Friday, December 8, 2017

Lakeshore

I saw the Matchsticks Lakeshore quilt kit on Craftsy one day, and I was immediately intrigued by the simple pattern and the way the solid colors went together. But I didn't buy it at the time. For the next few weeks, everywhere I went to on the internet, there it was on a side ad, winking at me! That tactic finally worked, and I decided I must have it.

Once upon a time, I felt guilty about using quilt kits. But after time and time again realizing the most stressful part of quiltmaking (and the part I tend to mess up the most) is fabric selection, I've come to terms with the fact that it's totally okay to let other people take care of this for me! Where I'll make it uniquely mine is in the quilting.

This quilt was fairly straightforward to piece, using 2 charm packs and some background fabric. As much as I love prints, it was really the solid fabrics used in this quilt that initially drew me to it. And solid fabrics are such a blast to quilt, because it really shows off the quilting! I did some piano keys in the borders and some alternating linear designs in the body of the quilt.

But my main goal in quilting this was to practice the ferny design, which is something I learned in Angela Walters's classes but haven't been brave enough to do until now. But I think it turned out well! It took some time for me to "get" this design (I did a lot of sketching) but once I did, it is surprisingly fast and forgiving. It's got a lot of movement, and I'm so happy to finally add this to my quilting toolbox!

Between the rows with the ferny design, I quilted a variety of linear designs. My favorite is definitely ribbon candies. I really struggled with that design when I first tried it, which explains why it's one of my favorites now that I've figured it out.

And of course, I love to show the back of the quilt. I used a solid blue for the backing, which fits the Lakeshore theme pretty well! I always match thread on the front whenever possible, but I love how the design shows on the back of the quilt so vividly.

This quilt is going to my 2 year old son. Good thing I quilted it so heavily!

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Linking up with: Crazy Mom Quilts, Powered by Quilting, My Quilt Infatuation, Busy Hands Quilts, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Sew Can She, and Cooking Up Quilts.

29 comments:

  1. I don't see anything with that quilting! It's beautiful as usual!

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  2. This is so gorgeous! I love the ferny motif - it does have great movement!

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  3. Kit are an awesome tool at times. And your quilting is stunning as always. It's Marvelous!!!!

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  4. Big Gasp and a WHAT for this quilt. This pattern was just perfect for you to showcase your quilting talent. And what a lucky little boy to be receiving this beautiful quilt. I would happily volunteer to be his security staff to protect this quilt. BTW, I miss seeing your quilts, you were tormenting me with your zipper and curves.

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  5. Hi Liz,
    WOW.WOW.WOW! This is really gorgeous - and your quilting really makes it something special. It is a rather simple design, but that ferny quilting design - holy cow! I was going to ask about the ribbon candies - which I read as candles . . . oops. Once I read it correctly, I could totally see your new favorite. Kudos to you for conquering your fears and knocking it out of the park. Your two-year-old won't know how lucky he is . . . but eventually he will. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  6. Love the ferns, Liz! I've only tried that motif once, on a rectangle that was a bit too fat. It really wants a skinny space to get that pretty, flowy look. Your quilt makes me want to do it again soon!

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  7. Wow great quilt. You have mastered the new pattern for machine quilting.

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  8. Your quilting is amazing - congratulations!!!

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  9. Your quilting is just breathtakingly beautiful.

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  10. Oh my word! This is so beautiful that I had to show my daughter.

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  11. So glad you talked yourself into this quilt kit! You made this kit into an amazing quilt! Oh my, your quilting is out of this world and the fern work is beyond gorgeous!! Well done!!!

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  12. You really did make it your own with the quilting. It's stunning!

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  13. THIS IS AMAZING! Wow, that alternating wave is really spectacular in this with the linear motifs between its rows. Are you entering it to any shows first, or will it go straight to your son? It really is amazing.

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  14. That fern quilting is amazing!! I'm in awe of how quickly you took to your longarm and how beautiful your quilting is! Bravo!

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  15. I don't even have the words to describe how much I love the quilting on this quilt! It looks so great Liz; you are such an amazing quilter. I want to be as good as you when I grow up! :)

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  16. What a fun quilt. Your love of quilting shows. Very inspiring.

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  17. OMG. I have never seen such spectacular quilting in one quilt.
    Simply amazing. Watching you in Bermuda.

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  18. Your quilting is fabulous. Yes, you have made this quilt your very own. Love everything about it. You should be so proud of it.

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  19. Your quilting is beautiful. Did you quilt this on your regular machine? You did awesome!

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  20. This is absolutely a stunning piece. I am SO envious. Thank you for sharing.

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  21. The quilting is so amazing! You make it look as though you've never struggled with it, just a born natural!

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  22. Wow -- your quilting is breathtaking! What kind of machine to you quilt on?

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  23. Awesome quilting. Now I want to learn your wavy “ferny” pattern.

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  24. This is just stunning! When I saw it featured on Busy Hands, I thought at first it was Kathleen's (Kathleen Quilts) so high praise indeed. I totally get what you mean about kits; I usually avoid them, but sometimes when they speak to you, pattern and fabrics, ya gotta just do it right?

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  25. Your quilting is indeed beautiful. Although I'm usually attracted by color, your quilting on this is every bit as eye catching. As for kits? I say use whatever helps satisfy your current creative itch.

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