Are you looking for an easy quilt to make this summer that uses a lot of different fabrics or maybe a bundle you’ve been hanging onto for just the right pattern? The Busy Bee quilt could just be what you’re wanting!

Quilt Backstory

This new pattern release is not really a new pattern on this blog. Formally released as Honeybee Cottage in just one project size, I’m rereleasing the pattern with a new name, look, and three project sizes for the same price as the original pattern!

Above is the original Honeybee Cottage quilt designed, made, and quilted by me (before I was an AGF fabric designer) in Art Gallery Fabrics Pure Solids and Bonnie Christine’s Sweet as Honey fabric collection. This pattern was for a 64-1/2’’ square quilt. The pattern revision has changed the original quilt size to a 64-1/2’’ x 74-1/2’’ quilt— that’s better sized for a twin bed.

Cover Quilt

This very traditional looking quilt design is really just a vehicle and excuse to play with your stash of fabrics! I made sure the pattern is fat quarter and 1/2 yard bundle-friendly so if you like the looks of a 10-piece bundle then it’s sure to look good in this quilt. The driver behind remaking this quilt came from my Art Gallery Fabrics Designer’s Palette 1/2 yard bundle of 10 prints (above)—all I need to add for the top was the Four Leaf - Glow print from my Willow collection as the background fabric and AGF Decostitch Golden Earth for the center squares in the blocks and I had the perfect pattern to show off this group of fabrics.

The Designer’s Palette bundles can be purchased from your favorite quilt shops that carry AGF fabrics and you can source the other prints used in my sample OR you can purchase the Busy Bee Designer’s Palette kit from Lady Belle Fabrics.

I did the free motion quilting on this cover sample and used Hobbs Tuscany Supreme 100% Unbleached Cotton inside for the perfect summer to fall weight.

I love to select a backing print that can give a quilt two looks—patchwork front and whole cloth back, I used the Cut Flowers - Fortune print from my Kismet collection for Art Gallery Fabrics.

Second Busy Bee Quilt

Because the cover sample was so much fun to make, I was eager make a second quilt but this time, mix prints from several of my latest fabric collections. I stitched up the 44-1/2’’ x 54-1/2’’ crib/throw version as a second quilt sample and used prints from Willow, Shine On, Booking, and AGF Fusions collections Serenity and Rosewood.

I do love this soft color palette and much as I love the fall-inspired cover quilt version. This large crib/throw quilt was perfect excuse to go for a cottage-look—especially with using my Delicate Balance print as the background. The binding is the same Delicate Balance print but with a light blue ground.

For the backing, I used Rosewater Ballet from my Willow collection to complete the romantic mood of this quilt and pull all the colors together. You can get this same look by purchasing the Busy Bee Cottage Garden kit from Lady Belle Fabric! Brooke at Lady Belle Fabric has kitted this look in both the crib/throw size like I made for my sample as well as a twin-size quilt kit—got to love options!

The free motion quilting on this sample was done by me and I used Hobbs Tuscany Silk blend batting inside for a light-weight, heavenly drape.

Tester Showcase

A quilt pattern release wouldn’t be complete without showing off the quilts that my testers made! I know you love this part as much as I do and it offers a chance to see the same quilt in a variety of fabrics, colors, and looks. Enjoy the virtual quilt show and let it inspire you to create your own either from the additional kits offered or just to see the quilt sizes shown different ways. I only made two of the three sizes but there’s also a table runner project size in the pattern and after seeing the runners a few of the testers made, I now want to make a runner as well!

Terri Neil chose prints from the Art Gallery Fabrics Season & Spice collection to create a crib/throw quilt that looks right at home as a summer quilt as it will be snuggled by a fire this fall—especially since she backed it with Shannon Fabrics Cuddle. Be sure to follow Terri on Instagram @quiltingrubies where you’ll see more examples of the long arm service she provides quilting beautiful quilts for her customers. Be sure to visit her website as well at Quilting Rubies.

Elaine Satterfield of Create Joy Quilt on Instagram has an eye for color and her style always shines through on everything she creates when testing a quilt or making items for her Etsy shop. Elaine made the crib/throw size and beautifully straight-line stitched it on her sewing machine, backing the quilt with Shannon Fabrics Minky. The look is nothing but perfection!

Be still my pink and peach loving heart, Victoria of Midlife Quilter does it again and creates the perfect bundle for her crib/throw quilt! That addition of two size scale check prints adds a sweet home country-vibe to the quilt. You can purchase this kit from Victoria’s shop with the link below. Be sure to follow @midlife_quilter on Instagram and see all the lovely fabric and notions she has to offer.

This is Leah Parker Bruski of @lapinsta on Instagram’s debut test quilt for me after joining our group this spring. It’s been fun getting to know Leah through her quilts and I love the fresh take she has added to my group of testers with going all AGF Pure Solids in her bundle selection and pulling the colors from the small floral AGF print. The fabrics were purchased from Jen Cannon of Piper Autumn Fabrics and you can purchase this kit in either the twin size like Leah made or in a crib/throw size.

I’m always excited to see what Mary Gove will create! I have this Busy Bee runner now on my make list and love it so much in my Art Gallery Fabrics Shine On prints—it’s the perfect summer runner! For more marvelous and inspiring makes by Mary, follow her on Instagram as the @thecurlyquilter.

Leah Parker Bruski made two Busy Bee quilts! Here’s the runner she made with a mix of Art Gallery Fabrics collection and the Painted Prairie - Cornucopia print from my Spirited collection as the background—so good! The straight line quilting was a great way to finish this runner. See more of Leah’s quilting journey on Instagram by following her @lapinsta feed.

Each of the Tester showcase graphics show off the personalities of each maker but none better than what Marija’s color and print selections say about her nature-loving heart. Marija chose a limited palette of greens and gold from my Willow collection for AGF and made a runner. The lovely diagonal line quilting is the perfect contrast to all the floral prints in the runner. Be sure to follow this talented lady on Instagram Marija Vujcic and on her blog at Mara Quilt Designs as she plans to be publishing her own quilt patterns soon and they will surely be amazing!

Joyce Ulm used a dark AGF Pure Solid for the background of her twin-size quilt and it really makes the prints and colors pop and gives the quilt a modern look opposed to the light background quilts. There’s a mix of Kismet and Maureen Cracknell Homebody prints along with additional solids for a lovely fall palette. You can see more of Joyce’s work on Instagram @evamaecustomquilts, Etsy shop, and on her Facebook blog HERE, and takes custom orders for long arm quilting.

This table runner by Tracey Taber-Perry is perfect for your summer table—you’ll feel like you’re on vacation every day! Tracey used prints from Katarina Roccella’s new Capris collection for AGF. She also used leftover scraps to create the cutest coasters to match! Here’s a tutorial from Quilt Piecer for Fold and Turn Coasters like what Tracey made—I’ve got to try these! To see more of Tracey’s beautiful work and you can follow her feed @ttabes80 on Instagram.

Jen Cannon is the shop owner of Piper Autumn Fabrics and has an eye for putting colors together. This analogous color palette of warm jewel tones is pure joy! Jen has bundled this mix of Art Gallery Fabrics and kitted the Busy Bee quilt for two sizes—the crib/throw shown here and as a twin size. Use the link below to view the options on in her shop. Don’t forget to visit Jen on Instagram @piperautumnfabrics.

This scrumptious crib/throw quilt was made by Christine Trotta of Serendipity In Love Quilting. Christine went bold with this expertly curated fabric pull of pink, salmon, peach, caramel, and raspberry prints mostly from different AGF collections by Maureen Cracknell. Visit Christine’s Serendipity in Love shop and follow her on her Blog as well as her Instagram account @serendipityinlovequilting.

To finish up our Busy Bee Tester Showcase we have a summer-fresh, gorgeous crib/throw quilt by Brittany Tunison of White Plains Quilts. Brittany used a variety of Art Gallery Fabrics prints to create this sweet palette of honey, sprout green, peach, and cream—her make really fits the Busy Bee quilt name and looks ready for summer adventures or quiet time just reading a book curled up in your favorite chair. To see more of her work, find Brittany on Instagram @brittanytunison and see her quilt patterns and posts on her blog HERE.

Are you inspired to create your own Busy Bee quilt or runner? Maybe you have some fabric bundles you were wondering what to do with or maybe you’d like something fresh to work with for your summer sewing and plan to order one of the kits available—either way, this is a fun quilt to make! Click the link below to purchase the pattern from my shop and start planning your quilt today!

Be sure to follow my on Instagram @sharonhollanddesigns for daily postings and fabric updates!

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