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    Home » Blog » baby

    Pastel Union Jack Baby Quilt

    March 26, 2021 by Amy 5 Comments

    I’ve had so much fun working on a new version of my Regent Street – Union Jack quilt pattern. I’ve always wanted to make a baby quilt version using pastels and finally had the perfect purpose!

    Union Jack pastel baby quilt featuring Notting Hill and Liberty of London

    For this version I’ve pulled together the pastels – pinks, yellows, and aqua’s – from my Notting Hill fabric collection for Riley Blake Designs. 

    Union Jack baby quilt by Amy Smart of Diary of a Quilter

    It’s fun to see how taking out the saturated reds and navy prints gives the quilt a softer, more low-volume feel.

    Union Jack baby quilt made by Amy Smart with Liberty fabric

    I also mixed in a few pastel Liberty of London cotton prints from the Spring Flower Show range. Because they look pretty – plus, traditional Liberty of London prints in a Union Jack quilt block, just feels right.

    This quilt was free-hand quilted by my friend Monica Steelman.

    Pastel Union Jack baby quilt

    To make this quilt in a baby size version, make 9 blocks using the cutting and assembly instructions in my Regent Street – Union Jack quilt pattern. I used the same width for sashing strips as the pattern including the outside border of the quilt. (The white fabric I used Cloud from Riley Blake’s Confetti Cottons.)

    The quilt finishes at 41″ x 53″. You will need about 16 Fat Quarters, ¾ yard for sashing/border, ⅜ yard for binding. 

    Union Jack baby quilt pattern featuring pink London toile fabric on the back

    For the backing, I used the London pink toile for the perfect finish! (You can find a list of Notting Hill fabric stockists here.)

    I used 1 ⅝ for my backing. The width of fabric is just wider than the quilt. If you would like a bigger back, you may want to get 2 ¼ yards and piece your back. 

    It’s fun to see the contrast between the pastel version of this quilt and the brighter, more saturated version using all of the Notting Hill prints. (Kits available for this quilt here, here, and here.)

    Washed out Union Jack Quilt - Red White and Blue - beachy version

    If you don’t have time to make a full quilt at the moment or are feeling intimidated by the pattern (I promise, it’s much easier than it looks!) try making a practice block into a pillow. I’ve loved making pillows for friends.

    I got this vintage Underground (Tube) map at Paper Source years ago, and have been waiting for just the right place to hang it. We just finished repainting this bedroom and the map and the quilt look awesome contrasting with the blue accent wall. (Color is Gale Force by Sherwin Williams.) 

    Here’s one more Union Jack quilt version I made last year, for another contrast. Again, I purposely used washed out, vintage-y feeling prints some of which I’d bought on our trip to England almost 7 years ago. (It felt good to finally put those prints to use!) I framed the flags with a large white border for a low-volume beachy vibe.

    Pink and Blue Union Jack baby quilt

    You can find the Regent Street – Union Jack quilt pattern in my shop, available in Paper or printable PDF versions.

    Thanks for stopping by! I hope your weekend is jolly good. xo

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    Related

    « Introduction to English Paper Piecing – with Faith Essenburg – Part 1
    Intro to English Paper Piecing – Part 2 – Sewing Blocks Together »

    Filed Under: baby, flags, patterns, Riley Blake Designs Tagged With: union jack

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kay

      March 27, 2021 at 1:51 am

      Just amazing! I always love seeing union jack quilts, really must make one one day. The picture with the London tube map is so sweet, what a room. x

      Reply
    2. thread50

      March 28, 2021 at 12:44 am

      Just love the pastel Union Jack quilt. It is my favorite and what a great way to continue the London story with the kids!

      Reply
    3. Barbara

      March 28, 2021 at 6:25 am

      What a beautiful baby quilt, your friend is going to be thrilled. Love everything about it!

      Reply
    4. Rosemary B

      March 28, 2021 at 7:19 am

      this is a sweet quilt. I love it, Amy

      Reply
    5. Gwy

      March 29, 2021 at 4:38 pm

      Very pretty in your new fabrics!!

      Reply

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