Traditional pattern, early 1800s, public domain
A beloved hexagonal mosaic pattern built entirely from hand-pieced hexagons arranged in concentric flower-like rosettes. This quintessential English paper piecing project requires patience, precision, and mastery of the basting-over-paper technique that has been used for centuries.
Grandmother's Flower Garden traces its roots to the English paper-piecing tradition of the late 1700s and early 1800s. Hexagonal patchwork was one of the earliest forms of English paper piecing, with surviving examples dating to the 1770s. The specific 'flower garden' arrangement became widely popular in the 1920s and 1930s in America.
This pattern epitomizes the slow, meditative craft of hand piecing. During the Depression era, it was enormously popular because it required only small scraps and could be worked on anywhere without a sewing machine. The name evokes nostalgia and domestic warmth — a grandmother's garden in fabric. Antique examples are among the most prized quilts in museum collections.
Also known as: Flower Garden, French Bouquet, Hexagon Quilt, Martha Washington's Flower Garden, Garden Walk
finished Block Size
Approximately 12" x 14" per rosette (varies with hexagon size)
seam Allowance
3/16 inch (hand-piecing allowance around each hexagon)
grid Basis
1-inch finished hexagons arranged in concentric rings: 1 center + 6 inner ring + 12 outer ring + 18 path ring per rosette
units Required
37 hexagons per complete rosette with path (1 center, 6 inner ring, 12 outer ring, 18 path/background ring)
All measurements include 1/4" seam allowance unless noted.
| Piece | Fabric | Cut Size | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center hexagon | Featured print | 1.75" hexagon (1" finished + 3/8" seam allowance) | 1 | Fussy-cut to center a motif if desired |
| Inner ring hexagons | Coordinated prints (red tones) | 1.75" hexagon | 6 | First ring around center; matching or coordinated |
| Outer ring hexagons | Coordinated prints (blue tones) | 1.75" hexagon | 12 | Second ring; creates the flower petals |
| Path/background hexagons | Yellow or white | 1.75" hexagon | 18 | Third ring; creates the garden path between rosettes |
| Paper templates | Cardstock or precut papers | 1" hexagon (finished size) | 37 | Reusable if using glue basting method |
Cut 37 hexagon paper templates at 1-inch finished size (or use precut papers). Cut 37 fabric hexagons approximately 3/8 inch larger on all sides than the papers. Center a paper template on the wrong side of each fabric hexagon.
Tip: Precut paper hexagons are inexpensive and perfectly accurate — they are well worth purchasing.
For each hexagon, fold the fabric seam allowance over the paper edges and baste in place. You can thread-baste (running stitch through fabric and paper), glue-baste (dab of fabric glue on each fold), or use the folding method. The fabric should wrap tightly around the paper with crisp edges.
Tip: Glue basting is faster and the papers are easier to remove later — use a water-soluble fabric glue pen.
Arrange 1 center hexagon, then surround it with 6 inner ring hexagons, 12 outer ring hexagons, and 18 path hexagons in concentric rings. Audition the color placement — each ring should read as a distinct color or value.
Tip: A felt board or piece of flannel keeps arranged hexagons in place while you work.
Place two adjacent hexagons right sides together, aligning edges precisely. Using a fine needle and matching thread, whipstitch along one edge with tiny, even stitches (approximately 16-20 stitches per inch). Knot securely at each corner. Work from the center outward, adding hexagons ring by ring.
Tip: Ladder stitch is an alternative to whipstitch — it creates a nearly invisible join on the front.
Complete the inner ring of 6 hexagons around the center first. Then add the 12 outer ring hexagons, connecting each to the inner ring and to its neighbors. Finally, add the 18 path hexagons. Each hexagon connects to 2-3 neighbors.
Tip: Work in a spiral rather than jumping around — this maintains consistent tension and alignment.
Once all hexagons in the rosette are connected, carefully remove the basting threads or papers. If thread-basted, clip the basting stitches and pull out papers. If glue-basted, gently peel papers away (a warm iron loosens water-soluble glue). Press the completed rosette flat from the back.
Tip: Save undamaged paper templates for reuse — quality hexagon papers can last through 3-4 uses.
Make multiple rosettes and join them together by whipstitching their path hexagons to adjacent rosettes' path hexagons. Fill any gaps between rosettes with additional background hexagons. The garden path weaves between the flower rosettes to create the full garden effect.
See how this traditional pattern looks in different color combinations.
Seven rosettes arranged in a flower-of-flowers hexagonal grouping for a wall hanging
Rows of rosettes connected by garden path hexagons for a bed quilt
Single rosette as a mug rug, potholder, or mini quilt