If you’ve been on Instagram lately, you may have noticed the informal quilt along for the lovely Marcelle Medallion quilt pattern which can be found in Alexia Abegg’s new book, Liberty Love. I didn’t join in, since I am abysmal at following patterns, but each time I saw anyone get to the 7th border, which in Alexia’s quilt is made up of brightly colored plusses set in a background of low volume prints, I fell a little bit more in love.

I kept thinking how a quilt made up entirely of the plusses would be kind of fun, so I went searching for all my quieter, low volume prints.

I made my plus blocks a bit larger than those shown in the pattern, and kept sewing until I had enough for a nice sized throw. I added in more of the low volume prints between each plus block (as in Alexia’s border) and then sewed them together in rows, alternating the placement. There’s a narrow row of random patchwork low volume prints between each row to give a little more space between the bright plus blocks.

And I must say, I’m quite smitten! I got to use lots of favorite prints, including many that have been in my stash for years, and even a little Liberty (it only seemed right!) I’ve ordered up some backing fabric and very much look forward to getting this one quilted!

I had a few questions recently about low volume prints, so I thought I’d share a partial list of those I used here. I’m not sure if there’s a formal definition of low volume prints, but as far as I can tell, these are quieter fabrics that can read as a neutral, especially when paired with a vibrant print. Often these are light colored prints on a white/cream background, but I’ve also included those with very pale backgrounds (light gray, pastels, etc.). Here are some favorites –

-Many prints from Carolyn Friedlander’s Architextures
-Many prints by Aneela Hoey, especially those from her Sew Stitchy line, but I also used a few from the older A Walk in the Woods line, and also some from her new Posy line
-Prints by Lizzy House, especially those new pale pearl bracelets, and also her lighter Jewel prints. I also used the Twinkle Stars in White from her latest Constellations line
-Stripes – Lecien makes some lighter ones, and I also used a couple from the Dear Stella Ostara line
-prints by Megumi Sakakibara
-Riley Blake prints – not sure of specific lines, but seems I used several prints from this manufacturer. (I especially like the light blue/green and the light gray herringbone prints)

Oh, and Westwood Acres occasionally puts together great low volume bundles (they recently sold out of their most recent bundle, but I expect more will be coming, so you might want to check back!)

While this is certainly not a complete list, it’s a start, and I hope it helps those of you who might want to start, or add to, your stash of low volume prints!