Prairie Days From Bunny Hill Designs​: Tips & Ideas

The quilting world thrives on inspiration drawn from nature, history, and cherished traditions. Among the myriad fabric collections captivating quilters and crafters is “Prairie Days” by Bunny Hill Designs. Known for their charming, timeless, and Americana-inspired creations, Bunny Hill Designs continues to enchant the quilting community with their thoughtful attention to detail and heartfelt themes. 

In this article, we’ll explore the story behind Prairie Days, its signature features, design inspiration, and why it has become a beloved choice for quilters seeking a touch of nostalgia and classic American beauty.

The Essence of Prairie Days

Prairie Days is a fabric collection that honors the spirit and history of the American prairie. Its designs showcase classic motifs such as barns, flowers, and patriotic icons—each imbued with a sense of pride and simplicity reminiscent of early Americana. Through its soft pastels and bold, yet comforting patterns, Prairie Days weaves a narrative that invites quilters to craft pieces echoing the warmth and charm of rural life3.

The Story & Designer Background

Bunny Hill Designs is helmed by designer Anne Sutton, whose affinity for applique quilts and cottage style stems from long experience in sewing and apparel design. Her work often centres on storytelling through fabric: “Appliqué quilts tell a story and seeing that story come to life is what keeps Anne passionate about designing.” 

Prairie Days continues this narrative-driven approach, vividly encapsulating “life on the prairie” imagery of farm animals, neighbors helping each other, homemade creations, and the timeless appeal of simpler days. The pattern’s description reads:

“The Prairie is undoubtedly a sweeter place to live! … Let us return to the good old days when people were kind to one another and the best cuisine was produced at home! Give those sheep a pat and give your neighbors a hug.” 

In choosing to root the collection in Americana, quilt-heritage and rural imagery, Anne fosters not just a quilt project, but a mood and lifestyle invitation.

Collection & Pattern Highlights

Prairie Days encompasses more than one product; it includes fabrics, bundles, kit options and the signature pattern. Here are some of its key elements:

The pattern (#2170) produces a quilt of approximately 53″ x 60″, with full-size applique drawings, a colour fabric guide and colour photos for each block.

The fabric collection from Moda Fabrics under the Bunny Hill Designs label features classic country-themed prints in a palette of “Prairie Red, Dusk Blue, Sky Blue, and Milk White” to evoke crisp and delightful prairie living.

Retail offerings include fat-quarter bundles, fat-eighth bundles, jelly rolls, layer cakes and charm packs—all designed to make quilting easier and more coordinated. For example: the Fat Eighth Bundle includes 28 cuts of 9″ x 22″.

The collection supports block-of-the-month (BOM) programs: there is a 9-month BOM kit tied to Prairie Days that includes fabric & pattern for the top and binding.

This breadth of support, from precut bundles to BOM kits, makes it accessible whether you’re an experienced quilter or just beginning.

Design Aesthetic & Colour Palette

What makes Prairie Days stand out is the synergy of nostalgic rural charm and contemporary quilting convenience.

Colour story

The palette of Prairie Red, Sky Blue, Dusk Blue and Milk White sets a tone that is fresh yet grounded. The red engages the Americana spirit; the blues and white provide calm and balance. In combination, they can support bold patriotic-tinged quilts yet remain distinctly “country-home” rather than overtly flag-themed.

Motifs & prints

Expect farm animals (sheep!), gingham- and calico-style small prints, “prairie tags” and star/flag elements in subtle nods to Americana. The fabric line emphasises small-scale prints suited to blocks and appliqué alike. 

Appliqué vs Piecing

Although the pattern features pieced blocks, the highlight is the full-size appliqué drawings: each block in Prairie Days pattern includes applique, and the designer provides a fabric guide + photos for ease. The mix of piecing + appliqué adds texture, interest and a tactile richness—not simply flat patchwork.

Practical Uses & Quilting Ideas

Here are several ways to make the most of Prairie Days in your next project:

Stand-alone Quilt

Use the pattern #2170 to create the full 53″ x 60″ quilt. It suits a throw size, couch quilt, or even a cozy wall hanging in a cottage or farmhouse-style interior. Because the fabric supports precuts, you can streamline the cutting process.

Mix & Match Precuts

For quicker projects, use the fat quarter, fat eighth or charm pack bundles. For example, you might select the Prairie Days Fat Quarter Bundle to create coordinating blocks, sashing or borders in a cohesive palette. Using precuts helps reduce decision fatigue and keeps the palette unified.

Smaller Projects / Accents

Scale down: turn blocks into pillow covers, table runners, wall quilt segments, or gift quilts. The charm pack (42 squares) gives enough variety for a variation of the main pattern or alternate layout.

BOM Approach

The collection’s BOM kit invites you to take your time, working block-by-block across months. Ideal for sewing groups or clubs where each month you complete a new block, building community as you go.

Style-Adaptation

Don’t feel constrained to “farm animals only.” The colour story and small prints lend themselves to reinterpretation: for instance, a modern farmhouse look with minimalist applique, or a children’s quilt with playful ragged edges. The collection’s flexibility is a strong point.

Tips & Best Practices for Using Prairie Days

To get the most from this collection, here are some professional tips:

Choose your focus fabric wisely. The prints include a variety of scales; identify a few standout prints (farm-animals, gingham) to use as focal points, and then use the supporting prints for background or sashing.

Balance applique and piecing work. Since the pattern integrates appliqué blocks, give yourself time to trace, fuse (or use traditional turned-edge), and press applique shapes. If you’re newer to applique, consider practicing on a small block first.

Pre-wash or not? Because this is premium cotton quilting fabric from Moda, many quilters choose not to pre-wash the precuts (fat quarters/fat eighths) to maintain sharp edges. If you do pre-wash, remember fabrics may shrink slightly and edges may fray more.

Use coordinating thread colours. Because the palette spans reds and blues, try threads in a neutral tone (cream or taupe) for quilting, or match thread colours to fabrics for a more blended look. For the applique details, a slightly darker outline thread can add definition.

Plan your border and binding early. The simple life theme supports rustic touches: for example, a ticking-stripe binding, wool felt applique accents or primitive quilting motifs (farm fence, sheep tracks). Deciding on the border and binding early helps unify the finished piece.

Consider quilting design accordingly. A collection like Prairie Days invites quilting designs that echo its motif: loops and vines for the farm animals, star-quilting for the patriotic side, simple straight-line quilting for a clean finish. If you’re using a long-arm, talk to your quilter about designs that complement the appliqué.

Use leftovers for complementary items. Once the quilt top is done, leftover fabric can become matching pillows, table runners or tote bags. This gives your finished quilt a “set” feel throughout a room.

Audience & Setting Fit

Who is Prairie Days ideal for?

Intermediate quilters who are comfortable with basic piecing and ready to explore applique.

Quilters seeking Americana/cottage-style décor: The palette and motifs align perfectly with farmhouse interiors, patriotic holidays, or summer porch-quilts.

Quilt-clubs or guilds looking for a project with month-by-month build (BOM) and community engagement.

Gift-making: The 53″ x 60″ size is generous but still manageable, making it perfect for making for a friend, graduating student or holiday gift.

And where does it shine? 

In a cozy farmhouse living room, on a guest bed in a country cottage, as a summer porch quilt, or even hung as wall art in a sewing room to reflect the maker’s identity.

Why Prairie Days Stands Out

Strong narrative: the chance to stitch “simple life” imagery makes the quilt more than just blocks, it’s a story in fabric.

Complete ecosystem: From pattern to fabric bundles to kit options, you have what you need to complete the project without hunting each element separately.

Versatility: Though themed, the collection is flexible enough to adapt to different styles, rooms or recipients.

Designer pedigree: Bunny Hill Designs (Anne Sutton) has a well-regarded reputation in the quilting world; this lends craft credibility and quality assurance.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a quilting project that blends story-telling, skill-building and home-filled warmth, then Prairie Days by Bunny Hill Designs is an excellent choice. Whether you follow the pattern exactly, adapt the palette, or use it as a springboard for your own design, the collection’s charm and practicality are clear.

Start by reviewing the pattern (53″ x 60″) and gathering the coordinated fabrics (via precuts or yardage). Give yourself the margin for applique work, enjoy the palette, and watch as the quilt comes together, block by block, memory by memory, stitch by stitch. By the time you’re done, you’ll have more than a quilt, you’ll have captured a bit of prairie-life magic in cotton.

FAQs About Prairie Days from Bunny Hill Designs​