The Amber Waves Quilt is a project that radiates warmth, elegance, and the beauty of nature’s changing colors. Whether you’re looking for a cozy lap quilt or a stunning twin-sized quilt, the Amber Waves design, inspired by the rich hues of autumn and twilight, offers the perfect challenge for intermediate quilters. Its unique use of 60° triangles combined with Jinny Beyer’s exquisite Amber Waves fabric collection transforms this pattern into something truly special.
My first experience making the Amber Waves Quilt felt like a connection to the serene rhythms of nature. As I sewed each triangle together, the quilt slowly blossomed into a piece of art reminiscent of rolling golden fields under a setting sun. This quilt is perfect for quilters looking to enhance their skills with triangular piecing while creating a design that is both intricate and harmonious.
Capturing Movement with 60° Triangles: The Heart of the Amber Waves Quilt
The Amber Waves Quilt takes full advantage of the dynamic 60° triangle shape, creating a sense of fluid movement throughout the design. The alternating use of reversed and regular triangles, paired with the wavy stripe patterns in the fabric, gives the quilt an illusion of motion, resembling wind-swept fields. For quilters, this pattern presents an opportunity to master triangular piecing while focusing on the alignment of fabric grainlines to maintain consistency and flow in the final design.
Materials and Preparation for the Amber Waves Quilt
Before starting your Amber Waves Quilt, it’s essential to gather the right materials and properly prepare your fabrics. Below are the fabric requirements based on the size of your quilt and the colorway you choose.
Fabric Requirements:
- Wall/Lap Quilt:
- Fabric 1: 1/2 yard
- Fabric 2 (Autumn): 2/3 yard, (Twilight): 1 yard
- Fabric 3: 1/2 yard
- Fabric 4 (Autumn): 1 yard, (Twilight): 5/8 yard
- Fabric 5: 5/8 yard
- Fabric 6: 3 7/8 yards
- Backing: 4 yards
- Twin Quilt:
- Fabric 1: 1/2 yard
- Fabric 2 (Autumn): 1 yard, (Twilight): 1 1/2 yards
- Fabric 3: 5/8 yard
- Fabric 4 (Autumn): 1 1/4 yards, (Twilight): 7/8 yard
- Fabric 5: 3/4 yard
- Fabric 6: 4 1/2 yards
- Backing: 5 yards
Tools:
- Sewing machine set to a ¼” seam allowance
- Rotary cutter and acrylic rulers (particularly for cutting triangles accurately)
- Fine pins to help maintain alignment at points
- Templates created from plastic for repeated cutting of accurate shapes
Full Pattern: Click Here
Cutting the Fabric for the Amber Waves Quilt
Follow the instructions below to cut the fabric based on your quilt size and colorway. Take note of the grainline arrows on your templates to ensure that the fabric stripes align properly.
Cutting Guide:
- Fabric 1:
- A pieces: Cut 20 (for wall) or 30 (for twin) triangles.
- B pieces: Cut 10 (16 for twin) triangles.
- Fabric 2:
- Border 2 (Twilight colorway only): Cut 6 strips (7 for twin) measuring 1¾” x WOF.
- B triangles (Autumn colorway): Cut 12 (24 for twin).
- C & Cr triangles: Cut 10 each for wall, 16 for twin.
- D & Dr triangles: Cut 4 each for wall, 6 for twin.
- Fabric 3:
- A pieces: Cut 20 (30 for twin).
- B triangles: Cut 18 for Autumn, 10 for Twilight.
Tips for Cutting:
- For accurate cutting, transfer seam intersection dots onto the wrong side of each fabric piece using your templates. This step will ensure your triangles fit together smoothly during assembly.
- Be mindful of the grainline direction, especially when working with fabrics with a directional pattern like the Amber Waves collection. Keeping the wavy stripes aligned will create a beautiful, cohesive look.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Bringing the Amber Waves Quilt to Life
Now that your fabrics are cut and your templates are ready, let’s begin assembling the Amber Waves Quilt.
Step 1: Create B, E & C/D Units
- B Units:
- Sew Fabric 6 B-triangles to the three sides of each Fabric 1-5 B-triangle. Ensure the center triangle’s fabric design runs as shown in the diagram for a seamless flow of the pattern.
- E & Er Units:
- Combine Fabric 4 and Fabric 6 to create an E-Unit and a Reversed E-Unit (Er). Repeat to make a total of four (six for twin size) of each.
- C/Dr & Cr/D Units:
- Follow the Color Guide to assemble your C/Dr and Cr/D units, using the specified fabrics for each. The reversed units are essential for maintaining the flow of the quilt’s design.
Step 2: Assemble Pyramid Units
- Pyramid Formation:
- The quilt’s pyramid units are made by combining A and B triangles. Orient the fabric stripes so they run towards the point of each pyramid.
- Follow the diagram to make Pyramid Units 1-4, ensuring the correct number of units is created for your quilt size.
Step 3: Assemble the Rows
- Row Construction:
- With your pyramid units prepared, sew them together into rows. Each row should alternate between the regular and reversed triangles, creating the stunning wave effect that defines the Amber Waves Quilt.
- For rows 1 and 3, take care to align the stripes vertically for consistency.
- Join the Rows:
- Sew the rows together as illustrated. The rows in the second half of the quilt are rotated 180° to maintain the wave pattern throughout.
Step 4: Attach the Borders
- Border 2:
- After assembling the rows, it’s time to add the borders. Sew the 1¾” strips together to create the borders, matching the center creases with the quilt center.
- Use Jinny Beyer’s No-Math Method for Perfectly Mitered Borders to cut and attach the borders. This method simplifies the process, ensuring a professional finish without complicated calculations.
Step 5: Finish the Quilt
- Layering:
- Layer the quilt top, batting, and backing. Baste the layers together, ensuring they are smooth and flat.
- Quilt as desired, following the natural flow of the Amber Waves pattern. Simple lines or gentle curves will complement the quilt’s design.
- Binding:
- Finally, bind the quilt using the reserved strips of Fabric 6. Sew the binding to the edges of the quilt and finish with your preferred binding method.
Conclusion: Embrace the Flow of the Amber Waves Quilt
The Amber Waves Quilt is a testament to the beauty of nature’s rhythms. From its stunning fabric choices to its intricate triangle construction, this quilt will undoubtedly become a cherished masterpiece in your collection. As you piece together each pyramid and row, you’ll see the waves of color and design come to life, capturing the essence of autumn fields or twilight skies.
Whether you make the wall/lap size or the larger twin version, the Amber Waves Quilt offers both a challenge and a rewarding creative experience. Take your time, enjoy the process, and let the calming flow of this quilt design inspire your quilting journey.