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.












Oh my… what to make with that lovely Doe fabric? I really can’t decide… but I think it would look awesome in something improv-y!
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I love this quilt and all things Doe!
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I would like to make a quilt just like yours for one of my grandsons.
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I am following with bloglovin.
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Wow, Kitty! Your quilt of this pattern is my favorite so far. It has such impact and your photos really let it shine. I already know that I want to make this pattern – originally thinking with a Flirt layer cake that I have on hand but if I were to win this fabric, I think I’d make this same quilt! Also, I follow you on instagram.
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The Doe fabrics are so pretty in your quilt. If I didn’t make a quilt with them, I would probably make some totes or pouches.
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I love your quilt! If I won I would use the layer cake in a quilt for our bed.
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Love you quilt just might make that
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Follow by email
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If I win the Doe layer cake I would absolutely make the pattern. It shows off the fabric and is the perfect collection to have the whole family use. Your quilt is wonderful!
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It’s so fun seeing everyone’s take on this quilt. Love how you mixed up all the prints. And lucky you to get all the freebies to make it 😉
I’d make a quilt with the layercake and threads, of course!
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I follow you on IG, for sure!
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At the risk of being a copy cat, I would make The Layers of Charm quilt. Your quilt is simply stunning!
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I follow you on Bloglovin.
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I started following you thru my Bloglovin, then signed up thru email and Twitter! I would totally make that quilt. It is B e a u t i f u l !!!! Thank you for sharing it and allowing me a chance to win!!
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I would make a quilt for sure just don’t really know what pattern. Yours turned out wonderful.
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I follow you on BL.
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I now follow you on Bloglovin
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I’d definitely make this pattern!
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This is gorgeous–my favorite version of this pattern so far! I’ve been wondering what to do with Doe and I LOVE this. Kicking myself for not buying the set of charm squares I saw just two hours ago at the fabric store.
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I follow you on bloglovin
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I follow on Bloglovin’.
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I’ll make a quilt, as that’s my thing.
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I follow via email.
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Your quilt is just fantastic! I would love to make a Layers of Charm Quilt with the winnings.
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I’d love to make a quilt with this!
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Other than “make a quilt” I’m not sure.
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I would make the same quilt because I think it is absolutely stunning.
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Your quilt is just gorgeous – I would want to make one just like it – I love how the colours shine through!
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I follow you on Instagram 🙂
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I would have to make a quilt….your’s is so cute.
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I follow via email and bloglovin. I would definately make a quilt. I am newer at quilting but would love to try the pattern you made. Do you think I could do it? Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!!!! sonjasmith76@yahoo.com
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I would have to make a quilt just like yours. The gray and white squares in the center look terrific. Thank you for the tutorials and the giveaway.
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I follow via email.
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I need to make a quilt for each of the women in our family this year, so I could sure use this packet! Thanks for the chance to win!
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I already follow you on Bloglovin’. Thanks for the chance to win!
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It’s absolutely amazing and so beautiful!!!!
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I think I would be a copy cat and try to replicate your quilt.
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I would make a scrappy quilt.
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I would love to make a twin size quilt for either use in our main room or in our sons’ room. I think Doe has a great gender neutral appeal that makes it perfect EVERYWHERE! Your quilt is stunning, Kitty. Absolutely stunning.
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I thought I was a follower, but I wasn’t. I am now! On bloglovin 🙂
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Following on bloglovin’.
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Love the quilt! I would love to use some “doe” in a quilt for my son (he loves to cuddle too!!) mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com
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Following on bloglovin!
mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com
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Your version of the Layers of Charm quilt takes it to the next level and beyond! This is a good beginners pattern, but you took your expertise and made it special. I would use the Doe layer cake with a black charm pack and do my best to make one like yours. Thanks for the chance to win! jacklynnsteven at netzero dot com
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I am a new follower on Bloglovin’. jacklynnsteven at netzero dot com
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Hi and thanks for the chance to win. I’m fairly new to quilting and will try a lap quilt for my mom. I follow you on Instagram. mlhummy at yahoo dot com
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I would make the shortcut quilt for my son and I follow on Instagram.
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Your quilt is beautiful! I would make a quilt.
Thanks for sharing.
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Your quilt turned out beautiful! And what an amazing picture in the snowy tree! I’d likely use the fabric for doll making. Thanks for the chance!
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