Thank you for joining me in making my Solstice quilt! This is a free pattern, and today I’m sharing a photo of the layout!
This quilt is my journey to do a project from the first day of Winter Solstice to the First day of the Summer solstice. That is 182 days this year. I decided on 25 blocks of various sizes with a bit of applique thrown in the mix. My blocks are not hard as I want the joy of just cutting squares, rectangles and making HST units. When creating each block I am thinking about my own life. Maybe something sparks my interest like Block 7 did where I was looking at old photos and a memory came to surface.
My signature quilt layouts are asymmetrical, with blocks and applique. I’ve been doing these for years and years, starting with my signature quilt pattern Ma-Ma’s Garden to my Brambleberry friends &. This is pretty much how I have designed since the beginning. That is why my final layout is not straight forward, but has big and small sections and makes me very happy to look at.
BUT… I know a lot of you LOVE symmetry. And even though I’m designing this quilt for myself, I want to give you a present of a bonus layout…
My quilt does not have 25 blocks that are 12.5″ x 12.5″ (12″ finished). BUT your quilt can!
All you have to do will be to repeat your favorite blocks if you want a 5 x 5 setting. Or… wait until you see my larger blocks… I will be giving you a challenge to use a portion of my larger blocks for a 12.5″ blocks, it will be fun to see what the ‘all 12″ block’ group does with my challenge!
I hope you enjoy this, If my layout is not your cup of tea, you have a second one. No need to tell me WHY you picked one over the other.. just make blocks, make a quilt.. have fun.
My plan is to have cuttings directions in Feb.
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159 Responses
I am ever so slightly OCD but tempted by the asymmetrical layout. I have to choose the fabrics for block 8. Is block * the centre block or one of the smaller big blocks? Driving me batty. Loving it nevertheless.
I have a question about Block 8….I don’t have your Appliqué book yet (but looking forward to buying it).
In what order do you do the Applique on the heart? Do you fuse all hearts together and then fuse to block and then do applique through all layers?
I would really love to do the asymmetrical setting
As I’m cringing at the layout (way out of my comfort zone!) I am trying to realize different can be good. Once this is all together I am sure I will love it. This has been so much fun so far and I’m looking forward to the rest. Pat I think you’re awesome! Thanks for challenging me in many ways.
I love the asymmetrical layout! It is so exciting and unique that it almost makes the 5 x 5 layout uninteresting. (Didn’t want to say “boring” 🙂 ).
Love he first layout am looking forward to each Wednesday whoop whoop….. and new challenges 😀🙋
I love your layout, Pat. thanks for sharing it. I can hardly wait until this is finished. I am loving the blocks so far. Thanks Pat.
i love it Brenda!! the blocks are so easy you can have a lot of fun!
it was a different way to layout out the design Sharon.. and i gave you a pattern for it to be done that way
I love your past quilts, especially the Brambleberry. This Asymmetrical is a wonderful idea 🙂 I love when they hang over on each other with the applique. I’m keeping this idea close 🙂 Thanks!
Pat it is so hard to wait until Wednesdays. So I started with a bright winter solstice quilt, Then yesterday I made one in blue and white, and one in purple and yellow. I’m also making you children’s library quilt in 2 colors. But today I need to start of a quilt for my granddaughter graduation. No pattern some of it my design. Never done that before but here goes.
I’m also trying to get a quilt done I started in the 90’s, I’m also watching your ufo blog. I haven’t figured how to upload my blocks yet but I will keep working at it. I’m not very good with computers. When not at work I’m quilting.
The gift of this layout makes Wednesday’s even more exciting!!!! Thank you, Pat!!!!
I usually choose symmetry, even in my house decorating, but I have fallen in love with the first layout. Maybe it is time to “work ouside the box.” Looking forward to making this for a friend who always thinks outside the mundane and predictable.
I absolutely love the asymmetrical layout….very very interesting!
I love both layouts, but as I have done very few (1 only) asymmetric quilts, that is what I will go for.
Her email address shows at the top of her comment. I think she wants to delete the whole comment so her email is not public. Hope this helps. ❤
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience I am enjoying following your website and am looking forward to ordering some books as soon as my hubby gets over the shock of my new Brothr Dream Machine.
Linda Wright
Thanks for the layout designs, I think I will wait till I have all the blocks made in blues and white and see what will look best. Love the journey
Oh, wow! I think it’s amazing. I can’t wait to see the rest of the blocks.
Pat
I was wondering, you made a cobblestone block but the quilter’s made a block that looks like a zigzag. Is their block the same or just laid out differently?
I really enjoy the creative layout of your quilts. I have been having so much fun with this challenge. I have been using up my stash that has been begging to be sewn with.
Asymmetrical is the quilting I like best. I feel it allows for so much freedom from any imperfections in the blocks. Seeing the final outcome helps me with choosing colors. Thanks so much for all your great inspiration.
Love the asymetrical layout. It’ll be interesting to see what goes in these spaces 😊
I am totally loving these blocks. I love the simple nature of them. Your designs really show that sometimes less can be more. Just the simplicity helps to show off such pretty fabric. The asymmetrical setting is so neat and will be so much fun! Thank you for such a fun project. Thank goodness Wednesday now has a new name, New Block Day!
Will need to add borders to make it a king size for son and daughter in law. I’m only using 2 fabrics on this one.
This quilt is one I have been able to keep up with and love that it is larger blocks. Have several of SS done but have fallen behind somewhat on it but still working on it. Love the asymmetrical layout for this one and excited for what is come next for the larger blocks. Thanks so much Pat for your energy and talents! When do you ever rest!
Pat,
Thanks for sharing your creativity with us! I’m really enjoying the Solstice blocks. Planning on trying the asymmetrical setting. I’d consider myself fairly creative with color and appliqué but I get stuck in a rut with the same old setting plan. It works for most things but really look forward to the challenge of letting go!
I like both layouts. Choices!
I love the layout Pat. Thank you for so many wonderful and fun patterns.
I think I will try the asymmetrical version, I’ve never done that before. Should be fun. Can’t wait to see how it’ll go together.
I’m actually managing to keep up with this one! I’m using unbleached muslin as the background and then Civil War repros for the various prints. Since I hope to make a king size, I’ve been making three of each block. I may end up with two quilts by the time I’m done.
Love the assemtical layout. Can’t wait till all the blocis are finished.
Absolutely spot on with the asymmetrical layout! After decades of quilting, I now find the traditional layouts bore me to tears. The asymmetrical layouts are definitely more work, but so worth it in the end. So good of you to do 2 layout options. For those who want a quick and easy finish, the traditional layout is an excellent choice.
I also love the asymmetrical layout! looking forward to the total quilt. For now I just need to catch up! 🙂
Thank you for sharing. You truly are talented and know so much about quilting. I am still working on the Splendid Sampler -some done and some not done-most not done-and had a hard time keeping up-I am really a beginner but I will continue to try to get them done as time goes on. I am enjoying this one since I am able to keep up with you. Thank you once again.
Thank you for the layout. I am setting aside fabric for the squares but I am waiting for all of them before I start. I work better knowing I can coordinate the squares with my stash, but that’s just me!!!
I love the asymmetrical setting, also! But, I’m going to need more fabric! Thanks Pat for everything!
I thought I had commented on this so if it is a duplicate, I apologize. I love the asymmetrical layout ad can’t wait to see it all together.
With a border it could easily be king size. Good thing, too, since my son and DilL just got a new bed. His picture was quick to show me that his quilt was too small for it. While he didn’t ask, I know what he’s hinting at 🙂
Thank you, Pat, for all your creativity and time that you share with all of us. I am learning so much on journeys with you.
I love the asymmetrical plan. I am all caught up and looking forward to each Wednesday! You are wonderful to offer symmetry for those who desire it.
Have been having trouble quilting after a long break and I am thrilled to be relearning again with this fun quilt, Thank you!!!! The asymmetrical layout will also be my challenge!!!!
I love your Asymmetrical block lay out. What size on your checkerboard squares. Love that look.
I am with Virginia. Love! Love! Love! The asymmetrical layout!! I am not a symmetrical girl, AT ALL! Dear Pat, you are so good with people! I feel as if I am one of a few friends that you chat with, but I see this morning that you have over 80,000 in this group. You are so amazing and I love your patterns. They are so fun to do, well written and look so good in so many color ways. Just loving this project. Thanks a bunch. The sun in shining here in Idaho. It is windy, there are Robins in my front tree, it is actually 40′ and snow knee deep, so no worms for them. Finishing looking at my mail and back to the sewing. Plan to finish a UFO this afternoon. Thanks for your encouragement!!
I love both layouts! Thank you!
Love this so much. I am doing three sets of blocks for the Solstice Challenge so I will probably do one with the alternative layout.
This is so fun thank you!!
Love the asymmetrical layout – I can see using it again with other blocks I have made, but never got together!
Pat…you are just so amazing. You are my favorite inspiration and resource!! Thanks for all you do. Best, Linda B.
I love the asymmetrical design – so much movement. I’ve always taken the ‘safe’ layout so this will be a great chance to step out of my square predictable box. Thank you so much for giving us a surprise every week. In just a few months your hard work and generosity will be on display all over the world.
Love that asymmetric design! There wouldn’t be 182 squares in those checkered areas, would there?
Pat I really like it and am a former librarian so I signed up to do the Children’s Library. Currently I’m making a King Size sampler from 30s fabric. Since I need more blocks for this, I made my block for that, thinking I’d later make another for the “Children’s Library”. It is OK but now my camera isn’t working properly so I can’t take its picture!
I also signed up for the “finishing” idea but I didn’t complete anything in January.
I’ll keep on keeping on!
Barbara Hoge
I like the first setting. It’s not like anything I’ve done before.