Like many of you, I have been inspired by Maureen Cracknell’s work for years. She has just released her second fabric collection for Art Gallery Fabrics: Fleet and Flourish. This collection has a unique color palette and features lots of Maureen’s hand-drawn art.
When Maureen asked if I’d like to play with this collection, I jumped at the chance! When this fabric arrived I was beginning my preparation for my classes at QuiltCon – including a class about advanced piecing techniques, including Y-seams. So I thought I’d practice and, in the process, make a sample for my class with the new Fleet and Flourish bundle sitting on my cutting mat. I love the finished result!
I used a mini 60 degree Diamond Mini Tool template made by EZ Quilts to quickly cut my diamonds. It’s so cute and made for easily cutting from a 2 ½″ strip. (I’ve seen them for sale at JoAnn’s, as well as online from Amazon, and Missouri Star Quilt Company.)
These diamond stars were machine-pieced – which is something that I previously would have either avoided or worried would take me a long time. But I made a bunch to practice for my class and got to the point where I really liked making them. Y-seams are not as scary as they seem!
Here’s a bigger version made with 4″ diamonds. This block is about 12″ x 12″ at it’s widest points. These go even faster. I think I’m going to make a bigger quilt one of these days. At some point (when I get my act together) I’ll pull together a tutorial for this block. In the meantime, stay tuned.
Another really fun element of this fabric was using the stripe print to make a fancy border for my stars. I LOVE the way it turned out! By fussy-cutting the stripes and using mitred corners I could easily add a border that looks much more tricky than it is. And it’s such a fun way to show off Maureen’s design in this print.
I used this video tutorial from the Fat Quarter shop to brush up my mitered corner skills.
And just for fun, this came from the left over corners, once they’d been mitered. I love it too and now I need a plan for this guy. Maybe a pillow? Once again, the beauty that comes from fussy-cutting stripes…
This project still needs quilting. I’m thinking of hand-quilting it, since it’s small, just for fun. And to give it more of a home-made vibe.
Over the next few weeks, Maureen will be sharing a whole load of projects made with Fleet and Flourish. To check them out (and for the chance to win Fleet and Flourish fabric and thread!) visit Maureen’s blog for the schedule and links.
Fleet and Flourish is arriving in shops now. I’ve also seen some available from Pink Castle Fabrics, Fabricworm, and LadyBelle Fabrics.
*this post contains an affiliate link.
Jamie
Very pretty project! I have a few fabrics in my stash from this collection. The purples were hard to resist!
Patricia
Beautiful, shows off the fabric so well.
Diane B
Amy, your miterd corners are audacious! Thanks for the link . sure I’m ready for Yseams w/your encouragement.
Once quilted , please share. Pillow YES!
Michelle N
I love your use of Fleet & Flourish! It’s so fun to see it used by other amazing quilters after watching Maureen create with it. Can’t wait for that tutorial. 🙂
Christine sherman
Beautiful!
Elizabeth Worthington
Gorgeous fabric and the patchwork you’ve made using it is beautiful. Thanks for the link to how to mitre corners. It’s very timely as I’m just about to bind a table runner I’m making 🙂
Amy Smart
That link is just for mitered borders, but here is a link for mitered corners on binding if you are in need. 😉
https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2009/05/finishing-quilt-tutorial.html
Corrie tollett
So beautiful!!!
Barbara Bailey
This a beauty! What a great way to show Maureen’s lovely fabrics.
Robin
Absolutely stunning!
SYLVIE C
Gorgeous !
Susan the Farm Quilter
Great way to feature Maureen’s fabulous fabrics!! Y seams are still on my to-learn list! Love your quilt!
Allison CB
Lovely! Great fabrics!
Sandra
Everything there is beautiful. I love the fact that they sell yardage. I get so tired of buying tiny bits!
I’ve been to their store in Ann Arbor too. I’m a fan.
Lori Smanski
your quilt is gorgeous.
Melissa Corry
Beautiful quilt Amy!! Just stunning
Doris
Those are glorious fabrics that make into a beautiful quilt top.
Kathleen
Love how you made the borders!
Karen Seitz
I love this quilt! You made beautiful use of the fabrics. Isn’t it fun to get to a point where you enjoy something that once was scary to attempt?
Lizzie
These are beautiful! How fun that the you can cut diamonds from a srip with that ruler. They look great! I have lived looking at Maureen’s drawings and paintings over the years, in addition to her quilts – – so exciting to see the fruits of her labor of love!
martha Cook
just lovely. the material blend,the colors,the borders with the feathering blue print, the inner border ,striking. I have done y seams. intimidating but not as scary as I thought.
Mary
That is really beautiful – the fabric, the piecing and the those great miters! Nice work.
Rosemary bolton
This turned out marvelous!
I adore the fabrics, i love the subtle changes in the background, I really like doing that too instead of all the same. It really makes this so charming
I have a huge F n P 60degree template. I really need a little one now
Thanks for sharing I love it
Joseph Matthews
Great display of creativity specially the fabrics of Maureen’s hand-drawn art. Truly appreciate your work. Hoping to see some more like this in near future.
Naomi
Love the fabric, love the quilt! I was just thinking about trying out some Y seams…And the duckadilly site is full of such beautiful fabrics too. I love one called “Morris” that comes in a few colors, and some of the paisley type ones were calling to me. Thanks for the chance!
Cindy
Hope I’m not too late to the party. Just ordered a jelly roll. Can’t wait to get it. Would love to win a gc. Thanks for letting me play!!!