Windham Fabrics Curiosities - Downloadable PDF

Curiosities Quilt Pattern by Wendy Sheppard for Windham Fabrics

The Curiosities quilt pattern is a free downloadable PDF designed by Wendy Sheppard and published by Windham Fabrics. It features the Curio fabric collection by Betsy Olmsted and produces a finished quilt top measuring 55-1/2" x 66-1/2", making it a generously sized lap quilt or throw. Rated at an intermediate difficulty level, this pattern is well suited to quilters who are comfortable with precise cutting, block organization, and a variety of piecing techniques.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a quilted blanket or throw featuring a structured, block-based layout. The design incorporates multiple distinct block types arranged to create a visually layered and cohesive quilt top. The pattern makes thoughtful use of the Curio fabric collection's detailed prints, including terrarium-themed motifs that are intentionally showcased through fussy cutting. The result is a decorative yet functional throw with a charming, curiosity-cabinet aesthetic that reflects the nature-inspired character of the Curio line.

Block Types and Design Elements

The Curiosities pattern is built around several distinct block constructions, each requiring careful cutting and labeling before assembly begins. The pattern itself emphasizes the importance of marking and storing cut pieces according to their assigned block to streamline the piecing process.

• Dog-Ear Rectangular Blocks: These blocks are cut from 10-1/2" x 14-1/2" rectangles and feature the signature "dog-ear" corner treatment — a classic quilting technique where corners are trimmed or sewn at an angle to create a pointed or clipped edge. This adds visual interest and movement to the block layout.
• Framed Blocks: These blocks are constructed around a fussy-cut center rectangle measuring 4-1/2" x 7-1/2". The fussy cutting is used specifically to center the terrarium designs from the Curio fabric collection, ensuring the decorative motifs are prominently and intentionally displayed within each framed block. Framed blocks typically involve adding strips or borders around a central focal piece, drawing the eye inward toward the featured print.
• Outer Border: The quilt is finished with an outer border constructed from 4"-wide strips cut across the width of fabric (WOF). These strips are pieced together and subcut to the required lengths to frame the entire quilt top, providing a clean and structured finish.

Quilting Techniques Used

This pattern brings together several well-established quilting techniques that make it an excellent project for intermediate quilters looking to expand their skills:

• Fussy cutting — deliberately cutting fabric so that a specific motif or design element is centered within a patch, as used in the Framed Blocks to highlight the terrarium prints from Curio by Betsy Olmsted.
• Dog-ear trimming — a technique used to shape block corners at an angle, reducing bulk and adding a distinctive geometric detail to the rectangular blocks.
• Strip piecing and subcutting — strips are cut across the width of fabric and then subcut into the required dimensions, a common and efficient quilting method used throughout the cutting process.
• Strip piecing for borders — border strips are pieced end-to-end and then trimmed to the precise lengths needed to border the quilt top evenly.
• Block organization and labeling — the pattern places particular emphasis on sorting and storing cut pieces by block assignment before sewing begins, a best-practice technique that helps intermediate quilters manage complex layouts accurately.

Stitches and Sewing Methods

As a quilting pattern, Curiosities relies on standard straight-stitch machine sewing throughout the piecing process. Accurate 1/4" seam allowances are essential in quilting to ensure blocks and borders align correctly and the finished quilt top lies flat. Pressing seams carefully at each stage is also a standard part of the quilting process and helps achieve crisp, precise block construction.

Materials: Fabric and Notions

The pattern is designed specifically to feature Curio by Betsy Olmsted, a Windham