Guess what?? It’s a pattern release day!!! Everyone meet the YoYa Quilt Pattern and get ready to party.

My mission when I set out to design this quilt was to create something super modern using a technique I was unfamiliar with. Although I have quilted for about 18 years, there are many styles that I had never thought about attempting. Over the years, I have made many quilts but didn’t choose anything over the top or incredibly challenging. This all changed when I got into Mini Quilt Swaps. I started paper piecing and fell in love with it. Ever since then, I go out of my way to learn new techniques (like English Paper Piecing) because you should never stop learning. Right?? Exercising the brain is good, healthy, and keeps us youthful. Today I am sharing my newest pattern called the YoYa quilt. I love the name. It doesn’t really mean anything but I think it is fun to say and I really wanted to use a word starting with the letter Y. At one point I thought about calling it YoKo Ono but my husband talked me out of it. Why the fixation on the letter Y?? Because of what the technique I learned making this quilt — the Y-seam. Have you ever tried it before?? Surprisingly, making the Y-seam is pretty easy. Actually the whole quilt comes together quickly.

What is the Y-Seam?

Usually when quilting, we are sewing two seams at a time. However a Y-seam sews three intersections together creating Vs, Ws, and Y-like seams. This is most commonly used in sewing hexagons together which is exactly what is done in the YoYa Quilt pattern.  But Y-seams are also found in attic windows, tumbling blocks, and six-sided stars. There are other blocks that use the Y-seam.  Let me know the ones that you have done in the comments below.

When I made the first one, as I worked down the row of seams, it was easier for me to cut the threads, pull the fabric off of the sewing machine, pin the next seam, and start a new set of stitches at each intersection. That is okay. Do what feels right for you.  Don’t rush yourself. Keep calm and quilt on! Before you know it, you will be done.

The YoYa Quilt

The finished size of this quilt is 51″ x 57″. It used three fat quarters and a lot of white fabric. The fat quarters are from Me + You Fabric by Hoffman Fabrics. I find myself drawn to their modern take on batiks. The light grey border and part of the binding are Art Gallery Fabrics, and the white is from a bolt of Moda fabric that I had on hand. What did I do on the back?? MINKY!!! From Shannon Fabrics,  sooo very soft and lovely.  This quilt is truly a combination of many different designers and it’s perfect!

The YoYa Quilt Pattern

To get your copy of the YoYa Quilt Pattern, head over to my Etsy shop. For this week only, if you use product code YOYALOVE when checking out you will get a 30% off your total purchase in my shop.  Click here for the link to the pattern.

I would love to see what you make with this pattern. Share your photos in Instagram using #YoYaQuilt and #BrownBirdDesignsCreations (to enter into a quarterly giveaway).

Now it’s party time!!

Another Pattern Release Giveaway day. WhooHoo!! This giveaway is a fun one. If you are the lucky winner you will receive a packaged filled with Clothes Pins, Scissor Socks, a Metal tin, Notebook, five fat quarters and AuriFloss.

To enter, head over to my Instagram page and find the #YoYaQuiltGiveaway picture. Like the giveaway photo and follow me, after you have done these two things tag a friend or as many friends as you would like. Each tag will get you an entry into the giveaway.  Once a random number is generated, I will make sure that you have liked the photo and followed Brown Bird Designs, and once it has been verified a winner will be announced. The winner will be announced August 20, so check back on Instagram for the announcement. Good luck!!

I made this quilt in a different color way see the YoYa Quilt in Michael Miller fabrics.