Piecing of this took about 20 minutes, and most of the time was spent on pressing the fabric. But the real purpose of making this quilt top, of course, is to quilt it.
When I loaded this quilt top, it was actually a piggyback. I use wide backing, so frequently after finishing a medium-sized quilt there's still room for a small top. This one just barely fits after I finished Lakeshore, so that's why I quilted it next. Unlike most of the quilt tops where I have some idea what I was going to do before I started, this one I really just winged it and made it up as I went along.
I did continuous curves in the colored shapes, and then went to town on the negative space filling it with all kinds of fun filler designs. Whatever I did once ... I just had to repeat it across the quilt so it looks somewhat symmetrical. But I vary the motifs across the quilt so it doesn't look too symmetrical.
I don't think every design I did was necessarily successful, but I didn't rip. Whatever I did, I just made sure to repeat it somewhere. As Angela Walters always says, 'Once is a mistake, but twice is a design choice.'
But my favorite part is the triangles on the side. Instead of quilting just a filler, I divided up the space with different quilting. I think it looks much more impactful than if I just filled it with a swirl or such.
I originally intended this to be a practice piece, and since I didn't sink a lot of money or time into the quilt top, I figured it'd be low pressure. But it turned out much better than I expected, so winging it wasn't a bad idea after all. It'll end up being a wallhanging when I get my quilting room finished ... one day. I just have to pick up the phone and call a contractor. Sigh
Well, this is going to be my last quilt this year! I'm going to take a break from blogging and social media for the rest of the year. It's been a great year for quilting for me, and I'm so encouraged by the visits, the comments, and the follows from you all. Thank you so much for making my blogging and quilting journey so much fun and so enriching. I'll see you all in the new year!
Link parties joined: Busy Hands Quilts, Powered By Quilting, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, My Quilt Infatuation, Crazy Mom Quilts, and Sew Can She.
You just keep getting better and better with each quilt; you WOW me each time you post. I'm glad you're keeping this one and it'll be hanging up in your studio, yes, call the contractor soon. I'm wanting to see videos of you in creative mode. Have a wonderful Christmas with the family and I'm going to miss seeing our quilts.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I never would have guessed this is a cheater cloth. As usual, I love it and am continually impressed by your quilting!
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning! I'm always so impressed with your growth from quilt to quilt! How long did this take to quilt? I'm *really* wanting to get a longarm next year, so I want to take you to lunch and ask you a million questions! Ha!
ReplyDelete<3 <3 <3 I love your quilting! It's so amazing! You seem to get them done so fast too! All your quilts are so drool worthy!
ReplyDeleteHi Liz,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great little quilt, and one that you should be proud to hang in your studio when it is complete. Look at all that fabulous quilting! Happy Holidays to you and your family, and here's to a great 2018. ~smile~ Roseanne
Nothing wrong with a cheater! You quilting looks fabulous and I love the colors in the top.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to finish quilting in 2017!
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat piece, Liz! Sometimes the ones we do "just for practice" work their ways right up to "one of my favorites" :) Have a wonderful end of year break from blogging, and I look forward to seeing more of your work in the new year.
ReplyDeleteYou really made that "cheater" panel SING!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing and inspiring! That should be your middle name! Have a merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Awesome use of cheater cloth. : )
ReplyDeleteHi Liz, your quilting is amazing. It's great when we don't have to spend too much time piecing, especially when the goal is to practice our FMQ.
ReplyDelete