We’ve been talking about French General fabrics, and I got to thinking…. Dangerous, I know! Fat Quarter Shop has their annual Sewcialites sew-along going on, and I know I said I wasn’t going to do it, but… I hate their setting, but I have been wanting to do a medallion-style quilt for a while. There is a woman who is using French General fabrics for her quilt who posts on the FQS Facebook group, and I was inspired by her photos to play around with my French General fabrics and see what I could come up with.
My idea is to make a medallion-style quilt and use French General fabrics to create super scrappy, multi-patterned blocks, and play around with patterns and colors. The blocks will look busy and complicated because I plan to use so many mixed patterns, so the setting has to be super simple to set them off and not make you crazy when you look at the quilt top.
The photo above is Sewcialites 3 block one, and I like how it turned out. I made a six-inch block, thought it was too small for my concept, and then made a nine-inch block, which I like better. That is it in the photo above. I may not use all the Sewcialites block offerings, and sub in some that I like better. There are a couple of tools that have been helping me get nice, accurate blocks.
Lori Holt’s Cute Cuts trim tools are invaluable for getting an hourglass block trimmed up perfectly. They come in multiple sizes and I have splurged on a number of them.
For my medallion quilt, I want a center medallion, obviously. I have been thinking that if I do nine-inch blocks, I could work with an 18-inch center medallion. I found a pattern I liked, but the largest it came in was nine inches. You have to do math to increase a block size. Not my strongest aptitude. I am tackling it section by section, and it’s going well.
I divided my block into nine sections of 6″ each, and worked backwards to figure out how to make the units. So far, so good, except the first square in a square unit I made was 4 1/2″, which clearly won’t work. Hope I can use it somewhere else, it was so cute. Anyway, you see how far I have gotten. Just four more kind of tricky flying geese units to make, and I can sew this block together.
Deb Tucker’s Square Squared tool really came in handy.
Eva is on spring break this week and doesn’t have much planned, so she’s been hanging out with me. That may cut into my sewing, but I am determined to try to figure out this medallion thing, so wish me luck!
24 Responses
This will be a lovely quilt. It looks timeless and very elevated.
You are doing a good job with your fabric choices and placement. (It does not look at all muddy. The eye definitely knows where to go.)
You are wise to be super thoughtful with the setting.
I think 18 and 9 are a good choice. If the math is tough, get oversized graph paper, sketch and then measure. You might have to tape two over sized pieces together to get in a larger block. I still do this if it is a tricky block and I need it to be a weird size.
The French General fabric is just killing me. I think you said yours is all from years ago. Is there a current line? Does it look like yours? Is this a line that stays true to its colors so it always blends?
Why are you turning me into a red person this week?
My local shop and I did a deep dive into pineapple paper piecing paper yesterday. I ended up ordering 6” because the 12” had absurdly big logs.
When I order something they usually order more. So I see yours, the local quilters see mine, the shop benefits.
Did I mention – The French General fabric is just killing me!
French General has been very consistent in their colorways since 2008, over 30 collections. The stash I have built is fabulous because all the pieces blend and work together. French General (started by Kaari Meng) is known for their reds, creams, tans, pinks, and blues. They have a couple of collections recently released that you can easily find online: Joie de Vivre and Sacre Bleu. I bought fat eighth bundles of both and they are working great for my blocks. I have loved their fabric for years and think it goes really well in decor uses. It is elegant and very much inspired by antique French Provincial designs.
Good luck with those 6″ pineapple blocks!
Your use of the fabrics is already beautiful! I’m not fond of “muddy” quilts because I like to see the design easily. Your fabrics choices are effective and allow the viewer to see the pattern. Lovely!
Thank Erin. I am trying hard not to overthink these blocks!
OMG I just that French General Fabric. I don’t need any more fabric, but I am so tempted to look for some French General Fabric. Your quilt is going to be gorgeous. Right now, I am in the middle of my 4th scrappy quilt using Patriot fabric left from many Patriot donation quilts.
I have loved French General fabric for years. I should do a post and show some of the quilts I have made with FG fabric.
Yes, I think everyone would like to see your French General Quilts! They are lovely!
Lovely! Easier to draw on graph paper to see if it works then decide on how big a unit square is for making up the larger block. I do love the top one, I’m rather fond of stars!
I tried the graph paper method and it worked great!
The FG colors are wonderful — something about that soft blue! My design challenge with medallions is to figure out how to add to the top/bottom to make a rectangular quilt.
I probably will have to fudge some sort of border around it, but that is a challenge for another day!
I look forward to seeing this when it’s done. French General is one of my favorite lines.
I have always loved their fabric too.
I think this medallion could be beautiful! The square in square ord are truly a challenge to change. I’ve been working on a quilt that emphasizes how shading of fabric can allow your eyes to rest on busy designs. And she works with small and large volume prints too. It’s interesting but I’m going my own way on it too.
Foundation papers are the only way I can do Square in a Square units.
Years ago, there was a style of quilt called “Blended quilts”. I made one or two, and they were actually beautiful. There is an art to selecting fabrics though.
Your quilt is going to be beautiful Nicole! French General fabrics are so elegant and one of my very favourites. I have wanted to make your Elizabeth quilt (?) for a long time so thanks for the inspiration.
I dragged mine out to take a photo for my post tomorrow. That really is such a pretty quilt. I need to put it back on a bed.
Oh yes, this will be a stunner, too! French General fabrics are so pretty and luscious. I have a very small stash of just a few pieces, but they are always fun to look at and plan for something pretty in the future.
In the past, I have successfully used FG scraps to make table runners and they are always so pretty.
I always enjoy/usually buy the rulers you show & you’ve not steered me wrong yet! Those blocks are beautiful so I hope you continue the project! Are you & Eva doing any baking while she’s on break? Brownies, perhaps? 🙃
I am hoping to put a dent in my French General stash and finish this one. No, Eva has been busy with friends and swim practices (no break for the swimmers), so we haven’t baked. Perhaps one day before her vacation is over we can make something.
I love the beautiful block up top – number one. The colorway is gorgeous and rich. I’ve always loved the French General line. I’m not into patriotic decor. Go figure – with a husband who’s retired USAF, contractor. I probably should be! I look forward to seeing how this all comes together. I’m sure it will be stunning.
Wow! Love the French general blocks! I was just looking for fabrics for that quilt along so may have to be a copycat! Also, for the 18” blocks I believe the Blockhead 6 had a few you could choose from as it was a medallion type layout. Will be following your progress!