One of our most loved/used quilts in our house is the Prairie Picnic quilt I made several years ago- it has the perfect amount of simplicity, crinkly goodness, and coverage. It was no question that I needed to make another version!

When Riley Blake released Gingham Gardens earlier this year (still available in several shops online, as of today!), it was as if the heavens parted and angels sang and all voices cried together, “This will be a perfect Prairie Picnic Quilt!” and thus… it was.

Actually, it was less dramatic than that- I just really love the line and those dainty flowers work so well for this pattern 😉

The trick to this quilt is to separate the light/medium/dark value fabrics into the correct spots: Fabric A is dark, Fabric B is light, and Fabrics C and D are medium. When they are all sewn together, the resulting pattern is a scrappy, on-point gingham that is so unique and beautiful! From the Gingham Gardens line I used Plus in Teal, Blossoms in Coral, and Florals in Aqua, and the cream is a Confetti Cottons off white.

As with the first quilt we made, this quilt was finished with an allover stipple quilting design (I used my own domestic machine, so I got a workout too- bonus!). I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we go for comfort and this seems to be the design that has the best post-wash results! Not that fancier designs aren’t soft- this just appears to be the softest.

The pattern for this quilt is available as a PDF in the shop, and also available as paper patterns to shops (wholesale). Tag me on Instagram (@hellomellydesigns) if you sew one up too!

Happy Quilting!