Yesterday I finished a quilt top. This hasn’t happened for a while! I am excited about this one because it is going to be a gift for someone that I am almost certain does not read my blog. I certainly hope so, otherwise, I have just blown the surprise. 😉
The fabrics in this quilt worked wonderfully together. The background fabrics are Moda solids, Figtree Cream and Stone. I am not entirely sure how this rich and creamy, off white color relates to a fig tree but it is gorgeous. Maybe they were thinking of that creamy outer part of the fig’s flesh? Who knows. The centers of the economy blocks are from a fat eigth collection I received for my birthday. The Art Gallery collection, designed by Bari J, is Millie Fleur. This quilt didn’t consume too much of the collection so I think I will use the rest to create a scrappy binding. (I love a scrappy binding!) Along with the prints, I used a selection of solids from my stash to create the center of the economy blocks. The blocks are quite large at 10″ square.
Looking at the secondary pattern (the cream and stone diamonds that surround the smaller economy blocks) will help me determine how to quilt it. The quilt is 70 x 70, so a slightly large lap quilt. Since I just took the long arm class, I plan to quilt it at the shop. It will be fun to quilt over all of that space created by the solid fabrics. However, since it is a gift, I want to do one or two quilts as practice before I work on this one. I still have two tops waiting to be finished which will make for good practice sessions.
There is a three inch border surrounding the blocks with four patch blocks serving as cornerstones. The bottom border looks distorted in this picture. I did some relief quillting there which I will show in the next post after I quilt this up. For now, just know that is why that portion looks a bit odd.
This was a bit of a beast to photograph, especially since my trusted quilt holder is back in school. Alas, I had to rely on my clothesline instead.
Hopefully I will be able to reserve some time at the long arm shop next week to practice. I’m very much looking forward to that. Then when I am a bit more confident, I will finish this project.
The weekend is coming and we don’t have anything planned. If it is cool enough outside, there is plenty of yardwork to be done. Not terribly exciting but that’s ok with me.
Linking to my usuals. Find them at the top of the page, under link ups.
Have you heard about the $5.00 Blowout Sale over at C&T Publishing? It runs through Sunday, 9/11/16 and is a great opportunity to grow your sewing library for not a lot of money! Take a peek at the titles that are on sale this weekend. One of my favorites is Get Quilting with Angela & Cloe, a book about sewing with kids written by the wonderful Angela Walters.
What a lovely top!! The color choices are great. At first i noticed the squares and hourglasses, then in another picture the stars show up ! 🙂
Yep, it changes for me depending on how I look at it too! Stars, diamonds, squares. Tricky. 🙂
I really like the secondary design that the background makes, and the colors of the solids really let the colors of the lovely prints shine. I think a scrappy binding for this will be perfect. I hope that you will feel really confident quilting this after a bit more practice and that it is fun to finish. 🙂
I just found out I can get some time at the long arm shop tomorrow! Yay! So I am trying to figure out which top to take in and quilt. I’m so excited- the stitching will be fun. Loading the layers is a bit of a challenge but I suppose after I do it a few more times, it will become routine.
Have a great weekend Yvonne ?
I think it’s so cool that you have a shop near you that will allow you rent time. This one will be a fun one to quilt with all the different shapes made by the blocks. Maybe your surprise recipient will still be surprised even if they are reading. You didn’t give us a name 🙂
Yep, I didn’t disclose the name -just in case. ?
Love the quilt top, and can’t wait to see how you quilt it. What a delightful gift!
Thank you! I was able to book some hours at the long arm shop tomorrow to practice. I’m looking forward to it! Have a great weekend Wendy! Let me know when the book arrives. Should be either Saturday or Monday.?
Congratulations on a finish! This is a lovely quilt. I think it’s great you used the clothesline to show off your quilt. I miss seeing clotheslines with pretty linens hanging on them in the sun.
I love the sweet, gentle colors against the cream and stone. And the secondary pattern is lovely. Have fun practicing on the long arm and choosing a quilting pattern for this one.
Thank you. I am just loving the colors too. The colors are really soft and luxurious — yum. I still need to find a backing for it. Probably a print so I can hide any quilting issues if needed. ?
I love the look of this. Those hourglass blocks really set off the economy blocks. And I agree, I see something different every time I look at it! It’s just lovely!
Enjoy your “free” weekend!
Hey there Tami, how are you? Is your house getting back into a school routine?
I am looking forward to a quiet weekend. Little bit of yardwork and a little bit of sewing. Sounds good to me. Except it is supposed to be hot again this weekend. I am getting a bit weary of 90 degree afternoons. So yard work in the morning and sewing during the heat of the afternoon. How about you? Any plans?
I truly love how this quilt came out! I can’t wait to see it quilted up. When I’m in Tx, I can rent time on a long arm, but I’m so pokey, I would need more than an afternoon! Enjoy your day! XO
This is so pretty Bernie! I love it! The colors are perfect, and I love the center fabrics. You are very lucky that you have a longarm to rent. I’m sure that this will turn out fantastic. Have a wonderful weekend!
Beautiful top Bernie! You are lucky that you can rent a longarm to quilt on.
The problem with clothes lines is that they can’t pivot, raise/lower, or follow simple directions quite as will as a quilt holder upper. lol I always have to use a line but often consider enlisting the help of a grandchild.
This top is fabulous! I love the colors but those prints steal center stage and do it with pride! Good luck with the long-arm. It’s so much fun once you get past the jitters and fear. Once you do, you’ll be living at the shop!
Haha! That is funny – my clothesline is quite unreasonable in that way too. Just have to make do with what you’ve got I suppose. 🙂
I spent a couple of hours yesterday at the long arm shop and it was really fun. Take care Mary and have a great weekend.
Very cute top. I have some scrap blocks that I’ve made that I’ve wanted to pair with hourglass blocks but just haven’t gotten around to it. I needed this reminder to place that back on my working UFO project list. I really like that cream and stone color combo.
Thank you. There just isn’t enough time Diana – the days fill up so fast. I’m sure you will get to it when you can. 🙂
The Figtree and Stone are perfect to pull it all together.
I agree Julie, thanks for saying so. Now, if they would only explain why that creamy goodness is the color of a fig tree!