Well, here she is! The quilt pattern called Bowdoin. It will be available for purchase on Tuesday December 13th as a PDF download! Let me know if you are interested or would prefer a paper pattern. I’d be happy to do that if there is interest.

Bowdoin is such a versatile pattern and really comes together quickly thanks to strip piecing. It can use a jelly roll, 16 FQs or, my personal favorite, 40 scrap WOF strips. It also comes in 2 sizes, a baby size (42 1/2” x 42 1/2”) or throw size (78 1/2” x 78 1/2”).

The Bowdoin quilt pattern is named after the quiet rural town in the willywacks of Maine. The population is only about 3,250 people so it’s pretty tiny. I remember when we first moved here, it was a bit of a shock to the system. I grew up in a small country town but at least the town office had regular hours. Bowdoin does not. I went to register my car for the first time and quickly figured out the moon need to be in line with Jupiter or every other Friday and the first and last Monday of the month from 7 to 8 pm to register your car. Now if you needed a marriage certificate that was another whole set of hours. So yeah, when I finally arrived during the correct hours to get my car situated, and the sweet little old lady, handwriting everything out, looked over the top of her glasses and said “Whad ya move ta Bowdoin foa?” I was questioning it pretty heavily at that point.

Needless to say, we have stayed here for over 14 years and this little town has grown on us. We couldn’t imagine living and raising our family anywhere else. The people are down to earth and hardworking. Not to mention, just how beautiful and peaceful it is.

It seemed fitting that I name my first quilt pattern after our quaint little town. The place we chose to call home and raise our children. The log cabin blocks are perfect for representing this as well as the Irish chain units that speak to how ones roots never leave you. Even if you move away. Bowdoin will always be in our hearts.

A jelly roll version in Cotton & Steel fabric line Canyon Springs by Ash Cascade Designs

We took a quick trip up the road a bit to a place called Purington Homestead Conservation Area (and yes, it’s in Bowdoin) for our quilt photo shoot. We have lived here 14 years and drive by this place whenever we want to get pizza (delivery isn’t an option out here…HA) but we have never checked it out. My Bowdoin pattern has made us do just this and I don’t regret it at all. It is a set of walking trails that wander through the woods and fields of what once was the Purington Homestead. There are big rocks, up rooted trees, fields and even a wandering brook. The acres of moss covered stones, ground and trees give the feel of a fairy woodland garden. We went at the end of November, a time of year not known for it’s beauty, and I swear I could see the woodland fairies dancing in the fall breeze. It was magical. I can’t wait to go again when there are leaves on the trees or snow on the ground.