A QWERTY Quilt

Lightbulb! I'd been mulling over what to make for the Modern Mini Challenge sponsored by Ellison Lane Quilts, and then it hit me. It was an idea I'd had for a while, but I'd never spent the brain power to pull it all together, though I couldn't seem to let it go either. We all know the asterisk block . . .

and you might have seen a pound symbol block . . .

Well what about the other special symbols on the QWERTY keyboard?

It only make sense, doesn't it?

So I went at it - piecing when I could, appliqueing when necessary. I figured out each symbol by-guess-and-by-golly, concentrating on the symbols above the numerical digits. The text fabric is Wordplay by Benartex, the brights Sketch by Timeless Treasures. I opted for no borders, and chose very dense organic straight-line quilting, overlapping in a grid in the diagonal spaces between blocks.

The challenges were in creating the various symbols, the bit of applique, and the quilting - as compact as I'd ever done. (It gave the little 17" quilt such interesting texture!) It's nothing outrageous, but an unassuming homage to the keyboard that's been a part of my life for years and years. (Thank you, 10th grade typing class!)

Linking up with the Modern Mini Challenge, Finish It Up Friday, {sew} Modern Monday, & Fabric Tuesday!