"Forest Flora: A Stunning Blend of Color and Texture for Quilters"

Hello Friends,

One of the many joys of living where I do is experiencing all four seasons, each bringing its own charm. But if I had to choose a favorite, it would be fall. The vibrant colors, the crisp air, and the cozy feelings they inspire make it a truly magical time of year.

When autumn arrives, I think of warm sweaters, evenings by the firepit, and a steaming cup of hot cocoa in hand. The morning sun dances on the leaves, setting the oranges and yellows ablaze, creating a breathtaking display of nature’s artistry. All of these elements are beautifully captured in the stunning new fabric collection Forest Flora by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 Design, produced by Island Batik for Lumin Fabrics.

I was honored to have my pattern design, Harvest Hues, selected by Island Batik to showcase this incredible fabric line. I often get asked how I come up with my designs—no, they don’t just appear in my dreams! As a pattern designer, I let the fabric guide me, allowing its colors and textures to shape the quilt’s flow and direction.

With Forest Flora, I was immediately drawn to the rich greens, deep reds, and warm golds. But where to begin? Inspiration struck during one of my autumn walks. As the sun filtered through the trees, beams of light created shimmering green streams, making the leaves glow like stars. In that moment, I knew that green needed to play a prominent role in my design—like summer holding on just a little longer before surrendering to fall.

For Harvest Hues, I wanted to highlight a few quilt units that sometimes get overlooked. The corners of each block feature the Shaded 4-Patch technique, creating a frame around the star and adding a pop of color. The Square² unit forms the star points, seamlessly connecting to the frame. For the block centers, I alternated between two prints—one bolder, one lighter—bringing depth, movement, and a little indecision (because I just couldn’t choose between them!).

The blocks are set apart by a lattice, serving two important purposes. First, I prefer not to join blocks directly, especially when points are involved—it’s a personal quirk! Second, the lattice creates a soft, curving effect around the blocks, adding even more motion to the quilt. The staggered rows help separate the blocks and, as a bonus, mean fewer points to match—always a win!

To tie it all together, I included Shaded 4-Patch units in the border corners for extra interest.

A heartfelt thank you to Deb Tucker and Island Batik for the opportunity to showcase my pattern with this beautiful fabric collection. If you’d like to make Harvest Hues for yourself, the pattern is available in both paper and PDF formats on my Etsy shop:

Quilting by the River on Etsy

Thank you for dropping by, until next time, stay safe and take in the great outdoors.