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Hey there, fellow quilters! I'm back again with another free quilt pattern for you all, and this one is extra special. I’m Liz, and today I’m thrilled to share the next installment in our awesome collaboration with Crochet.com—one of our four sister brands! If you're anything like me, you're going to absolutely adore this pattern.
Before we dive in, if you're eager to skip straight to the good stuff, just click here to access the free pattern download page! No need to wait any longer.
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Crochet.com recently released their latest pattern book, *Hooked on Quilting by While They Dream*. This book features five crochet patterns inspired by classic quilting designs, ranging from beginner to intermediate levels. I simply couldn't resist teaming up with our pals at Crochet.com, so I transformed three of their patterns into fabric versions!
Today, we’re focusing on our second creation: **Cardinals**!
This beginner-friendly granny square pattern draws its inspiration from the striking beauty of cardinals. These vibrant birds symbolize love, devotion, and positive omens—some even view them as a warm “hello†from loved ones who have passed. With such meaningful symbolism, it's no wonder this design makes for a stunning quilt.
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So, how did I translate this crochet-inspired design into a quilt? Well, since the original pattern used granny squares, turning it into a quilt was surprisingly straightforward. Each granny square became an individual block, and I arranged them on a simple grid.
The best part? Grid-style sewing is perfect for beginners and offers a fantastic way to practice basic sewing skills. The trickiest bit? Aligning those seams when stitching the rows together. Just keep an eagle eye on those intersections, and you'll be golden.
One important note: this pattern was designed for **one specific size**, mirroring the crochet blanket's dimensions. But fear not—upscaling this quilt is a breeze! Here's how:
- Each finished square measures 4†x 4â€. To make your quilt larger, simply increase the block size. For example:
- If you want your sewn-in blocks to measure 5†x 5â€, your cut size should be 5 ½†x 5 ½â€.
- For half-square triangles (HSTs), just increase the cut size accordingly. Originally, they're cut to 5†x 5â€; for this upsize, bump that up by 1†to 6†x 6â€.
I also recommend adding a bit of extra space when cutting your HSTs using the 2-at-a-time method. Most quilters use 4 ⅞†x 4 ⅞†squares for 4†x 4†HSTs, but I personally prefer that extra ⅛†buffer—it’s saved me more than once when things got a little wobbly.
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Now, let’s talk about some creative ways to customize this pattern! Since the Cardinals quilt relies heavily on the bird outlines, it can be tricky to envision in different color schemes. I’ve put together two variations to spark your imagination. Which one do you prefer?
### Variation 1: Softer Pastels
This version leans into warmer tones and pastels, offering a softer take on the original design. Consider swapping out the gingham background for blues instead of grays for a bold, vibrant touch.
**Fabrics:**
- Background: Chambray Tonal (Light Grey, Light Silver, Light Ivory)
- Branches: Faux Tweed (Fern, Pistachio)
- Birds: Faux Tweed (Chai, Carnation), Chambray Tonal (Light Barn Red, Light Black), Faux Linen (Cantaloupe, Tomato), Weathered Tonal (Terra Cotta)
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### Variation 2: Autumn Vibes
Inspired by the Blue Jay, this variation captures the rich, earthy tones of fall. Play around with the placement of blues to mimic the natural gradient of the bird’s feathers.
**Fabrics:**
- Background: Mirage Tonal (Fawn, Taupe, Cream)
- Branches: Faux Linen (Ochre, Bronze)
- Birds: Solid (Black, Admiral Blue, True Blue, Harbor, Blue Jeans, Blue Mist), Weathered Tonal (Slate)
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Ready to give it a try? You can download the **free Cardinals quilt pattern** right now by clicking here. I’ll be back next week with the final free quilt pattern from this amazing Crochet.com collaboration. Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media—I’d love to see what you come up with!
Happy quilting,
Liz