Sixteen Kona Solids, arranged in rainbow color order from pink through lavender, used to make flying geese units that form a single large symmetrical crystal shape -- pointed arms radiating outward in all four diagonal directions from a center square, the colors cycling around the perimeter like a color wheel. Elizabeth Hartman's Crystal Cluster is her most purely geometric design: no animals, no characters, no narrative. Just an elegant modern starburst that looks completely different depending on which colors you choose.

The construction is all conventional patchwork -- flying geese units, no templates, no paper piecing. At Skill Level 2 of 5, the larger quilts are genuinely accessible. The pillow, with its smaller flying geese units, is actually the most technically demanding of the four sizes; the lap and queen bed quilts have proportionally larger pieces and are more forgiving to sew.

What the Pattern Includes

This listing is for the printed paper pattern only. Fabric, batting, backing, and notions are not included.

The pattern booklet includes complete instructions for all four project sizes -- a 24" x 24" pillow, a 46" x 46" baby quilt, a 70" x 70" lap quilt, and a 92" x 92" queen bed quilt. Each uses the same single large-scale block, adjusted to fit the project size. Color diagrams and written instructions are included for every step. A color chart on Page 2 shows the specific Kona Solids used in the samples and can be used to duplicate or plan your own palette. Instructions for a scrappy quilt variation using monochromatic scrap groups are on Page 9.

What You'll Need

Sixteen colorful fabrics are used for all four project sizes, arranged in color order as Fabrics 1 through 16. The size of each fabric piece varies by project:

• Pillow (24" x 24"): 16 squares, 10" x 10" + 5/8 yard each light solid and background fabric
• Baby Quilt (46" x 46"): 16 fat eighths + 1-3/8 yards each light solid and background
• Lap Quilt (70" x 70"): 12 fat eighths and 4 fat quarters (Fabrics 1, 5, 9, 13 require fat quarters) + 2-5/8 yards light solid and 3 yards background
• Queen Bed Quilt (92" x 92"): 16 fat quarters + 4-3/4 yards light solid and 5-1/4 yards background

All sizes also need backing, binding, and batting (see pattern back for details), plus 1-5/8 yards muslin lining for the pillow only and a 24" pillow form. A fabric marking tool is required.

Perfect For

• Quilters who love rainbow palettes and want a striking geometric result
• Charm square and fat eighth collectors -- the smaller sizes work beautifully with precuts
• Anyone who appreciates modern quilt design and wants something completely different from character block patterns
• A statement bed quilt, wall hanging, or baby quilt with a graphic, contemporary sensibility
• Kona Solids collectors ready to show off a full spectrum in a single design

Why You'll Love This Pattern

The single-block concept is what makes Crystal Cluster so adaptable. The same design logic -- flying geese arranged in radiating arms, colors cycling around the perimeter -- scales from a 24" pillow to a 92" queen bed quilt without changing the fundamental pattern. Choose 16 colors in order, follow the chart, and the gradient takes care of itself.

The rainbow version shown on the cover uses one of the most familiar color arrangements possible, and it still manages to be surprising. The flying geese units in the outer arms are large enough to read clearly from across the room; the ones near the center are smaller and more intricate. That variation in scale is what gives the finished quilt its crystal-like quality -- it draws the eye inward.

For a scrappy version, Page 9 describes how to sort and cut monochromatic scrap groups to substitute for each of the 16 fat eighths. It's one of the most practical scrap-sorting projects in Elizabeth Hartman's catalog.

Product Details

• Brand: Elizabeth Hartman
• Item #: EH059
• Designer: Elizabeth Hartman
• Category: Quilting Pattern
• Skill Level: Skill Level 2 of 5 (Elizabeth Hartman's rating); single large-scale block scaled to each project size; larger sizes are more beginner-friendly than smaller
• Technique: Standard Machine Sewing, Conventional Patchwork
• Finished Sizes: 92" x 92" Queen Bed Quilt | 70" x 70" Lap Quilt | 46" x 46" Baby Quilt | 24" x 24" Pillow Cover
• Format: Printed Paper Pattern
• Made in the United States