Windham Fabrics Papa's Choice - Downloadable PDF

Papa's Choice Quilt Pattern by Char Hopeman and The Cotton Cottage Press for Windham Fabrics

Papa's Choice is a free, downloadable PDF quilting pattern designed by Char Hopeman of The Cotton Cottage Press, published by Windham Fabrics. The finished project is a generously sized quilt top measuring 64" x 80", making it an ideal blanket or throw for everyday use or as a thoughtful handmade gift. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, meaning it is best suited to quilters who are comfortable with precise cutting, working with multiple fabric pieces, and assembling more complex quilt blocks.

About the Design

The Papa's Choice quilt is a classic patchwork design that combines geometric piecing with a warm, traditional color palette. The pattern features a rich combination of Ruby, Ivory, Brown, Sage, and Topaz tones, achieved through the use of eight carefully selected fabrics from the General Store collection by Nancy Gere for Windham Fabrics. The interplay of these earthy, heritage-inspired hues gives the finished quilt a timeless, cozy aesthetic reminiscent of traditional American quilting.

What Is Being Made

• A single patchwork quilt top measuring 64 inches by 80 inches
• Designed as a blanket or throw, suitable for use on a bed, sofa, or as a lap quilt
• The pattern covers construction of the quilt top and includes instructions for binding

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level pattern employs several foundational and slightly advanced quilting techniques that will help quilters build and refine their skills:

• Half Square Triangles (HST): Squares are cut once on the diagonal to create right-angle triangle units. These are among the most versatile building blocks in quilting and appear frequently throughout this design. Accurate cutting and a consistent seam allowance are essential for crisp, well-matched points.
• Quarter Square Triangles (QST): Larger squares are cut twice on the diagonal, yielding four triangles per square. QSTs are used to create hourglass-style units or to add dynamic diagonal movement within quilt blocks.
• Precise rotary cutting: The pattern requires cutting strips across the width of fabric (WOF) and then subcutting those strips into squares and rectangles of multiple sizes, demanding careful measurement and consistent technique.
• Strip piecing and subcut assembly: Multiple strip widths are cut from the width of fabric and then subcut into smaller units, a time-saving and accuracy-promoting method common in intermediate quilting.
• Binding application: The pattern includes cutting instructions for eight 2-1/4" x WOF binding strips, guiding quilters through finishing the quilt edges with a traditional double-fold binding.

Stitches and Construction Methods

• Standard quarter-inch (1/4") seam allowance piecing, as is conventional in patchwork quilting
• Straight-stitch sewing on a domestic sewing machine for joining all patchwork units and blocks
• Diagonal cutting techniques for both HST and QST units, requiring straight, accurate cuts with a rotary cutter and quilting ruler

Fabric and Materials

The pattern is specifically designed to be made using fabrics from the General Store collection by Nancy Gere for Windham Fabrics. Eight distinct fabrics are used, each identified by a specific SKU number, colorway, and yardage requirement:

• Fabric A – SKU 51454–2, Ruby – 1/2 yard
• Fabric B – SKU 51455-6, Ivory – 2/3 yard
• Fabric C – SKU 51456-1, Brown – 3/8 yard
• Fabric D – SKU 51456–2, Ruby