When I first started quilting, I was drawn to the idea of creating patterns that capture a sense of vitality and color. Over time, I discovered the beauty of yo-yo quilts, where each little circle of fabric becomes its own bloom, adding texture and depth to the piece.
The Bloom Quilt, with its lush cascade of fabric yo-yos, feels like a garden come to life. Designed by Amy Butler and assembled with the help of Kerri Thomson, this quilt is a joyful exercise in playing with fabric colors, textures, and layers.
In this project, I’ll guide you step-by-step in creating your own version of the Bloom Quilt. From selecting your fabrics to stitching the intricate ruffles and yo-yos, you’ll experience the rewarding process of turning fabric scraps into blooming, colorful details.
Blooming Details: Customizing Your Quilt’s Yo-Yo Garden
The unique feature of the Bloom Quilt is its collection of yo-yo flowers. Varying in size and pattern, these yo-yos create a multidimensional look, giving you complete freedom to experiment with color combinations and bloom arrangements.
By choosing your own mix of colors and fabrics, you can make this quilt as full of flowers as you like, building a garden of blooms that reflects your personal style.
Materials
Here’s what you’ll need to make a Bloom Quilt, sized 64” x 74”:
- For the Quilt Back: 4 yards of 54” wide mid-weight fabric in a Home Decor print.
- For the Quilt Top: 1 yard each of four coordinating 44” wide quilting fabric prints.
- For the Ruffle: 1 1/8 yards of a coordinating print.
- For the Yo-Yos: Plenty of fabric scraps for different sizes:
- From 1/2 yard: two 8” yo-yos and four 2” yo-yos
- From 3/8 yard: three 6” yo-yos and two 3” yo-yos
- From 1/4 yard: five 4” yo-yos
- From 1/8 yard: nine 2” yo-yos
- Yo-Yos Used (in Amy Butler’s design):
- 18 – 8”; 54 – 6”; 48 – 4”; 48 – 3”; 64 – 2”; 40 – 1 1/2”
- Batting and Notions: Twin-size cotton batting, two spools of coordinating all-purpose thread, and matching thread for yo-yo attachment.
Preparing for Your Bloom Quilt: Tips for a Garden Full of Yo-Yos
Before diving in, gather your yo-yo templates or anything round you can trace onto your fabric scraps. Dinner plates, bowls, or a compass can all work for making circles of various sizes. Pre-wash and press all your fabric, making a small diagonal cut in each corner before washing to prevent fraying.
As you plan, think about your color choices and how the blooms will cascade across the quilt top, either creating a garden-like effect or a more structured layout.
Full Pattern: Click Here
Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating the Bloom Quilt
Step 1: Assemble the Quilt Top Panels
- Cutting the Strips: Start by cutting 4 strips, each 9” wide, from each of the four fabrics selected for the quilt top.
- Creating the Panels: Sew two strips together along the short ends, right sides facing, using a 1/2” seam allowance. Press the seam allowances open. Repeat with the other pair of strips to create two long panels for each print.
- Assemble the Top: Lay out all 8 panels in a visually pleasing order. Sew them together along their long edges with a 1/2” seam allowance, pressing each seam open. After all panels are joined, use your quilting ruler and rotary cutter to trim the top to 65” x 71”.
Step 2: Add the Ruffle Borders
- Preparing the Ruffles: Cut 7 strips of 5” width from the fabric designated for the ruffle. Sew the strips together at the short ends to create a single long strip.
- Fold and Sew: Fold the long strip in half, right sides together, and sew across each short end with a 1/2” seam. Turn the ruffle right side out, aligning the raw edges.
- Gathering the Ruffle: Using your machine’s longest stitch length, sew two rows of gathering stitches along the raw edge. Gently pull the bobbin threads to gather the ruffle until it’s 64” long, matching the width of the quilt top. Secure the gathering by wrapping the thread around a pin in a figure-eight pattern at each end.
- Attach the Ruffle: Position the ruffle 1/2” in from the quilt’s top and bottom edges, pinning it in place. Machine baste with a 3/8” seam allowance to secure.
Step 3: Create the Quilt Back
- Cutting and Sewing the Back Panels: Cut your 54” fabric into two panels, each 33” x 72”. Pin them with right sides together along one long edge, and sew with a 1/2” seam allowance. Press open.
- Trimming: Trim the back to match the quilt top dimensions (65” x 71”).
Step 4: Layering and Quilting
- Layer the Quilt: Lay the batting flat, smoothing out wrinkles. Place the quilt back on the batting, right side up, then layer the quilt top on top, right sides facing. Tuck the ruffles between the quilt top and back.
- Pinning and Sewing: Pin around all edges. Sew with a 1/2” seam, leaving a 20” opening along one side. Backstitch at the beginning and end.
- Finishing the Edges: Trim the batting and clip the corners for a cleaner turn. Turn the quilt right side out through the opening, then press. Fold in the raw edges of the opening, pin, and slipstitch closed.
Step 5: Make and Attach Yo-Yos
- Prepare the Yo-Yo Circles: Using templates or household items, trace circles onto your fabric scraps. Each circle should be twice the diameter of the desired yo-yo size plus 1/2” for seam allowance.
- Hand-Sew Yo-Yos: Fold the fabric edge 1/4” toward the wrong side and hand sew a running stitch around the edge. Pull the thread to gather the fabric into a yo-yo, securing it with a knot.
- Attach the Yo-Yos: Arrange your yo-yos on the quilt top, layering and overlapping as you like for a blooming effect. Once satisfied, hand-stitch or machine-stitch them in place.
Additional Tips for a Blooming Success
- Experiment with Placement: Don’t be afraid to move your yo-yos around before sewing them down. Snap a photo of different layouts to help decide.
- Use a Compass for Precision: For consistent yo-yo sizes, a compass can help you create perfect circles, especially for the smaller sizes.
- Mind Your Gathered Ruffles: When gathering ruffles, try not to pull too tightly. A gentle gather will give a fuller look to the ruffle, while too much tension may create puckers.
- Hand-Sew for More Control: When attaching yo-yos, hand-stitching allows for precise placement, especially when layering smaller blooms over larger ones.
Congratulations! By now, your quilt has blossomed into a beautiful, textured field of fabric blooms. Each yo-yo, carefully stitched and arranged, brings a burst of color and charm to your work, making your Bloom Quilt as vibrant as a garden in full bloom.
As you look over your creation, take pride in the artistry and craftsmanship that went into each stitch. Whether displayed on a bed, a sofa, or as a wall hanging, your Bloom Quilt is a testament to your creativity and patience.