When I was a child, gumdrops were one of my favorite treats. I loved the shape, the colors and (of course) the taste. A box of Dots still holds a childlike appeal to me, and the red ones are my favorite. So today I am pleased to share another new pattern with you: Gumdrops. Select a layer cake of candy-colored prints and you can make this sweet lap quilt in no time!
Gumdrops is made from one layer cake with coordinating fabric, and the pattern includes an easy-to-construct pieced backing made from 16 of the layer cake squares! Don’t you love it when a quilt back is as pretty as the front?
Gumdrops measures at 64 1/2” square, making it a perfect lap quilt, sofa throw, or picnic quilt. My yard is currently covered with snow, but I would love to see my Gumdrops quilt being used for a picnic gathering on a lush green lawn. Spring will return to Minnesota before I know it, right?
For my sample quilt, I used the Fleurs collection by Brenda Riddle for Moda Fabrics. You could duplicate this look quite easily, as all of Brenda’s fabric collections have a wonderful garden-sunshine feeling.
And yet, I think the pattern is quite versatile and would look great in a variety of fabric styles: thirties, juvenile, or even seasonal prints. Can’t you just imagine the center block featuring a beautiful Christmas print?
Here are the complete fabric requirements for Gumdrops:
Materials Needed:
1 layer cake, or (41) 10” squares
Inner Border 1………… 1/3 yard
Inner Border 2………… 1/2 yard
Outer Border…………… 1 yard
White……………………. 1 1/2 yards
Pieced Backing……….. 3 1/4 yard (avoid directional fabric for backing)
Binding…………………. 1/2 yard
Thank you to Barb at Quilts on Broadway for the lovely machine quilting. We selected an overall soft and swirly quilting pattern, which complements the piecing so nicely.
If you are interested in purchasing Gumdrops, please visit your local quilt shop or one of my blog sponsors who are carrying the patterns. You can also purchase paper or electronic patterns on my Etsy Shop.
Please be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook if you make any of my patterns. The hashtags to use are printed right on the patterns. I’d love to see your finished projects!
I’m thinking we should all grab our favorite sweet treats, and maybe a good cup of coffee, and get carried away quilting. Sound good?
~Taunja
