Colonial American Flag Quilt (with free pattern)

Christmas has come and gone, which means I can (finally) share with you guys some of the quilty projects I completed last year but had to keep under wraps.

This one is probably my favorite. After the one bojillion hours I spent on it, it better be.

I have a very unique relationship with my mother in law, in that we actually like each other. Quite a bit, actually. She's amazing. She came and stayed with us for weeks after both boys were born. And not the kind of "help" like "I'll hold the baby while you clean the house and cook me dinner" kind of help, but the "let me clean the house and cook you dinner while you hold the baby" or "let me hold the baby while you take a long shower and nap" kind of help.

You know, the helpful kind.

The inspiration from this quilt came to me at the 4th of July (imagine that) while we were at my in law's house. Tammy loves red white and blue everything and has a soft spot for colonial American era stuff. Thus, this quilt was born.

It was a labor of love to say the least. It's a simple enough pattern, but it has lots and lots and LOTS of half square triangles. I worked on it from July to November. There's just only so many HSTs I can make before I had to put it away for awhile for my own sanity.

Also, what can't you do with half square triangles? So versatile.

If you're interested in making one for yourself or a gift, here is a link to my FREE pattern guide here. It's fairly basic. Make your HSTs in whatever method you choose, assemble the rows, connect the rows, and applique the stars using a zigzag stitch. I used fusible web to adhere the stars first, which I highly recommend. Then I straight line quilted the whole thing.

The amount of fabric you'll use will vary a bit because it really depends on how scrappy you want the finished product to be. A good guide would be:

• white fabric - 1/2 yd from 4 fabrics
• red fabric - 1/2 yd from 4 fabrics
• blue fabric - fat quarters from 4-6 fabrics
• 1/2 yd binding
• 1-1/2 yd backing

I used gold thread to applique the stars. I like to think that if Betsy Ross had access to gold thread in her day, she would have too. She's cool like that.

Here's Old Glory in all of its, well, glory. The little blue birds on the white fabric are probably my favorite part. They only made it in there because I totally miscounted and cut too few white ones. Whoops.

And yes, there are 13 stars and 13 stripes. It's at least that accurate.

I chose more traditional fabrics than what I typically go for since that's what Tammy gravitates towards. I was able to incorporate some vintage scraps, which I always love to do.

See that yummy crinkly effect? You get that by NOT prewashing your fabrics, but instead washing the quilt after it is complete. Always on cold water. I threw in a few Shout Color Catchers to help prevent the red fabric bleeding. Thankfully I didn't have any issue.

Hope you like it, Tammy! If not, I'm taking it back because it took freaking forever. Love you!

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