When Fat Quarter Shop contacted me about quilting along with their newest shortcut quilt pattern, I immediately decided I wanted to make the quilt out of Carolyn Friedlander‘s newest fabric line Doe. Thus the seed was planted that grew into the Doe Layers of Charm Quilt.
Remember this sneak peek?
Well, here it is!
Layers of Charm
Layers of Charm is Fat Quarter Shop’s newest Short Cut Quilt pattern, complete with a free downloadable pdf and video. The pattern uses a layer cake and charm square pack, so I used a Doe layer cake (with two cameos by Botanics) and the coordinating Kona cotton solids charm pack. When I started this quilt, Doe wasn’t yet available in the US so Robert Kaufman Fabrics was kind enough to send me what I needed in advance (Thank you!). The part of the process that took the longest was deciding on a layout that I liked. I ultimately decided on one that I feel embodies the Doe fabric line well, with the focus on low volumes and amazing texture, with just a pop of color. Piecing the 57 1/2″ x 57 1/2″ lap sized top took me only 6 hours (and I’m a meticulous, seam-ripping-until-perfect kind of sewist).
For the back, I chose to sew one row from Carolyn’s Catenary pattern on an Architextures Ledger backing. The Catenary was my first time attempting needle-turn applique, and even with a time crunch, I truly savored each stitch! All three of Carolyn’s fabric lines are represented in this quilt, and I absolutely love it.
I decided to use a combination of straight-line quilting and free motion quilting, all of which I did on my domestic Bernina sewing machine.

When inquiring about a coordinating Doe Aurifil thread set, Alex Veronelli from Aurifil said that there was not yet such a set, but offered to send me coordinating threads of my choice (Thank you, Alex & Aurifil!). I chose:
- 2783 – medium delft blue
- 1320 – medium teal
- 2850 – medium juniper
- 1154 – dusty orange
- 5022 – mustard
- 2021 – white
- 2026 – chalk
- 2310 – light beige
- 2600 – dove
- 1246 – grey
Look at them shine (and comment below for a chance to win small spools of all these colors)!
My chosen quilting pattern left a TON of thread ends to bury (3 hours worth!) but I’m really happy with the outcome. Changing threads to coordinate with each section of the quilt really helps emphasize the varied values and textures in Carolyn’s Doe line. The Layers of Charm pattern is a great pattern that lets the fabric do the talking.
My family helped me photograph the completed quilt during one of our recent blizzards (there seems to be one every few days). We had a little bit too much fun, as you can see.
Quilt Stats
Pattern: Layers of Charm free Shortcut Quilt pattern by Fat Quarter Shop. (instructional video here)
Size: lap sized: 57 1/2″ x 57 1/2″ (pattern includes table runner, crib, lap, queen, and king sizes)
Fabric (all by Carolyn Friedlander for Robert Kaufman Fabrics):
Front: layer cake of Doe with two squares from Botanics, charm square pack of Doe coordinating Kona cottons.
Back: Architextures Ledger in Grey with Catenary pattern in Doe Droplet in Carrot on Kona Med Grey and Architextures crosshatch in Niagara
Binding: Architextures crosshatch in Navy with an accent of Poppy
Batting: 100% cotton Soft n’ Crafty batting
Thread: Aurifil 50wt in coordinating colors: 2783 – medium delft blue, 1320 – medium teal, 2850 – medium juniper, 1154 – dusty orange, 5022 – mustard, 2021 – white, 2026 – chalk, 2310 – light beige, 2600 – dove, and 1246 – grey
Time:
Piecing the top: 6 hours
Piecing the back: 4 hours
Squaring, layering, and basting: 45 min
Quilting: 7 hrs 45 min
Finishing (thread burying): 3 hours
Binding: 1 hr 30 min
Total: Approx. 23 hours
While I always seem to take the long road, this quilt could easily be whipped up in a weekend (or a day, if you’re quick). I am already thinking of making a baby-sized version with all black and white (heavy on the black) 10-squares and a bright pop of color solid charm pack.
Now, for a giveaway!
To celebrate the launch of the Layers of Charm pattern, I’m hosting a giveaway. One lucky winner will win a layer cake (ten-square) of Doe by Carolyn Friedlander (thanks to the Fat Quarter Shop) and a set of small spools of coordinating Aurifil threads* (thanks to Aurifil). You can enter by leaving two comments:
- What would you make with your winnings?
- If you follow me, Night Quilter, let me know how–or visit my right toolbar to follow me if you don’t already, then tell me how! (e-mail, WordPress, Bloglovin’, Instagram, Twitter, Craftsy)
The giveaway will be open until Monday, February 16th 12noon EST. I’ll select one winner randomly from the comments below. Good luck!
*Note: The coordinating Aurifil thread set is not an “official” Doe coordinating set. I personally chose ten colors that I feel compliment and coordinate with the Doe fabric line.
After entering the giveaway, head over to the Fat Quarter Shop’s blog the Jolly Jabber to see the other version of this quilt in the blog hop. Meanwhile, we’ll be snuggling in this lovely Doe quilt.












Ohhhh, I love your version! Especially all the extra work you did on the back! Well done. 😀
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You rock, Kitty! I love these fabrics with this pattern. Beautiful choices!! And your attention to detail is inspiring. Seriously, from firsthand experience, I can say that looking at the back of a Kitty Willin quilt is like looking at a masterpiece. You should start taking pictures of your unfinished backs of your tops. Xoxo
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This pattern is so cute for a layer cake I have. It would make a cute little girl quilt. Matsche.christine@yahoo.com
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I love how you’ve framed the centre – beautiful interpretation of this quilt – gorgeous snow photos!
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It is so beautiful! I wish I had that to look at outside my snowy landscape too. Nicely done.
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Awesome finish, Kitty! It looks fantastic – I would love to give the Doe layer cake a spin with this pattern, too. Your photography out in the snow is amazing. I love all the statistics for how long it took you to put the quilt together, too.
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I follow your blog via Bloglovin.
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What a beautiful quilt! I love the quilting you did on it and it’s so simple but elegant especially with those fabrics! I’m thinking I should get to it finishing a couple of my UFOs to capitalize on this beautiful white snow. I’m so tired of shoveling it but at least it’s good for one thing: quilt photos!!!
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I am in love with Doe. With the prize I’d probably use one of Carolyn’s paper piecing patterns- maybe Outhouse- to really highlight the lines of the designs!
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I follow you via WordPress reader.
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I love how you arranged the values in this quilt! I follow with bloglovin.
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Hmmm. I love how manly a lot of these fabrics are. I would have to make something very geometric. Would have to let the fabric speak to me.
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This is absolutely gorgeous! I follow you on WordPress and Twitter. I would make a quilt for a good friend of mine who loves more linear/geometric patterns. And the thread would go to good use in more than one project!
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I love what you did with the pattern!! The back is GORGEOUS. Gorgeous. So excited to finally see it 🙂
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Just gorgeous, Kitty, AND you totally win the snow shoot! I wish I’d had mine ready to photo when the boughs were all heavy with it the other day : )
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I love your quilt! And I love the photography! I would definitely make this same quilt. Great pattern.
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This is Stunning! I love how you used the different colors in the corners. It gives the quilt so much more depth. I would never have chosen this line for this pattern, but seeing it here I LOVE it! I am super inspired!
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If I were to win these lovely sets I would be making a quilt with them. Perhaps this exact quilt. lol.
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Love your choice of fabric for this quilt. I would have a hard time cutting into that Layercake right away. I might have to pet it for a bit. Thanks!
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This looks amazing! I would probably make another Layers of Charm quilt. It was so easy and it looks great!
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I follow you on Bloglovin and Instagram!
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I love everything about this quilt! One of the best in the hop. I would probably make my own version of this quilt with that charm pack. Thanks so much for sharing!
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I now follow your blog via Feedly. Thanks again for the inspiration!
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This is beautiful! I just purchased the Doe layer cake and the coordinating solid jelly roll from FQS and am trying to decide how to layout. I’m really tempted to try something similar with 2″ block layout instead of the charm square blocks. I want to get something I want to live with for a long while because I just adore the color and texture of Doe.
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I love how the quilt looks when photographed outside. Amazing! Very creative design on the back too!
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I love your vrsion of this quilt – my favourite so far!
I’d make this pattern if I was lucky enough to win
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Following you with wordpress
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I love the pops of color in this quilt, and the back is amazing! I would love to make a quilt with the layer cake, not sure which pattern though…something geometric!
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I LOVE your quilt. I would make one of these Layers of Charm quilts! Thanks!
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I follow you on Bloglovin. Thanks!
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I’ve been clicking through the others and yours really really stands out, so fresh!
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Love your quilt. Really enjoy these blog hops-so fun to see how different people use the same pattern!
I’d make a lap quilt for sure!
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I follow you on bloglovin!
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I like that you include how many hours it all took- very informative! I think I may even try this pattern if I had a good layer cake- I love how your charms of blue pop on the low volume background!
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I follow you on Instagram and blog lovin’!
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usually i’m one of those people who like to do my own thing, but I LOVE your rendition so much I would want to use the fabric with this pattern. I could see a lot of good playing with this pattern.
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I love that super easy pattern, as well as what you did on the back. Looks so sweet to see your lovely children ass snuggled up in it. i have a great idea already with different color fabric. I have followed you on IG now following your blog as well. Thank you for the giveaway and have a super day.
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Thank you for sharing how long each step took! I too seem to always take the long road 🙂 I have been lusting after Doe and would use it to make a wonderful modern quilt of some sort 🙂
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I’m now following on IG!
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love what you did with the pattern! I might copy what you did or i’ve been wanting to try a disappearing 9 block. Might be cool in a larger size.
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I follow you on instagram!
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Wow, was just reading your blog again and realized you were on Craftsy as well. I have to head over to my Craftsy account and check you out. Thanks, I am truly excited about this easy pattern, I am thinking dark background with light squares. Would make a great pattern for the Christmas Holiday too.
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I think your quilt is stunning and would probably copy what you did!
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I am following via e-mail!
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Love the detail on the back and would love to make a quilt using that pattern!
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Oh and I follow you via WordPress!
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You did an absolutely beautiful job on the fabric selections! I love love love love love this and really don’t even know what else to say other than I absolutely LOVE this quilt. I wish I could be this creative!
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This is stunning!! (And can you also send some of that snow my way??)
I would want to make a quilt for my oldest son with the Doe and thread set. I would probably use this pattern! I follow you on Instagram.
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Gorgeous quilt and I love the back! I follow you on Instagram.
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I think I would make a layer cake lemonade quilt for a friend’s new baby 🙂 thanks for the giveaway!
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I follow you on Instagram 😉
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