I've been having a great time piecing quilts with my Portsmouth Fabric collection. And I love seeing them all together - such a great beachy summer vibe. So of course this collection begged for a version of my Fly the Flag quilt pattern. AND! Fun News! Riley Blake has created a Fly the Flag Portsmouth kit so you can make your own in time for summer!
I've also got free instructions below to make a matching Flag pillow!
This is my third version of the Fly the Flag Quilt. Isn't it perfect in Portsmouth fabrics? (I may have partly designed this collection just to make this quilt.)
As you can see, this quilt is based on a folk art version of American Flags. And the fun part of this quilt is that it's also a sampler (choose-your-own-adventure) quilt with a variety of different traditional star quilt blocks included in the pattern instructions.
The flag blocks themselves are Precuts (Jelly Roll) friendly and come together SO fast - especially if you choose to use a blue star field block that isn't pieced. Those blocks are good ones for showing-off bigger scale prints (like the floral and plaid above.)
But really, it's the combination of pieced stars and non-pieced blocks that give the quilt some great personality.
You can find the Fly the Flag pattern in PDF or Paper options here.
I think it would be fun to make a version using a dark sashing, like this Oxford blue - where the flags could really pop. I think that will be the next version on my list.
Fly the Flag Portsmouth Quilt KIT
And, as I mentioned, Riley Blake has created quilt kits for Fly The Fly with a curated selection of the Portsmouth fabric collection in a beautiful keepsake box.
The kit includes 22 different ¼ yard pieces for the flags, Cloud (white) Confetti Cotton background fabric, blue mini flag print for border and red gingham for binding - everything you need for the front of the quilt.
The kit also includes the Fly the Flag quilt pattern designed especially to correspond with the Portsmouth Collection Kit.
The Fly the Flag BOXED Kit is getting scarce but I've seen them available from Happy Little Stitch Shop, Calico Cottage, and Quilting With Marianne.
I have a handful of Fly the Flag quilt kits in my shop as well. (These kits come with a PDF version of the pattern and do not come in the Keepsake box.)
I'm excited to see the quilts that are made! If you make one, tag it with the #flytheflagquilt on social media - or send me a picture.
Make a Matching Flag Pillow
Want to make a matching pillow to go with your quilt? Here's some easy instructions to make a simple throw pillow.
Fabric Requirements:
- Background fabric: ⅙ yard - cut into 1 strip 3¼″ x WOF – sub cut 2 pieces 3½″ x 14 ½. Cut 1 strip 2½″ x WOF – sub cut into 2 pieces 2½″ x 18½″
- Backing: ½ yard
- Binding: ⅙ yard – cut into 2 strips 2½″ x WOF
- 18″ x 18″ Pillow Form (I used a 20″ x 20″ pillow form for a snug, plump fit)
Follow Pattern instructions to make a 10 ½″ x 14 ½″ Flag Quilt Block.
Sew 2 pieces 3 ½″ x 14 ½ to the top and bottom of flag block. Press seams toward background. Sew 2 pieces 2 ½″ x 18 ½″ to the sides of block. Press seams toward background fabric.
Finish Pillow using your favorite method. (I used this method for adding a pillow back and binding.)
I have a couple more Portsmouth Quilts to share over the next weeks + one more brand new baby quilt size pattern!
You can read more about the inspiration for the Portsmouth Collection + when to find shops who are stocking it HERE.
Marsha Houk
Great email, lots of good information, ideas, instruction, priceless. Thank you
Sandra
Where can I Get more white fabric for your kit?
I’ve run out
Thank you
Amy
Is it the Fly the Flag kit? That one used Riley Blake Confetti Cottons solid color: Cloud. I know it's available from the Fat Quarter Shop: http://shrsl.com/1b9e8
Judy Meyer
I love your Fly Your Flag pattern and I knew my sister who loves the 4th of July would love it to! I visited her at her Alaska home over the 4th and as a thank you, I made her this quilt. She loves it!!
Wish I could add a picture.
Amy
Aww, that's so wonderful! I'm thrilled to hear. 🙂
Shauna Woodall
I just bought this last week and can't wait to dig into it (I have two other quilts I have to finish first, one for an August raffle and one for a grand baby.) Amy, your lines are SO beautiful; the toile in them makes my heart sing. I'm crossing fingers and waiting for a Rocky Mountain toile, with Timpanogos, Teton and Two Top (I thought I'd be alliterative ...) :O