by Autumn in Flight — step-by-step tutorial
(How to recreate the “SEWING ‘AUTUMN IN FLIGHT’ — WHAT A DELIGHT!!!” quilt shown by Jordan Fabrics. This follows the Pine Tree Country Quilts Autumn in Flight pattern used in the video and the hands-on rhythm the video demonstrates.)
Quick note: the official Pine Tree Country Quilts pattern sold on Jordan Fabrics gives the exact cutting lists and fabric yardages for the sample (finished ≈ 43″ × 53″). I’ll give you a complete, practical sewing sequence that matches the video demonstration and the pattern’s construction. For the precise numbers to cut for the size you want, use the pattern’s cut list as you follow these steps.
Materials & tools (what to gather)
- Pine Tree Country Quilts Autumn in Flight pattern (contains exact cut list for the 43″×53″ sample).
- Fabrics chosen to match the video: assorted autumn prints (feature fabrics) and one background/setting fabric (contrast depends on your look). Pattern is yardage-friendly.
- Backing fabric and batting sized larger than finished top.
- Rotary cutter, cutting mat, rulers (long ruler and square ruler), sewing machine with a ¼” foot, pins/clips, iron/pressing surface, marking tool.
- Optional: design wall or floor space to audition layout.
Project overview — what you’ll make
- The Autumn in Flight design is a patchwork that arranges small pieced units into flying/diagonal motifs that evoke birds/flight and autumn color. Construction uses a combination of strip-piecing, sub-cut units, flying-geese/HST (half-square triangle) style pieces, and setting triangles for the on-point/edge geometry. The pattern’s sample finishes about 43″ × 53″.
Before you cut — watch & plan
- Watch the video once through to see the exact layout, color placement, and the order in which they chain-piece units — the video shows the exact steps and pressing tips used to make the sample.
- Read the Pine Tree Country Quilts pattern so you know the exact cutting counts for the sample size (the pattern gives simple, yardage-friendly instructions). Having the pattern open while you cut and sew prevents mistakes.
Cutting (general, follow the pattern for exact counts)
The pattern lists the precise pieces for the 43″×53″ quilt — follow those numbers for the exact sample. Below is the practical way to cut and organize pieces so sewing is fast.
- Press and square your feature fabrics; cut the strips and background pieces the pattern calls for (the pattern uses strip-friendly widths so fat quarters/jelly-roll strips work well).
- Sort pieces into labeled piles (e.g., “Feature A — strips,” “Feature B — squares,” “Background — triangles”), so you can chain-piece without hunting for parts.
Construction — step-by-step (follow this at your machine)
1 — Make strip sets (batch)
- Many of the units in this pattern are strip-pieced for speed. Sew long strip sets in the order the pattern suggests (for example: background + feature strip + background). Use a consistent ¼” seam allowance and chain-piece multiple sets to save time. Press seams consistently (press toward the darker fabric or open).
2 — Sub-cut strip sets into blanks
- Stack strip sets and sub-cut them into the uniform blanks the pattern requires (stack cutting keeps sizes identical). The sub-cuts become the building blocks for flying-geese, diamonds, and small patch units.
3 — Make flying-geese / HSTs and small units
- Use your preferred method (traditional, 4-at-a-time, or strip-pieced flying-geese) to produce the flying-geese or half-square triangles the pattern uses for the “flight” shapes. Make these in batches, then trim each to the pattern’s exact finished size. The video demonstrates chain-making HSTs/flying-geese and trimming them in stacks for speed and uniformity.
4 — Assemble block sub-units
- Sew the small sub-units together into larger block components (for example, a flying-geese unit + a background square → a motif segment). The pattern groups these into repeated blocks that assemble into the overall flight motif — make all like sub-units at once to speed assembly. Press sub-units as you go.
5 — Square / trim each finished block
- After assembling each block, trim it to the pattern’s block dimension. Trimming at this stage prevents cumulative error and ensures the field will join smoothly.
6 — Layout blocks & balance color
- On a design wall or floor, lay out your trimmed blocks according to the pattern’s layout diagram (or mimic the video’s color flow). Shuffle blocks until the autumn colors and contrast read evenly across the entire top — the video shows how stepping back and swapping a few blocks balances the design.
7 — Add setting triangles / edge pieces
- If the pattern uses on-point setting or side triangles, cut and attach those background triangles now. Cut triangles slightly oversized if you prefer to square after attaching; then trim to final edges. The pattern explains the required triangles for the sample.
8 — Join rows and complete the quilt top
- Sew blocks into rows (pin at complex intersections), press, then join rows to complete the top. Check measurement and squareness before adding borders.
9 — Add borders per the pattern
- Add any inner or outer borders called for by the pattern (measure the quilt and cut border strips to exact lengths plus seam allowance). Press and square the top after each border addition.
10 — Baste the sandwich
- Baste backing + batting + quilt top using spray baste or safety pins. Smooth layers carefully; for a quilt with many small seams you may prefer pins to keep everything flat.
11 — Quilt — motif suggestions
- Quilting choices that flatter the Autumn in Flight look:
- Echo quilting around the flight motifs to emphasize movement.
- Straight-line quilting in the direction of flight to enhance diagonal motion.
- All-over meander if you want a cozy, fast finish that won’t compete with the piecing.
- The video shows moderate echoing/outline quilting to keep the flight shapes readable — choose spacing and thread to suit the batting and drape.
12 — Trim, bind & finish
- Trim the batting/backing even with the quilt top. Prepare binding strips (2½” strips are standard) and attach binding to the front; fold to back and stitch by hand or machine. Add a label and press.
Pressing & accuracy tips (from the video/pattern)
- Maintain a consistent ¼” seam allowance throughout — this is the primary accuracy control.
- Chain-piece similar seams and sub-units to speed up work and keep pieces consistent.
- Trim units in stacks where possible to save time and keep them uniform.
- When many seams meet, pressing some seams open reduces bulk; press others to one side to help nesting — be consistent.
If you want exact numbers (cutting list & yardage)
The pattern page on Jordan Fabrics gives the full cut list and yardage for the standard sample (≈43″ × 53″). Use that pattern for precise piece counts and the exact size options if you want to scale up or down. The pattern is titled Autumn in Flight — Pine Tree Country Quilts on Jordan Fabrics.
VIDEO:
