Welcome back for another instalment of Sewing the Trends! This time, we’re exploring the quilting trend that has taken the community by storm: pictorial quilts. From beginner-friendly to advanced, from timeless and traditional to marvelously modern, there is a pictorial quilt for every quilter. Keep reading to learn about this trend and to see a photo tutorial for the Rows of Bows block by Kassidy Grace.
The Trend: Pictorial Quilts
The term “pictorial” refers to quilt blocks that look like a picture of a recognizable animal, object, place, or thing. Designers like Lori Holt, Corey Yoder, and Joanna Figueroa often include both traditional and pictorial blocks in the same quilt, as you can see in their most recent quilt books, Prairie Home, Sunroom Sampler, and Strawberry Garden. Then there are designers like Elizabeth Hartman who are well known for their library of whimsical and wonderful pictorial quilt designs!
by Elizabeth Hartman
How to Assemble the Rows Of Bows Block by Kassidy Grace
The Rows of Bows quilt block has three main units made of half square triangles, rectangles, squares, and corner squares. The clever use of corner squares is a pictorial block’s secret weapon! Check out how adding a corner square to the top left and top right corners of the bow blocks creates the illusion of a cute little knot in step one.
Grab the Rows of Bows Quilt Pattern for the complete fabric requirements, cutting directions, and detailed assembly instructions!
Step 1: Assemble the Bow Loop Unit
Step 2: Assemble the Left Bow Tail Unit
Step 3: Assemble the Right Bow Tail Unit
Step 4: Assemble the Rows of Bows Block
Fabric Placement Tip:
Use your design boards to test fabric placement before you commit to your final layout! Kassidy’s pattern calls for you to make all 12 of each unit before assembling your blocks. This gives you a chance to play around with balance and repetition of fabric throughout both your blocks and your final quilt. If you’re making a scrappy quilt like Kimberly did, make sure that your Fabric L pieces are your favorite print because that will be the focal point of your block.
Share Your Pictorial Quilts With Us!
If you have decided to join in on the fun and make your own Rows of Bows Quilt, we would love to see them! Share your pictorial quilts and quilt blocks using #SewingTheTrendsFQS on Facebook and Instagram, and tag @fatquartershop so we don’t miss it. Stay tuned for the next trend coming your way soon.
Happy Quilting!
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