If you’re like us and love watching the seasons change, then you’ll love making a temperature quilt.
Do you find yourself observing the frost-covered trees shake off the winter and start to sprout new life? Or feeling the fresh, blustery spring days subside and be replaced by warm afternoons with just the gentlest of breezes.
Before you know it, a whole year has been and gone and you’re wondering how the time could have possibly flown by so quickly! Or wishing you had documented the last 12 months in some way, so you can look back on it in years to come.
If that sounds like you, we have just the thing! Keep reading to find out all about temperature quilts and learn how to capture 365 days in stitches!
What is a temperature quilt?
A temperature quilt is exactly what it says on the tin - a quilt that illustrates the daily temperatures of a year.
Colours are assigned to different temperatures - for example, some quilt-makers will use a different colour for each temperature degree, and others will use a particular colour for a range of temperature degrees (such as every 3 degrees, or every 5 degrees, and so on!).
It’s a fantastic project for crafters who are interested in the weather and want to have a go at conveying scientific data in a creative and visually appealing way.
Temperature quilt ideas
Temperature quilts are also a wonderful and extra-special way of commemorating an important year or significant events that occurred in that year.
For example, makers might create a temperature quilt for the year that a loved one was born, or mark birthdays and anniversaries in their quilt. In addition, some makers will use their quilts to present other weather phenomena (such as rain and snow etc.) or even their moods and emotions (but more on this later!).
The range of colours needed for this style of quilt also makes it an excellent stash-buster. So if you’re looking for a project to use up precious fabrics you’ve squirrelled away for a rainy day, this is definitely the one!
The more fabrics you use, the more unique and personal the quilt will be. So why not experiment with colour and create a striking quilt that will inject some fun into your home?
Below we will look at Jo Avery’s beautiful ‘Weather Bubble” quilt, as well as a few other temperature quilts that will serve you with a big slice of quilt-spiration!
How to make a temperature quilt
Jo Avery’s “Weather Bubble” temperature quilt
Image courtesy of Jo Avery
Jo began working on her gorgeous temperature quilt just days after the first lockdown was announced in 2020 (she couldn’t have imagined how long the lockdown would end up going on for and what a difficult year it would be!).
The first thing she did was research the temperature range for an average Scottish year and then raided her stash for an assortment of fabrics - selecting different colours for each temperature degree.
Jo emphasises that the planning process for a temperature quilt can be a bit more complex, so she strongly recommends that makers take extra care to stay organised.
Jo kept all her fabrics in order by writing each temperature degree on a scrap of paper and pinning it to the matching colour bundle - so it might be worth following Jo’s lead and doing the same if you’ve got a lot of fabrics that could get mixed up.
The extra time taken to plan at the start will certainly pay off later and it’s also a great opportunity to improve your organisational skills!
Image courtesy of Jo Avery
For her quilt, Jo made 4in blocks for each day - the background square shows the lowest daily temperature and the circle inside the square shows the highest temperature.
Jo would sketch out the circle every day - drawing a larger circle if she was having a good day and a smaller circle if she was having a bad day. Through making this quilt, Jo was able to be mindful and connect with her emotions, reminding us of the cathartic powers of quilt-making.
Jo says that one of the trickiest parts of making a temperature quilt is fitting the 365 days into one piece of work. Jo made a grid of 22 rows of 17 squares, but you could also go for a calendar layout and split your quilt up into 12 sections (i.e. one section per month).
One of the trickiest parts of making a temperature quilt is fitting the 365 days into one piece of work.
Jo Avery
The world really is your oyster when it comes to choosing your design, so play around and pick whatever design pleases you most!
Jo also notes that you don’t have to make your blocks every day like she did - you can sew a few weeks’ or months’ worth of blocks at a time - so the flexibility is perfect for quilters who have a busy schedule!
3 inspiring temperature quilt patterns
1. Modern Temperature Quilt pattern by Linda & Anna of The Quilted Tulip
This eye-catching quilt by The Quilted Tulip will light up any room with its rainbow colours and modern half-square triangle design.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to challenge yourself and expand your quilting repertoire, or an experienced quilter wanting to refine your skills, this quilt is an exciting project that you’ll love making!
2. (Pine)apple a Day Temperature Quilt Pattern by StitchedByLexx
The (Pine)apple a Day temperature quilt by StitchedByLexx is sure to keep the blues away by adding a splash of colour to your life!
This bold and bright design brings a fresh twist to the beloved temperature quilt by featuring 32 foundation paper pieced pineapple blocks.
The 12 large blocks reflect the months of the year and the 20 small blocks show the temperature averages across several days.
Get stuck into this project today and make a gorgeous quilt guaranteed to bring a smile to your face!
3. Art Deco-inspired temperature quilt by GriffinAndTheBear
This Art Deco-inspired quilt by GriffinAndTheBear really packs a punch with its striking geometric design and vivid colours.
Add a touch of modern art to your home with this aesthetically pleasing symmetrical design, which is made up of 52 blocks to represent the 52 weeks of a year.
Each block portrays the average temperatures of a week and is broken down further into seven shapes for the seven days.
Why make a temperature quilt
Make a temperature quilt and connect with your environment whilst perfecting your favourite craft!
Let go of the reins and practice mindfulness whilst letting Mother Nature dictate the colours and design of a future heirloom quilt you can pass down from generation to generation!
More sentimental quilt patterns to try
If you love the personal feeling of making a temperature quilt, have a go at our Jane Austen Heirloom quilt. It’s a quilt you’ll treasure forever!
