September 2018 in Review/Graduated Bars Quilt

In July and August, I was heavily pregnant and very uncomfortable. I machine sewed the binding on my Graduated Bars quilt on July 1, but didn’t finish hand sewing it on until September, after my baby was born. This quilt was made as a gift, and even though it’s very simple, it took several years from inspiration to completion. The middle panel is made out of several strips from a Kona Jelly Roll, along with strips of Kona Silver, if my memory is correct. I based the design of the quilt off of a sculpture I saw on Instagram. Sadly, I lost the inspiration photo when my phone failed, and I don’t remember the name of the sculptor. I’m really happy with the finished quilt, and hope the recipient is too.

Bittersweet Shards Wall Quilt

This May, I had the opportunity to take Krista Hennebury’s Improv Under the Influence class at Drygoods Design. I would have taken the class alone, but was thrilled when I learned that my mom and three other members of the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild would be taking the class with me. It was a fantastic day, full of learning and laughter, sun and sewing. I loved the technique Krista taught, which uses chain piecing to make improv accessible to quilters who are more familiar with traditional quilting methods. I do love me some chain piecing! Since Krista had us come with our fabric precut, the project started coming along quickly and I left with a quilt top that was approximately a third complete, which was very satisfying.

If I had so much fun at the class, why is this quilt named “Bittersweet Shards”? Well, the fat quarters used in this top were from when I belonged to the Pink Chalk Fabric solids club. I’m still sad that they are no longer in business. However, I really like Circa 15, a new brick-and-mortar quilt shop in Kirkland, where I bought the backing and binding. Losing a favorite quilting store is bitter, but finding a new one close by is sweet! The “Shards” part is because while I was working on this quilt, I discovered The Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson, and it was all Shardplate this and Shardblade that, and I thought the improv pieces looked rather shard-like.

For the quilting, I used blue and purple Aurifil thread to go back and forth in each section, outlining and bisecting each shard. My favorite parts of the quilt are the “chessboard” in the middle and the contrasting strip pieced sections. I really should do some strip pieced improv soon.

If you’re a Modern Quilt Guild member, you can find Krista’s original “Chess on the Steps” quilt as the September 2014 pattern of the month. I highly recommend taking the class if you get the chance. Krista has a very friendly and helpful teaching style, and the technique is pretty great too!

Log Cabins Askew: A Paint Chip Challenge Mini Quilt

Being a member of the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild has many benefits. One of my favorites is that there is always something new going on. In addition to the monthly meetings and sew-ins, new opportunities to participate constantly present themselves: swaps, challenges, retreats, epic meet-ups, and so on and so on. This quilt is the result of the Paint Chip Challenge. Participants were given a paint chip to match, and told to make an 18” square quilt. These mini quilts will be shown together as a larger metaquilt at Drygoods Design in Pioneer Square this June.

This challenge was a lot harder than I anticipated. Even though I have a healthy stash, not a single piece of fabric I owned matched the paint chip I was given. I had planned on shopping for fabric while at QuiltCon, but forgot my paint chip at home. Trying to match it by memory proved disastrous. In the end, I used my Kona color card and ordered half a yard each of Bluebell, Cloud and Dresden Blue from Fat Quarter Shop. You can’t go wrong with solids.

By the time my fabric arrived, there was approximately a month left to complete the challenge. I scrapped my original inspiration in the interest of time, and decided to go with wonky log cabins. I have an affinity for log cabin blocks, since I used the pattern for my first ever quilt, but I wanted to do something decidedly modern with these, hence the wonkiness. After I trimmed the blocks, I discovered a surprising amount of movement in them and decided to echo that movement in the quilting. Most of the quilting was done in one sitting, during an uncharacteristic bout of insomnia. It was just what I needed to sooth my restless mind and get back to sleep.

The color palette and time constraint of this challenge definitely pushed me, but I’m glad I did it. I’ve enjoyed following along with others in the guild on Instagram (#seamqgpaintchipchallenge) and can’t wait to see everyone’s quilts displayed together.

Emerald Bracelet Lap Quilt

Ready to see my latest quilt finish? Here it is!

 

 

This quilt has been on my mind for what seems like years, but it only took about five months from cutting to binding. The pattern is Spice Market by Modern Quilt Studio, and I made the 50” x 80” napping size. The top is pieced from a variety of Kona solids, the backing is Pearl Bracelet by Lizzy House, and the binding is Crosshatch Sketch by Timeless Treasures. I quilted it with white Aurifil 50 WT thread.

 

 

The pattern was easy to follow and the piecing technique was enjoyable. I’m contemplating making another one in all blues, or low volume, or scrappy, or… I'll just put this pattern back on the shelf until I decide which color scheme to use next.

 

 

Scattered Chevron Table Runner

“La inspiración existe, pero tiene que encontrarte trabajando.”

Pablo Picasso

One of my favorite artists is Pablo Picasso. Whenever I feel uninspired in my sewing, I remember his advice that inspiration must find you working, and I find it in me to carry on. Most of the time, my quilts are made from someone else’s patterns, or are inspired by someone else’s quilt. Once in a blue moon, I find inspiration in an unlikely place, and the resulting quilt is just that much more satisfying. Even more rewarding is when the quilt is made with someone special in mind. My Scattered Chevron Table Runner is doubly dear to my heart as it was inspired by a piece of wood art and by a person who has inspired me these past few years.

It is no secret that I love Pinterest. For me, it is another way to connect online with people I like, as well as a place to find inspiration and entertainment. A while ago, a colleague pinned this piece of art, and I repinned it as possible inspiration for a future quilt. A short time later, my colleague announced that she was leaving for another company. I have always admired her work ethic, style, and ability to be well-respected in a field dominated by the opposite gender, while still being true to herself as a person and as a woman. I knew that I had to make her something quilted as a farewell gift, as she is a sewist herself. I remembered the art that I had repinned and with very little time at my disposal, pulled a few fabrics from my stash and just started sewing. I began this piece at the first Seattle Modern Quilt Guild sew-in I attended. As I sewed, this small quilt developed deeper meaning.

The front of this piece symbolizes my colleague’s ability to create meaningful insight from black and white data. The back symbolizes her creative and colorful personal style, as well as her vibrant personality. Finally, the binding is symbolic of her strong individuality.

The improv piecing on this quilt was very challenging, but I am very happy with how it turned out. It was difficult to part with this table runner, just as it was difficult to part with my esteemed colleague. However, instead of focusing on what is lost, I choose to focus on what was gained. I am glad I had the opportunity to work on this quilt, and more importantly, I am glad I had the opportunity to work with this fantastic woman.

Linking up with Sew Modern Monday, as this is the most modern quilt that I have made to date.

Sunday Stash #5

One of the things I like about a monthly fabric club is that I forget about it and am surprised when I receive the package in the mail. June’s offering for the Pink Chalk Fabric solids club was Sea Gem Studio and consisted of Moda Bella solids in teals and blues. My favorite is “Night Sky,” the darkest blue in the pack.

Sunday Stash #4

For my birthday, I received this fat eighth bundle of Free Spirit solids in blues and neutrals. It’s from my favorite quilt store. I’m not sure what I’ll do with it yet. I’m feeling an all-solids quilt coming on…

Sunday Stash #3

One of the reasons I love Pink Chalk Fabrics’ solids club so much is that it is a fun source of inspiration. Before receiving the May Pocket Full of Posies package, I had never thought of making a purple and gray quilt. I’ve made a blue, gray and purple quilt, but would have never thought of using just purple and gray. Now I really want to make one in that colorway! The gray Sherbet Pips fabric that I stashed previously would work well. Now I just need to find a pattern.

Sunday Stash #2

Somebody over at Pink Chalk Studios has a great eye for color. I was browsing their site, looking for yardage for Christmas presents, and stumbled across the Solids Club stack for April. I absolutely love the jewel tones they picked! I broke down and subscribed to the club going forward, since I keep buying each month’s stack anyways. My stash box is full though, so no more stash purchases for awhile.

Sunday Stash #1

In general, I don’t buy fabric without a specific purpose in mind. Usually I build my stash by buying more fabric than I need for a project. If a pattern calls for ¾ of a yard, I will buy a whole yard and use the extra in another project. I will also buy a fat quarter here and there. However, recently I bought fabric from Pink Chalk Fabrics with no project in mind whatsoever. I’m drawn to their monthly solids club, but haven’t signed up yet. Then I saw last month’s offering was a set of gorgeous green fabrics. My favorite color is blue, but I work with green frequently as it is the favorite color of several family members and friends. You can order their monthly pack even if you aren’t in the club. While I was on their site, I checked out the Sherbet Pips line. It’s not really my style, but I have been admiring it. I decided that the grey and blue square fabrics would be nice to have on hand. I love grey, but rarely buy grey fabric. Then I checked out their selection of blue fabric and decided to order some of the Kona Deep Blue, just because. It looked a little navy online, but I was so happy when it arrived. It is my blue! It seems that most of the blue fabric coming out right now is light blue or aqua. It’s hard to find the darker, richer shade of blue that I prefer, but now I’ve found it.