Rivendell Quilt Pattern

The Rivendell Quilt pattern combines machine piecing and English Paper Piecing (EPP) to create a unique quilt.

Pattern Development

I came up with the idea for this pattern while proctoring the PSAT. Nothing brings about creative vision quite like being unable to do anything but stare at teenagers taking a standardized test. Some teachers count ceiling tiles, I dream up quilt patterns. In all seriousness, almost every quilt pattern I have released or is in the massive and ever-growing notebook of future pattern designs, was thought up while administering a test or sitting in traffic. I usually hand in all my tests and documents, then frantically draw out my design before I forget it.

I really wanted a pattern that combined English Paper Piecing (EPP) and machine piecing. A lot of combination patterns applique an EPP block on a standard (no frills) background square. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with that and those patterns are gorgeous, I really wanted the EPP to be a featured design piece, but not the only design element. I wanted the EPP and machine piecing combination to coexist to the point that if one of them was emitted from the design, the quilt would look incomplete.

Combine proctoring students. the idea of a combination pattern, and my brain – the Rivendell Quilt Pattern was born.

I was a little stumped on the name for this pattern. Sometimes the name for a pattern is obvious and comes to me quickly (ex. Lunar Phases Quilt Pattern), other times I am at a bit of loss. I was trying to come up with a name for this pattern in my sewing room and Arwen (my loyal corgi) was with me. I named one of my last quilt patterns after Arwen (the Arwen Quilt) because I have never seen a dog love quilts as much as Arwen does, the dog is straight up obsessed. Arwen is named after a character from Lord of the Rings. The character, Arwen, is from an elvish town called Rivendell. I thought the Rivendell Quilt had a nice ring to it. In all seriousness, there may be a lot of quilt patterns named after Lord of the Rings places or people in the future.

EPP

English Paper Piecing (EPP) is a form of hand sewing. I have a series of introductory blog posts on it that can be found here. Quilts that are entirely EPP take a relatively long time to complete, so this pattern offers an opportunity to make an EPP quilt far quicker than you normally could.  

This pattern uses 1” hexagons for the EPP blocks, which are a classic and extremely popular size/shape. This is great because you can reuse the paper pieces for a future project (EPP papers are usually good for 2-4 projects, depending on how well you treat them).

This is a perfect EPP starter pattern. I strongly urge EPP beginners to use an applique pattern to start with because you can finish the project relatively quickly, so it is not as big of a commitment.  

Versions

The pattern comes with two versions: scrappy and modern. The scrappy version uses fat quarters to achieve a controlled scrappy look (looks scrappy, but without all the chaos/stress of a truly scrappy version). The modern version uses yardage of fewer fabrics and results in slightly variated blocks for a more modern look.  The pattern also includes cutting instruction/requirements for an all-scrappy version, if you want to hit up your scrap bin.

Basically, I wrote this pattern so that it could be VERY easily modified, but still had very clear instructions. If you want to modify the pattern somehow, you will be able to look at the pattern and very easily be able to do so.

Uses

The pattern uses the following elements:

• Flying geese
  • (four-at-a-time)
• Hourglass blocks
  • You applique on top of these, so you do not have to have perfect points in the center. It is actually an amazing time to make your first hourglass blocks.
• Sashing
• Applique
• English Paper Piecing (EPP)

These elements are all discussed in depth in the pattern or linked to a blog post where the elements are discussed (EPP). All of these elements make the pattern sound like it could be difficult, but the Rivendell Quilt actually has a difficulty level of beginner. This is the perfect pattern to potentially build some skills with. If you are scared off by the EPP or skills you do not know yet, I have great news – I am doing a quilt a long (QAL) soon!

Quilt Kits

Scrappy Rise Version (FQs) – there is a kit! Cam & Lulu fabrics is offering a kit, you can find it here.

Kismet Modern Version (yardage) – a US fabric shop and I are working on a kit currently.

Quilt A Long

I am going to do a quilt a long for the Rivendell Quilt soon! I am still in the process of finalizing the schedule (I think it will be 8 weeks long) and details for the quilt a long (QAL), but I guarantee it is happening and the specific details will be announced very VERY soon. If you want to participate in the Rivendell QAL, I suggest you grab the pattern,  any EPP supplies, and potentially get your fabric picked out or ordered (fabric mail in the pandemic is crazy, am I right?).

What is a quilt a long (QAL)? In short, everyone makes a Rivendell Quilt together. A QAL has a schedule of what you complete every week and giveaways. Most importantly, a QAL has an email from me every week about what we are doing that week (ex. Hourglass blocks) that includes helpful tips and video tutorials. That means if you fear some element of the Rivendell Pattern, this is the time to conquer that fear because I will be there to help you.

I am a high school Chemistry teacher. I do not mind explaining things or answering questions from y’all. It’s kind of my jam, if I do say so myself. Seriously though, if I can teach kids how to convert liters of one substance to grams of another (stoichiometry) during virtual learning in a pandemic, I promise I can teach you how to make flying geese.

I will release the QAL schedule, details, and sign up link soon!

Final Note

I love this pattern and I hope you do to. 🙂

You can buy a PDF copy of the pattern here.