Upscale Plaid Quilt - the Winter Blush version
This week, I've been working on finishing up a new Upscale Plaid quilt sample and I'm so so excited to share how it turned out! So far, you've seen the Cover Upscale Plaid quilt (found here) and the Mediterraneo version (found here) well, this version is totally different; in more ways than one!
Upscale Plaid quilt pattern can be found as a PDF instant download or printed copy in our shop!
Since my first two Upscale Plaid quilts had darker background and more contrasting colors, I wanted this one to feel different. I always try to make different variations of the pattern to show how it will look with various fabric choices. This version came from a desire to use more neutrals and low contrast fabrics. Something about it feels so soft and soothing. The purples are a given (they're my favorite!), but then the little hint of blue as an accent is so fun and a little unexpected.
I'm calling this Upscale Plaid version "Winter Blush." The fabrics are:
- Background - Kona Lingerie
- A1 - Kona White
- A2 - Kona Foxglove
- A3 - AGF Peach Sherbet
- B1 - AGF Toasty Walnut
- B2 - Kona Lake
- B3 - AGF Sugar Plum
- C1 - AGF Bewitched
- C2 - Kona Plum
- C3 - AGF Mauvelous
We have kits (including backing and binding) to make this exact quilt in our shop!
You'll notice that there are quite a few fabrics in this quilt...10 to be exact. This pattern is a little unique in the sense that there are three main groups of fabrics and you really want to think about how all of the fabrics interact with each other. There is a transparency effect with Upscale Plaid that is really unique, but it can be a little intimidating when you're starting with a blank slate. With that in mind, we have a "Choosing Fabrics" blog post that will help you get a game plan for your quilt. We also have several different Upscale Plaid kits for sale in the shop.
This pattern uses strip piecing...this is always one of my favorite steps to photograph!
I wanted to use a different layout for this quilt than what I created previously. If you're unfamiliar, Upscale Plaid includes FIVE different layout options and seven different sizes! The Cover layout (1) is probably my favorite, but really they all serve a purpose.
Layouts 2 and 3 are symmetrical, if you're someone who doesn't love off-set designs. Layout 4 and 5 really look great on a bed, but I like how they are symmetrical but still off-centered a little bit. With this quilt, I decided to go with Layout 3. Keep in mind that you can choose any of the 5 layouts for your quilt! The pattern instructions are like magic. ;)
Something that I kept thinking about for this quilt was how much it'd make a great picnic quilt. Maybe not THIS exact version with all the light fabrics (not the best combo with dirt) but the layout would be SO cute with a picnic basket in the center. I also think it'd be a cool tree-skirt layout with the hole for the tree in the center of the quilt. So many possibilities!
Sara of Stitch Lab did the quilting for this quilt. We went with a light pink thread to match the background and a pantograph called Retrograde by Karlee Porter. Since there was so much negative space in the middle of the quilt, I wanted a design that wasn't too simple and something that held enough interest to be by itself on a large cut of fabric...if that makes sense. This motif had just the right amount of detail and structure that it offers a little extra visual interest to the middle part of the quilt. I'm really happy with it!
The backing is called Eidelweiss Seven, which is by Amy Sinibaldi for Art Gallery Fabrics. We have this as an optional add-on to the kit in our shop. Side note, this backing is a re-coloring of her original Eidelweiss Ode backing that she created several years ago. It's exactly the same except blue and I love both designs so so much. If you want to see it in action on the back of my Cover Granny Patch quilt, click here.
For the binding, I used AGF Mauvelous, to not compete with anything. It's subtle and I really love it! I machine stitched the binding, which I have a tutorial for here.
That's it, my friends! I hope you enjoyed reading about this quilt. We are hosting a Quilt Along for Upscale Plaid at the moment and if you haven't already, we'd love to have you join us! You can find more details here.
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