Ever since I fell victim to my Pinterest addiction, I have wanted to make a plus quilt. Something about the simplicity of the design and the ability to use large scale fabrics effectively makes plus quilts very attractive to me. Honestly, I don’t think I have seen one that I didn’t like.
Last fall, when I received my first Art Gallery Club shipment from Pink Castle, I designated that bundle to be used for a plus quilt. (I posted about this here.) The line, Dare by Pat Bravo, has some wonderfully vivid large floral prints. I immediately ordered a couple of yards of Thread On to be used as the background fabric. When that arrived, the whole bundle sat in the sewing room until March.
One rainy Saturday, I managed to cut all of the squares for the pluses. Then it sat some more. Finally I started to assemble the quilt top. Really, it doesn’t get much simpler than this. Once I going, it went together quickly.
This quilt top was not an easy one to photograph. It was really breezy this afternoon and I couldn’t get the winds to cooperate with me.
I had to resort to my ever faithful quilt model.
She is such a helpful girl.
I am looking forward to quilting this. Lots and lots of negative space to work with. That is both fun and intimidating at the same time. For the backing, I have been piecing the scraps that were left from the front. I need a bit more fabric to complete it though. I had hoped I had enough leftover fabric but I am short. Darn it. I ordered a bit more of the background fabric and it won’t take any time to finish the backing once it arrives. For now though, the top is done and I am calling this one Positively Floating.
Linking this pretty flimsy finish with my usuals. Find them at the top of the page, under Link Ups.
Oh, I love all the negative space and think this is going to be a really stunning quilt when it is finished. Plus quilts are so fun and the line groups well together in this quilt!
Thank you! I am happy with it too. I am thinking of something very angular or just straight lines within the pluses and then something more fun in the negative space. Should be a nice project to quilt up.
Bernie, this turned out beautiful. I’ve never made a plus quilt but sure have been admiring them. I love the size of yours. It’s perfect for showing off those beautiful prints. It looks like it would be the perfect size for your quilt model too 🙂
Yes, it fits my model quite well!
I am looking forward to quilting it. Definitely straight lines, probably cross hatch within the pluses and then something swirly or curvy in the negative space. Should be fun!
That turned out great!!!
What a neat quilt top. You’ve inspired me to add a plus quilt to my wish list. Thanks for sharing.
Angie, this is one of the simplest quilts I have pieced. If you’re looking for a tutorial, there is a good one at Jeni’s blog, incolororder.com. Hope you get a chance to create one. Now I just need to baste and quilt it!
Thanks!
I love plus quilts and yours is beautiful! I’ve only made a small wall-hanging size one, and now I’m thinking I want to make another!
Thank you Diann. I bet making a plus quilt as a mini would look great. Hmmmm… Not a bad idea! I have also seen some nice pillows made with a plus pattern. Versatile, right?
Can’t wait to see how you quilt this. Love all the negative space you have to work with. It’s going to be a beautiful finish.
Yep, that negative space will make for fun quilting! Just need to finish piecing the back and get it basted. (Oh, how I dislike basting a quilt. If only there was a way to skip over that part of the process!)
There’s nothing better than a plus quilt! It took me so long to make one, but once I finally did, I just wanted to make more! Loving how you grouped the plus signs together – it’s going to look Positively Fantastic when it’s done!
Thanks Amanda. I sure hope so! It was fun the play with the pluses and arrange them. I like how they all flow downward – I’m looking forward to quilting it up.
That’s one fantastic plus quilt. I have a Pinterest addition, too, and Pinterest let me to plus quilts and the plus quilts made me do it! I made on last summer in bright (really bright) solids. My version has pluses within pluses. It was such fun and I absolutely love it. Now that I see yours with the bold prints and great big negative space, I want to make another. Oh the time, the time! I need another 50 years or 30 hour days!
Isn’t that the truth? Never enough time. And if you split your time between multiple addictions (read gardening, reading and cooking/baking) it is even harder! What to do, what to do?