The first time I tried appliqué, it opened up an entirely new dimension in my quilting. I could add intricate designs without the complexity of traditional piecing, and I immediately fell in love. One of my favorite projects, and one that truly showcases the beauty of appliqué, is the Midnight Blooms Quilt.
The combination of fusible appliqué and hourglass blocks brings together both precision and artistry, resulting in a quilt that is as mesmerizing as it is rewarding to make. Designed by Kim Diehl and inspired by late-blooming flowers under a starry sky, the Midnight Blooms Quilt is a true work of art.
With its blend of rich, dark tones and metallic highlights from Asian-inspired fabrics, it captures the magic of a night garden in full bloom. This quilt is a perfect project for anyone who wants to expand their skills while creating something visually stunning.
Blooming at Midnight: The Elegant Fusion of Appliqué and Hourglass Blocks
The Midnight Blooms Quilt combines two classic quilting techniques—hourglass blocks and appliqué—into one harmonious design. The dark, bold fabrics provide the perfect backdrop for the floral appliqué pieces, which are artfully arranged to resemble blooming flowers under the moonlight. The metallic accents in the fabric add a subtle shimmer, giving the quilt a sophisticated, almost ethereal quality.
What makes this quilt so special is its versatility. While the design may look intricate, the use of fusible appliqué makes the process accessible even for beginners. At the same time, experienced quilters will appreciate the challenge of balancing precise hourglass blocks with the free-flowing appliqué. With every piece you add, the quilt blossoms before your eyes, transforming into a rich tapestry of colors and textures.
Crafting the Night Garden: Materials and Tips for the Midnight Blooms Quilt
To bring this stunning quilt to life, you’ll need a carefully selected assortment of fabrics that balance deep, dark shades with pops of color for the floral elements. The rich tones of red, gold, and black set against the bold appliqué pieces create a striking contrast, while the fusible appliqué technique simplifies the construction process.
Here’s a breakdown of the materials you’ll need:
Materials:
- Dark gold print: ½ yard (for star blocks)
- Assorted red prints: 1⅝ yards total (for star and hourglass blocks, flower and circle appliqués, outer border)
- Assorted black prints: 1½ yards total (for star and hourglass blocks, flower center appliqués, outer border)
- Assorted green prints: 1⅓ yards total (for hourglass blocks, stem and leaf appliqués, outer border)
- Assorted gold prints: 1 yard total (for hourglass blocks, circle appliqués, outer border)
- Black floral fabric: 1⅛ yards (for inner border and binding)
- Light gold tone-on-tone fabric: 1⅛ yards (for inner border)
- Backing fabric: 4⅛ yards
- Batting: 74″ square
- Lightweight fusible web: for the appliqué elements
Finished quilt: 65½” square
Finished blocks: 9″ square
Make sure your fabric pieces are carefully cut to the specifications outlined above. Each piece, especially for the hourglass blocks, must be cut accurately to ensure that everything fits together smoothly.
Appliqué and Hourglass Tips: Starting Strong
Before you begin sewing, it’s helpful to take a few preparatory steps that will ensure your project goes smoothly. First, lay out your fabric and decide on your color combinations for the appliqué pieces and hourglass blocks.
The contrast between dark and bright tones is key to making the floral appliqué stand out against the background. For the appliqué, use fusible web to adhere your fabric pieces to the quilt top before stitching them down. This not only simplifies the process but also ensures that your appliqué pieces stay in place while you sew.
Make sure to trace your patterns carefully and give yourself some extra space around each shape when cutting them out. Precision in cutting and pressing is essential to making your quilt look professional and polished.
Full Pattern: Click Here
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Appliqué Pieces
- Using the fusible web, trace the flower, leaf, and stem patterns onto the paper side of the fusible web. Leave about ½” between each tracing for ease of cutting.
- Cut out the shapes from the fusible web, leaving about ¼” around the drawn lines.
- Following the manufacturer’s instructions, press the fusible web shapes onto the wrong side of your designated fabrics.
- Once the web has cooled, carefully cut out the fabric shapes along the drawn lines, and peel off the paper backings.
Step 2: Create the Hourglass Blocks
- Sew together a dark gold small triangle and a red small triangle to create a triangle-square unit. Press the seam towards the darker fabric.
- Cut the triangle-square in half diagonally, resulting in two small pieced triangles.
- Repeat this process to create enough small triangles for 16 red hourglass units and 4 black hourglass units.
- Pair up the pieced triangles to create small hourglass blocks, and press the seams to one side. The blocks should measure 3½” square.
Step 3: Assemble the Star Blocks
- For the red star blocks, sew together four red hourglass units, four dark gold squares, and one black square in three rows. Press the seams toward the squares, then join the rows together.
- Repeat this process to create four red star blocks and one black star block.
Step 4: Construct the Quilt Center
- Lay out your star blocks and hourglass blocks in three rows, following the Quilt Assembly Diagram for arrangement. Sew the blocks together, pressing seams towards the star blocks to reduce bulk. Join the rows to complete the quilt center.
Step 5: Add the Appliquéd Inner Border
- Sew the black floral squares to the ends of the light gold tone-on-tone rectangles to create the inner border units.
- Place the stem and flower appliqués along the center of each border unit, referring to the pattern for positioning. Fuse the appliqué pieces in place, then secure them with a zigzag stitch.
Step 6: Assemble the Outer Border
- Create the large hourglass units by pairing up large triangles. Sew them together in rows to form the outer border. Press the seams, alternating the direction with each row.
- Attach the hourglass border units to the quilt center, completing the quilt top.
Step 7: Finishing the Quilt
- Layer the quilt top with batting and backing fabric, then baste. Quilt as desired, using free-motion or straight-line quilting to complement the appliqué design.
- Bind the quilt using black floral fabric cut into 2½” strips.
Additional Tips:
- Press Seams Carefully: When assembling the hourglass blocks and star blocks, press the seams in the direction indicated to ensure that your blocks lay flat and fit together neatly.
- Zigzag Stitch for Appliqué: Use a zigzag stitch around each appliqué piece to secure it while adding a decorative touch.
- Audition Fabrics: Before cutting, lay out your fabrics and check how they look together. This will ensure that your colors and prints balance well within the quilt.
Completing the Midnight Blooms Quilt is a journey of both precision and creativity. Each appliquéd flower adds a personal touch, and every hourglass block contributes to the quilt’s intricate design. As you stitch the pieces together, you’ll see your quilt bloom into a rich, textured masterpiece that’s perfect for adding warmth and beauty to any space.
The Midnight Blooms Quilt is more than just a project—it’s a celebration of late bloomers, both in nature and in creativity. Whether you’re an experienced quilter or trying appliqué for the first time, this quilt will guide you to new heights of artistry and skill. Happy quilting!
