Part I: Maypole Quilt Sew Along – Picking Fabric
Hello Quilty Friends! Sarah here for another sew along, and this one is a favorite of mine! Maypole quilt is a Suzy Quilts classic and for good reason. It is super modern and super fast, making it a go-to for so many quilters.
Part I of this two-part sew along is all about fabric. While I love the process if choosing fabric for a quilt, sometimes I get a mental block because there are just so many choices out there! Using this simple trick, I will show you how to narrow down your choices using a cohesive color palette.
You May Also Like...
I live in a wooded area outside of St. Louis and find ample amounts of color inspiration just walking around outside. I also love visiting the Florida beaches with my family. The blues of the ocean, white sand beaches, and even brightly color swimsuits and towels speckling the shore inspire me in exciting ways. I like to snap photos of any color palette that sparks my creativity for future use later.
When I don't have a personal photo on hand, I also find lots of inspiration online. Sites like Pinterest are unlimited resources of colorful images. Check out my fabric selection for the sew along, along side the images that inspired them.
For this blue Maypole, I went with a gradient of color but included a print and a woven fabric to provide more visual and tactile interest. The blue Maypole kit is available here.
Trending patterns!
Quilt Patterns
Quilt Patterns
Quilt Patterns
Quilt Patterns
Quilt Patterns
Quilt Patterns
Quilt Patterns
Quilt Patterns
Quilt Patterns
For this lavender Maypole, I wanted to throw in an accent color to compliment the gradient of lavender and pink and peach. The warmth of the terracotta was the perfect choice, mirrored in the image of the sunset. Again, I used a combination of woven and quilting cotton.
The lavender Maypole kit is available here.
For tips on sewing a Maypole quilt with woven fabric, come back for Part II.
With the layout of Maypole, I love using a blend of similar colors and sometimes add in a complimentary one, too. I chose images that was drawn to because the colors just made me happy. Then I grabbed my Art Gallery Fabrics color card, and with a little trial and error, I picked fabrics based on the images.
I put together the following mock-ups using Art Gallery Fabrics, and the colors for each mock-up are listed. The throw size Maypole quilt has fabric requirements in the perfect amount for ordering from an online shop.
In Part II we'll go over tips that'll make sewing your Maypole a breeze!
Both quilts pictured were quilted by Lilo of Trace Creek Quilting.
How to pick fabrics post is the most useful to ensure a half decent looking quilt! What app/tool does one use to to a mock up with AG fabrics/Kona /Other solids or prints.
Hi Susan! You can use the ReColor app to color in the mock up from the pattern.
This was very informative choosing the colors. The hardest next step for me is actually placing those chosen colors in a particular placement in the pattern. Is that just a “try it out first” exercise?
Hi Theresa! You can definitely just go for it using 5 colors that you like together, or you can use an app like ReColor to color in the mock-up from the pattern.
Hi Sarah- you can also use InDesign by Adobe to test out colors before cutting. I have found this program so useful in planning blocks and quilts.
What is that lovely pantograph on those quilts?
Hi Naomi! It is Sunflower Field Clam, quilted her by Trace Creek Quilting 🙂
I am so excited that you are doing a Maypole sew along! I’ve been waiting for you to do this pattern 🙂 I’m a naptime quilter, so I might not stay quite on schedule each week, but I’m excited follow along!
I’m so glad you’re excited to make a Maypole! I am familiar with the days of naptime quilting. This is the perfect quilt for that!
I am so glad you are doing this quilt pattern. It looks like it can be made fairly fast. Just what I need for a baby quilt.
Hey Suzy!
Love your quilts and adore the Maypole pattern! Would like to make a large-ish Maypole throw for a wedding gift. Their colors are navy and a light blush pink. Help! I don’t want it too pink. Any suggestions?
Sounds lovely! One thing you could try is using shades of navy and dark blue for 2-3 of the colors so it’s the dominant color. A good example of that from this post is the palette that has the colors Peacock, Secret Lagoon, Jade Cream, Sandstone, and Apple Cider. In that quilt, you can see that green is the primary color and there is just a little pop of the Apple Cider color (that would be your pink). Hope that helps!
i want to do this but am afraid…….need more show me……i have a jelly roll i want to use, but i want the full size…….is there a tutorial to follow long? thanks Rita
Hi Rita, If you would like to make a full quilt with a jelly roll, the Adventureland quilt pattern is perfect for you! You can find lots of extra details on making it in the Adventureland sew along – https://suzyquilts.com/category/adventureland-sew-along/
My daughter wants the Maypole in the neutral color pictured with the pattern for her baby girl. Are those fabrics available? No matter how hard I try my fabric choices fall flat. Thank you!