If you have interacted with Cake & Ale at all, you will know that I am a dedicated hand sewer. Sewing machines are loud, stressful and REALLY not my wheelhouse. But, fully appreciating that hand sewing can be slow, tedious, and the dopamine hit is seriously delayed, I have teamed up with the talented Nikki from Cotton Craft Designs. This way you can enjoy all the fun of this block a day quilt, and have instructions written by someone who actually knows what they are talking about. So now when I say "we" it is no longer the Royal kind, HUZZAH! We really hope you enjoy this collaborative version of the Sewing Machine Friendly Orbit Quilt.
Meet Orbit, 365 blocks for 365 days! Memorialise your next orbit of the sun with this customisable throw sized quilt. (There is also an option for a leap year quilt!).
A few years back I was obsessed with those crochet blankets where people used them to record all kinds of things: temperature, mood, covid numbers... the list was endless. I actually went looking for a quilting version, there were a few but they involved a lot more than I could manage. Yes, I could use a sewing machine, but I know me, I won't. So here is the solution to my fruitless searching, the Orbit quilt.
If you have used any of my patterns before you know my love of geometric shapes (extreme love), and when you are committing to a block a day, those patterns need to be simple. What’s simpler than a half square triangle, or rectangle? Not much. The fun in this project though is how we Tetris all of these simple blocks together.
Some other possible design options could be:
- Use the contrasts to show the month, or season?
- Perhaps forgo the contrast and use two prints to record the highs and lows of the day? Emotionally or environmentally, that is.
- Select a plain contrast that works with your prints?? Or have one print and many contrasts?!
Alternative recordable data:
- Temperature - Max + Min. This would look incredible with mixed prints and solids, using specific colours to represent temperature ranges.
- Mood - at home and work (could be depressing)
- Music or podcast.
- Pages read in your book?
- Something novel - Caffeine consumption, Netflix episodes binged etc It really is endless what you can come up with.
Throw Size 69" Wide x 72" High.
This PDF includes;
• Basic Fabric Prep instructions.
• Cutting instructions.
• Assembly instructions.
• Generic basting / quilting / binding instructions.
• Colouring in sheets.
• Journal pages to track your blocks over the year.
From your stash you will need;
• A clean, well-oiled sewing machine with a NEW needle (I recommend a size 70/10 or 80/12 needle depending on your fabrics).
• ¼" quilters foot for your machine (trust us, it’s worth it).
• Quilting ruler with inches (9 ½" x 9 ½" recommended but use what you have on hand).
• General sewing supplies e.g. fabric marking pen, coordinating cotton sewing thread, thread snips, etc.
• Enough fabric to complete your chosen project size.
Fabric Meterage Guide - 69" x 72" Quilt;
Please note these fabric quantities are just a guide.
44" - 45" Wide Fabric
Contrast pieces 5.1mt / 5 ⅝ yd
Print pieces 5.1mt / 5 ⅝ yd
55" - 56" Wide Fabric
Contrast pieces 4.25mt / 4¾ yd
Print pieces 4.25mt / 4¾ yd
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: A lot easier than you would think! Beginner friendly. If you do get stuck, just reach out on socials or email hello@cakeandale.com.au