Debbie’s Shangri-la Garden

Designing a Block-of-the-Month is no easy task. Today, Debbie gives us an insider’s look at Fat Quarter Shop’s exclusive Shangri-la Garden BOM: the vision, the excitement, the work, and the breath-taking pay-off no one should miss! (Hint hint: sign up soon!)

One of our missions at the Spring Market in Utah was to find the perfect Block-of-the-Month pattern and fabric. With so many pattern companies represented, it only sounds like an easy task. So, I set out in search of the perfect pattern, and I knew it when I saw it! The pattern is called “Felicity’s Garden” by Cotton Tales.

Next came the task of choosing the fabric line. We wanted something new and popular with a wide range of color choices. I saw Moda’s “Shangri-La,” and I knew I had a match! Choosing where each fabric would go in the quilt took a quiet room with the entire fat quarter collection spread out everywhere. I alternated pieced and appliqué blocks to make it fun!

Speaking of appliqué, I’m not a needle-turn expert, so I choose fusible web as my method of appliqué. My favorite brand of fusible material is “Heat’nBond–Lite”. I trim as much of the fusible material away from the center of each block, leaving only a thin border around each piece. This keeps the blocks from becoming stiff. After the pieces are fused, I matched thread color, shortened my stitch length and away I went, sewing around each piece as close to the edge as possible. For those of you who are expert needle-turn quilters, this is a wonderful project for you as well.

Everything came together in record time, and the top was off to one of our favorite quilters, Judy Wilson. She worked her usual magic, and I wish each and every one of you could see the beautiful machine quilting she did. The picture just does not do it justice! The colors in Shangri-La are so vibrant and the quilt just makes us all happy as it hangs in my office! However, in good time it will lay diagonally across my queen-size bed with pillow shams to match!

Block-of-the-Month programs are a good time to gather those quilting friends who you don’t get to sew with very often, set aside one day a month, and all work on a block or two together. There is bound to be lots of fellowship, a funny story or two, some chocolate and lots of sewing taking place!

By now you’ve no doubt had a chance to see this wonderful line of fabric, so join us and embark on a journey to Shangri-La! As always, I will be available at the Fat Quarter Shop to answer any questions you might have along the way. Please call or e-mail me here at the Fat Quarter Shop for help. Join now as this Block-of-the-Month starts in October!