All Aflutter: A Hint of Spring

February is the perfect time for a breath of fresh air, for a hint of spring. Which makes it the perfect time for Ann Lauer's wall quilt, "All Aflutter," featured in the April 2016 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting. Ann designed this quilt using a bargello quilt-as-you-go technique and her Butterfly Forest fabric collection.

"All Aflutter" by Ann Lauer
Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine.
©2015 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.

Here's what Ann has to say about her "All Aflutter" wall quilt:

What makes a great bargello design?

I particularly like asymmetrical designs. Skinny rows help to create dramatic impact, especially in a smaller project like this. The wider rows on the right side create a big swoop, which really shows off the butterfly fabrics.

Why do your Butterfly Forest fabrics work so well in this design?

There’s a really nice transition to move between the fabrics and get from light to dark. The fabrics that appear solid are actually the packed wing design, and then the lighter prints are the stained glass wings. In the stained glass prints you have lots of value and different colors, moving between greens and blues and purples.

What about the appliqued butterflies?

Those come from the large butterfly prints. You can pick and choose which ones you want to use—they’re simply fused on and then edge stitched. The butterflies in this collection are realistically shaped, but we’ve taken creative license in the coloring.

What are the advantages of quilting as you go?

Not only do you save the effort of having to quilt it after piecing, but you don’t add quilting lines over a pieced top that already has a lot of lines. There aren’t any quilting lines to compete with the design.
I recommend using gridded flannel for the quilt as you go technique—I pair it with a thin batt, and the combination is great for table runners and wall quilts. The grid is an easy way to make sure you’re keeping the quilt absolutely straight as you add the rows.

What do you like best about this wall quilt?

I love the fabrics and the way the combinations of the colors flow really well. I think the design is dramatic and gives a really nice composition and backdrop for the butterflies to show up.

Click here to see Ann's entire Butterfly Forest collection.
Click here to find the kit for this project.
Click here to find American Patchwork & Quilting magazine.