Blog - Duck Ducklings Design

Revel quilt – the cover version

April 7, 2022April 7, 2022
by Marit

Today I am very proud to announce my new quilt pattern: Revel quilt.

Quilt in pink, yellow, white and brown. — Revel Quilt – the cover version

The inspiration for this quilt was a pleasing repeat pattern of tiles. When I saw it, I immediately had to figure out how to make it into quilt blocks. Once I started mocking it up in different colors, I knew I wanted it to be my next pattern; there were just so many fun combinations to make.

For the cover quilt, I wanted to use some fabrics that went well together, but didn’t distract from the overall pattern. The Add it up collection by Alexia Marcelle Abegg for Ruby Star Society is just perfect.

This quilt uses Add it up fabrics in Neon Pink, Citron, Earth, Peach, Melon and Strawberry. I love how well the pinks go together, and how the bright yellow adds a little pop of color.

The original pattern uses borders on each of the blocks, but the pattern also includes an alternative way to construct the quilt top. This alternative method uses sashing between the blocks, instead of borders on each of the blocks. This limits the number of seams to sew, and eliminates the need to carefully line up the blocks when sewing them together.

The pattern comes in four different sizes: Wall hanging (24” x 24”), Baby quilt (48” x 48”), Throw quilt (60” x 72”), Twin size quilt (72” x 96”). The Revel Quilt pattern is yardage, Fat Quarter (FQ) and scrap friendly.

Patterns are available in my Etsy shop.

Compliment quilt

Compliment quilt – Cover version

February 11, 2022February 16, 2022
by Marit

My second pattern Compliment quilt is out now and available in my Etsy shop.

This pattern was inspired by Sashiko stitching and the desire to make a simple, repeating pattern that would be fun in yardage or scraps. Originally I started with a scrappy version, but of course I wanted to see what a yardage version would look like.

For the cover quilt, I asked my color consultant (a.k.a. the 7 year old) which colors I should use. He picked blue and green. Fortunately I knew that Ruby Star Society had these amazing Spark fabrics by Melody Miller. I used Evergreen and Turquoise for this quilt, but I’m sure other combinations would work well too! And honestly, I cannot wait to see this pattern in other color combinations.

The yardage version comes together quickly as you can take advantage of strip piecing for the creation of the quilt. The pattern is available in three sizes: Baby (48” x 48”), Throw (60” x 72”) and Twin (72” x 84”).

If you’d like to make your own, the pattern is available in my shop. Please don’t forget to tag me on social media #duckducklingsdesign as I love to see what you make!

Patterns

You’re a Gift quilt pattern – Tester versions

December 23, 2021January 15, 2022
by Marit

It is my pleasure to introduce the You’re a Gift quilt pattern tester versions.

For this quilt pattern I was blessed with amazing pattern testers. Each version of the pattern they made is completely different, and I love each and every one of them for their unique style!

The pattern makes an excellent Christmas quilt, but that’s not the only option. Hopefully you’ll be as inspired by these different quilts and cushions as I was! If you’d like to make your own, the You’re a Gift quilt pattern is now for sale in my Etsy shop.

Bec’s scrappy cushion

The lovely Bec (@sew.be) of sew.be home was kind enough to take some time out of her busy schedule to try out my pattern. She made a scrappy block to turn into a cushion. I absolutely adore her scrappy style! Wouldn’t this make an adorable baby quilt?

Christina’s Christmas wall hanging

Christina (@fabricpop) of Fabric Pop made a baby sized version, as a Christmas wall hanging and I absolutely love her choice of fabrics. The red and green just pop.

Kersten’s Ruby Star Society quilt

Kersten (@quilty_kersten) made a gorgeous version using Ruby Star Society fabrics from the First Light and Stay Gold collections by Melody Miller and I love how it turned out. The pictures she took of her finished quilt are stunning too!

Kersten's version — Kersten’s Ruby Star Society version

Marissa’s version

Marissa (@madamcraftyfuntime) made a version that looks like “Brown paper packages tied up with string” and it reminds me of the song “My favorite things” by Julie Andrews from the Sound of Music. She added her own special touch by adding appliqué sprigs of green on top of the “packages”.

Marissa's "Julie Andrews" version of You're a Gift quilt with appliqué — Marissa’s “Julie Andrews” version of You’re a Gift quilt with appliqué

Marja’s Christmas cushion

My friend Marja (@marjamakes) made this absolutely adorable Christmas cushion. She even used some OOP Cotton and Steel fabrics that I absolutely love!

Marja's You're a Gift quilt Christmas cushion — Marja’s Christmas You’re a Gift quilt cushion

Sara’s scrappy version

Sara (@pattenaude101) was the first person to reach out to me to ask to test my pattern. She made a scrappy version which is out of this world. The fabrics she used give me galaxy vibes!

Scrappy version closeup — Sara’s scrappy version

A big thanks to all these lovely ladies for their time and effort in making these amazing versions of my quilt pattern and all their feedback on earlier drafts <3.

Christmas quilt

You’re a Gift quilt – Christmas version

December 23, 2021January 5, 2022
by Marit

This quilt pattern was originally designed as a Christmas quilt for a friend. My friend requested traditional red & green colours for this quilt. Fortunately, I had some great Christmas fabrics in my stash from the Merry Merry collection by Kate Spain for Moda Fabrics.

You're a Gift quilt - Christmas block — You’re a Gift quilt pattern – Christmas block

Personally, I am a big fan of star quilt patterns. This quilt contains stars in the middle of the quilt blocks. When combined, the blocks create a secondary star pattern.

You're a Gift quilt - Secondary pattern — You’re a Gift quilt pattern – Secondary star pattern

Because I used an older collection that I had in my stash, I had to make do with what I had. I used several different green fabrics from the collection to make up the secondary star pattern. Also, I had to use several different reds for the ribbons between the gifts. This adds to the playfulness of the final quilt.

You're a Gift quilt - Christmas version — You’re a Gift quilt – Christmas version

You're a Gift quilt in Merry Merry fabrics by Kate Spain — You’re a Gift quilt – Merry Merry version

Patterns

You’re a Gift quilt – Stellar version

December 20, 2021January 5, 2022
by Marit

The You’re a Gift cover quilt is made with several fabrics from Stellar by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Ruby Star Society. I’m a big fan of her designs and love using Ruby Star Society fabrics. Their collections work well by themselves or when combining different collections.

Cover of "You're a Gift quilt", made in Stellar fabrics — You’re a Gift quilt – the Stellar version

Even though this pattern was originally designed as a Christmas quilt, I wanted to make sure it worked with other fabrics and styles too!

After I made the first block, I asked my colour consultant (a.k.a. my youngest) which colours would also work with this quilt pattern. He came up with purple, blue and yellow. That left me with the challenge to find fabric from an actual collection that I could use. After mulling it over for a few days, I realised I had the perfect fabrics in my stash: the Stellar collection by Ruby Star Society. Even though this is an older collection, I was able to find enough of the prints I wanted to use from several quilt shops. I’m so glad I used these fabrics for this special project. We love how this version turned out and look forward to using it in our home.

Quilt blocks on a design wall — You’re a Gift quilt Stellar version on my design wall

Of course, I did want to make a full Christmas version. So here they are together. I love a pattern that works with many different kinds of fabric and styles. All of the different versions made by my pattern testers show that this pattern is very versatile.

Two versions of You're a Gift quilt — You’re a Gift quilt Christmas version and Stellar cover quilt

Patterns

You’re a Gift quilt – My first pattern

December 20, 2021January 5, 2022
by Marit

What do you do when you offer to make your friend a quilt for their new home, they ask for a Christmas quilt and none of the patterns seem quite right? You design your own! And that’s exactly how I designed my first published quilt pattern.

First, I made a trial block with some some scraps of Christmas fabric from my drawer full of Christmas fabrics. I love working with scraps; every one of these fabrics has a special meaning or memory. For this reason, I wrote the pattern to facilitate making a scrappy quilt, as well as making a version using yardage, fat quarters or even a layer cake!

Test block for You're a Gift quilt in Christmas fabrics — Test block for You’re a Gift quilt

Next, I couldn’t resist seeing how it would look with other colours and fabrics. My cover quilt is made with fabrics from the collection Stellar by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Ruby Star Society (Moda Fabrics). To make the pattern pop, I made sure to add enough contrast between the fabrics in the nine patch center of the gifts / stars.

You’re a Gift quilt – Stellar version (pattern cover)

Finally, I made the Christmas version for my friend using fabrics from the Merry Merry collection by Kate Spain. When my youngest saw the quilt blocks up on my design wall, he wanted to know if this quilt was for our home (unfortunately, no), so I had to start another version for my own family using some hoarded Polar Magic fabrics by designer Lemonni for Figo Fabrics from my stash. I fell in love with that collection last year and am so happy I get to use it now!

You're a Gift quilt - Polar Magic version — You’re a Gift quilt – Polar Magic version

The You’re a Gift quilt pattern is now for sale in my Etsy shop.