One of my favorite projects, the Midnight Blooms Quilt, takes its inspiration from flowers that bloom late, reflecting a beauty that stands out in unexpected ways. Working on this quilt brought back memories of evenings spent gazing at my own garden, where late-blooming flowers sparkled under a moonlit sky. That delicate, subtle shimmer from metallic tones in the petals against a dark backdrop became the starting point for this design.
In this project, designer Kim Diehl beautifully blends Asian-inspired fabrics with a touch of shimmer from the Oriental Traditions collection by Robert Kaufman. The quilt combines appliqué techniques with hourglass blocks, creating a symphony of reds, greens, and blacks, enhanced by flecks of metallics that add a gentle sparkle.
It’s an ideal throw-size quilt, perfect for cozying up under while admiring the detailed artistry of each block.The Midnight Blooms Quilt combines fusible appliqué with three sizes of hourglass blocks, which are arranged thoughtfully to balance bold, vivid fabrics with softer metallic accents.
The design’s complexity is softened by metallic glints that provide subtle sparkle and depth, enhancing the quilt’s dimensional feel. Working with metallics adds a unique touch, as they reflect light differently depending on the angle, making the quilt’s color palette shift subtly as it catches the light.
Materials
Here is a list of everything you’ll need to create your own Midnight Blooms Quilt:
- Fabric Requirements
- Dark Gold Print: ½ yard (star blocks)
- Assorted Red Prints: 1⅝ yards (star, hourglass blocks, flower and circle appliqués, and outer border)
- Assorted Black Prints: 1½ yards (star, hourglass blocks, flower center appliqués, outer border)
- Assorted Green Prints: 1⅓ yards (hourglass blocks, stem and leaf appliqués, outer border)
- Assorted Gold Prints: 1 yard (hourglass blocks, circle appliqués, outer border)
- Black Floral Fabric: 1⅛ yards (inner border and binding)
- Light Gold Tone-on-Tone Fabric: 1⅛ yards (inner border)
- Backing Fabric: 4⅛ yards
- Batting: 74″ square
- Lightweight Fusible Web
- Additional Notes
- Finished quilt size: 65½” square
- Block size: 9″ square
- Measurements include ¼” seam allowances throughout.
Full Pattern: Click Here
Preparing to Start: Choosing and Cutting Fabrics
Before diving in, take time to select fabrics with care. Working with Asian-inspired fabrics brings added beauty, but you may also choose fabrics with metallic touches, which enhance the quilt’s visual interest.
When cutting fabric, work with precision to ensure that each piece is accurate; this quilt relies heavily on perfectly aligned seams for its stunning hourglass and appliqué elements. Remember to follow each step precisely to bring out the design’s true character.
Step 1: Cutting Your Fabric Pieces
Begin by cutting all fabric pieces based on the list provided. Use fusible web to prepare the appliqué shapes, as follows:
- Lay fusible web (paper side up) over your pattern. Trace each shape required for the appliqué patterns, leaving about ½” between tracings.
- Cut out the shapes about ¼” beyond the traced lines. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to press each shape onto the back side of the designated fabric. Once cooled, cut out fabric shapes along the traced lines and peel off the paper backing.
Step 2: Assembling Hourglass Units
- To create small hourglass units, sew a dark gold triangle to a red triangle, pressing seams toward the darker fabric. Trim the resulting square into two smaller triangles.
- Repeat this process to create all small, medium, and large hourglass units needed for the quilt top, following the color and fabric combinations listed in the pattern.
Step 3: Building the Star and Hourglass Blocks
- To create star blocks, sew together hourglass units with 3½” squares as per the layout in Diagram 5. Each block should measure 9½” square when assembled.
- For the hourglass blocks, join four medium hourglass units together, pressing seams as directed. Repeat this process to create all required blocks.
Step 4: Constructing the Quilt Center
- Arrange and sew the completed star and hourglass blocks in rows to form the quilt center. Press all seams toward the star blocks, then join the rows.
Step 5: Adding Appliqué Details to the Inner Border
- Using a pencil, mark a diagonal line on the back of each black floral square. Sew these marked squares onto the ends of light gold rectangles to form the inner border units.
- Arrange stems, leaves, flowers, and circles along the borders as per the pattern’s placement guide. Use fusible web to attach these appliqué pieces, then finish them with a zigzag stitch.
Step 6: Adding the Inner and Outer Borders
- Join the appliquéd border units to the quilt center. Press seams as shown in the pattern.
- Sew the outer border hourglass units in rows, then attach them to the quilt center, pressing seams carefully to complete the quilt top.
Step 7: Finishing the Quilt
- Layer the quilt top, batting, and backing, then quilt as desired. Bind the quilt with black floral fabric strips for a polished final look.
Additional Tips
- Precision Cutting: Ensure accurate cutting and alignment of all triangles for the hourglass blocks to maintain the quilt’s symmetry and balance.
- Pressing Matters: Press seams as directed for clean lines and easy alignment. This makes a visible difference in the finished quilt’s appearance.
- Practice Appliqué Stitches: If you’re new to appliqué, practice the zigzag stitch on scrap fabric to achieve a smooth and even stitch.
Completing the Midnight Blooms Quilt is not just about piecing and appliqué; it’s a journey in appreciating subtle beauty, from choosing fabrics to laying out intricate patterns. Each hourglass block and appliquéd leaf contributes to the quilt’s overall harmony, a reminder of late bloomers’ resilience and charm. Embrace the beauty of each detail as you finish, knowing you’ve crafted a piece filled with layers of color, texture, and personal meaning.
