Octad

When I posted about February's Block Studies Collective focus, Big Slice, I really thought I was done. I loved the block, and pinned it up on my design wall, its bright colors continuing to cheer me on.

The more I looked at it, the more I was inclined to quilt it up. I mean those curves just looked downright fun to quilt. So one day, I layered it with some batting and backing, and got to work.

What looks like black and white in this block is actually Konas Nautical and Orchid - dark blue and light purple. With that in mind, I chose Aurifil 50wt 2515 [Light Orchid] for quilting. Mostly, I just followed the curves of each arc, both inside them and in the background. Then big ole diagonals through the cornerstones and melons.

Backing was a two-tone pink dot, and binding more of that dark Nautical.

I'm so happy I decided to finish this big block (20.5" x 20.5"). I continues to make me smile!

Block Studies Collective | Big Slice

February has been FULL, and we're not even halfway through! With QuiltCon looming, I've just been trying to get all my sewing commitments fulfilled, and I wasn't even sure I was going to make it to this month's Block Studies Collective challenge, Big Slice. Luckily I did!

Otherwise known as a Double Wedding Ring block, Tara @tarafaughnan gave us patterns for several different arc configurations, and I chose the one with 8 arc pieces per block, honestly because I thought it might be quickest, and I liked its chunkiness. Tara's technique involved freezer-paper templates, which actually worked really well for me. I also really appreciated all the tips she gave for block construction.
 

This month, I created my own palette from stash, inspired closely by Tara's. Note that what looks black in my photos, is actually a very dark blue; and the 'white' is a pale lavender. If I struggled anywhere, it was sewing the blocks to each other at final construction. The intersections between blocks are not perfect by any means, but for today's purpose, I can live with them. Overall, a very good and enjoyable exercise. 

Rings

From Day One of considering Improv Double Wedding Rings as my Bee Sewcial prompt this year, I really liked the idea and now, with a finished quilt in my hands, I'm more than pleased with my choice as well as my bee-mates' execution of it. My own inspiration block is in the upper-right corner. The black-and-white and "sky blue" mix is more striking than I expected, and I like it ALOT.

The blocks sat on my design wall for a while, as I considered options for bringing them all together. In my gut, I really felt they should stay snug together vs. spreading them out, just like they would be in a traditional double wedding ring quilt. It seemed that would better reflect the traditional pattern I was recreating in a more modern way. 

I'm not sure where the improvisational framing idea came from, but I decided to try a few sections, and I immediately saw the possibilities. Adding pieced stripes into the mix took it up a notch. I can't imagine being any happier with it. Then, once the top was done, a pieced quilt-back was in order.

For quilting, I used Aurifil 50wt #2715 [Robin's Egg] and started by following the curve of Felicity's block, echoing in 1/2" intervals with my walking foot. 

Though I had begun with a different plan, once I'd finished that large segment, I decided to continue echoing the other three blocks in that quadrant, this time in 1" intervals. There was some overlap between quadrants, which led to some interesting sections of grid.

That left the center "background" of the quadrant, which I echo-stitched in 1/4" intervals. It felt like the differing widths added some interest. The quilt was bound in Kona Pacific and measures 60" square. 

At the beginning of this project, I was slightly concerned my prompt would be too simple and not improv-y enough, but I think between the creativity of my bee-mates in making their blocks, the somewhat limited palette, and the finishing 'frame,' it became something very recognizable yet very unique. My thanks goes out to Karen/capitolaquilter, M-R/quiltmatters, Leanne/shecanquilt, Stephanie/spontaneousthreads, Ken/thekinglacker, Felicity/felicityquilts, and Marci/marci_girl for their contribution to this quilt. Their blocks definitely let me create the kind of quilt I had hoped for.