Garland Quilt Pattern – Use ALL the Scraps!
Every year the Suzy Quilts team likes to come up with a theme, or intention, to help navigate our cretivity throughout the year. The theme for 2022 has been Companions, as you've seen with our past pattern releases.
First with Adventureland — companion to Sugar POP, then with Shining Star — companion to Shine and Stars Hollow, followed by Fireside — companion to Campfire. For the last pattern release of the year I wanted to give you something really special. So before designing this final pattern, I made a list of what you’ve told me you want and then I challenged myself to turn that list into one pattern. Here's what you said:
- Maypole companion
- Scrap friendly
- Pre-cut friendly
- Beginner friendly
- Fast
- Forgiving
- Video tutorial included
The above quilt was made be Sarah of Sarah Made and quilted by Trace Creek Quilting using all Art Gallery Fabric PURE solids.
Those fabrics include:
- 1 1/8 yard Moda Bella Solids in Porcelain
- 1/2 yard PURE Solids in Fresh Sage
- 3/8 yard PURE Solids in Patina Green
- 3/8 yard PURE Solids in Aurora Red
- 3/4 yard PURE Solids in Candied Cherry
- fat quarter PURE Solids in Burnt Sienna
- fat quarter PURE Solids in Candied Cherry
- fat quarter PURE Solids in Ruby
- fat quarter PURE Solids in Aurora Red
- fat quarter PURE Solids in Grapefruit
- fat quarter PURE Solids in Peach Sherbet
- fat quarter Moda Bella Solids in Porcelain
- fat quarter PURE Solids in Tender Green
- fat quarter PURE Solids in Warm Wave
- fat quarter PURE Solids in Fresh Sage
- fat quarter PURE Solids in Patina Green
- fat quarter PURE Solids in Eucalyptus
The above Garland throw quilt was made by Jessica Schunke and quilted by Trace Creek Quilting.
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Above is the Maypole quilt — companion design to Garland. Three main differences between these patterns are:
- Strip width: The strips of the Garland quilt are all the same width, but in the Maypole pattern they vary.
- Layout: Garland has a different layout to accommodate scrappy improv strips.
- Size: Lastly, the Maypole throw is smaller, 56" x 63", compared to Garland, 65" x 70".
The above Garland baby quilt was made and quilted by me, Suzy! Keep reading for more deets.
Pre-cut Friendly, Scrap Friendly & Beginner Friendly
I guess you could say that this pattern is just an overall friendly design! 😉 But seriously, what makes it the Mr. Rogers of patterns? Let me tell you:
- Pre-cuts: Who doesn't love a sweet little bundle of fabric? To make the improv strips you can use any size pre-cut. Cutting each one will look different, but you're in luck because the pattern includes a tutorial video on how to cut different pre-cuts into wonky pieces.
- Scraps: Because of the width of these strips, you can use some pretty small scraps. The throw quilt only needs pieces that are 5 1/2" tall and a couple inches wide. Now is the time to start sorting through your itty bitty fabrics. In the yellow and blue Garland quilt the scraps are sorted by color. In some of the other examples here, the scraps are pretty much random! But don't they still look great? Here's why...
- Beginners: Garland is great for beginners for two reasons:
- It's easy to pick fabric. One of the hardest parts about quilting as a newbie is figuring out what fabrics will look good together. Well let me tell you, the way this pattern is designed, the design is beautifully symmetrical and the scrappy strips are balanced by large pieces of yardage. No matter what fabrics you pick and no matter where you decide to place them, it's gonna look good.
- It requires only simple sewing techniques. No complicated Y-seams. No intricate piecing. Accidentally have an "oops" moment with your rotary cutter? No problem. With improv strip sewing, you can "make" more fabric! Below I will show you an example of a Garland baby quilt I made where I sewed the final blocks together incorrectly. I didn't even notice I did it until I'd trimmed everything! But you know what? It doesn't even matter, because the quilt still looks great making this pattern incredibly forgiving. What a relief!
The above Garland wall hanging quilt was made and hand quilted by Sandy of Thai Carm LLC.
Garland Quilt Sizes
The Garland pattern includes three sizes: throw, baby and wall. Above my one and a half year old daughter, Joanna, is holding the wall-sized quilt.
- Throw: 65" x 70" - large enough for serious snuggles
- Baby: 46" x 50" - perfect for a crib or toddler bed
- Wall: 30" x 32" - beautiful hanging on a wall, as a quilted floor pillow or even for a baby playing on the floor
Garland Fabric Requirements
Download a PDF of the Garland Fabric requirements here. As I mentioned before, you can use any pre-cut with this pattern. If the Fabric Requirements look long, it's not because you need tons of fabric, it's because there are options.
For example, to make the improv strips in the Throw size, you can use either fat quarters OR a layer cake OR 2 jelly rolls OR a bunch of scraps.
Below are examples of Garland and Maypole side by side using similar fabric colors.
Are you loving the holiday quilt idea but feel like branching out of the classic red and green color combo? Kim used icy blues and forest greens to create a stunning quilted snowscape!
Aren't these tiny trees in the binding soooo cute??
Fabric Picking Tip! Use a Single Collection
When making this baby Garland quilt I used prints from the Roots of Nature collection by Bonnie Christine for Art Gallery Fabrics. All of the supporting fabrics are solids that coordinate with those prints. If you're worried about colors clashing or prints looking bad together, this is a great way to ensure you make a cohesive quilt.
Above I am cutting fat quarters with my "Big Easy" ruler. I like using this ruler when stacking a lot of layers of fabric on top of each other. Its weight helps keep the fabric from moving when I cut.
Fast & Forgiving
Have you made a Maypole quilt? Or maybe an Adventureland quilt? If so, you know how quickly these quadrant quilts come together. The way these quilts avoid Y-seams is by building strips on triangle pieces and then sewing those quadrants together.
Below is a picture documenting the point when I stepped back and realized I sewed my quadrants together incorrectly and trimmed before I could change it. Oops!
But here's the thing, it still looks great! With this pattern it's OK if things don't line up or if your quadrants aren't really straight. You can trim to make it fit.
Next time I make this quilt I'll actually look at the pattern instead of going by memory. 😉
The only fabric I had in my stash large enough to back this baby quilt was dimpled minky. Deciding to lean into its ultra coziness, I used puffy Quilters Dream wool batting with it. Yummmm. Delicious.
You May Also Like...
- Maypole Quilted Floor Pillow Tutorial - use the Garland pattern to make the same floor pillow!
- Why Wool Batting Makes The Warmest Quilts
- 4 Tips for Quilting with Minky
- How to Make a Minky Baby Blanket in 30 Minutes
To maximize the puff and fluff, I opted for less is more when quilting and machine quilted it mostly in the ditch in two directions, creating simple squares. I love it!
For the most part I eye balled the quilting, but a couple times I got out my hera marker and ruler to add some guidelines. That was just so I didn't get too off course when I didn't have seams to guide my stitching.
Video Tutorial Included in the Pattern
I'll be the first to tell you that my videographer skills are still, uh, "a work in progress" we'll say. But that's not going to stop me from filming helpful tutorials as best as I can. In the video tutorial included in the Garland pattern I will show you:
- Cutting: How to cut wonky pieces from fat quarters, jelly roll strips (2 1/2" x WOF), layer cakes and weirdly shaped scraps.
- Sewing: Sewing wonky strips into a straight strip can get, well, WONKY. I'll show you a trick for keeping your pieces straight.
- Trimming: Once you have your improv strips sewn together, I'll show you how to trim them into a straight strip ready for assembly.
My kids were loving this wall hanging a little too much...
The above Garland throw quilt was made and quilted by Sandy of Thai Carm LLC.
I can't wait for you to start sewing your own Garland quilts! Let us know in the comments if you're excited and feeling inspired to sew!
Beginner here! How do you keep your scrap strips straight? Do you use some sort of paper backing or is it totally improve? Thanks!
No paper backing necessary! This is something that will be covered in the pattern and in the tutorial video included in the pattern.
Yes it’s so cute! I can’t wait!!
I love it so much!!! Can’t wait to get my hands on the pattern and start sewing!!
I’m not into scrappy quilts but this one excites me. There is enough harmony with the solid strips to offset the randomness of the scrappiness. Thanks for this option!
You say to use scraps at least 6.5″ tall. Some of my scraps are small; like 2×4 etc they are ‘true’ scraps. Can I use those to make my long scrappy strips?
!!! Wow this is a great looking pattern! I don’t have a lot of time to sew- so the quick patterns are really welcome here! Annnd I’m a bit of a novice! Can’t wait to try this one
I love reading your blogs. You are very talented in design and color. Your helpful tips are super. I’m always looking for ways to use my scraps in an organized fashion. How it is quilting on Minki? Seems it would shift during sewing. Do you adjust the upper presser foot pressure? I find to prevent a ruler from slipping when cutting long strips, I place a 3 LB dumbbell weight in the bottom ⅓ of the fabric, touching/across the ruler and table. This prevents slipping nearing the end of the cut as my arms aren’t long enough to reach with pressure.
We’re so glad you like the blog! Here’s a blog post from our head creative contributor that has some of our best Minky tips! https://suzyquilts.com/4-tips-for-quilting-with-minky-or-faux-fur/
Where is the video on how to make the Garland?
It will be included with the pattern when it is released on November 18 🙂
Looks fabulous.
So many options and looks much more complicated than it is.
It’s really quite simple!
I’m not very good/ precise at quilt making but THIS one, YES!
Love!!! Cant wait for the new pattern also love the binding? On the wall quilt kids Re holding!! What is it? Would love to make that size for my girl 😄 any quilt kit for that at @thicharmllc ??
Here’s the link to the Thai Charm kit! https://www.thaicharmllc.com/shop/p/garlandquiltkit
Can’t wait to start! I’m ordering a kit so I can jump right in! Now I have to decide on one of those gorgeous options.
Hey Susie I see that sewing table on this blog and others. I love the size! Can you tell what brand or where you got it? Thanks!
Yes, it’s wonderful! Here’s a post about it – https://suzyquilts.com/the-best-sewing-cabinet-for-quilting-crafting/
Looking forward to adding this to my collection of SQ patterns – just love them. Really like the green version and the icy blues. I sometimes find it hard to get similar colours or fabrics over here in Scotland and so far, the only supplier who does a kit, I did not like her colour combinations I am afraid. Never mind I will just get my thinking cap on like I did for my Adventureland. I do have a good fabric shop near me and she is helpful always. Looking forward to seeing everyone else’s makes
Love! Hope I can find a kit if the pure solids red/green colorway
It’s out of stock right now, but you can check back or email Sarah Made! https://sarah-made.com/product/garland-quilt-kit-throw-christmas/
I am very excited and encouraged by this blog to start my first maypole or garland quilt. I always enjoyed variation ideas. You nailed it with this blog. Now to pick the colors or kit.
I’m wondering if the tutorial for garland or maypole is only available with download patterns only.
I need paper pattern and need to know which ones come in twin size 70×90. I make charity quilts.
Hi Barbara! The video tutorial for Garland comes with the pattern, so the digital PDF download you receive when you get it will include a hyperlink that takes you right to the video! You can find the sizes of each of our patterns in the shop listings. Check the bullet point list next to each picture when you go to the pattern you’d like to make in the shop!
I love this idea for using up scraps and buying only minimal coordinating colours.
The 18th will be here before you know it.
Is it possible to pre-order this? Or do I just need to log in on 11/18 to purchase? Will be taking this project to a “sew-in” on the evening of 11/18 and want to be sure I’ve got the pattern/instructions. It’s going to be so cute!!
Hi Marty! We currently don’t offer pre-orders, but you’ll be able to download it on the morning of November 18 and fortunately this blog post has the fabric requirements, so that will be all set for your sew in! 🙂
Every one of these is so stinkin’ cute!! I’ve got my 15 year old granddaughter making quilts and she will just love this pattern and all the great samples to get ideas from! Your patterns are just awesome Suzy.
Love love love the quilt that you used the Bonnie Christine fabrics! What is the fabrics with the xs? It looks like linen. I love all of your stuff and your posts have been SO helpful!
Aren’t they lovely? Those are Sprout Wovens by Fableism: https://fableism.com/product-category/coming-soon/sprout-wovens/
I purchased the pattern a month ago. How do I get the tutorial video
Hey Susan! The link to the video is in the pattern at the top of page 4 in the green box that says “Wonky cutting video tutorial.” Click on that, and the tutorial will open!
Fabric collected….it will be a wonky one for sure! They are scraps with a theme, for a little girl who loves dogs! I gotta do this…I am committed to use up these fabrics!