Retro Flowers Quilt Pattern

ChristinaSeptember 5, 2011

**TEMPLATES can now be purchased at TCR Engraving on Etsy.**

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Here it is!  The Retro Flowers Quilt!  I have been busy working away over here these last few weeks.  I was finishing up this quilt that had been sitting on the table and design wall for several months.  I had shown this pattern in the drafting phases to a few friends, and it got high marks from everyone, so I thought I should probably get making it.  I am so glad that I did!  I LOVE this quilt!  It is probably one of the only quilts that I knew would be mine.  Most times I make quilts with the idea of selling them or gifting them, but not this one.  I’m keeping it!

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I feel such a sense of accomplishment having finished this.  To see something I designed, unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, with all of those curved pieces matching up so beautifully, it just feels like a huge accomplishment.  I felt something with the making of this quilt that I’ve never felt before.  Even picking out the fabrics to all match up was a big achievement for me.

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I can already tell that half of your are going – oh it’s beautiful, but I could never sew that many curves…I couldn’t get my pieces to match up like that.  But I’m here to tell you: Yes you can!  I’ve written this pattern so that even a beginning sewer with just a few quilts under their belt, and no curve experience, could still make this quilt with just as much precision.  I’ve included lots of illustrated diagrams and given you all of my tips to have those curves matching up every time.  I even had the pattern tested, and the testers had the same results.

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Here is a pillow Liz made from a single flower block.  LOVE it!  She agreed with me on the huge feeling of accomplishment with this block.  It’s such a great feeling.  (I’ll share the project of the second tester here once it’s completed.)

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I’ll tell you two things that made a HUGE difference in this quilt, neither of them is required, but on my did they make the job so much easier:

1.) The Curve Master 1/4” Presser Foot.  Have you seen this foot in action yet?  OMG!  Every bit as wonderful as they appear to be.  Now, I’m not saying fresh out of the box it’s as easy as the video makes it out to be, but I did a few practice curves to get a feel for the mechanics of it before starting this quilt and then I went for it.  (And seriously, it is pretty simple.)  I just took my time and went slow and it was fantastic!  After completing a flower block I felt like a pro.  I can’t recommend this foot enough for any curved piecing you might be doing.

2.) Acrylic templates from Tabslot.  I happen to know Jill of Tabslot personally thanks to our Modern Quilt Guild.  She is such a great person (oh! and she was the winner of round two of the Project Modern Quilt Challenge!  She has some awesome quilt designs – her blog is here) and I am so excited to know someone that could make me acrylic templates for my projects.  Again, while not necessary, these helped so much in the cutting process.  I know when I’m going to be cutting a lot of one shape, if I’m using a cardstock template, I’m going to cut into that cardstock pretty quickly and have to go print a new one.  So I really loved having these templates.

**TEMPLATES can now be purchased at TCR Engraving on Etsy.**

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I have held this pattern so close to me for so long that I find it hard to release it.  Sharing something that means so much to me is a little hard, but I hope that everyone finds it as fantastic as I do!  You can purchase the pattern with direct (high quality/resolution) download on my website.

Comments (48)

  • Jeni

    September 5, 2011 at 7:49 pm

    Yahoo! Congratulations on finishing this one up Christina! Love it, so much! This quilt is so different from what you usually do, yet so you at the same time! It turned out really beautiful :)

  • MN2NM

    September 5, 2011 at 8:18 pm

    Love the pattern! Super cute!

  • Suburban Stitcher

    September 5, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    It’s beautiful.

  • Noas’ Libellule

    September 5, 2011 at 8:57 pm

    This is an amazing pattern! A really well done job.

    http://Www.noaslibellule.blogspot.com

  • piecemealquilts

    September 5, 2011 at 9:07 pm

    You SHOULD be proud – this is a fantastic quilt, beautifully designed and constructed. I had to stare at the close up of the block for a while to see how you pieced it. Everything aligns so well! The quilting really enhanced the design, too.

  • Poppyprint

    September 5, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    Congratulations, this is a beautiful design and you’ve quilted it so beautifully, too!!! I can completely understand your proud mama feelings and am sure that you will get a great response to it Cristina. Way to go!!

  • ZiaMaria

    September 5, 2011 at 10:09 pm

    Oh my this is so creative and lovely!

  • Dawn

    September 5, 2011 at 10:24 pm

    Gorgeous, I love it!!

  • Heidi

    September 5, 2011 at 10:36 pm

    Lovely…really lovely!

  • Lucy

    September 5, 2011 at 10:48 pm

    This is AMAZING! Really well done! Thanks for the tips too :)
    I will certainly buy the pattern when I get paid ;)
    Lucy
    xx
    http://charmaboutyou.blogspot.com

  • Megs

    September 5, 2011 at 11:35 pm

    This is really spectacular. Can’t wait to make one and get some curved piecing under my belt. Love the retro feel and the colors!

  • Christina

    September 6, 2011 at 12:14 am

    Awesome! So glad to see this quilt come to fruition. It is such a fresh, innovative design and you did it perfectly! Wow…

  • Kate

    September 6, 2011 at 12:17 am

    This quilt is amazing – and so is the quilting! Love, love, love!

  • Sara

    September 6, 2011 at 1:48 am

    Wonderful pattern indeed.love the colors!!

  • Kaye Prince

    September 6, 2011 at 2:31 am

    This is absolutely flippin’ gorgeous! Love the fabrics you chose and the quilting – great work darling!

  • One Shabby Chick

    September 6, 2011 at 5:25 am

    Wow – it is so gorgeous – such a unique pattern! Love it!

  • The AfterCraft

    September 6, 2011 at 6:44 am

    Soooo beautiful!! I love it! I want one!!

  • Becky

    September 6, 2011 at 10:39 am

    awesome, just awesome.

  • Jen of ReannaLily Designs

    September 6, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    I love your new quilt! The design is just perfect. Totally dig it!

  • Jolene

    September 6, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    Congrats! It’s a beautiful pattern, and yes, it’s something unique and different. I so often feel that my quilts are inspired by the works of others, (which is OK!) but I’m so happy when I can have an idea pop into my head, and bring it to completion. Definitely a boost to the self worth!

    I’m quite tempted to buy this one…I’m picturing it in really soft vintage florals!

  • Amy Gibson

    September 6, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    Ooooh, lovely!!! I want to make it, bad. Did you quilt it yourself? It’s AWESOME!

    http://www.stitcherydickorydock.blogspot.com

  • Amy Gibson

    September 6, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    Ok, I feel silly. Just read your bit about long-arming. Gorgeous work. Wish you could do mine. Pretty please! :)

  • Jacey

    September 6, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    It’s so beautiful. I love the design and the quilting is stunning. Yay!

  • m@rta

    September 6, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    Hi, I was searching for interesting handmades.. I’ve found yesterday Your blog…and till today I’m shocked, that it’s possible to made such a gorgeous quilts as U did. Your all work is really AMAZING! I have never thought that it’s possible to do manually such a detailed quilts… CONGRATULATIONS from the hart! I did in my life only small one:) http://marta-mojepasje.blogspot.com/search/label/patchwork

  • {Leila}Where the Orchids Grow

    September 6, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    This looks like an excellent pattern! Congratulations!

  • Ruth

    September 6, 2011 at 9:36 pm

    This is beautiful! I love the quilting on it!

  • Rachel Hauser

    September 7, 2011 at 1:30 am

    Christina, you SHOULD be proud. That quilt pattern downright gorgeous and I won’t be surprised if it’s a runaway success. Would love to make one myself (and here, here for nice templates!).

  • Cheryl Arkison

    September 7, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    I was wondering where those quarter circles where headed. LOVE this! Great job.

  • Anna

    September 7, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    this is incredibly awesome, all I can say is that I’m so excited about the quilt and for you!!! this one will definitely make waves. :)

  • MiaKBaker

    September 7, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    Beautiful!!!! You are amazing!

  • colorchic

    September 7, 2011 at 11:39 pm

    Now that you made one for yourself will you make me one? I love it! Beautiful! So Creative!!!

  • thesewinggirl

    September 8, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Wow! This pattern is gorgeous! It’s so unique.

  • Betty Crocker Ass

    September 8, 2011 at 8:44 pm

    I really do love seeing this done! Can’t wait to try out some curves myself!

  • Sara @ Sew Sweetness

    September 9, 2011 at 1:42 am

    Wow, I love this…going to buy it right now!

  • Kelly

    September 9, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    This is an amazing pattern! I definitely am going to buy it… once life slows down a little. ;)

  • Sew Create It – Jane

    September 9, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    This is a stunning quilt…I can see why you love it so much!

  • Karen

    September 10, 2011 at 1:22 am

    Love it! Totally makes me recall the opening to the Partridge Family show – but, I could be ‘dating’ myself here – awesome!

  • Connie

    September 10, 2011 at 2:06 am

    Beautiful pattern and love your quilting!

  • Live a Colorful Life

    September 13, 2011 at 9:21 pm

    Absolutely stunning quilt pattern! Off to purchase…

  • toots2u

    September 14, 2011 at 5:49 am

    not sure what i love the most…. color, design , or the actual quilting…. beautiful!!!

  • MaryAnnB

    September 18, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    just picked up the Curve Master at the PA Quilt show.. it’s inventor was there demonstrating it! Can’t wait to play with this! Thanks for the inspiration!

  • Modern Amish

    December 14, 2011 at 9:46 pm

    OMG! This quilt is amazing. I love the pattern. Can’t wait to make something myself with it. Thanks for designing it.

  • kristinenelson57

    March 3, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    I just finished 42 of these blocks for a quilt for my daughter. She found this pattern and really wanted me to make it for her. It is time consuming if you’re a perfectionist which I am….By the time I was half way through, I could make one pretty fast. I love how it turned out. Thanks for the pattern~

  • kristinenelson57

    March 3, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    I just finished 42 of these blocks for a quilt for my daughter. She found this pattern and really wanted me to make it for her. It is time consuming if you’re a perfectionist which I am….By the time I was half way through, I could make one pretty fast. I love how it turned out. Thanks for the pattern~

  • LR4KSU

    June 5, 2012 at 7:27 pm

    I’m confused. These look like flowers–but when I clicked on the tabslot link–the templates look like regular drunkards path pieces. Is that what you used and then somehow converted them to look like the flower petals. More info please before I purchase the pattern.

  • angela

    January 17, 2016 at 12:33 pm

    Getting ready to purchase everything to make this quilt. Etsy says “Tabslot” is no longer open. Where can I find the acrylic template?

    1. Christina

      January 17, 2016 at 1:08 pm

      Thanks for the heads up on the Etsy listing, I thought i’d changed it to show the new shop carrying the templates. They are now at http://www.quiltingtemplates.etsy.com, just type in “Retro Flowers” in their shop search box.

  • angela

    January 17, 2016 at 12:34 pm

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