Dresden Bloom from Cozy Quilts design has been a bucket list quilt of mine for years. There were a lot of factors that kicked this project into gear.

First, Daniela Stout, CEO of Cozy Quilt Designs passed away last year. I started sizing up fabrics I wanted to use in this pattern. The 2024 Island Batik Ambassadors had a Desden challenge, and the collection I had in the challenge was Shadow Blooms. I started to work on this quilt while I brainstormed an original pattern for the challenge. The funny thing with sewing is that sewing helps me think about what to sew!

I purchased a copy of the pattern from Jordan Fabrics. Their paper patterns ship free, so it’s convenient to just shop that one product without saving up a wishlist to get to the free shipping threshold. Link to the pattern.

This was the quilt I designed and made for the challenge, which used half of the fabric bundle. Link to the Blog Hop Post.

Life got busy, this project stalled at joining the dresdens. Then, Donna Jordan passed away in March. A sudden, unexpected statement announced after months of quiet. That’s when this project moved up the list in priorities.

I agonized over not having access to my long arm while we had construction in the house for a few weeks, then this quilt top went straight on the frame!

I used an all over loopy meander. I couldn’t see custom quilting adding much to the already impressive design and fabrics. The wool batting from Hobbs Batting gave it a thick loft that shows off all the playful shadows in an otherwise ridgid, sharp project.

I adore this finished project, and can see myself making more Blooming Dresden quilts in the future. It comes together quicker than I had imagined, and with Donna’s Youtube tutorial the applique technique is approachable. Link to Donna Jordan’s YouTube Tutorial

This fabric collection came out last year, but was just added to Fat Quarter Shop! Make sure you grab your yardage and pre-cuts while they’re available! It has tons of potential in a wide range of designs! https://shrsl.com/4v7kc. (affiliate link)

And here is my backing of scraps from both quilts! You get a lot of border pieces left over from the Dresden Bloom pattern. If you’re using yardage instead of 2.5-inch pre-cut strips like I did, you only need to cut about half of what the pattern details.