Offset; Another New Pattern and a Giveaway!

I'm celebrating!

Today, I'm releasing two . . .  yes, I said two . . .  new patterns!!

They've both been a long time (too long) in the works, so I'm thrilled to finally have them published in PDF format for online sales. As a thanks for your patience, I'm putting both new patterns on sale for 20% off. The sale starts today, July 9th and ends Sunday, July 12th 2015 at midnight Eastern Daylight Saving Time in the USA. They are available on Craftsy and in my Etsy shop. No coupon or code needed.

There's also a giveaway – so please read to the end.
Note: Sale and giveaway are now closed.

This post features Offset. My other post for today features Matrix. I hope you'll read them both.

I'd love to know which pattern is your favorite and why.

So, without further delay, allow me to introduce Offset . . . 

The Offset design came about through play. I took a concept and played with the idea using the computer. Then I made some test blocks and eventually a couple of test quilts. Then I played some more. Can you tell I like to design?

As I worked back and forth between sewing and designing, a whole new idea emerged. While the original impetus for the design was garden trellises, that idea eventually morphed into something entirely different. Overlapping, broken boxes and crosses that are offset from each another. Look at the four blocks in the lower left hand corner below. Can you see how the green forms the outline of a box and the gray forms a double cross? The elements don't quite line up . . . they are offset.

This design evolution also led to a name change. The early test quilts were called Tumbler. You may recall this if you read here regularly. I think the new name, Offset, better reflects the visual concept.

As I said in the Matrix post, I truly believe a great quilt doesn't have to be complicated to be stunning and beautiful. I also believe every quilter should find a way to make it their own even when they are using a pattern. That's why I include these three bonus features in my patterns.

• A Design Lesson that explains the block, the quilt layout and how it works, and some tips on fabric selection.
• Design Explorations so you can see how versatile the pattern really is. These include several alternative ways to use the pattern and showcase a variety of looks that can be achieved.
• A Coloring Page so you can try out your own color scheme.

The Offset Design Explorations start with simple variations like those below which illustrate how a different color emphasis can change the look of the boxes and crosses.

Additional Design Explorations show examples that are far different from the cover quilt. Different ways to use color and different ways to emphasize elements of the design. There are also three options for making a more modern quilt from the pattern. Use of negative space plays a big part in those ideas.

Offset is a great pattern for 2 1/2" strips or fat quarters. Yardage is given for both as well as cut yardage so you can choose what's best for you. It's a good way to use up leftover 2 1/2" strips or do some stash busting. The design would look wonderful in all solids or colorful batiks. Even some large scale prints work well. 

The pattern includes yardage for a 60" x 80" throw sized quilt.  As you can see from the test quilts photos below, the size can be adjusted by making more or less blocks as needed. Keep in mind you will need an even number of blocks across and down for the primary box/cross design but that doesn't mean you can't make it another way. That's what the Design Explorations are for.

It's your quilt . . . I want you to make it your way.

Here are the early test quilts. The first one was this bold colored scrappy quilt. Using my stash of warm colored dots was a great way to play with an idea and work things out.

Next came this one using a jelly roll. This quilt was recently gifted to my sister-in-law
and blogged about here.

Even some large scale prints work well if the colorway reads predominately as one color. Here's a small baby quilt using Kaffe prints.

Offset is available on Craftsy and in my Etsy shop. And as I mentioned earlier, both new patterns are on sale for 20% off through the weekend. No coupon or code needed. The sale ends Sunday,
July 12th, 2015 at midnight Eastern Daylight Saving Time in the USA.

I'm also having a giveaway! Leave me a comment telling me which pattern, Offset or Matrix, 

is your favorite and why for a chance to win a PDF copy of your choice. Of course I'd love it if you'd become a blog follower too.   : )   You can also follow me on Instagram @springleafstudios. 

I'll announce a winner in about a week.

Thanks for reading. I hope you feel inspired.

Post is being edited. Giveaway and sale are now over.

Follow