Patterns, patchworks and projects
Image from Quilters Harvest
Gail from gail pan designs invites you to leave a comment at Quiliters Harvest that includes where she made mistakes in setting the blocks. Take a close look at her sample quilt shown here and leave your comment by April 17th to get a chance to win one of two patterns she will give away.
Note: Though I love getting your comments, make sure you leave them at Quilters Harvest to be entered in Gail’s drawing.
Some fabric collections feel pretty, some feel useful, and then there are those rare ones that instantly spark a dozen ideas the moment you see them. The In the Garden Layer Cake from Fat Quarter Shop falls firmly into that last category. From the moment I opened the pack, it felt like stepping into a watercolor garden—soft, romantic, full of movement, and brimming with detail that invites you to slow down and really look.
This collection brings together an elegant mix of florals, garden motifs, and soothing color palettes that feel like they were created for spring quilting. Instead of loud novelty prints, the designer chose a gentle balance of botanical sketches, scattered blossoms, tiny seed patterns, and larger feature florals that work beautifully in both traditional and modern layouts.
What struck me most is how thoughtfully the color stories are arranged. Each print blends seamlessly into the next, giving you a spectrum that includes soft rose pinks, leafy greens, lavender tones, fresh sky blues, rich corals, and delicate neutrals. It’s the kind of palette that instantly feels “quilty” in the best way—inviting, calm, and incredibly easy to mix and match. You can tell the designer planned this for maximum versatility.
Layer cakes are one of the most beginner-friendly precuts, but this collection elevates them with a sense of sophistication. The prints are strong enough to shine in simple patterns, but subtle enough to support more complex designs. Whether you prefer classic half-square triangles, framed squares, modern grid quilts, or something scrappier, this fabric adapts beautifully. It’s also a wonderful choice for table runners, spring wall hangings, and even quilted bags or home décor projects.
One of the nicest surprises with this layer cake is how it manages to feel seasonal without becoming locked into one particular holiday or theme. While the palette is undeniably perfect for spring, the prints themselves are timeless enough to work year-round. A floral quilt made from this collection would look just as lovely on a summer sunroom sofa as it would draped over a guest bed in winter.
The fabric quality is exactly what you’d expect from Fat Quarter Shop—crisp, clean cuts, vibrant printing, and a smooth hand that makes piecing feel effortless. Nothing is too thin or too stiff, and the colors are even more beautiful in person than they appear online.
If you enjoy sewing projects that feel light, fresh, and inspired by nature, In the Garden is a collection worth adding to your stash. It has all the qualities quilters look for: balance, versatility, gentle movement, and that spark of creativity that makes you want to start a project immediately. Whether you’re planning a gift quilt, treating yourself to a new spring project, or simply building your fabric library with a set of prints that will play nicely with others, this layer cake is a thoughtful and inspiring choice.
Gail, love the quilt, on the bottom row there are two blocks the same side by side.
Very pretty quilt — the hexagons are not all placed down the same way — some are the flat side up and others are points facing up & down.
I beleive this quilt is beautiful just the way it is.
However perhaps the top row center block might look better in the center of the quilt as its the only one with a red back ground.
I don’t see any mistakes. I think this is an awesome quilt. I love the colors.
I agree, it’s an awesome quilt. Maybe not what Gail intended, but fine ‘as is’.
Though I love getting all your comments, make sure you also leave them at Quilters Harvest to be entered in Gail’s drawing.
The hexagons are not arranged in the same way, and the colour of the second flower in the first line is different with the others. But still, this is a lovely quilt. The ‘mistakes’ show Gail’s creativity in a special way.
blocks 2,3,7 are set on a different angle than the others. Center of block 9 is off.