Medium Throw size

Playful Panels Quilt Pattern Features

Here is a list of features in the pattern. Each point is highlighted and described in further detail in this blog post. 

• Includes 7 sizes - Small Throw, Medium Throw, Large Throw, Twin, Square Queen, Rectangle Queen, and King

• Use preprinted panels or a focus fabric for the block centers

• Includes instructions to add sashing to preprinted squares that are between 8½" and 10½" to upsize them to 10½"

• 2½" strip or Fat Quarter friendly (for the small squares)

• Includes strip piecing

• Skill Level: Confident Beginner

Coastal Treasures by White Owl Textiles

Medium Throw size

Red White and Gnome by White Owl Textiles for Lumin Fabrics

Medium Throw size

The Playful Panels quilt pattern is available in the Busy Hands Quilts shop.

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Playful Panels Large Throw Christmas Quilt in Claus & Co!

I have another Playful Panels quilt to share with you today!  This one is made with Christmas themed fabric and is the Large Throw size.

This stunning quilt pattern includes 7 sizes and uses jelly rolls or fat quarters for the small squares, along with preprinted panel squares or yardage of a focus print, or even pieced blocks!  The pattern includes instructions on upsizing the squares, so it will work for a wider range of panel squares.

The Playful Panels quilt pattern is available in the Busy Hands Quilts shop.

Perfect for Preprinted Panel Squares!

As a quilt pattern designer, I am constantly looking at upcoming fabric collections to see what works in my existing patterns, as well as patterns that exist only in my head or on my computer. There are a lot of fabric collections that include a preprinted panel with squares, especially in White Owl Textiles and Clothworks collections, and I saw the need for a pattern to pair with these collections, and thus, Playful Panels was designed!

Playful Panels is written specifically for panel squares measuring 8.5" to 10.5", with 10.5" the goal size for the squares. Squares smaller than 10.5" are upsized with sashing to 10.5" so they fit into the blocks and the quilt top. A preprinted panel usually has some leeway for trimming around the squares, so if your panel has 11" squares, you may be able to trim them down to 10.5", remembering that the outside 1/4" will be taken up with the seam allowance on all four sides.

This quilt was made following the upsizing instructions included in the Playful Panels pattern.  The preprinted panel squares in this quilt were less than 10.5" square, so sashing was added to the squares to bring them up to size.

Fall is here, the leaves are beginning to change, and the wind is rippling across the pond.  The corn fields surrounding our home are being harvested this week!

Playful Panels Quilt Pattern Features

Here is a list of features in the pattern. Each point is highlighted and described in further detail below in this blog post.

• Includes 7 sizes - Small Throw, Medium Throw, Large Throw, Twin, Square Queen, Rectangle Queen, and King

• Use preprinted panels or a focus fabric for the block centers

• Includes instructions to add sashing to preprinted squares that are between 8½" and 10½" to upsize them to 10½"

• 2½" strip or Fat Quarter friendly (for the small squares)

• Includes strip piecing

• Skill Level: Confident Beginner

Sweet Christmas Fabric Collection!

This fabric collection is Claus & Co by Melissa Mortenson for Riley Blake Designs, using the panel, half of a jelly roll, and the awesome diagonal stripe for the binding, along with Confetti Cotton Bright White by Riley Blake Designs.  The collection is a fun mix prints with Santa and Mrs. Claus, gingerbread houses, reindeer, mistletoe, family pictures, snowflakes and stripes in red, green, aqua (or is it mint green?), pale pink, and white.  I left out the very light prints and the gingerbread house prints.

The quilt pictured in this blog post is the Large Throw size which I made with one Claus & Co panel and half of a jelly roll.  I plan to use the leftover rows of stockings and jelly roll strips to make two smaller quilts, probably a quilt to hang from the fireplace mantle!  I think that will be a sweet addition to our Christmas decor!

Shop the Claus & Co Collection

Claus & Co is available right here on Etsy and right here at Fat Quarter Shop.  Currently, both places have the panel available.  

Refer to the Quilt Stats chart below to see what you'll need to make your quilt.  The Claus & Co panel yields 12 squares which will make the Twin size.  Add in a 2-1/2" rolie polie, background, and binding, and you're all set!

All the Quilt Sizes - Seven in All!

Playful Panels includes three Throw sizes - Small, Medium, and Large - so it's easy for you to make the Throw size quilt you're after without doing any math. I am very happy that this pattern worked for the Twin size, as well as a Square Queen, Rectangular Queen, and King.  The finished quilt measurements are as follows:

• Small Throw  50" x 50"

• Medium Throw  50" x 70"

• Large Throw  70" x 70" (a great size for snuggling on the couch!)

• Twin  70" x 90" 

• Square Queen  94" x 94"

• Rectangle Queen  94" x 114"

• King 110" x 110"

Options for Block Centers 

Preprinted Panel Squares

Playful Panels is written to accommodate preprinted panel squares measuring 8.5" up to 10.5" square, using sashing to upsize the smaller squares. Additional sashing yardage is included as an option in the Sashing row of the Quilt Stats chart.  If your squares are already at 10.5", you won't need the extra sashing to upsize them, so you'd use the first value in the Sashing row.

A Focus Fabric

Also included is the option of using yardage for the block centers instead of a preprinted panel squares.  This would typically be a large focus print with lots of detail.  You would follow the Yardage option under the Panel Squares row.

Pieced Blocks

Another option for the block centers is placing a pieced quilt block there.  Pieced quilt block instructions are NOT included in the pattern.  However, finding 10.5" square quilt blocks isn't too hard. Maybe at some point I will design some for you. :)

The Playful Panels quilt pattern is available in the Busy Hands Quilts shop.

Precut Friendly for the Small Squares

The small squares in the quilt top are made with either jelly roll strips or fat quarters, and both options are included in the Fabric Requirement chart.  The use of Fat Quarters is limited to the Bed size quilts, and FQs are not an option for the Throw size quilts.  This is to ensure that there is enough variety of prints in each Throw quilt size.  Having a sufficient variety of prints helps ensure that the same print isn't placed next to itself in the blocks and border.  Plus, it ends up looking like a happy scrappy quilt with lots of prints!

Strip Piecing for the Win!

You know how much I love strip piecing which speeds up the process and results in more accurate piecing (for me anyway!)  The strips of small squares in the Playful Panels pattern are strip pieced, and you wont' be sewing together individual squares! I've figured out all of the math for how many strips are in the strip sets and how to piece the cut segments to create the block and border designs.

Perfect for Confident Beginner Quilters

This pattern is rated Confident Beginner which means you have made a few quilts, you know how to read and follow a quilt pattern, you know how to cut fabric with a rotary cutter, you know how to press seams, and you've gotten good at an accurate 1/4" seam allowance (this is the key to becoming a proficient quilter!) 

The Playful Panels quilt pattern is available in the Busy Hands Quilts shop.

Playful Panels Quilt Stats

• Pattern:  Playful Panels by Busy Hands Quilts

• Quilt Size:  Large Throw 70" x 70"

• Fabric Collection:  Claus & Co by Melissa Mortenson for Riley Blake Designs

• Background:  Confetti Cotton Bright White by Riley Blake Designs

• Binding:  Red stripe from the Claus & Co collection

• Backing:  Swiss Dot in Red by Riley Blake Designs

• Batting:  Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 cotton/poly

• Thread:  Pieced with Superior So Fine in White, quilted with Superior Omni in Bright White

• Pieced on:  Juki TL-2010q

• Quilting Design: Poinsettias

• Quilted on:  Handi Quilter Amara 20 with Pro-Stitcher

• Pieced by: Kare Ybarra

• Quilted by: Myra Barnes of Busy Hands Quilts

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Gratitude Quilt in Joysome Fabrics!

Today is a day of Gratitude!  I'm sharing a brand new quilt pattern with you named Gratitude!  This pattern is jelly roll and scrap friendly, includes 8 sizes, and is the 4th quilt in the Donation Quilt Series.  It is a quick and easy quilt pattern with strip piecing and simple sewing. 

The Gratitude quilt pattern is available in the Busy Hands Quilts shop.

This is the quilt on the cover of the Gratitude quilt pattern.  The fabrics are Joysome by Corey Yoder for Moda Fabrics.

Gratitude Quilt Pattern Features

• Includes 8 sizes - Baby, Lap, Small Throw, Throw, Twin, Square Queen, Rectangle Queen, and King

• 2-1/2" strip or scrap friendly

• Strip piecing with 2-1/2" strips

• Includes instructions for using scraps of varying widths

• The 4th pattern in the Donation Quilt Series of patterns

• Skill Level:  Confident Beginner

Includes 8 Quilt Sizes in All

Once again, you're gonna love that I have done all of the math for you with the 8 sizes that are included.  This pattern includes 3 Throw sizes - labeled Lap, Small Throw, and Throw.  It also includes 2 Queen sizes to give you the option of making a Square Queen if you don't want a pillow tuck, or a Rectangular Queen with extra length for a pillow tuck.  I am all about giving you options here!

Jelly Rolls For Strip Piecing

Previously this year, I wrote the Primrose quilt pattern which is jelly roll friendly, and prior to that it had been quilt awhile since I wrote a jelly roll pattern.  I figured it was definitely time to write one to use some of the sweet rolie polies I've had stashed away.  A Rolie Polie is a Riley Blake Designs' term for a jelly roll.  

You can view all of my 2-1/2" jelly roll strip patterns right here in the shop.

This pattern is written to strip piece the 2-1/2" strips into strip sets and then subcut them into segments. Okay, I heard you saying that three times really fast! The segments are then sewn into the blocks with sashing.  Strip piecing speeds up this process, and it seems to make it more accurate since both ends of the segment are cut straight.

A Truly Scrappy Quilt Pattern

Gratitude is what I would call a Truly Scrappy Pattern.  You can use any width of strip less than 3", not just 2-1/2" wide scraps, making this the perfect pattern to use your scrap bins.  There is a whole section on using your scraps in a variety of strip widths from 1" up to 3". That is the width, and the minimum strip length is 5-1/2".

Honestly, I almost cut the entire Scrappy section out of the pattern because I wasn't sure it really added to the pattern, but The Mister said it adds value to the pattern, so include it.  I am glad I did, and if you are a scrappy quilter and will use that section, you can thank The Mister!

The Gratitude quilt pattern is available in the Busy Hands Quilts shop.

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Gratitude Quilt Pattern Mockups!

It's time for Gratitude quilt pattern mockups!

Read more about the Gratitude quilt pattern in this blog post. You'll love the 8 sizes, jelly roll and scrap friendly instructions, and that it's the 4th quilt in the Donation Quilt Series.

Below each image you will find the name and manufacturer of the fabric collection and when it is expected to ship. Many of these are upcoming fabric collections. Please contact your local quilt shop and ask them to carry your favorite collections. You'll need a jelly roll and a print for the border and binding, along with a neutral sashing. Verify that the sashing color given matches the actual fabrics; I am working with digital swatches which may not be 100% accurate.

The Gratitude Quilt Pattern is available in the Busy Hands Quilts shop.

Bloomsberry by Camille Roskelley for Moda Fabrics

Available here

Sashing 55356 11

Inner Border and Binding 55356 18

Outer Border 55350 13

Maeve by Crystal Manning for Moda Fabrics

Available here

Sashing, Inner Border and Binding Moda Bella 9900 117

Outer Border 11930 11

Parlor by Crystal Manning for Moda Fabrics

Available here

Sashing and Inner Border Moda Bella 9900 182

Outer Border 11961 16

Binding Moda Bella 9900 143

Storytale Blooms by Caverly Smith for Tide + Loom of Lumin Fabrics

Ships February 2027

Sashing and Inner Border ECCO Solids EC-700 White

Outer Border W175-021-715, using only the large floral portion

The Outer Border is a floral stripe print, and the border width may need to be adjusted, depending on the actual width of the border stripe print.

Twilight Flora by HTS Studio for Tide + Loom by Lumin Fabrics

Ships January 2027

Sashing, Inner Border, and Binding ECCO Solids EC-400 Pale Purple

Outer Border is T130-008-656

Windsor Wildflowers by Tim Coffey for White Owl Textiles of Lumin Fabrics

Ships March 2027

Sashing ECCO Solids EC-700 Natural

Inner Border and Binding W150-031-669

Outer Border W150-024-168

The Outer Border is a floral stripe print, and the border width may need to be adjusted, depending on the actual width of the border stripe print.

Joysome by Corey Yoder for Moda Fabrics

This is the quilt on the cover of the Gratitude pattern.

October 2027

There will be Throw size quilt kits in the Busy Hands Quilts shop.

Sashing and Inner Border Moda Bella White (should be creamy)

Outer Border 29250 11

Binding 29256 23

The Gratitude Quilt Pattern is available in the Busy Hands Quilts shop.

Blueprint by Camille Roskelley for Moda Fabrics

December 2025

Sashing and Inner Border Moda Bella White (should be creamy)

Outer Border 55330 15 (there are many prints in the collection that would work)

Binding 55337 17

Nottingham Rose by Susan Winget for White Owl Textiles of Lumin Fabrics

Ships January 2027

Sashing and Inner Border ECCO Solids EC-700 White

Outer Border W105-050-571 (using only the floral portion of the border print)

The Outer Border is a floral stripe print, and the border width may need to be adjusted, depending on the actual width of the border stripe print.

Binding W105-058-771

Botanical Tea for White Owl Textiles of Lumin Fabrics

Sashing and Inner Border ECCO Solids EC-003 Ivory

Outer Border W130-045-175 (using only the bird/floral stripe portion)

Binding W130-054-551 (love the striped border!)

Coastal Treasures by Nicole Tamarin for White Owl Textiles of Lumin Fabrics

Ships March 2027

Sashing ECCO Solids EC-007 Natural

Inner Border and Binding ECCO Solids EC-565 Gray Blue

Outer Border W100-036-779

Festive Freedom by Dinah June for White Owl Textiles of Lumin Fabrics

Ships February 2027

Sashing and Inner Border ECCO Solids EC-700 White

Outer Border W170-003-157 (using only the floral portion of the stripe border print)

Binding W170-011-777

In the Orchard by Sylvia Vasselvia for White Owl Textiles of Lumin Fabrics 

Ships March 2027

Sashing ECCO Solids EC-003 Ivory

Inner Border and Binding W205-011-606

Outer Border W205-003-186

Patriotic Patchwork by Muffin Grayson for Tide + Loom by Lumin Fabrics

Ships January 2027

Sashing ECCO EC-007 Ivory

Inner Border and Binding ECCO Solid EC-547 French Navy

Outer Border T105-011-175

Red, White, & Gnome by Yvette St. Amant for White Owl Textiles of Lumin Fabrics

Ships January 2027

Sashing ECCO Solids EC-003 Ivory

Inner Border and Binding W180-022-555

Outer Border W180-013-175 (using only the gnomes)

Roadside by Vero for Tide + Loom for Lumin Fabrics

Ships December 2026

Sashing ECCO Solids EC-020 Snow

Inner Border and Binding T115-015-787

Outer Border T115-012-778

Roaring Beauty by Janelle Penner for Tide + Loom for Lumin Fabrics

Ships March 2027

Sashing ECCO Solids EC-007 Natural

Inner Border and Binding T120-004-888

Outer Border T120-001-128

The Gratitude Quilt Pattern is available in the Busy Hands Quilts shop.

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