Solstice Sampler 2022

 This quilt is the result of a sew-along hosted by Amber of @alderwoodstudio. I started the first block in October and finished the quilt two days before New Years Eve.

 Nine designers made these wonderful blocks, it was a joy to make them.

The weather late December doesn't always cooperate for a photo shoot, but this day was just perfect!

The quilt consists of nine 18" blocks designed by awesome artists. I enjoyed making all the beautiful blocks.

With a size of 60" square the quilt will be a great addition to my home.

The backing complements the colors on the front.

A closer look of the quilt on my porch.

An indoor picture of the quilt shows the organic quilting I made using Aurifil thread in white #2021. 

I mostly used fabrics from Island Batik for the quilt.

This was a very pleasant quilt-along with a great-looking result!

Keep on quilting!

 

Dreaming of Greece - Project Quilting 12.3

 My entry for the Project Quilting Challenge 12.3 - Virtual Vacation is my dream of Greece. I normally go there every year, but now I haven't been there since 2019. Hope to go there soon.

I entered this little mug rug of 5" square from my Instagram account before the deadline yesterday, but decided to put it on my blog, also. 

It is always fun to work on small, fast projects in between the larger ones.

Keep on quilting!

 

Testing Mod Journey

This fall I got the opportunity to test a new pattern for Sew Kind of Wonderful, the beautiful Mod Journey.

I chose to make my test version as a baby quilt in bright florals on a blue/grey background. The pattern uses the QCR Mini Ruler. I enjoy curved piecing, and the blocks came together pretty fast.

This is how the top looked after piecing. Lots of negative space. This demands creative quilting!

Earlier on I have mostly done straight line quilting, but also some simple free motion quilting. This time I felt I had to jump in with both feet and really challenge myself. Since the quilt is only 40" square, I felt I didn't bite over too much.

I am going to an "advanced" FMQ class this coming weekend, and I needed some real practice. The above picture shows the quilting in detail. I marked the main the center ring of the quilted flowers with a water soluble pen, but the rest of the quilting was done completely free handed. I used a steel grey quilting thread that blends in perfectly with the background.

The quilting is kind of wonky in places, but as a first attempt in "serious" FMQ I am very pleased with the result!

I had to take a 'stained glass' picture of the quilt in the late afternoon sun. For the backing I used Britten Nummer from Ikea. The quilting shows off very well on the backing fabric.

This quilt was a great experience both in piecing and quilting! I am so happy that I got the chance to test out a new pattern, and that I dared to challenge myself with extended FMQ.

I am ready for my quilting class now!

Keep on quilting!