QM Scrap Squad: Jennifer’s Bella Amore

The QM Scrap Squad is a select group of seven QM readers. They take one pattern from each regular issue of Quiltmaker and create their own scrappy versions to inspire you.

The Scrap Squad recently went to work using the Bella Amore pattern from the Nov/Dec issue. Below is the original Bella Amore, designed by Marianne Elizabeth, sewn by Pat Welch and quilted by Janet Lee Santeusanio. The fabric is Arabella Rose by Marianne Elizabeth for RJR Fabrics.

Today’s featured quilt is by Jennifer Stevens from Holcomb, Kansas. You’ll hear from Jen in her own words below.

Jennifer Stevens from Holcomb, Kansas

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I was so excited to see the next Scrap Squad pattern, especially after conquering my first paper piecing on the last one. I secretly hoped for something I felt more comfortable with.

I really loved Bella Amore but was a little stumped on what fabric to use. After some consideration, I thought I could make my very first Christmas quilt. Since it only comes once a year, I have always pushed those projects aside with “there’s always next year!!”

 

I fussy cut cardinals out of the first fabric.

 

I made a trial block and really loved it. I noticed that all the blocks were the same except for the difference in colors.

For the Unit 3′s and Unit 4′s, I cut the patches at 5″, sewed, cut, pinned, and sewed them again.

 

Then I used the June Tailor Perfect Half-Square & Quarter-Square Triangles ruler to square up the blocks to 3 1/2″.

This made it easy for all the blocks to fall into place.

This quilt has a flannel back and is quilted around each star in the ditch.  It is stippled in all the borders. The label is machine embroidered on the back of the quilt.  The binding is hand sewn.

All in all, this quilt was really a lot of fun to make, start to finish.  I was very pleased with the final project!