Today, I’m sharing my second Annabelle quilt pattern sample - the spring one!
You can buy this fun and modern cow quilt pattern on my shop!
After finishing the rainbow Annabelle sample, which used a layer cake, I knew I wanted to use FQs or yardage for the second sample. One of the things that continuously surprises me is how different one quilt pattern can look depending on the fabric choices, so I really wanted to showcase that with this second sample.
Choosing the Fabric
Since my rainbow sample used saturated colors, I wanted to go a different direction with my color choices for this second sample. For a quick moment, I considered using a range of browns and greys since this is a whole cow quilt, but ultimately, I wanted something soft and sweet. So, I pulled out a stack of softer colors from my stash, and after playing around with them for a while, I chose five of my favorite Confetti Cottons Solids: Rose, Marmalade, Honey, Bear Lake, and Violet.
But before jumping into cutting and sewing, I got on Illustrator to do a mockup and choose a background color. Since each cow block has white in the foreheads, I couldn’t go with my trust white background. After playing around a bit, I picked Putty — a creamy, off-white background with a hint of yellow, but not overpowering. With all those decisions settled, I got to cutting and sewing!
I wish I had more pictures of the sewing process, especially of each cow quilt block. However, I was on a tight deadline for this quilt sample. Add to that your typical PNW cloudiness and the holidays, and I couldn’t grab a good photo until I had the columns together!
Quilting and Details
Given the tight deadline, there was no time to send this quilt top to a longarmer, so quilted it on my Janome M8. I went back and forth on how to quilt it. After thinking about it for a day, I decided on a diagonal crosshatch. It felt a little whimsy and it kind of reminded me of chain link fencing, which can sometimes be found in farms. I kept the quilted lines about 2” apart so the texture wouldn’t overwhelm the quilt.
For the backing and binding, I kept the overall soft and sweet look. I used a Blossom in Peaches N Cream for the backing and Confetti Cotton Solids in Violet for the binding.
On photoshoot day, before heading to the studio, I decided to find a particular mural. I first spotted this wall close to ago. After seeing it that first time, I waited and waited for the perfect quilt to go with this wall, and I’m so glad I did. I don’t think there has been a more perfect combination! The way the colors coordinate so perfectly, and the organic motifs on the mural go perfectly with this cow quilt! I love it so much that I even included one of the pictures in the printed booklet of the pattern!
Quilt Information
Quilt Pattern: Annabelle by Cotton and Joy
Fabric: Confetti Cottons Solids in Rose, Marmalade, Honey, Bear Lake, and Violet, Black, White, Peaches N Cream, Coral, and Putty (background). Purchase the kit!!
Binding: Confetti Cottons Solids in Violet
Pieced and Quilting on my Janome M8