Eloise in Gingham Basics by Riley Blake

Gingham has been around for centuries, but recently we’ve seen it adorn everything from picnic tables and fashion pieces to Dorothy’s iconic blue dress from The Wizard of Oz. It’s safe to say gingham is timeless and will always have a place in our lives.

Riley Blake Designs has always prioritized keeping timeless and traditional elements in their fabric collections, and I’m excited to introduce the newly updated colors from the Riley Blake Gingham Collection.

Hi, I’m Alexis from Stitched by Alexis, and my love of ginghams runs deep! Today, I’ll be sharing the Eloise quilt by Penelope Handmade, using fabrics from the Riley Blake Gingham Collection. I think you’ll love this quilt as much as I do—it’s such a fun project!

The Eloise Quilt

The Eloise quilt by Penelope Handmade is a gorgeous patchwork pattern available in five sizes, from baby to bed. I chose to make the large throw size, which measures 64″x80″. This pattern is perfect for showcasing various prints or using a range of colors, all brought together with a coordinating background fabric.

For my project, I used the following gingham fabrics:

• 1/8 yard Gingham Sugar Pink
• 1/8 yard Gingham Autumn
• 1/8 yard Gingham Red
• 1/8 yard Gingham Mustard
• 1/8 yard Gingham Green
• 1/8 yard Gingham Denim
• 1/8 yard Gingham Teal
• 1/8 yard Gingham Boy Blue
• 1/8 yard Gingham Peacock
• 1/8 yard Gingham Eggplant
• Background: Dapple Dot Navy

Note: The pattern calls for 20 fat quarters however I chose to use 10 half yards.

Eloise is a relaxing and enjoyable quilt to make, the kind of project that lets you zone out and find your creative flow—shall we say, quilting zen?

Construction Tips

Although the construction is straightforward, it does take some time, as you’ll need to pin smaller pieces together to form your blocks. The real fun begins once the blocks are done! Watching them come together like a colorful kaleidoscope is so rewarding. Every time a block shifts, the color variation changes, drawing your eye to different areas of the quilt.

Deciding on the final layout can be challenging, so here’s a little tip: When you think you are done with your layout, snap a photo of your quilt. Use a camera filter or remove all saturation changing the image to black and white and check for color saturation balance. You’ll want a balance of saturations that move throughout your quilt. This tip can really help with the decision-making process.

Perfect for Chilly Nights

If you’re a busy mom or in a supportive roll, this colorful quilt is perfect for sports or band events on chilly nights. It’s easy to spot in low light, hides stains and dirt from grass or bleachers, and is large enough to keep everyone warm and cozy.

Stay Connected!

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Until next time, happy sewing!

Alexis