Quilting

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Giveaway: Desayuno birds quilt pattern

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closeup_BIRDS Cecilia Koppmann_Desayuno 2012Memory quilts speak to me, but they sing to Cecilia Koppmann. In her sweet quilt, “Desayuno”, each bird represents one of her past students. Her quilt, a closeup shown here, made it to the Houston Quilt Show in 2015. At the request of admirers, she wrote up a pattern. Now, isn’t that just like a teacher?

To honor her generosity, and because I love this quilt so much, I’m going to give away a copy of her digital pattern to a Craft Gossip reader. The finished size is 56″ x 35″ (144 x 90cm), and she uses raw edge applique method throughout.

Click to see the entire quilt, then come back and leave a comment on this post to get a chance to win.

International entries welcome. Contest ends August 3, 2016. Good luck!

{Image credit: Crafsty}

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Comments

  2. OMG! This quilt is beautiful! It is so unique. The quilter must be amazingly talented. i love birds on a wire. i love musical notes. i once cared for an eighty year old pianist in her home and she played for me daily. At first very slowly and hesitantly because she was very ill. As time went on and her health improved, so did her ability to play. I was so impressed that i bought myself a piano and took piano lessons! This quilt spoke to me even before i knew what it was about. i think the fact that each bird is representative of each of the quilter’s students is amazing. This quilt is a treasure and if i were to win i would treat it as such. Thank you for the opportunity. God’s blessings on you.

  4. Thanks for your generosity,I would love a copy of this beautiful quilt, can you please add my name to the give away
    Thanks????

  9. It’s adorable. I’m assuming she used musical notes fabric? As a teacher I would love to make one for my classroom

  10. This quilt warms my heart. What beautiful harmony! I couldn’t love it more.

  13. Wow! I love “bird stuff” and this quilt is fantastic! It reminds me of the applique scrap quilts my grandma made.

  14. How fun and creative! I love that Cecilia asks her students to bring squares of fabric to make the birds. This would work for many to use scraps from their own stash. So pretty!

  15. Oh I would love to win this pattern! The birds and the musical score….well they are wonderful together!!!

  16. Perfect quilt for my Glee Club teen granddaughter!! Fingers crossed and thanks for the chance!!

  20. Good Morning Scarlett! This is a spectacular quilt! I would love to win this pattern and make it for two of my daughters who are musicians. Plus a bonus is having those lovely appliqued birds that our whole family enjoys. Thank you for this great opportunity. Have a fantastic creative day!

  22. That pattern is beautiful!! My 16 year old is heavy into musical theatre and I think she would love this – if I don’t win I think I have to buy it!!

  27. I think this quilt would look great on my living room wall since my name is Melody.

  32. Being a bird-watcher (at home only); this quilt speaks to me. It is very well done and quite beautiful.

  33. What a beautiful quilt!!! It would be a great display item at the Audobon meetings.

  37. Just Beautiful! Would love to make this quilt for my family. So many musical memories could be included in this quilt!

  41. I would love to make this quilt for my mother who played & taught music for many years. Her last pupil was almost 90 yrs old my mother turned 84 on July 4 & is no longer giving music lessons as her vision is beginning to fail but I know she would cherish this quilt

  44. Gorgeous ! I play the bagpipes and although the notes for me are going in the wrong direction I love this quilt. I feed the many birds in my woods and enjoy their company. Would love the pattern 😉

  46. Love this! My nickname is Mamabird, so this would be so great to make for my library.

  48. Love Love Love Love
    This is what i feel just looking at the beautiful quilt. My great grandmother used to quilt. Wish i would have been given the chance to learn the craft from her, but she went to heaven before this could happen. This beautiful quilt reminds me of a song from heaven. Simply beautiful
    Love love love love
    Hugs

Have you read?

How to Make String Quilt Blocks (Turn Fabric Scraps Into a Beautiful String Quilt)

If you’ve got a basket of long skinny fabric scraps and no idea what to do with them, string quilt blocks are your answer.

String quilting is one of the easiest and most forgiving scrap quilt techniques. It uses narrow strips of fabric sewn onto a foundation to create bold, colorful blocks that look far more complicated than they actually are.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make string quilt blocks, what size scraps work best, how to keep them balanced, and how to turn them into a finished quilt.

What Is a String Quilt Block?

A string quilt block is made by sewing fabric strips (or “strings”) onto a foundation piece of fabric or paper.

The strips are usually:

  • 1″–2½” wide
     • Different lengths
     • Mixed prints and colors

The result is a layered, textured block with diagonal or straight-line movement.

String quilts are ideal for:

  • Scrap bins
     • Leftover binding strips
     • Jelly roll leftovers
     • Long skinny offcuts

They are one of the most waste-efficient quilt styles.

Why String Quilts Are Perfect for Scrap Fabric

String quilts are forgiving because:

  • Strip width doesn’t have to be identical
     • Seams don’t need to align
     • Color placement can be random
     • Slight inconsistencies add charm

This makes string quilting perfect for beginners who want to build confidence without worrying about perfect matching seams.

What Size Scraps Work Best for String Quilt Blocks?

Here’s what works beautifully:

Best strip width:
 1½” to 2½”

Minimum length:
 At least 6″–8″

If your strips are shorter, sew them together first to create longer “strings.”

If you only have very tiny scraps, crumb quilting may be a better option.

Supplies You’ll Need

  • Assorted fabric strips
     • Foundation fabric (muslin or lightweight cotton)
     • Rotary cutter & ruler
     • Sewing machine
     • ¼” seam allowance

Optional:
 • Add a center accent strip for visual structure

Step-by-Step: How to Make String Quilt Blocks

Step 1: Cut Your Foundation

Cut foundation squares slightly larger than your finished block size.

Example:
 For a 10″ finished block, cut foundation pieces 11″.

You’ll trim them down later.

Step 2: Place Your First Strip

Lay your first strip right side up, diagonally across the foundation.

This will anchor the block.

Some quilters like to use a consistent center strip for cohesion.

Step 3: Add the Second Strip

Place a second strip right sides together on top of the first strip.

Sew with a ¼” seam.

Flip open and press.

Step 4: Continue Adding Strips

Keep adding strips to one side until you reach the edge of the foundation.

Then flip the block and fill the opposite side.

Press regularly to prevent bulk.

Step 5: Trim the Block

Once the foundation is fully covered:

Flip block foundation side up.
 Trim to your exact unfinished size.

If your finished block is 10″, trim to 10½”.

This squaring step is important.

Popular String Quilt Layout Ideas

String quilt blocks are surprisingly versatile.

Try:

  • All diagonal strips same direction
     • Alternate block rotation
     • Chevron layout
     • Controlled color gradient
     • Neutral center strip
     • Red center “spine” for classic look

Rotating blocks creates secondary patterns automatically.

How Many String Quilt Blocks Do You Need?

For 10″ finished blocks:

Baby Quilt (40″ x 50″) – 20 blocks
 Lap Quilt (50″ x 60″) – 30 blocks
 Throw Quilt (60″ x 70″) – 42 blocks
 Twin Quilt (70″ x 90″) – 63 blocks

Adjust based on sashing and borders.

 

How to Keep String Quilts From Looking Chaotic

Scrap quilts need balance.

Use one or more of these tricks:

  • Repeat one neutral strip in every block
     • Keep background color consistent
     • Limit to 2–3 dominant color families
     • Alternate light and dark blocks
     • Add sashing

Structure keeps string quilts from feeling messy.

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using strips that are too narrow (creates bulk)
     • Not pressing seams
     • Skipping trimming step
     • Mixing drastically different fabric weights
     • Forgetting seam allowance when trimming

Foundation fabric prevents stretching — don’t skip it.

Paper vs Fabric Foundation for String Quilts

Fabric foundation:
 • Stays in quilt
 • Adds stability
 • Faster

Paper foundation:
 • Removed after sewing
 • Lighter finished quilt
 • Slightly more work

Most beginners prefer fabric foundation.

Why String Quilts Are So Addictive

They’re repetitive in a relaxing way.

You can:

  • Sew without overthinking
     • Use scraps guilt-free
     • Chain piece easily
     • See fast progress

And somehow, those random strips always look intentional once trimmed into a square.

Making String Quilt Blocks

If your scrap basket is overflowing with strips, a string quilt block is one of the smartest ways to use them.

It’s forgiving.
 It’s flexible.
 And it turns leftover fabric into something bold and cohesive.

You don’t need perfectly matched prints.
 You just need a consistent block size and a little trimming discipline.

The rest is just stitching.