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Note: This episode was originally recorded before our rebrand, so you'll hear references to Quilt Scouts throughout the conversation. Quilt Scouts is now Quiltbound, but the projects, tips, and creative adventures we share are just as relevant today. Thanks for being here, and welcome to Quiltbound!
This week’s episode is short, personal, and straight from the sewing table. I’m sharing the story behind something I’ve admired for years but kept putting off… a temperature quilt.
After a little nudge from one of our members (hi, Brendan in New Zealand 👋), I decided this is the year. And I’m walking you through exactly how I planned it — in a way that feels doable for a full 365 days.
In This Episode
• What a temperature quilt is (and the different ways you can track it)
• Why I chose to track daily highs and lows
• How I built a 16-color gradient using Pure Solids from Art Gallery Fabrics
• How I designed a temperature key that won’t fall apart in extreme weather
• The simple HST layout I’m using (one half = low, one half = high)
• Why simplicity is essential for a year-long project
My Fabric Plan
I started with fabric first — pulling from my stash and building a 16-color gradient from coldest to warmest.
All of the fabrics I’m using are Pure Solids from Art Gallery Fabrics (available in the Quiltbound shop if you want to copy the palette).
Most quilters use 10–20 fabrics depending on their design. Sixteen felt like the sweet spot for me: enough movement to show change, but not so many colors that it feels chaotic.
A Smarter Temperature Key
Historic temperatures where I live range from -27° to 102°, which is a huge spread. Instead of dividing that evenly, I:
• Tightened the temperature ranges in the middle (where most days live)
• Widened the ranges at the extremes
This creates more visible color shifts during common temperatures and keeps extreme days from overwhelming the quilt.
Small tweak. Big difference.
The Layout
Each day = one half square triangle.
One half represents the daily low. The other half represents the daily high.
It captures contrast, adds movement, and keeps the sewing manageable. When you’re committing to 365 days of something, simple is smart.
Why It Matters
Temperature quilts aren’t really about weather. They’re about noticing. About marking time. About letting a quilt quietly collect memories.
At the end of the year, it won’t just be a gradient — it’ll be a visual record of what this season of life felt like.
📥 Grab the Free Temperature Quilt Planner
If this project has been whispering to you too, I made a free planner to help you get started.
Inside you’ll find:
• Space to map your color palette
• A temperature key worksheet
• A 365 (and leap year–friendly 366) day tracking chart
• Room to record highs, lows, or averages
It turns temperature tracking into a simple daily ritual instead of a mental burden.
👉 Download the free Temperature Quilt Planner here! https://quiltbound.myflodesk.com/temperature-quilt-planner
If you enjoyed this episode, follow or subscribe to the Quiltbound Podcast so you don’t miss what’s next. Leaving a review helps more quilters find this creative little corner of the internet.
Happy trails. 🧵✨
By Megan Fowler5
22 ratings
Note: This episode was originally recorded before our rebrand, so you'll hear references to Quilt Scouts throughout the conversation. Quilt Scouts is now Quiltbound, but the projects, tips, and creative adventures we share are just as relevant today. Thanks for being here, and welcome to Quiltbound!
This week’s episode is short, personal, and straight from the sewing table. I’m sharing the story behind something I’ve admired for years but kept putting off… a temperature quilt.
After a little nudge from one of our members (hi, Brendan in New Zealand 👋), I decided this is the year. And I’m walking you through exactly how I planned it — in a way that feels doable for a full 365 days.
In This Episode
• What a temperature quilt is (and the different ways you can track it)
• Why I chose to track daily highs and lows
• How I built a 16-color gradient using Pure Solids from Art Gallery Fabrics
• How I designed a temperature key that won’t fall apart in extreme weather
• The simple HST layout I’m using (one half = low, one half = high)
• Why simplicity is essential for a year-long project
My Fabric Plan
I started with fabric first — pulling from my stash and building a 16-color gradient from coldest to warmest.
All of the fabrics I’m using are Pure Solids from Art Gallery Fabrics (available in the Quiltbound shop if you want to copy the palette).
Most quilters use 10–20 fabrics depending on their design. Sixteen felt like the sweet spot for me: enough movement to show change, but not so many colors that it feels chaotic.
A Smarter Temperature Key
Historic temperatures where I live range from -27° to 102°, which is a huge spread. Instead of dividing that evenly, I:
• Tightened the temperature ranges in the middle (where most days live)
• Widened the ranges at the extremes
This creates more visible color shifts during common temperatures and keeps extreme days from overwhelming the quilt.
Small tweak. Big difference.
The Layout
Each day = one half square triangle.
One half represents the daily low. The other half represents the daily high.
It captures contrast, adds movement, and keeps the sewing manageable. When you’re committing to 365 days of something, simple is smart.
Why It Matters
Temperature quilts aren’t really about weather. They’re about noticing. About marking time. About letting a quilt quietly collect memories.
At the end of the year, it won’t just be a gradient — it’ll be a visual record of what this season of life felt like.
📥 Grab the Free Temperature Quilt Planner
If this project has been whispering to you too, I made a free planner to help you get started.
Inside you’ll find:
• Space to map your color palette
• A temperature key worksheet
• A 365 (and leap year–friendly 366) day tracking chart
• Room to record highs, lows, or averages
It turns temperature tracking into a simple daily ritual instead of a mental burden.
👉 Download the free Temperature Quilt Planner here! https://quiltbound.myflodesk.com/temperature-quilt-planner
If you enjoyed this episode, follow or subscribe to the Quiltbound Podcast so you don’t miss what’s next. Leaving a review helps more quilters find this creative little corner of the internet.
Happy trails. 🧵✨