Introducing the Airspace Quilt
The Airspace Quilt has landed!
My latest modern quilt pattern is now available to buy and download from my shop. I’m excited to let you know more about it…
The Airspace Quilt at-a-glance
3 sizes: baby, small throw and throw
Each size is made with 16 blocks
2 block designs, both with flying geese
All geese are made using the super-fast four-at-a-time method
The geese are big enough to trim to size, so they'll be accurate, but still low-waste
Design your Airspace Quilt with a digital colouring page on PreQuilt
There are no points to match and no scant seams - yay!
How it started
The Airspace Quilt is made with ‘flying geese’ – one of the traditional building blocks of patchwork quilts. Looking back at my initial sketches, the idea was always to play around with flying geese in different sizes and directions. This developed into two blocks designs in a combination and layout that appears random, like a busy airspace of birds or aircraft.
Flying geese
There are different ways to make flying geese for patchwork quilts. For the Airspace Quilt we use the ‘four-at-a-time’ method. It’s just about the quickest way to make flying geese and my version of this method makes them slightly over-sized so that they can be trimmed. Trimming helps you to create really accurate flying geese with crisp tips, every time! This means that the Airspace Quilt is ideal for any quilter who already loves to make flying geese or wants to improve their technique using the four-at-a-time method.
To help you to perfect your four-at-a-time flying geese, I’ve made a detailed, step-by step tutorial for you on my blog. Use it alongside the pattern and I’ll guide you through the process from start to finish!
Coming together
There are 16 blocks in an Airspace Quilt. The finished size of the blocks is slightly different depending on the size of quilt you decide to make. The blocks are simple to sew together in four rows of four blocks, with the same layout regardless of the size of quilt you choose to make. Each block is positioned so that the tips of all the triangles point in different directions, giving the impression of birds or aircraft in flight.
By any other name
This design took shape during the Covid-19 pandemic and worldwide travel restrictions. As time went on, it seemed more and more influenced by thoughts about modern migration, travel and reunion. After spending way too long trying the think of pattern names based on geese, ‘Airspace’ finally struck me and seemed true to all the different ideas that had inspired me.
How it’s going
I had 11 talented co-pilots on the journey to test this pattern and make it sure it’s just right for you. For more Airspace Quilt inspiration, be sure to check out my tester team and their amazing quilts here and on Instagram.
But now it’s over to you: You have the controls and can make this pattern your own!
Before you start stitching, plan your version of the Airspace Quilt using the free digital colouring page available on the PreQuilt website and app.
Don’t forget to share your Airspace Quilt on social media using the hashtags #AirspaceQuilt and #CQSPatterns and tagging @cowdenquiltschool.