Blush n' Butterscotch Love Notes Quilt: A Warm and Scrappy Quilt Project

A Quilt Inspired by Handwritten Letters

The Love Notes Quilt Pattern is one of my favorites because it was inspired by the simple joy of receiving a handwritten note. The block design uses quarter square triangles to create shapes that remind me of folded envelopes—each one holding a message, a memory, or a piece of the story.

It's perfect for a confident beginner or for a more experienced quilter wanting a fast finish! You can find the Love Notes Quilt Pattern HERE in my shop.

For this Love Notes Quilt, I leaned into my love of scrappy quilts. Instead of the seven prints the original pattern calls for, I used twenty-two different fabrics! The result is a quilt that’s brimming with color, movement, and charm.

If you're ready for something scrappy, dive into your stash for this one!

To make the scrappy version (FYI: You'll need the pattern for this to make sense!)

• 22 Different Fabrics
• For Fabric A, choose 4 different fabrics and cut two squares from each.
• For Fabrics B - G, choose 3 different fabrics each and cut two squares from each of the fabrics. 

The rest of the instructions for the pattern will be the same.

When I first saw the Blush n Butterscotch collection by Simple Simon and Co. for Riley Blake Designs, it felt like all the things that I loved about a warm cup of tea and sitting in front of the fireplace. The butterscotch and cinnamon tones mixed with soft pinks are the perfect blend of cozy and nostalgic.

And I couldn't resist mixing in a few of my favorite Riley Blake Designs Basics to make it even scrappier:

• Dapple Dot in Canyon Rose
• Texture in Light Pink
• Micro Gingham in Canyon Rose
• Bee Gingham in Butterscotch for the binding
• Bee Gingham in Cinnamon for the backing

These prints layered together so beautifully and made the quilt feel full of texture.

Quilting Design

I was so excited to get this quilt on my longarm! I had been waiting for the perfect quilt to use the Thread Garden digital pantograph designed by Longarm League. The gentle curves and floral-inspired design added a soft, organic texture that perfectly complemented the folk art feel and my favorite print in the collection.

Thread and Batting Choices

For quilting, I used Aurifil 40/3 weight thread in Pale Pink, which blended beautifully across the quilt top while adding just enough texture to highlight the quilting design.

Wool is my go-to batting choice for quilts when I want extra loft and dimension. It gives the quilting design that little bit of “poof” that makes it stand out without feeling heavy.

Bias Binding with Gingham

I can’t resist a good bias binding, especially when working with gingham, stripes, or plaid prints. For this quilt, I used Bee Gingham in Butterscotch, cut on the bias. The diagonal checks give such a playful finish to the edges and make the binding pop.

If you’ve never made bias binding before, I have a Step-by-Step Tutorial that walks you through the process. It’s easier than you think and totally worth it!

Big Stitch Binding

I love hand-stitching the binding on the front of the quilt with a big running stitch! I used Aurifil 12 wt cotton thread in Antique Rose and a Size 24 Chenille Needle. This has become one of my favorite ways to add a little handmade detail and texture at the very end of the process.

Embroidered Quilt Labels

I took the time to add a hand embroidered quilt label to the back of this quilt. It's usually something as simple as the name of the quilt pattern, my name, and the date. I don't always embroider the label, sometimes I just write on a label that gets sewn on. 

I started doing this after finding vintage quilts with the maker's name and it made the quilts feel so much more special with that added piece of information. 

I used Aurifil Floss to stitch this in colors 2372 and 2445. 

As I was taking the quilt off the longarm I realized I had pieced the 3rd row in backwards. At that point there was nothing I could do. Luckily, this pattern is SO forgiving. The blocks can be moved and turned in an improvisational way and it doesn't matter. 

I took a deep breath and reminded myself to be gentle. It didn't really matter. I also decided to physically embroider a Love Note to myself and stitch it onto the FRONT of the quilt. 

And now, as the year goes on, I think I'll continue to embroider love notes to myself and stitch them on the front of this quilt. It will be just for me and my soft spirit, to wrap myself in love and care.

If you’ve been looking for your next quilt project, I hope this Blush n Butterscotch Love Notes Quilt inspires you to start something scrappy and meaningful. Whether you use this fabric collection or pull from your own stash, I think you’ll adore how the Love Notes Quilt Pattern comes together.