Dashingly Divided Quilt with Embroidery Florals

Happy to see that Sweet Pea & Lily fabric precuts have been arriving in shops! I thought it was a perfect time to share some more quilts that showed with the line at Quilt Market this past fall.

This is the Dashingly Divided quilt. My reason for designing this quilt was to create panels that could show off other needlework. I sit in the carpool line, waiting for school to let out, wanting a small project that travels well and can be done in small bits. I started becoming more interested in embroidery since it fit the bill of easily transportable and a small fun format. I wanted to create a quilt pattern that could frame up the smaller projects of embroidery into a bigger quilt.

I thought it would be interesting to pull some of the floral motifs from a fabric line to highlight with the embroidery. For the Sweet Pea & Lily line I made a circular design and a corner grouping of lily of the valley buds. I worked with chain stitch, back stitch, stem stitch and french knots but this could look good with satin stitch or others.  

I designed the lap sized quilt to have 9 large squares that could be used for embroidery, or applique, or floating other quilt blocks within. The large focal squares are divided by dashed lines that use prints for pattern play and interest to set off the needlework. These dashes can be made with mini charms, charm packs, or fabric scraps. The quilt could have a more modern, minimalist and clean look with plain color squares and all the color play happening in the dividing lines. 

After finishing this quilt, I realized how much it had a vintage feel. I have my original baby quilt with little embroidered animals made in a combination of embroidery and cross stitch. This reminds me of the marriage of pretty needlework, lap quilts and quilted love.  It feels fresh with the purple solid color background balancing the linear florals.

The printed pattern for Dashingly Divided has a page with the two flower diagrams that can be traced onto fabric for needlework. Check the website or store to see if new diagrams have been released for future fabric lines with new flowers.

Check my website or shopify shop for Dashingly Divided! Happy sewing!!