Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler
Designer
Jennifer Chiaverini
Book
Sylvia's Bridal Sampler from Elm Creek Quilts
Fabric
Warm earthy tones from a variety from different designers
- Varies depending on the number of blocks made, sashing and borders used
Each block will vary:
- Standard piecing
- Paper piecing
- Curved piecing
- Y-Seams
- Applique
- Tracing paper
Optional but helpful:
- light box
- Add a Quarter ruler
From a quilt in a novel, to a quilt for all to sew and love.
Have you read the Elm Creek Quilts series by Jennifer Chiaverini?
In her novel, the Master Quilter, a group of friends contributed exquisite, heart-felt blocks to create a beautiful sampler quilt for the bride and Master Quilter, Sylvia. Somehow, this quilt jumped magically from fiction to reality.
Like the book, author Jennifer Chiaverini and fellow quilters created Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler to promote the book on book tours. But it turned out that everyone wanted to make the quilt! After a lot of work, the quilt pattern book was written so that everyone could make their own Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler.
Below are some of the blocks I have made.
What is a sampler quilt?
Just as you might have guessed, a sampler is a collection of samples. Traditionally, a sampler highlights the variety of skills a craftsperson possesses. A common example is an embroidery sampler were the creator showcases their needle work and stiches with the alphabet and fancy borders.
In the case of Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler, there are 140 samples of unique quilt blocks that showcase the quilters skills.
How long have I been working on this quilt?
I have been making blocks from this book for a decade. I’ve completed about 50+ blocks. This quilt uses so many different quilting techniques such as: applique, paper-piecing, curved piecing, Y-seams and standard piecing. A block may take me an hour, or all day, to sew. I love that I learn with each block. Even if it’s just learning that I don’t like Y-seams. To keep encourage myself and keep my progress accountable, I’m posting blocks on Instagram.
I’m not rushing it. I’m just enjoying it. ♥
My UFO, Unfinished Object post has more pictures of blocks.
Since Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler came out in 2009, Jennifer has create a few more quilt pattern books. The latest is Harriet’s Journey from Elm Creek Quilts.
