This quilt has been an idea in my mind for a long time. I have always admired Kaffe fabrics, but never really knew what to do with them because I find that they have such a distinctive style and color palate that they are hard to mix in with other fabrics.
Once I started collecting the Kaffe fabrics I knew that I wanted to do a simple pattern that would really let the fabrics shine. The fabrics are so saturated and busy in themselves that I thought a more complicated pattern would overwhelm the quilt.
When I had finally settled on a simple patchwork design I had to decide how big I wanted the squares to be. My original thought was to only use Kaffe fabrics and make large squares, maybe 6-7” but after some thought I decided I smaller squares mixed with a neutral would be the way to go.
My inspiration for mixing the linen with the Kaffe fabrics was all the Liberty of London quilts I have seen mixed with Linen. I don’t think I have seen one that I didn’t like, and I figured if all those tiny floral prints could work with the linen then this would work too! I have seen Kaffe fabrics mixed with solid black and solid white, but the contrast is just so strong and that really wasn’t the look I was going for. The yarn dyed linen was the perfect neutral and added a beautiful texture to the quilt.
As for the block size I decided to go with smaller squares finishing at 4” to allow for more color and fabrics in the quilt. I specifically went with 4” squares because it allowed me to buy 1/8th yard cuts which saved me quite a bit of money and allowed me to add more fabrics in than if I had gone with a larger size. I also fussy cut some of my squares from my larger pieces of fabric so you could really see the prints.
The finished quilt measures about 56” x 72” and is the perfect lap size. I backed the quilt in a bright blue minky with raised dots and quilted it simply about an 1/8” away from my seams in a matching blue thread. I wanted the quilting to simple as to still let the fabrics shine, while reinforcing the seams since I read that some quilters have had issues with the linen unraveling in some sport after a few washes. I bound the quilt in a scrappy Kaffe binding, which I think perfect sets off the quilt.
As a side note on working with the linen, I prewashed it in warm water (but I didn’t wash anything else) and shortened my stitch length to 1.6 mm when I was piecing. So far I have not had any problems, but the quilt has yet to be washed multiple times. In addition this quilt has a wonderful drape. It is so soft and flowy i just adore it!
This quilt is currently listed for sale in my Etsy shop. I love this quilt so much that I think another Essex and Kaffe quilt is in my near future, but this time with a different color linen!
Linking up with TGIFF @ Simply Pieced, Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Fort Worth Fabric Studio, Lets bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts, NTT @ My Quilt Infatuation,
I love the combo. These fabrics look great together! I really like how you quilted it too. It’ adds a nice little touch!
Thanks Jennifer! Sometimes a simple pattern and quilting is all that is needed, and with these fabrics that was definitely the case.
What a lovely quilt! I spotted Kaffe’s fabric right away … I use to collect Kaffe’s fabrics as well and I made a few quilts myself using his fabrics, they are among my favorites. Congrats on your finish!
Visiting from Blossom Heart Quilts. 🙂
Thanks Maryse! They are fun to sew with and have such a soft texture, I can’t wait to make another quilt with them. I must now go check out your projects!
Wow! I really love this quilt. I love how the colors are sort of grouped together, but blend into the other colors also. Great job!
Thanks Lorinda – that was exactly what I was going for! It took me awhile to figure out the layout but once I had it I loved it. The bigger prints were helpful in that process, they allowed me to cut multiple pieces of the same fabric but achieve a completely different look on each one.
What a great pattern for Kaffe Fassett, and cozy minke too. Nice.
Thanks Kathi! It was nice to have such a simple project for a change – and I am a sucker for bright colors and a minky backed quilt so I really enjoyed making this one.
This is truly a beautiful quilt. I wish I had the words to describe how beautiful it is. The back looks fabulous too.
Thank you so much Lea! I really appreciate the wonderful compliments on my quilt – it is very soft and fun, one of my favorites I think!
So pretty! Love the color thread you used!
Thanks Emilee! I wanted a thread that would blend nicely in both the front and the back and this thread was perfect for it!
Oh it’s so lovely, what a great way to show off the Kaffe fabrics, it’s like looking through a kaleidoscope 🙂
Thanks so much Carie! I love the way you described it, thanks for the compliments!
A beautiful quilt with beautiful photos. I have admired Kaffe fabrics myself but have been intimidated by their boldness. You’ve worked them in such a way they almost appear solid and as a rainbow quilt. I’m inspired to try something like this for a mini swap I’m playing in. Also I appreciate the tip about stitch length with the linen. I have a quilt cut from quilter’s linen and have not read much about other’s experience with it.
Thanks Jan! I think a Kaffe mini would be beautiful! By the way Quilters linen is different than Essex linen, so you probably wouldn’t need to reduce your stitch length. Quilters linen is 100% cotton (at least Robert Kaufman’s is) but gives the appearance of linen where as essex yarn dyed linen is 55% linen and 45% cotton.
Oh my! I love the Essex linen with the Kaffe fabrics. The colors almost glow against it!
🙂 Kelly
Thank you so much Kelly! I love Kaffe Fasset fabrics and the linen was just a great pairing for those bold colors. I think I may be using more of it in future projects!
Wow! This quilt! I can’t believe how the colors just seem to leap out of the quilt. The black yarn dyed linen was the perfect choice. It’s really quite amazing!
Thanks Georgia! It was fun trying a fabric that was different from what I usually work with and it sewed up beautifully. I originally wasn’t sure about how dark the linen was, but I am so glad i stuck with it!
Love the quilt! Inspires me to pull out my Kaffe fabrics. Why did you use Minky as the backing? Just curious. I’ve wanted to buy some but I’ve never used it, so i’m a bit nervous. Did you have trouble with such a big piece?
Thanks Lisa! I used minky for the backing because I love the feel and texture of it. It is just so soft and fuzzy and gives the quilt such a nice weight and drape it was a win-win for me. On this quilt I was able to use the standard 60″ wide minky and had no troubles. I used a lot of pins and decided not to spray baste this one and it worked really well. I have also used the 90″ wide minky in the past (2 times) and that I did have some minor troubles (on one of the quilts), I spray basted first and then added some pins, but the spray baste didn’t hold long enough for me to finish the quilt and it shifted while I was quilting it. My recommendation is to use a lot of pins and just go for it! It isn’t that bad and it hides quilting imperfections and threads pretty well.
Absolutely delicious! What a perfect backdrop for all those gorgeous fabrics. Well done : )
Thanks Carla! I had fun photographing this one, although the strong colors of the trees made the Kaffe fabrics look a little lighter than they actually are.
I love, love, love your quilt. I have been a quilter for many years and have seen a lot of quilts, but this one pleases me to no end. GREAT JOB!
Wow! What a gorgeous quilt!
The yarn dyed linen has worked well to break up the colour saturated Kaffe prints – looks much like a Liberty and linen one by Rita of Red Pepper Quilts. Cloud 9’s yarn-dyed Cirrus solids may work well like the linen too, or perhaps a shot cotton. Lovely finish Elise.
I think this quilt is absolutely stunning! It’s simplistic, stylish and on trend. Did you plan for the ‘colour blocks’ or is that just coincidence. I only ask as have some kaffe fabric myself and would like to create something similar. Tbh, if i managed something half as good i would be delighted. Thank you for sharing Elise.
I have collected so many quilts on Pinterest…I go back often looking for inspiration. I keep coming back to this quilt, Elise. It is the one that I love to stop and admire. I have some beautiful Kaffe Fassett fabric…and I think I am going to go for it! I think you said that the fabric does the “talking”, so the simplicity of this beautiful quilt is just perfect. Thank you for sharing your beautiful quilt…you have inspired me!
I agree I just bought 5” charm pack of Kaffee Fassett and I do t k ow what to do. Did his is beautiful!