Berry Crush Blog Hop Day 5..."a Garden of ABC's"

 Hey quilters....what an exciting week so far! I'm loving the "Berry Crush" collection and seeing everyon's designs inspired by this stunning fabric line. I am thrilled to be a part of this exciting 'blog hop" featuring "Berry Crush"...Jennifer Thomas of Curlicue Creations new signature collection "Berry Crush" for Lumin Fabrics by Jerry Khiev. The prints and color hues in this collection inspired me to design A Children's Learning Quilt called "a Garden of ABC's." I love seeing flowers blooming and growing on a trellis in a garden and hopes to have a sweet Great-Grand one day! I knew with this stunning collection the possibilities of coordinating the prints and color ways would be endless.I used every print of the Berry Crush collection and did a scrappy border that is feautred in the advanced step option. Every print coordinates perfectly with my Aurifil thread too! All the letters are hand cut and each petal is "a-play-qued" using Aurifil 50# thread. I created a dimensional lattice design because I wanted to challenge myself but I did state instructions for beginners plus I'll be sharing tips a long the way. I also listed some options below to show how versatile the design can be for you to put your own spin on it. I'll be feauring the coordinating "Gift Tote" this weekend and the quilt fits inside the tote for a special gift for a recipient.The tote bag will also show quilting options too. So remember...save your scraps a long the way! I can't thank Jennifer enough for including me on this exciting blog hop. I love inspiring others to create a learning quilt for a child that can be passed down for generations. View curliecuecreations site for all the "Berry Crush Blog Hop" events and her stunning designs. You can still catch up and view all the previous designers on her site too. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Inspiration of how versatile the design can be....

* Design can be easily enlarge just by adding more borders.

* Omit the letters for a "young adult" version.

* Arrange the flowers as desired on your trellis (keep in mind the pattern of the alphabet) :-)

* Use a decorative stitch on your machine for the lattice instead of creating from fabric.

* Use a die cut for letters if desired.

* Add more accent flowers as desired showing this stunning fabric collection.

Endless quilt-a-bilities!

a Garden of ABC's (39.5 x 50)...

Here's all you need...

* Berry Crush Precuts by Lumin Fabrics or cuttings as desired.

Note...I had a  1/4 yrd. of the collection for the scrappy flowers, lattice & borders.

* 1/2 yrd of desired fabric hue for lattice if not making from purple scraps.

* Island Batik Foundation Neutrals...1/2 yard each of Sprinkles, Meringue

   * 2 yards "Swirl Vine Neutral" for backing & squares within quilt top.

* Batting to size (I used Pellon that I had recently inherited to tie in something special from "Great Gram", sentimental quilt for sure :-)

* Aurifil thread 50# (3910, 2582, 2588, 2235)

* Circle Templates...1.5", 2", 2.5"

* Cardstock Stencil Letters 1 1/2" or your preferred method.

* Heatnbond Lite (double sided fusible)

* Aileen's washable fabric fusion for tacking

* Basic sewing/cutting tools

* Brother sewing machine :-)

(Phase 1)

Here's all you do...

* Rotary cut from Neutral fabrics 49...6 x 7 1/2 squares as desired. This includes a 1/4" seam allowance for a finished 5 1/2 x 7" block.

* Lay out your squares as desired on a design wall.

Tip...no design wall...no problem...I love to use the "batting" then secure w/a pin if needed.

Letters...

* Rotary cut from desired fabric 2-3 strips of 2 1/2 x 18" 

* Rotary cut from HeatnBond Lite 2-3 strips 2 1/4 x 17.5 

* Position heatnbond lite strips on back side of fabric strips and fuse following manufacturer's directions.

Tip...I used a pressing sheet to protect my iron from any glue seepage.

* On paper side...using the cardstock letter stencil, trace around the alphabet letters...note that most letters are reversed ;-)

* Carefully cut out each letter...set aside. (you will have extra fused fabric for any letters to re-do or save for flowers.)

Tip...yes a die cutter would be wonderful :-)

Scrappy Flowers...

Note...I made my flowers "scrappy" to show this stunning collection but layer yours as desired.

* 2" Center...

* Rotary from light pink fabric strips 2 1/2" wide by desired length. Rotary cut enough to make the 26 center circles.

* Rotary cut heatnbond lite 2 1/4" wide by desired length and fuse to wrong side of fabric following manufacturer's directions.

* On paper side...make 26 2" circles and carefully cut out. Set aside (save scraps)

1st Petal layer...

* Rotary cut from your desired fabric strip 2" by desired length.

* Rotary cut from heatnbond lite 1 3/4 by desired length.

* Fuse to wrong side of fabric following manufacturer's directions.

* Using the 1 1/2" circle template...trace around the template on paper side of fabric...make 4 circles.

* Carefully cut out on circle line.

* Rotary cut each circle in half to create 8 halves. Set aside.

2nd Petal layer...

* Rotary cut from desired fabric 2 3/4 " wide by desired length.

* From heatnbond lite rotary cut 2 1/2"wide by desired length and fuse to wrong side of fabric per manufacturer's directions.

* Using the 2 1/2" circle trace on paper side of fabric making 4 circles.

* Rotary cut each circle in half to create 8 haves. Set aside.

Tip...make as many scrappy strips as desired to make each individual flower petals different if desired. You have 26 flowers for the alphabet and 3 accent flowers if following my design. This is where you can have fun...get creative...this fabric is stunning! I had a blast choosing fabric combinations.

(Remove paper of circles as you go)

* Position your center circle within the center of background square.

Tip...I mark an X on my squares to use as a guide with a heat erasable pen...or use your preferred method for temporary marking. Always test first on scrap fabric to make sure it removes due to the light fabric.

* Position first layer of petals...tucked inside the center circle...staggering the petals in a over/under method. This creates the look of a layered flower. 

* Position 2nd layer of petals...tucked within the first layer of petals...staggering as you go in same method as above.

* Fuse following manufacturer's directions.

* Repeat same method for all flowers.

Adding letters...

* Peel of paper and position each letter within the center of each flower.

* Fuse following manufacturer's directions.

* Repeat for all alphabet squares.

Time to a-play-que!...

Note...you could use a decorative stitch on your machine to for the X  for the lattice design within the square if you decide not to make the advanced lattice strips. I would use a accent thread to highlight the X within the squares. Or you could later quilt the X in as well...endless possibilities!

* A-play-que around each petal and letter using coordinating thread or your preferred method. 

This is where I had fun playing with Aurifil thread. I can always count on Aurifil to compliment my Batiks perfectly!

Have fun...get creative..play with your decorative stitches on your machine if desired. Just remember to cut away your loose threads on back of block. You don't want them peeking up later as your quilting :-)

Advanced 1/2" Lattice Strips...

* Rotary cut strips from your desired fabrics 1" x 8. I made longer then squared up.

* Fold in half a 1/4" on one side to the inside..press.

* Fold in half again..press...creating a 1/2" strip.

For each square you will need 4 lattice strips to form the X.

* Position wihin the petal that is on the X of your square at each corners. Square up at corners.

* Top stitch to secure strips if desired....

* A-play-que around each flower and letters as desired.

* Repeat for all squares.

Advanced Lattice..I did challenge myself on my design by creating a dimential lattice. I added my strips later as I was piecing my squares together creating the over/under similiar to a pie crust. I cut my strips to size needed as I sewn the squares together. The outside squares were longer and I joined scraps together  for the desired size. Then I a-play-qued the flowers to secure the lattice strips on the outside edge of the petals I then squared up the strips even with the quilt ttop. (see pic below) I also did the top in 4 sections making it easier for me...pinning the lattice strips a long the way then I joined the sections together still using the 1/4" seam allowance and adjusting the lattice strips to size as needed.  At this stage you can either "top stitch" the lattice strips to secure or secure at you quilt later. It was a bit crazy at first then I had a lot of fun!  I was using the "tacking" method w/ a decorative stitch on my Brother machine later for the quilting part so I wasn't worried about the strips getting caught when quilting. The design has many possibilities so get creative and put your own spin on it if desired.I will be sharing quilting techniques on the "bonus tote bag" soon showing how I did the "orange peel" motif around the lattice strips and accent quilted around the flower This design is very versatile so have fun!