Category: Quilting and Sewing

Medallions

Quilting and Sewing

A few short months ago I’d never heard of a medallion quilt, much less given any thought to the design of one.

Then I went to my MQG meeting in January and they announced that the next six months would be devoted to designing your own medallion quilt.

Then I started using Instagram.  I watched the Scrappy Trip Around the World frenzy (#scrappytripalong), which I joined,  followed by the “x plus along” (#xplusalong), which I didn’t join.  And then came the Marcelle Medallion quilt along (#medallionalong, #marcellemedallion).  Once again I had to jump in.

I ordered the book and picked my fabrics.

Here’s my center block with border #1:

marcellecolor1
I love this so far.  It was my first experience with making templates and although it was slow going, I enjoyed trying to master each step and feel like I ended up with a great block.

You would think that would be enough, but I was thinking about this block in my sleep, and woke up one morning certain that it would also be stunning in red and white, kind of a vintage French feeling.  So I started another block:

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The blocks are very different, but I really like them both.  One goal I set for myself was to use my French General scraps in a project this year, so I guess this is it.

And as for my local modern quilt group?  I finally settled on a center block for that medallion as well.

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I made a lone star using the new Carnaby Street fabrics designed by Pat Bravo for Art Gallery Fabrics.  I really love how it turned out with all that color! (More to come on this) So I guess that means I’m making three medallion quilts.  It kind of makes me laugh to think that I couldn’t care less about a medallion quilt three months ago, and now I’m working out the math for them in my sleep.  I’m also nervously watching my calendar fill with countless activities and wondering when I’ll be able to work on them.    I’m excited to add more borders!

Jennifer linking to Freshly Pieced

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Scrappy Trip Around the World Quilt

Quilting and Sewing


scrappytripalong1
Yay!  My Scrappy Trip Around the World quilt is finished!  When I planned the quilts I’d like to make in 2013, this was nowhere near my list, but as the pictures on Instagram (#scrappytripalong) began to pour in, I decided to make one.  I’m so glad I did.  This quilt is busier and more colorful than those I’ve made in the past, and it was perhaps the most enjoyable quilt I’ve ever pieced.

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“No fabric is sacred” was my mantra as I pulled and cut strips for this quilt.  If I didn’t have an immediate need for it, then it was fair game.  I didn’t use any black, but let navy blue and gray be my dark colors, and there are only a few red prints in the quilt.  There is more yellow and orange than I usually use, and I love how bright and cheery it is.  Unlike many, I wasn’t concerned about using a fabric more than once, so most of the prints I picked show up twice because I could cut two from one strip of fabric.  Lots of pinks, blues and greens.

I made 36 blocks, so the quilt is 6×6 blocks and measures 72 inches square.  It’s the second 72 inch square quilt I’ve finished in the last few weeks.  My Scrappy Swoon is the same size.

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I pulled some flannels for the backing and love how soft it feels.  Once more I chose straight line quilting.  I quilted on both sides of the seam every other block both horizontally and vertically, then went back through and quilted on the diagonal in both directions through the grid made by my first set of lines.  It seemed to take forever, but as soon as I finished I was glad I did it.

scrappytripquilting
I used my first black and white binding on this quilt.  I went to 5 different quilt shops in search of a black and white stripe with no success.  I didn’t want to wait for shipping time so I settled on a white on black safety pin print by Monaluna and I think it did the trick.   It does feel good to use what you have.  I didn’t buy a single thing for this quilt.

scrappytripbinding
It now hangs from the corner post of my bed and has already been used on our first night this year of leaving the windows open while we sleep.   A bit chilly, but cozy!

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Everything about this project was spontaneous and it was a very pleasant and healthy creative experience.  It makes me smile.  I think we should always have something we’re working on that brings a smile to our face.  I hope you have something to smile about today!

Jennifer Tutorial for the Trip Around the World block found here.
Linking here.

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Going Coastal Quilt Top

Quilting and Sewing

With two little quilts finished up, it’s time for me to choose another finish it up goal for March.

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This quilt top will be another quilt for one of my children.  Made with Emily Herrick’s Going Coastal fabrics (and a few of her second collection, whose name escapes me at the moment), it pays tribute to our family’s love for the beach.

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The goal is to baste, quilt and bind it.  Nothing too difficult if I just make time.  I’m excited to finish it!

I’m submitting this as my goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes – goal setting party for March.
Do you have something you need to finish this month?  Head over and join in!  Submissions are open through March 7th.

Hopeful Homemaker

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