Welcome back to our Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Crosses Sew Along!
This month we're exploring Bundle #2 and taking a deeper look at how different fabrics can work together through color, motif, and thoughtful focus cutting.
One of the biggest lessons I want to teach you is to look beyond the obvious. When I found this Year of the Snake print, I could see it was full of possibilities. The dragons are the most obvious motif, but the firecrackers, lanterns, clouds, and foliage all offer exciting possibilities for focus cutting. As always, I recommend starting with the motif that excites you most and building your blocks from there.
This month's fabrics also highlight the importance of color. While the prints range from large-scale dragons to tiny florals and geometric designs, they all share similar shades of navy, pink, gold, and green. These repeating colors help create a cohesive quilt, even when the fabrics themselves are very different.
We'll also explore anchor points, mirror images, and directional prints. Learning how to consistently position your templates allows motifs to flow across a block and create beautiful kaleidoscope effects. Don't worry if it feels overwhelming at first, as these skills become easier with practice.
Most importantly, remember that there is no single "right" way to focus cut. Every quilter will notice different motifs and create different effects, which is part of what makes a Lucy Boston quilt so special.
Watch the video below for a complete walkthrough of Bundle #2, and then start cutting, experimenting, and making the blocks your own. I'll see you next month with Bundle #3!
Happy stitching,
Melinda
Helpful Links
- Watch our entire English Paper Piecing Playlist
- Get Melinda's Curated Lucy Boston Block of the Month Fabric Kit
- Shop Melinda's Preferred Tools for Lucy Boston / Patchwork of the Crosses
- Download the Lucy Boston Block Pattern
- Paper Pieces – Honeycombs
- Sewline Glue Pen & Refills
- 80wt Aurifil Thread
- Straw / Milliner's Needles
- Wonder Clips
👉 Visit The Cotton Patch in Lafayette, California to explore our selection of quilting fabrics, notions, and English Paper Piecing supplies. We'd love to help you find everything you need for your next project!