Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Carolina Lilies

I pieced the February blocks for my Carolina Lily quilt at the end of the month. This is my favorite February block.


Several years ago I pieced several Christmas quilts. Most of the fabrics were regular reds and greens but I did buy this special holly fabric.


Even though the stem sections are all the same fabric, each block has a different red fabric.

This green is a very different shade than most of the other greens but it adds a nice contrast. The two dark reds are different fabrics.

This light green is all used now. The tiny holly leaves are so cute.


I decided to just keep on piecing and pieced the March blocks. I made a change in the foundation paperpiecing process. I had been piecing a complete block at a time. This time I decided to piece all of the bottom stem sections then piece the lilies.


Just the left side of these blocks are trimmed. 

This is my favorite of the March blocks. I fussy cut the red fabric so the stars would show. There was just enough fabric of this red for one block.

Some of the blocks don't have the same green in them, like the above block. I'm trying to use up greens in my stash, that bottom triangle is the largest piece, sometimes a substitute is needed. These three blocks all have a substitute bottom triangle fabric. A couple of them even have a substitute stem fabric. I tried to substitute a similar shade of fabric.


This green is a different shade of green from the picture with the 5 lilies (photo below this one).


There was plenty of this fabric but I only made 5 blocks with this one.


Here are the 30 blocks on the display wall.

I haven't purchased special fabrics to use in this quilt, I already have plenty of green and red fabrics. I want to piece 100 or or maybe 110 6" blocks this year, it depends on how large I want the finished quilt to be. I'll make the final decision when 100 blocks are reached.

I also have to decide how I want to set these blocks. I like the setting on the original pattern but I also like how Sue set the blocks in her quilt. Here is a link to Sue's YouTube video #11 where she shows her red & white quilts and her red & green quilts.

I can picture this quilt hanging from the rafters in my home, she'll be on long time display, not just the Christmas season.

Linking to To Do Tuesday, Wednesday Wait Loss, Needle & Thread Thursday, Put Your Foot Down, I Quilted This!, TGIFF!, Finished or Not Friday, Off the Wall Friday, Beauty Pageant, Patchwork & Quilts, Oh Scrap


14 comments:

Podunk Pretties said...

I've seen Sue's quilt using this pattern it's amazing. Would you also use the same border as on her quilt? I had this pattern for years, lost inerest in it and gave it away. After seeing Sue's quilt last year I realized I made a big mistake. I'm looking forward to seeing your quilt come to life, it's going to be stunning!

Gretchen Weaver said...

I probably won't use Sue's checkerboard border design. I'm visualizing something else but I need to get the lily blocks pieced first then decide on the border. The pattern is still available if you interested again, just follow the link.

Michele McLaughlin said...

Gorgeous! I love your fabric choices!!!

Julierose said...

Gosh these blocks are just gorgeous!! I love all the different greens and how some of the blocks fade out--nice idea. I also watch Sue's Sunday videos...nice work on these;))) hugs, Julierose

Linda at Texas Quilt Gal said...

Your blocks are gorgeous!! I love every single one, especially that pretty holly fabric and the different reds and the fussy cut stars. I looked at Sue's video, but with her setting, my eyes are only drawn to the bottom stem sections. I had to look closely for the lilies - they are overshadowed by the bases IMO.

T Holzer said...

Your variety of fabrics give these blocks beautiful sparkle and interest. Wonderful job, Gretchen.

Gretchen Weaver said...

I'll keep that in mind, I definitely want the lilies to show after all of this work!

Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting said...

Wow, Gretchen! This quilt is looking beautiful. I love the variety of fabrics that you are using. It is hard to choose a favorite block.

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

Oh my goodness these are so pretty! Love them. Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2026/03/18/wednesday-wait-loss-476

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting said...

Super cute block! Seeing 30 together on the design wall has quite the impact. !00 is going to be wowzers!

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

That's a whole lot of little blocks but I can sure see the attraction to make them all! Enjoy!

Sandra said...

I haven't spent a lot of time with paper piecing. Maybe it gets easier if you keep at it? I find it difficult. Your Carolina Lily quilt blocks are looking so great. I love the different fabric combinations. This quilt will look wonderful displayed in your home when it is all finished.

Gretchen Weaver said...

Learning to foundation paper piece can be challenging and you definitely don't want to start with this pattern. Once you learn the technique though, it does become a lot easier. I wouldn't even attempt to make these blocks if I couldn't FPP them.

Carol Andrews said...

Gretchen your Carolina Lily blocks are all beautiful. They are going to make a beautiful quilt. I’m looking forward to seeing your border since you want to do something other than the one in the pattern. Thank you for sharing on To Do Tuesday. 😁 Carol
https://quiltschmilt.ca/2026/03/16/sunday-summary-240/