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| Jane Austen Quilt by Sheree Mackintosh |
For quilters who cherish both historical significance and intricate craftsmanship, the Jane Austen Quilt by Jessie and Robin of Sew and Quilt offers a remarkable project. This design is a faithful reproduction of the original patchwork coverlet believed to have been crafted by Jane Austen, her sister Cassandra, and their mother. Utilizing traditional English Paper Piecing (EPP) techniques, this quilt allows modern crafters to connect with the past through needle and thread.
About the Jane Austen Quilt Pattern:
The pattern is available as a free 5-page PDF download from Sew and Quilt. It features a medallion-style diamond center panel, complemented by a broderie perse appliqué design of birds and a basket of flowers. Broderie perse involves selecting motifs from printed fabrics and appliquéing them onto a background to create a new design. The main quilt top comprises diamonds pieced between cream and navy dot sashing, culminating in a deep border of smaller paper-pieced diamonds.
Quilt Dimensions:
Finished Size: 71” x 89”
Materials Needed:
Fabric Requirements:
- Main Quilt Top: 22 fat quarters (FQs). The designers used 18 FQs from the Jane Austen At Home collection, with four duplicates: Elinor 04, Harriet 09, Margaret 11, and Penelope 15.
- Sashing Fabric: Approximately 4½ yards (cream with navy dot).
- Borders: Approximately 9 yards. It's suggested to utilize your fabric stash for the borders, focusing on on-theme prints.
- Binding Fabric: ¾ yard.
Additional Supplies:
- English Paper Piecing Kit: Available in starter and complete sizes, these kits include all the necessary paper pieces for the quilt top.
- Acrylic Templates: Matching templates with a ⅜" seam allowance are available to aid in cutting accuracy.
Crafting Tips:
- Appliqué Center: The pattern omits a specific appliqué design for the medallion center, encouraging quilters to create their own using broderie perse techniques.
- Fabric Cutting: While the pattern provides yardage based on cutting rectangles, for efficiency, consider cutting shapes directly using the acrylic templates to minimize fabric waste.
- Reusing Paper Pieces: For the border's small diamonds, it's feasible to reuse paper pieces from other sections to reduce the total number needed.
You can view the free Jane Austen Quilt pattern directly from Sew and Quilt's blog: Free Jane Austen Quilt Pattern.
For those who prefer a physical copy, printed versions are also available through their shop.
Embarking on the Jane Austen Quilt project is more than just a sewing endeavor; it's a journey into literary history and traditional quilting artistry. By recreating this timeless design, quilters can pay homage to one of literature's most beloved figures while honing their EPP skills. Whether you're a seasoned quilter or new to the craft, this pattern offers a meaningful and rewarding experience.
