My top 5 favourite quilts – and one bonus mention
Choosing only five quilts out of the nearly 100 that I’ve made was easier than one might think. In this post, I share the chosen top five and one bonus quilt. If you enjoy scrappy quilts and bold colour combinations, you may find ideas and encouragement for your own projects.
All of these quilts are examples of how value contrast matters more than colour choices.
What makes a quilt become a favourite? My favourite quilts have all evoked a specific feeling in me. Surprise, delight in discovery, satisfaction of applying a gained insight, accomplishment, joy, and pleasure.
When I was sewing the blocks for my quilt Empress Ramandu, I honestly began to worry about the result. The fabrics looked strange together, and I thought that I would have to use the eventual quilt as nothing more than a picnic quilt.
At the same time, I was thinking that it would be easier to make a beautiful quilt from obviously beautiful fabrics. However, sometimes the most interesting results come from unexpected combinations.
I’d finished the center of the quilt top already in spring 2011, but after that the process slowed down. I added borders during that summer, and the quilting itself took a long time. I had chosen demanding quilting designs, silly me!
Quilting has never been my favourite part of the quilting process, and this was the last large quilt I quilted entirely on my domestic sewing machine.
It took me a long time to understand why the quilt and its strange fabric combinations worked: the value contrast was successful. Because there is good value contrast, the overall surface does not feel chaotic.
In case you want to know more details such as size, quilting choices, or when the quilts were finished, I’ve included a summary at the end of each section.
Block: So-called Bento Blocks 35 cm x 35 cm unfinished (14” squares)
Size: Lap quilt size - around 140 cm x 205 cm (55” x 81”)
Quilting: Self quilted on a domestic sewing machine
Quilting pattern: A mix of organic and straight stitches and free motion quilting
Backing: Self sewn, using a few big fabric pieces from the stash
Binding: 6 cm wide self-made bias binding folded in half before attaching
Finished: February 2011
Quilt number: 4
I made this quilt using the wonderfully clear Plaid-Ish Quilt pattern from Kitchen Table Quilting. The pattern defines the block measurements AND the correct values to use: light, medium, and dark.
It was a revelation that the colours really did not matter as much as value contrast.
I had downloaded the pattern just before a trip to the quilting event in Alsace. The event gave me the perfect opportunity to get more purple, turquoise, and orange fabrics for my stash just for this project. I was so excited about the design that I even cut into my newest treasures, including a favourite cat print by Tula Pink. That still feels like a bold move!
While planning the quilt, I actually photographed most of my fabric choices to check them in grayscale. The test photos revealed some surprises – several fabrics that I’d thought as darks were actually medium.
As soon as I had the first blocks sewn, I laid them out together to check if the plaid-ish effect was there. And it was, exactly as I’d hoped.
I felt like I’d aced this project, and judging from the enthusiastic response to my photos in social media, others thought so too.
Size: small twin size - around 160 cm x 180 cm (63” x 71”)
Quilting: longarm quilted by Soile Kivinen at Töölön Tilkkupaja
Quilting pattern: Diamonds Are Forever pantograph
Backing: self sewn, combining large fabric pieces from stash with a few leftover blocks
Binding: 6 cm wide, self-made bias binding folded in half before attaching
Finished: October 2019
Quilt number: 48
I had recently learned the importance of value contrast in quilting and was confident that I could choose – and use – all colours and any prints, and still achieve a pleasing design.
The star blocks were inspired by the Shooting Star Tempter block by Jen Kingwell, but I drafted my own folded paper-piecing templates to suit the way I needed to work. The papers guided me to sew each block accurately, and I did not have to use a lot of time and effort for cutting precise pieces. I was also able to use surprisingly small scraps from my stash, which is always a bonus.
Each star block had light, medium, and dark fabrics, which created the rhythm and structure for the whole quilt. From the very first four blocks, I knew that the quilt would be special.
I continued to sew, press, and trim four blocks at a time and when they were done, I spent a moment to admire them and their combined effect.
The Twinkle! quilt was also shown at the biannual exhibition organised by the Finnish Quilting Association, Finn Quilt in 2021.
Fun fact: My colleague visited the exhibition with her family, and her daughter picked Twinkle! As her favourite quilt in the whole show.
Blocks: FPP paper-pieced using self-drafted templates
Size: double-bed size - around 181 cm x 245 cm (71” x 96,5”)
Quilting: longarm quilted by Soile Kivinen at Töölön Tilkkupaja
Quilting pattern: Fish Net pantograph
Backing: pale grey with white dots, wideback fabric from Töölön Tilkkupaja
Binding: 6 cm wide self-made bias binding folded in half before attaching
Finished: October 2020
Quilt number: 66
The block design was my answer to a very practical question: how to take advantage of some beautiful, larger-scale prints without cutting them into tiny pieces?
When I made Treats in 2018, I had just bought a wonderful bundle of Tula Pink fabrics. I designed a block with a generous feature square so those prints could really be seen. I chose the highlight fabrics carefully, and only the most irresistible ones made the cut.
Though I took time to pick the fabrics with care, the blocks came together quickly. They are set on point, which creates a dynamic effect that one perhaps does not except when looking at the simple “square and its shadow” block.
Later, I remembered how well the block worked for showcasing larger-scale prints in many colours. To help other quilters feature their beautiful fabrics – not just one, but all of them – I used the block design as basis for my Talisman quilt pattern.
When one uses four different values of shadow fabrics, the coloured squares appear to float above the background colour. This dynamic shadow effect is one reason I love the Talisman quilt so much. The quilt looks complex even though the block is easy to sew!
Both quilt versions remind me that a simple structure is sometimes exactly what beautiful fabrics need to become a striking quilt.
Size: large twin / double size - around 168 cm x 230 cm (66” x 90”)
Quilting: longarm quilted by Soile Kivinen at Töölön Tilkkupaja
Quilting pattern: Onion Skin pantogram
Backing: Kaffe Fassett Enchanted Green wideback
Binding: 6 cm wide self-made bias binding folded in half before attaching
Finished: July 2022
Quilt number: 66 (Talisman) / 41 (Treats/Herkkupalat)
Just before starting this quilt, we had a plumbing emergency at home and had to live elsewhere for two weeks. During that time I could only work on a small hand-sewing project. When we got to move back home, that joyful feeling doubled because I could also return to my sewing machine. I remember that feeling very clearly.
I love my Busy quilt because it is lively, super colourful, but there is rhythm and order (of sorts). The quilt features a huge variety of prints, yet the orderly placement of dark and light value fabrics creates a clear pattern. Even blocks that look very busy on their own settle nicely into the overall composition because the value contrast is right.
Busy is one of my favourite examples of the importance of value contrast in a scrappy quilt.
Each block includes a small hourglass unit at its centre. For this quilt I carefully spun the center seams in those units so they would lie extra flat. A small extra step that felt satisfying to take for this special homecoming project.
When working on this project, I noticed that this layout solved a problem that many scrappy quilters have: how to combine the many prints while establishing rhythm. That is one reason for creating the Busy quilt pattern, available as an instant pdf download through the Tilkkunen webshop.
The pattern includes instructions for achieving proper value contrast and it is perfect for using scraps, favourite prints, and unexpected fabric combinations.
Size: Large twin size - around 170 cm x 225 cm (67” x 89”)
Note that the pattern includes yardage requirements and instructions for three sizes: Crib, Small lap, and Large lap / Twin
Quilting: longarm quilted by Soile Kivinen at Töölön Tilkkupaja
Quilting pattern: Botanical Blossoms pantograph
Backing: Tula Pink Fairy Dust in Cotton Candy wideback from Töölön Tilkkupaja
Binding: 6 cm wide self-made bias binding folded in half before attaching
Finished: June 2025
Quilt number: 93
I used a free tutorial/pattern by Cynthia Brunz, Geese Migration. I liked the repeating flying-geese + squares structure and made every block “in one colour”. For each block, I picked a solid fabric or something that read as solid and used scraps in the same colour to complement it.
Instead of planning the colours of the blocks in advance, I pulled the fabrics and scraps for one block – and one basic colour at a time. When I had enough blocks, I arranged them in a pleasing design. The off-white sashing provided the necessary contrast.
The most fun part of this project was to go through my stash of scraps and yardage, focusing on one colour for each block. I was so inspired that I must have taken a picture of every block I made!
Fun fact: Back then, I used metric rulers and measurements. Today, all but one of my rulers are in inches.
My Early Bird quilt was a pleasure to sew from start to finish. It found a home quickly, but I might return to this design one day and make another version.
Size: Lap size - around 143 cm x 180 cm (56” x 71”) – I extended the original square layout into a rectangle
Quilting: longarm quilted by Soile Kivinen at Töölön Tilkkupaja
Quilting pattern: Whirlwind edge-to-edge
Backing: grey wideback fabric with white dots and pink roses
Binding: 6 cm wide, scrappy self-made bias binding folded in half before attaching
Finished: August 2015
Quilt number: 24
In this Tilkunviilaaja blog, I share each new finish, colour experiments, and works-in-progress. I have a biweekly newsletter in which I share the recent posts. It will keep you up-to-date on my modern quilting endeavours. If you’d like to follow along as I approach quilt number 100 (which may be my new favourite!), you can subscribe here.
If one of these quilts gave you an idea for your project, I’d love to hear which one. Happy quilting!
All of these quilts are examples of how value contrast matters more than colour choices.
1. Empress Ramandu – strange blocks turned into a surprisingly lovely quilt
Empress Ramandu quilt is one of my favourites because it surprised me so pleasantly.I’d finished the center of the quilt top already in spring 2011, but after that the process slowed down. I added borders during that summer, and the quilting itself took a long time. I had chosen demanding quilting designs, silly me!
It took me a long time to understand why the quilt and its strange fabric combinations worked: the value contrast was successful. Because there is good value contrast, the overall surface does not feel chaotic.
Quilt details for Empress Ramandu / Keisarinna Ramandu
Pattern: Self-designed as I wentBlock: So-called Bento Blocks 35 cm x 35 cm unfinished (14” squares)
Size: Lap quilt size - around 140 cm x 205 cm (55” x 81”)
Quilting: Self quilted on a domestic sewing machine
Quilting pattern: A mix of organic and straight stitches and free motion quilting
Backing: Self sewn, using a few big fabric pieces from the stash
Binding: 6 cm wide self-made bias binding folded in half before attaching
Finished: February 2011
Quilt number: 4
2. Ace of Diamonds – the most important lesson in quilting colours
Ace of Diamonds offered me delight in discovering the most important lesson in quilting: colour contrast alone is not enough — value contrast is everything.It was a revelation that the colours really did not matter as much as value contrast.
I had downloaded the pattern just before a trip to the quilting event in Alsace. The event gave me the perfect opportunity to get more purple, turquoise, and orange fabrics for my stash just for this project. I was so excited about the design that I even cut into my newest treasures, including a favourite cat print by Tula Pink. That still feels like a bold move!
As soon as I had the first blocks sewn, I laid them out together to check if the plaid-ish effect was there. And it was, exactly as I’d hoped.
Quilt details for Ace of Diamonds / Ruutuässä
Pattern: Free tutorial “Plaid-ish” by Kitchen Table QuiltingSize: small twin size - around 160 cm x 180 cm (63” x 71”)
Quilting: longarm quilted by Soile Kivinen at Töölön Tilkkupaja
Quilting pattern: Diamonds Are Forever pantograph
Backing: self sewn, combining large fabric pieces from stash with a few leftover blocks
Binding: 6 cm wide, self-made bias binding folded in half before attaching
Finished: October 2019
Quilt number: 48
3. Twinkle! – Paper-pieced block with successful value contrast
Twinkle! is one of my favourites because it brought me satisfaction when I could apply my new insight on value contrast. What’s more, I was able to combine that insight with something I truly enjoy: using lots of different fabrics.The star blocks were inspired by the Shooting Star Tempter block by Jen Kingwell, but I drafted my own folded paper-piecing templates to suit the way I needed to work. The papers guided me to sew each block accurately, and I did not have to use a lot of time and effort for cutting precise pieces. I was also able to use surprisingly small scraps from my stash, which is always a bonus.
Each star block had light, medium, and dark fabrics, which created the rhythm and structure for the whole quilt. From the very first four blocks, I knew that the quilt would be special.
I continued to sew, press, and trim four blocks at a time and when they were done, I spent a moment to admire them and their combined effect.
Quilt details for Twinkle! / Tuikkikaa!
Pattern: self-drafted using Jen Kingwell’s Shooting Star Tempter block as referenceBlocks: FPP paper-pieced using self-drafted templates
Size: double-bed size - around 181 cm x 245 cm (71” x 96,5”)
Quilting: longarm quilted by Soile Kivinen at Töölön Tilkkupaja
Quilting pattern: Fish Net pantograph
Backing: pale grey with white dots, wideback fabric from Töölön Tilkkupaja
Binding: 6 cm wide self-made bias binding folded in half before attaching
Finished: October 2020
Quilt number: 66
4. Talisman (and Treats) – Block design that showcases larger-scale prints
Talisman and Treats quilts share the same block, and they are among my favourites because of the initial accomplishment: the block design that showcases a feature fabric.When I made Treats in 2018, I had just bought a wonderful bundle of Tula Pink fabrics. I designed a block with a generous feature square so those prints could really be seen. I chose the highlight fabrics carefully, and only the most irresistible ones made the cut.
Quilt details for Talisman and Treats/Herkkupalat
Pattern: Talisman quilt pattern by TilkunviilaajaSize: large twin / double size - around 168 cm x 230 cm (66” x 90”)
Quilting: longarm quilted by Soile Kivinen at Töölön Tilkkupaja
Quilting pattern: Onion Skin pantogram
Backing: Kaffe Fassett Enchanted Green wideback
Binding: 6 cm wide self-made bias binding folded in half before attaching
Finished: July 2022
Quilt number: 66 (Talisman) / 41 (Treats/Herkkupalat)
5. Busy – The right design at the right time
The Busy quilt is one of my favourites not only because of how it looks, but because of when I made it – and because I will forever associate it with the feeling of joy.
Each block includes a small hourglass unit at its centre. For this quilt I carefully spun the center seams in those units so they would lie extra flat. A small extra step that felt satisfying to take for this special homecoming project.
The pattern includes instructions for achieving proper value contrast and it is perfect for using scraps, favourite prints, and unexpected fabric combinations.
Quilt details for Busy
Pattern: Busy quilt pattern by TilkunviilaajaSize: Large twin size - around 170 cm x 225 cm (67” x 89”)
Note that the pattern includes yardage requirements and instructions for three sizes: Crib, Small lap, and Large lap / Twin
Quilting: longarm quilted by Soile Kivinen at Töölön Tilkkupaja
Quilting pattern: Botanical Blossoms pantograph
Backing: Tula Pink Fairy Dust in Cotton Candy wideback from Töölön Tilkkupaja
Binding: 6 cm wide self-made bias binding folded in half before attaching
Finished: June 2025
Quilt number: 93
Bonus: Early Bird – My own take of a free pattern
The Early Bird quilt is my bonus favourite because it captures something I still value deeply in quilting: the pleasure that I get from combining scraps and colours into one lively project.Instead of planning the colours of the blocks in advance, I pulled the fabrics and scraps for one block – and one basic colour at a time. When I had enough blocks, I arranged them in a pleasing design. The off-white sashing provided the necessary contrast.
My Early Bird quilt was a pleasure to sew from start to finish. It found a home quickly, but I might return to this design one day and make another version.
Quilt details for Early Bird / Aamuvirkku
Pattern: Free Geese Migration tutorial/pattern by Cynthia BrunzSize: Lap size - around 143 cm x 180 cm (56” x 71”) – I extended the original square layout into a rectangle
Quilting: longarm quilted by Soile Kivinen at Töölön Tilkkupaja
Quilting pattern: Whirlwind edge-to-edge
Backing: grey wideback fabric with white dots and pink roses
Binding: 6 cm wide, scrappy self-made bias binding folded in half before attaching
Finished: August 2015
Quilt number: 24
Final words
Again and again, I’ve seen that quilts do not need beautiful fabrics and matching colours to succeed. Instead, they need value contrast and trust in the process. And a favourite quilt will be one that sparked a positive feeling!In this Tilkunviilaaja blog, I share each new finish, colour experiments, and works-in-progress. I have a biweekly newsletter in which I share the recent posts. It will keep you up-to-date on my modern quilting endeavours. If you’d like to follow along as I approach quilt number 100 (which may be my new favourite!), you can subscribe here.
If one of these quilts gave you an idea for your project, I’d love to hear which one. Happy quilting!
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