Apparently I'm trying to set the record for number of flag quilts made in a year. You may remember when I shared progress on some blocks I made this past summer for a new Super Size Union Jack quilt block pattern using the Liberty Carnaby Street collection. Well, it's been a hot minute since then but today is the day I am finally sharing the finished quilt. And pattern!
Meet the Super Sized Regent Street Union Jack quilt. I'm in love, I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it. It's a sentimental combination of so many of my favorite things.
For comparison's sake: here’s the scale of the super-size version compared to a pillow made using the original block in my Regent Street pattern.
The Super Size Union Jack Quilt Back Story:
And here's a little bit of the story behind how it came to be.
Last winter Laurie Simpson reached out to me about using my Regent Street Union Jack quilt pattern with her latest red, white, and blue fabric collection Belle Isle. I’ve been a fan of Minick and Simpson for years and was totally honored she would ask if she could use my method and blow-up the Union Jack quilt block to a SUPER SIZE version.
You can read more about Laurie’s version here. This quilt finishes at 94" x 93" You can also find a kit for this version here and here.
When I was contemplating what fabric to make a version of my own, I wanted to do something different from the Regent Street Union Jack quilts I already made this year using my Notting Hill fabric. I'd just seen the movie Cruella - an homage to London and Liberty and fashion - and was so in the mood to celebrate them all.
Enter the Carnaby Collection in quilting cottons from Liberty of London. I'd already made one quilt from these prints, but was so excited when I realized they were the perfect fit for this new design. The big spaces in the super-size blocks are a perfect vehicle for showing off the beautifully detailed, classic Liberty prints.
Liberty Quilting Cottons - Carnaby Street
I am smitten with the Liberty Carnaby collection for so many reasons. Let me list a few:
A. Liberty florals are always some of my favorite
B. Red, white, and blue
C. Associated with London
D. Did I mention Liberty?
I'm such a sucker for traditional Liberty prints and these ones were just especially good. (Here's a little background on my Liberty Love if you're wondering what makes Liberty unique and/or trying to understand this infatuation.)
If you can't find the Carnaby Collection at your favorite local quilt shop, you can find the Liberty Carnaby quilting cottons collection from various shops on Etsy, Stash Fabrics, and Hawthorne Threads. (Also The Bramble Patch in the UK.)
I also mixed in a lot of low volume basics for the white strips as well as prints from my Notting Hill collection (like the tossed mini Union Jack flags in white and pink Union Jacks flags - they were just begging to be part of this quilt) as well as some prints from my stash.
For my sashing I used the woven light Indigo Chambray from Riley Blake Designs and the blue gingham from Notting Hill cut on the bias.
For the backing I used the Blue London print from my Notting Hill collection. A match made in quilting heaven. (Sadly, this print is pretty scarce now.)
Super Size Regent Street Union Jack Quilt Pattern
This quilt was SO MUCH FUN to make. The blocks are huge! Finished blocks size is 22" x 30". The finished twin size quilt (seen above) measures 70" x 94". (I added an extra inch or so to the width of my outside border so it's more like 73" x 97".)
So yeas, this quilt is gigantic. But because the blocks are such a large scale, the quilt actually comes together really quickly. It was super fun and satisfying to sew.
The pattern is now available in my shop in both PDF and Hard Copy versions.
**Important Details: PLEASE NOTE - there are two different pattern options for sale.
The new pattern includes all of the fabric requirements and cutting instructions for the Super Size version of this quilt, but to make the large-scale version, you will need the original Regent Street Union Jack pattern.
If you are buying for the first time you can find the combined pattern for 12.45. This version contains both supersize and original Regent Street Union Jack quilts patterns.
If you already have the original pattern and are only looking for the Super Size pattern update, you can find that option for $2.50. These are also available in PDF (instant download) or Hard Copy paper formats.
For wholesale inquiries email me amy@diaryofaquilter.com. (They should also be available from Checker soon.)
Finally, a fun little surprise. Last summer when I started this quilt (and watched Cruella) - not to mention all of the Notting Hill promoting this year - I mentioned how much I was craving London. Well I'm glad I put that thought out into the Universe because something magical happened.
I'll share more next week!
Gwyn
Amy, this is gorgeous!! I think this is going on my Christmas list. I love how big the blocks are. I have your original pattern, but have yet to make it. The Liberty cotton is divine. Your enthusiasm is infectious. I can't wait to see your next post!!
De Fleming
I just want to make a pillow and I dont know which pattern to buy I dont want the the great big one I have all the fabric will you help me. Thank you so much.
Amy
Great question. For a pillow I would recommend the original Regent Street Union Jack pattern: https://diaryofaquiltershop.com/products/union-jack-block-and-bag-pattern
Julie
I’m making the super size currently but am puzzled by the A-D block size. What size should I trim to? The current size is 10x13”, do I cut to 81/2 x 12 1/2? This seems a lot of wastage
Amy
Yes, that is the correct size to square those blocks down. It does feel like a large amount to trim, but because of the scale of the blocks and working at the unique angle, it was the simplest way to make the blocks. When making additional blocks you can experiment with using smaller triangles to cut back on waste.