Crisscross Applesauce vs Solarium: Which Paper Pattern to Sew

Quick answer

Choose Crisscross Applesauce if you want a large heirloom quilt with gentle curved flying geese and you are comfortable cutting many assorted fabrics. Choose Solarium if you prefer a bold floral statement quilt with a simpler curved block and a more manageable fabric list. Both are paper patterns from Sew Kind of Wonderful, so your decision comes down to size, fabric commitment, and how much curved piecing you want to practice.

Size and scale: what changes on your design wall

Crisscross Applesauce finishes at 70" x 87", a generous throw or bed runner that gives you room to play with the curved flying geese layout. That extra width and length means more blocks, more seams, and a longer quilting session, but it also creates a dramatic secondary pattern when the curves meet. Solarium is not listed with a finished size in the supplied catalog facts, so treat it as a design-first choice where you should confirm dimensions before buying backing or batting. If you need a quilt with a predictable bed fit, Crisscross Applesauce gives you a known target; if you are sewing for the joy of the block and can adapt the finish, Solarium keeps the focus on the floral arrangement.

Fabric planning: assorted cuts vs. a focused palette

Crisscross Applesauce calls for (10) 3/4-yard cuts of assorted focus fabrics for the curves and (4) 1/2-yard cuts of assorted fabrics, plus background and binding. That is a serious stash opportunity: you can pull from your green, coral, and neutral bins, or buy a curated fat-quarter bundle and supplement with yardage. The trade-off is cutting time and the risk of a fabric you love running short. Solarium, by contrast, is described as a bold floral statement quilt, which usually means fewer fabric families and a clearer shopping list. If you already own a stack of assorted prints, Crisscross Applesauce rewards that collection. If you want to buy one coordinated group and start cutting, Solarium is the smoother path.

Curved piecing difficulty: which pattern builds skill faster

Both patterns use curved piecing, but they ask different things of your hands. Crisscross Applesauce adds curves to flying geese blocks, so you practice aligning a curved seam against a straight background edge repeatedly. That repetition is excellent for building muscle memory, and the 70" x 87" size gives you plenty of blocks to improve before you finish. Solarium's floral layout means each curved unit sits inside a larger floral composition, so a single misaligned seam is more visible in the overall design. If you are new to curves, Crisscross Applesauce's block repetition is more forgiving. If you have sewn curves before and want a design that showcases them, Solarium's floral statement is the more rewarding challenge.

Time, tools, and the Quick Curve Ruler question

The supplied catalog facts for Crisscross Applesauce do not list a required ruler, while Abacus Revival explicitly lists the Quick Curve Ruler. That absence is a decision limitation: check the pattern cover or the Sew Kind of Wonderful product page to confirm whether Crisscross Applesauce needs a specific curve ruler before you start. Solarium's tool requirements are also not listed in the supplied facts, so verify both patterns against the rulers you already own. If you have the Quick Curve Ruler and want to use it, Abacus Revival is the pattern that names it directly. For Crisscross Applesauce and Solarium, plan a quick tool check before cutting into your good fabric.

Trade-offs to weigh before you choose

• Size vs. simplicity: Crisscross Applesauce gives you a 70" x 87" heirloom with a known finished size. Solarium's finished size is not in the supplied facts, so you may need to confirm dimensions before buying backing. Pick Crisscross Applesauce if you need a predictable bed-sized finish; pick Solarium if the floral design matters more than a fixed dimension.
• Fabric stash vs. curated palette: Crisscross Applesauce needs (10) 3/4-yard cuts and (4) 1/2-yard cuts of assorted fabrics. Solarium is described as a bold floral statement quilt, which suggests a more focused fabric plan. Choose Crisscross Applesauce to use your assorted prints; choose Solarium to buy one coordinated group and start cutting.
• Skill repetition vs. design showcase: Crisscross Applesauce repeats curved flying geese blocks, which builds curve-sewing muscle memory. Solarium places curves inside a floral composition where alignment shows in the overall design. New to curves: Crisscross Applesauce. Confident with curves: Solarium.

Pattern facts at a glance

• Crisscross Applesauce (Paper): Crisscross Applesauce is a 70" x 87" paper pattern inspired by a vintage quilt with black geese on white sky and coral solid fabric, updated with curved piecing. The large finished size and vintage-inspired palette give you a clear target for fabric selection and backing yardage.
• Crisscross Applesauce (Paper): Materials include (10) 3/4-yard cuts of assorted focus fabrics for curves and (4) 1/2-yard cuts of assorted fabrics. This is a stash-friendly pattern that rewards an existing collection of assorted prints, but it requires significant cutting prep.
• Abacus Revival (Paper): Abacus Revival is a 50" x 65" paper pattern that requires the Quick Curve Ruler and lists (14) 10" x 10" assorted green prints, 1-1/4 yards, 1 fat quarter for trunks, 3 yards background, 3-1/2 yards backing, and 1/2 yard binding. If you already own the Quick Curve Ruler and want a smaller curved project than Crisscross Applesauce, Abacus Revival is a concrete alternative with a defined fabric list.

Which pattern fits your next project?

Best for

• Quilters who want a large 70" x 87" heirloom quilt with a vintage-inspired curved flying geese design
• Sewists with a stash of assorted focus fabrics who enjoy cutting many pieces and practicing curved piecing
• Makers who want a known finished size for backing and batting planning

Not for

• Quilters who want a quick, small project with minimal fabric cutting
• Sewists who prefer a pattern with a confirmed ruler requirement listed in the catalog facts
• Makers who want a bold floral statement quilt with a simpler fabric list, who should choose Solarium instead