This is a pretty basic quilt but, I think, very effective. After I had first made it, I placed it on the sitting room floor to keep it flat before photographing, and I couldn't stop looking at it. I was just so pleased with the colours of my new fabrics and how my idea of grading the colours from top to bottom, worked so well. My husband thought me watching my quilt instead of the telly, was very funny.
For the quilt topper, you will need a Summer Meadow fat eighth bundle and one swallow strip.
1. Cut the swallows roughly into 4 x 4 inch squares using the marks given on the strip. Then cut the six squares more accurately into squares 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches, making sure that the swallow is fully in the square and where you want it.
2. Cut the fat eighths into strips 3 1/2 inches wide, cutting across the narrower length, so that the plants are vertical. You may not need to use all the fabric so maybe start by just cutting a few of each fabric.
3.This quilt has no right or wrong way of placing the fabrics. It's really up to you. I placed the swallows roughly where I wanted them and then arranged the plant fabrics around them. I cut some of my plant fabric strips into shorter lengths and just had a play. I roughly graded my colours from browns at the bottom, pinks in the middle through green to blues at the top. Try having a play yourself! You might find a better arrangement.
My quilt measures 40 x 21 inches but it's up to you what size you make. You're only limited by the quantity of fabric. I liked the idea of making a landscape-orientated quilt with the swallows because that's usually how you see them, adeptly swooping, catching insects close to the ground.
4. When you are happy with your arrangement, sew the rows together. Press the seams in each row in an alternate direction to the row above.
5. Sew the rows together and press the seams however you find easiest.
6. Trim the edges, quilt and bind in the usual way. I didn't use a border with this one. I didn't think it needed it. I hand-quilted in the horizontal 'ditches'.
