Castro Quilt Pattern Launch
Introducing the Castro Quilt
This quilt was designed with the essence of the Castro District in San Francisco in mind. The Castro District has long been a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community and is rich with the history of activism. I created this design keeping these images in the forefront of my mind: the large waving Pride Flag on the corners of Castro and Market, the energized and vibrant aesthetic of the surrounding buildings and shops, the skinny rainbow stripes that line the cross walks, and the palpable feeling of freedom, acceptance and knowledge that everyone belongs in this space. The ripples of the ribbons in this quilt directly symbolize the energy that is abuzz in this neighborhood and offer a lovely visual and tactile texture that can bring comfort and beauty to whatever space it occupies.
Vibrant. Joyous. Innovative.
This pattern is rated at a beginner level and incorporates a three dimensional element in the ribbon waves that go across the quilt. The pattern is traditionally pieced and is block based. Pattern includes four sizes: Baby, Throw, Twin, and Bed. Blocks can even be incorporated into panels for a pillowcase or a Hella Big Tote.
Cover sample uses Ruby Star Society Speckled fabrics in Confetti, Poinsettia, Clementine, Citron, Emerald Green, Succulent, Blue Ribbon, and Witchy.
Pattern Tester Versions
Kaitlin (IG: @quarterlifeleap) took a bold approach to the rainbow gradient and tossed in some black and white background pieces. She really accentuated the dynamic nature of the quilt and brought some serious fun! She is such an incredible maker and has such an eye for bold approaches. Love it, Kaitlin!
Amy (IG: @amyjohnstonrobertson) embarked on a scrappy adventure with her Castro Quilt and the results are stunning! Amy always has an impeccable sense of color and she showcases how fun and energetic this pattern can be with a mix of glorious color. Beautiful work, Amy!
Melissa (IG: @made.x.mellybelly) got creative with her throw sized Castro Quilt and opted to reverse the color order for each of the rows of blocks. The end result is stunning! I love how the bright bursts of color pop off the dark textured background. The backing fabric that she chose is such a great compliment as well! Incredible work, Melissa! It looks so great!
Rachel (IG: @littlebitsalove) opted for a moody color palette and selected these beautifully rich blues and greens. The subtle texture of the background fabric really creates a depth that allows for the colors to pop. Rachel continues to show incredible craftsmanship and is always so fun to work with! I love what she created!
Ursula (IG: @osita_handmade) crafted a stunning version of the Castro Quilt! This baby sized beauty glows with these bright colors against this stark black background. Ursula showed how beautifully this quilt can be hand quilted with some chunky big stitches across the background - giving a touch of love and a sprinkle of color. I adore this!
All of these test samples bring something new to the table - whether it’s a play on gradient, a mix of background intrigue, a scrappy style pop, or a deep and rich color palette. I am so in awe of how each maker brought such personality to the pattern. I am forever grateful for their support and helping Castro Quilt become the most sensational quilt it can be! I can’t wait to see what other versions and variations everyone comes up with!
Please be sure to tag me - @SarahJeanMakes - in any and all posts of your Castro Quilt and use the hashtags #CastroQuilt and #SarahJeanMakes to showcase your work!
Cheers,
Sarah
