So the quilt top that was pieced and hanging on my design wall when I got distracted and made Sidetrack is finally finished. Begun as a gray 'scrappy strings' quilt, it evolved a bit to include black and white and tan, as well as just a few subtle gold-laced prints towards the end. I actually thought of making the gold even more visible, but at some point let that idea go.
What took the most time was the 'block construction' - sewing strips together over and over again, cutting some of the lengths, and just playing with layout on the design wall. And then when I was ready to move forward, a quick pieced quilt back gave me some momentum again.
The best fun in making this one actually came through the quilting, which isn't something I often can say. I used two Aurifil 50wt threads - #2975 [Brass] and #2620 [Stainless Steel], varying grid densities from nearly matchstick to 1/2", 1", 1 1/2" and 2".
The most dense was done in the gold thread, slightly off from center. At first I had in mind to create a few of these dense spots around the quilt, but the one didn't show up as well as I'd imagined, so I just left it there. Then I traveled around the quilt with the gray, quilting each 'side' a different density. Not sure how well that shows itself off in the photos, but in person, I think it adds alot of interest to the quilt.
Due to the different densities, the quilt's edges were quite wavy when quilting was complete - too wavy. So I did what I've rarely done - I blocked the quilt before trimming and binding. Rather than totally dunk the quilt, I sprayed both sides pretty well with my spray bottle, then laid it out on the floor and pinned it 'square' and left it overnight. That helped a whole lot.
The trimmed quilt finished at 45" x 47", and was bound in Kona Pewter. The orientation in the first photo was what I had in mind as 'right,' as that's how I built it on the design wall. But considering it got turned during its photoshoot, you can see if you like it better this way. <wink>
The tan and gold laced prints in combination with the brass quilting detail definitely give this quilt a pop and draw me in. I like the variation in quilting density and have to admit that I don't play around with that as much as I could.
ReplyDeleteI love the gold woven in, it adds so much interest! I've never been a big fan of gold, but have been adding gold accents to my watercolor paintings lately and I'm rather smitten with it. maybe it will show up in my quilting eventually
ReplyDeletelove it! so amazing that a bunch of strips can look so good!
ReplyDeleteI love your quilt and the variation of density and color of the quilting. I learn always with you! The color of your shoes is perfect with the quilt ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh wow, the quilting is impressive ... I always shy away from something like that. Way too many threads to burry but it is very cool looking! xo
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your finish, Deb! Interesting how your gray quilt turned out so much less gray. Thanks for another "Which way is up" challenge. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI really like this! The different quilting densities really add interest.
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