Transparency Quilt 1

I wish I could keep better records of my quilts, so I'm going to try and get some details down before I forget!  

Started: January 2016

Finished:  March 2016

Fabrics: Kona oyster (background), assorted solids from my stash, freespirit, Bella, modern solids from Alissa H. Carlton, moda crossweaves, cotton couture.  I don't discriminate. Wink wink.

Backing: Amy Butler, Meadow Bloom in Minty and Lizzy House Tonal Pearl Bracelet

Binding: Kona Oyster

Batting: Pellon natures touch, white, 100% cotton with scrim (my favorite, very low loft, love the drape)

Thread: Aurifil 50, 2000, light sand

Pieced and quilted by myself.

(Photo below by Alison McQuain Photography, quilt hanging in KMQG Show at Striped Light)

I made this quilt based on a design from my friend, Ashley Pace's Color Theory class.  She teaches classes at the University of Tennessee, College of Art and Design.  I love the designs that come from her classes.  She uses Color Aid papers to create color illusions.  (I hope to make more transparency quilts!-- but, I'm getting ahead of myself.)

I decided on four colors and used the shape from her class as my jump off point.

I also decided, I wanted it to be very organic and free, so I went ruler free for cutting.  This included trimming around the edge before binding.  For each color block, I started by drawing on paper the overlapping rectangles.  This helped me to visualize the end result.  After I made the four color blocks, I had thought I'd over lap those four again.  See below:

But I wasn't sold on it.  I struggled and just waited a bit.  During February, Season Evans, had a challenge with the Mighty Lucky Quilting Club.  She spoke about subtraction and minimalism.  I knew at that moment, the middle had to come out.  Stephanie Ruyle (spontaneousthreads) suggested I off center the colored blocks within the background, of course I listened!  So, I subtracted the middle and cut more Kona oyster and repieced the top.  I've never regretted it.

Then, it came down to the quilting...  I looked into other Josef Albers works (thanks Michelle Bolt!) to help with inspiration for the free motion quilting design.  I found several that led me to my final design:

I love this quilt.  I'm hoping to enter it in the 2017 QuiltCon show.  Fingers crossed.

2015 (Very Belated) Round Up

Towards the end of 2015, I wrapped up several projects and it felt great getting them finished and several gifted for Christmas.  

I made two Diamond Pane quilts using the pattern from the book, Vintage Quilt Revival.  One for my moms best friend and another commissioned by a friend from high school.  They turned out so great in Amy Butler fabrics. 

Then, I finished up a quilt made from receiving blankets for my friend Sara.  I added in one fun print to add some extra color.  I used receiving blankets on the back as well.  It turned out pretty heavy but extra soft.

This scrappy vortex (tutorial by crazymomquilts) was made up of all scraps, unfortunately, it barely made a dent.  It was posted on Instagram and my pottery teacher from many years ago snatched it up!  She plays 'I spy' with her grandchildren using it. 

Then, I finished two for Christmas gifts, one for my parents and one for Eli's big boy bed.  

My mom's was a long time WIP.  I used Anna Maria Horner's free Mother Goose pattern in Flea Market Fancy and Charley Harper fabrics.  I free motion quilted a sharp jagged meander this time and really like how it turned out.  Then, bound it in a cotton and steel crosshatch cut on the bias, it makes cool x's on the binding.

I'll post more on Eli's full January Quilt next!