Introducing: Archer
I’m so excited to share my newest pattern with you: Archer!
Archer is being released exclusively through Cary Quilting Company as part of their celebration of local pattern designers at QuiltCon 2024. I’m thrilled to partner with this independent, woman-owned quilt shop! Starting today, you can get printed patterns and kits for the small throw cover version, which uses Moda Grunge & Bella solids (above) at the Cary Quilting Company booth at QuiltCon.
About the design…
I was inspired to create this design after seeing a certain megasuperstar on tour last Spring (do you really want to know where I was April 29th? I was in Atlanta!). I started sketching bows and arrows, and Archer was born!
At first, I was really nervous about those slim curved lines, but the worries were unfounded. TOTALLY unfounded! They’re nice, large, gentle curves AND I created the templates to have some wiggle room - no worries about blocks coming out short or wonky. Still not sure? I’ve got you! I’ve recorded and posted a series of videos to walk you through 3 different ways to sew the bow blocks AND how to trim them. There’s a QR code in the pattern so you can pull them up easily on your mobile device.
I almost always create a first sample in the process of writing a pattern - at a certain point, I have to step away from the screen and get into some fabric to see how my vision translates (or doesn’t) into the real world. This first sample version used some Alison Glass Sun Print from several years ago for the background, and then some mystery solids from my stash for the bows and arrows. Fun fact: this first version is a #QuiltConReject 😉
When I started talking with the folks at Cary Quilting about kits for QuiltCon, I knew I wanted to create a new sample using some currently available fabrics. I am a sucker for pickle-y green and dark teal, so we landed on this combo: Moda Grunge in Kelp for the background, and then Moda Bella Solids in Dark Teal for the bows and Together Tan for the arrows. It’s bold, earthy, and a little edgy - I love it! This isn’t the last time I’ll be using these fabrics for sure.
Make it your own
Archer comes in three sizes - baby, small throw, and large throw - and with instructions for either a two-color or three-color version. The simplicity of the design also lends itself to further customization; check out the tester gallery below for some really cool ideas!
Archer is also available to color on QuiltInk, an online coloring tool where you can preview the design in your favorite fabric lines! I’ve created some mockups using PBS Studio, Art Gallery, Starry, Libs Elliott, and Speckled fabrics -check them out!
Tester Gallery
I was delighted with how the folks testing this pattern each brought their own flavor to their quilts. There are prints and solids, machine and hand quilting, and a great mix of stash busting and new fabric purchases. The captions have the quilters’ Instagram handles; be sure to give them a follow to see more of their talents!
I can’t wait to see what you create with this pattern! 🥰
