Here is a quilt idea that had been buzzing/rattling around in my head for a while and I’m pleased to say that the pattern is now ready!
This pattern is based on the traditional Caernarfon design that has been used for centuries in the weaving of blankets in Wales. I’ve translated it into fabric and am really delighted with how it looks.
This is my version, photographed on a cold, windy day between Christmas and New Year at Budleigh Salterton:
The quilt is made using strip piecing, so while it looks fiddly and complex there is no actual cutting of 1.5″ squares (aside from the one in the very middle of the quilt) and it therefore comes together quite quickly.
I used tone on tone prints not solids which you might not guess from the main photo:
Visually I think this adds texture which mimics a woven blanket and I struggle to use just solids in a quilt! I quilted using Aurifil 1158 in 40 weight and it worked beautifully, I love how that the slightly heavier weight thread adds more definition to the quilting. I finished binding this quilt just after Christmas and gifted it to my husband, it’s the first quilt I’ve made for him, (but yes he does make use of others in the house, he’s not been sat there shivering for the last 19 years!) it’s thanks to him that this has happened really, he has supported and encouraged me to do it, for this I am really thankful. The finished size of the quilt top is 68.5″ x 68.5″, it fits wonderfully on the top of our double bed but would also be great as a sofa quilt. Thanks very much to my great pattern testers. Nicky somehow managed to make one complete quilt: and another top in Karen’s Blueberry Park fabrics: Joanne made a quilt top using pillow cases, a sheet and a bit of a duvet cover: Lotje made a 3/4 version of one of the blocks and used it to make a bag! I love the scrappiness of it.
A very big thanks to the wonderful Sandra who proof read the pattern for me, I’m not sure it would have been possible without her amazing attention to detail and checking every measurement. These are different coloured versions that I played around with on Touchdraw:
I’m dreaming about how gorgeous the pattern would look in Oakshott fabrics too.
This quilt pattern is now for sale on Payhip
If you make one I’d love to see what your Welsh Blanket Quilt turns out like, please tag me @maryemmens and use #welshblanketquilt on Instagram.
really love your pattern – every one of those quilts/tops/versions looks gorgeous – I love Nicky’s colourway and the red and white is what I might try !
It was a pleasure to test this for you. I showed my friend on NYE and she has claimed my version for her bedroom, she thought the pattern was wonderful! Just gotta quilt it now! Congratulations Mary, I’m looking forward to the next pattern now. There’s a next one, right? XX
It is stunning Mary! I love all the variations and I really like your tone on tone fabrics, they do look like solids from far away but add a lovely sense of texture. Beautiful!
I can’t wait to see more versions of this pattern!
Oh, neat! I’m from Wales and we have the original woven versions of this pattern as bed blankets in various colours and sizes. I’d wondered myself about turning it into a quilt design; should’ve figured I wouldn’t be the first to have that idea. 🙂
I would love to have this pattern to make a quilt for my mother whose heritage is Welsh. It is not available on crafts as far as I can tell. Is there any other way to purchase it? I know this was posted 5 years ago but it’s the only pattern for a quilt like this that I can find. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much.
Thanks Sue, I’ve updated the link for you in the post so you should be able to purchase via that. Happy sewing!