My Favorite Quilt

It's been 27 days since Jessica from Quilty Habit began her "My Favorite Quilt" series over at Sew, Mama, Sew. And it's taken me this long to share mine because I COULDN'T DECIDE!

Finally, I chose an oldie but a goodie.

Tell us about your favorite quilt. When did you make it? What pattern did you use? What fabrics?

My quilt is Kaleidoscope, made during the Kaleidoscope Quilt Along with Elizabeth of don't call me betsy way back in 2011. It was during my first months of blogging, and I was still getting my feet wet in the online quilting community, still unsure about 'modern' fabrics, still very much a newbie at machine quilting. I chose to use mostly Denyse Schmidt prints, with some stash dots and other coordinates thrown in. I remember being really doubtful about my final fabric grouping, but Elizabeth assured me it was just fine.

Have your shown it at any quilt shows or entered it in any contests? 

Not this one. 

What memories does the quilt make you think of? 
What I remember most - and one of the big reasons I chose it as my favorite - was the sense of accomplishment and pure satisfaction I found in this quilt's entire process and completion. In my reveal post at the time I stated, 'Usually when I finish a quilt, there's a sense of "well that was fun". Sometimes, "whew, I'm glad that's done". And occasionally, "wow, there's truly a part of me in this quilt". That third sentiment is how I feel about Kaleidoscope ... I feel like Kaleidoscope definitely has a little of my quilting journey pieced into it.'

What do you like best about the quilt? 

I love the mix of fabrics. I like the little 'star' the quilting makes at each block's intersections. I'm still really fond of that plaid binding. And it's been washed numerous times, so it's really comfy cozy and crinkly.

How did you grow as a quilter while making it? 
I totally went out of my comfort zone quilting this one. Deciding to quilt Kaleidoscope as I did scared me silly at the time. And it was the first time I quilted with 'colored' thread. I really went out on a limb choosing gray. haha

If you could make this quilt again, what (if anything) would you do differently? 
I'm not sure I'd change a thing. I really like it just as it is.

Where is the quilt now?
Thrown over the back of the couch in our family room, where it's pretty much been ever since I took the last stitch. It's the one I reach for when the weather turns chilly.

Linking up with "My Favorite Quilt" at sew mama sew.

Prepping

Oh my goodness. When I saw Allegory's post suggesting we all have a prep party the first Sunday of each month, I thought it was the best idea! Trying to work down my own "to do" list while simultaneously participating in a swap, monthly bees, and a sew-along . . . well, things can get confusing! And having some prep done as I head into a new month seemed like it would be sooo helpful! So in a relatively short amount of time this afternoon, I did the following prep work:

• Tracing pattern for embroidery onto fabric for this week's zakka project - and yes, I changed it up just a tad. Also cut out the other fabric I'll need.

• I have a bee block that needs a fix, so I hunted down the fabric needed and have that ready to stitch back up.

• Binding made for QWERTY II. 

• Pattern chosen and fabric cut for a 100 Quilts for Kids quilt - finally.

• Fabric gathered and centers cut for improvisational log cabin mini quilt.

• Last of all, I hauled out blocks left over from my Kaleidoscope quilt made last summer. I'd had a bit of an issue with several blocks buckling in the center, and had refrained from using them in my quilt. 

         Then came the {hopefully} bright idea of cutting Dresden wedges
         out of them.

          So I have 32 wedges now - hopefully enough for something.

Linking up with {sew} Allegorical's prep party.

Kaleidoscope

May I present Kaleidoscope.

Usually when I finish a quilt, there's a sense of "well that was fun". Sometimes, "whew, I'm glad that's done". And occasionally, "wow, there's truly a part of me in this quilt". That third sentiment is how I feel about Kaleidoscope. Supernova was like that too. It had a story, and was wrapped in some honest, raw emotion. I feel like Kaleidoscope definitely has a little of my quilting journey pieced into it.


I was intrigued with Kaleidoscope the moment Elizabeth presented the quilt-along on don't call me betsy. It was different from anything I had done before!  The fabric I chose was mostly DS prints that I had purchased on a whim weeks before. The quilt-along instructions indicated I'd need a few more prints than I had, and it really stretched me a bit to put my final grouping together. When I presented my final selections on flickr in the quilt-along group, I wasn't really confident about what kind of reception they'd receive! Thankfully they were met with affirmation.

The idea for the back was from Crazy Mom Quilts. I knew I wanted to put at least one kaleidoscope block on the back, and Amandajean's quilt back was perfect. Honestly, the vision and execution of this backing was as smooth as any I've done. Being able to baste it out on the deck in the sunshine {again}, certainly didn't hurt.

I'd been reading a lot about 'special' threads lately - like Aurifil and Superior. So before I started quilting Kaleidoscope, I went to my LQS to see what they had. They happened to carry Superior, so I got some lovely gray 'King Tut' quilting thread. It is '100% Extra-Long Staple Egyptian Cotton' and felt really smooth as I was sewing. I'll definitely put in the effort to search out quality thread next time I want to machine quilt. Plus this was the first time I'd quilted in color, and I love what it added to the quilt.

I really thought I knew how I wanted to quilt Kaleidoscope early on, but changed my mind once I got started. {read more here} I'm glad I went with my instinct, even though, again, it felt like a bit of a stretch for me at the time. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Well, there's a bit about why Kaleidoscope is pretty special to me. The community built by this quilt-along was great fun, and with the new lessons and experiences bound up in beautiful fabric and pattern - well, I'm definitely glad I journeyed along.

So now it's time to link up with the Kaleidoscope Gallery of Finishes. Go look - there's some awesome quilting to enjoy!

A Time for Quilting

This past week hasn't been conducive to quilting my Kaleidoscope quilt top, but I've been thinking about how to quilt it, being inspired by the quilting Katie did on her whole cloth quilt. (see here) So last night, I finally sat down to give it a go. I thought maybe I should use my free-motion foot, but one pass down the quilt changed my mind - I just couldn't keep my tension consistent. Frustrated once again with free-motion, I picked it out.

This morning, with fresh eyes, I admitted what had been niggling in my brain all week. Though I love the wobbly straight-ish quilting Katie used, and really do want to use it on a project, what really called to me with this particular quilt was the secondary, circular pattern of the kaleidoscope. I tried to talk myself out of it, but hubby kept insisting, "It'll look good!" Inspired by the quilting on this quilt (see here) by Musings: Kristin La Flamme, I started in a new direction. Yes, it'll be more time consuming, and no, I don't totally know the complete quilting plan yet, but I have a start.

It's a beautiful sunny day in Seattle(!) and I have a list of chores a mile long, but I'm sure hoping to get back to Kaleidoscope before the day is done.

W.i.P. Wednesday

It's W.i.P. Wednesday again already!

Completed projects

Dream Big is all done, though photos of front and back are being saved for Gen X Quilters' Summer Fair: A Quilt and Recipe Show. The show starts today, but due to W.i.P. Wednesday, I'll be waiting until tomorrow to post. Quilts and recipes - that's right up my alley!

Ongoing projects

My Kaleidoscope quilt top is done and basted. I love how it is turning out! Last night I made the binding and quilting it is next on my agenda! 

The Summer Sampler Series Quilt Along is along coming along nicely! I finished block #7. I loved the blocks on flickr that had each star triangle in a different print fabric, but considering I was working with solids, I went ahead and made the string block. I really like how it turned out, and the pieced triangles were especially fun to make.

Afternoon Snack table runner and Cappuccino Bali Pop "Light & Shadow" have been started, but not much progress has been made. Once Kaleidoscope is done, I'm planning on facing both of these projects before I get totally wrapped up in bee blocks and swaps.

Upcoming projects

* Stash quilt - zig zag quilt. 

* Shades of Grey.
* For the Love of Solids project
* 4x5 modern Quilt Bee blocks

* Quilts for our siblings.

On hold for a while

Block-a-palooza quilt along needs basted and quilted.

Be sure and head over to Freshly Pieced to see more W.i.P.s! They are so inspiring!

W.i.P. Wednesday

Welcome back for W.i.P. Wednesday! Don't miss out on Dots Swap! Go here for details and sign up (through Thursday), and then the swapping will begin!

Completed projects

Finished up 10 half-square triangle blocks for the Scrapbuster Swap, plus the 'thank you' mod tree block. Got all that mailed - yay!

Ongoing projects

My Kaleidoscope quilt along blocks are done, though I had a little 'incident' while trimming them tonight. I started squaring blocks to 12 1/2", and after doing 3 realized that my blocks really needed to be a tad larger to not cut off all the points when I pieced the blocks together. Not sure why, but as I went forward, I squared them to 12 3/4", to keep the integrity of those points. Needless to say, 3 blocks were now useless, so barring a change of heart and making more, my quilt will now be 4 blocks by 5, rather than 5 by 6. Oh well.

The Summer Sampler Series Quilt Along blocks are coming along nicely! I'm really enjoying making these!

Dream Big is done being quilted, but alas, still in not home. Hopefully Thursday.

Afternoon Snack table runner and Cappuccino Bali Pop "Light & Shadow" are still waiting for attention. I'd really like to have both of these done in the next few weeks!

Upcoming projects

* Stash quilt - zig zag quilt. 

* Shades of Grey.

* Quilts for our siblings.

On hold for a while

Block-a-palooza quilt along needs basted and quilted.

So there's my progress for this week! Be sure and head over to Freshly Pieced to see more W.i.P.s!

W.i.P. Wednesday

Time for W.i.P. Wednesday again!

Completed projects

Quilt #6 of the Prairie Women Sewing Circle is done. Yay. See the complete series here.

Ongoing projects

Still making half-square triangle blocks for the Scrapbuster Swap. There's alot of trimming and sewing still to be done on this little project. And this baby actually has a deadline, so I need to keep moving. But I have gotten a sample block done!

Whew! I finished my Kaleidoscope quilt along blocks! They overflowed my design wall, but here's some of them.

I joined the Summer Sampler Series Quilt Along hosted by Swim, Bike, Quilt, Fresh Lemons Quilts, and Freshly Pieced. I'm really excited about the citrus fabrics I'm using! The first block was a quick and easy one.

I finally cut out the Afternoon Snack table runner that my mom picked out. We're adapting this pattern by G. E. Designs. It's a quilt-as-you-go pattern, which I've only done a couple of times, but I think it'll go pretty quick.

Dream Big is still at the quilters. Anxious to see her again soon.

Cappuccino Bali Pop "Light & Shadow" is still standing by.

AND a new W.i.P. - a Dots Swap hosted by Rachel of Snippets of Sweetness and myself! Stop by tomorrow for all the details!

Upcoming projects

* Stash quilt - Sew Katie Did's zig zag quilt. After taking Katie's class last week, zig zag may move farther down my list, as I started a new hst quilt in the class. We'll see.

* Shades of Grey.

* Quilts for our siblings.

On hold for a while

Block-a-palooza quilt along needs basted and quilted.

That's it for this week! Be sure and head over to Freshly Pieced to see more W.i.P.s!

W.i.P. Wednesday

It's W.i.P. Wednesday, and I confess, I spent alot of time in the sewing room this last weekend. 

Completed projects

I snuck in another little project. Couldn't resist making another Mini Swoon.

Ongoing projects

Quilt #6 of the Prairie Women Sewing Circle is almost done! After what seemed like a very long time sewing the rows together, I took advantage of the great weather this weekend and laid it out on the deck to baste. Made basting almost fun! I should have the binding (and the series!} finished by the end of the week!

Still making half-square triangle blocks for the Scrapbuster Swap. There's alot of cutting, sewing, and trimming still to be done on this little project. And this baby actually has a deadline, so I need to keep moving.

I've barely begun piecing my Kaleidoscope quilt along triangles, but at least they are at the top of my list now! I'm somewhat uncertain about my lay-out, so that's slowed me down a tad.

Dream Big is still at the quilters. Anxious to see her again soon.

Cappuccino Bali Pop "Light & Shadow". Coming into the mix soon!

Upcoming projects
* Afternoon Snack table runner adapted from this pattern by G. E. Designs. Really need to get going on this for my mom. Will be trying to cut it out this week.

* Stash quilt - Sew Katie Did's zig zag quilt. After taking Katie's class last week, zig zag may move farther down my list, as I started a new hst quilt in the class. We'll see.
* Shades of Grey.
* Quilts for our siblings.

On hold for a while
Block-a-palooza quilt along needs basted and quilted.

That's it for this week! Be sure and head over to Freshly Pieced to see more W.i.P.s!

Quilt-Alongs, Swaps, & Such

Even though I would have liked to sleep in on this lazy Saturday, there were benefits to waking early . . .

I was able to pack up my 100th post gift to send to Tiffany - Mini Swoon, along with a few fat quarters.

Momo dots, Kona Tourquoise, & a Valori Wells Wrenly print

I was able to cut and pack up my charm squares for the Gen X Quilters' Spoonflower Swap.

Spoonflower cluttered fruits

My Prairie Women Sewing Circle quilt #6 outgrew the design wall and was moved to the floor, where {bless him} hubby helped lay the rest of the blocks and setting pieces out. Believe it or not, this feels like a huge accomplishment - now I can at least stack the rows all up and continue with the sewing.

sunny Saturday - yay!

Lastly, again with hubby's help, we played with the layout of my Kaleidoscope quilt along triangles - at least got an idea on the design wall, so I can start piecing those too.

Whew! Talk about a sense of accomplishment! Feeling pretty good about all that . . .

W.i.P. Wednesday

Yay! It's W.i.P. Wednesday!

Completed projects

I snuck in a little project in celebration of my 100th post on Monday. I'll show it again on Thursday, when I announce the winner of my celebration give-away.

Ongoing projects

I finished all 120 4 1/2" bow-tie blocks for the Prairie Women Sewing Circle mini quilt! Here they are on my design wall. I'm relieved to have the little blocks done and have begun to piece the rows together, .

Still making half-square triangle blocks for the Scrapbuster Swap.

I've done the cutting for the Kaleidoscope quilt along hosted by don't call me betsy, so am on hold here until sewing directions come on Thursday.

Dream Big is still at the quilters.

Cappuccino Bali Pop "Light & Shadow". Soon . . .

Upcoming projects

* Stash quilt - Sew Katie Did's zig zag quilt. I'm hoping to get started on this at Katie's HST class tonight!

* Shades of Grey. Ideas are still percolating - tentatively to include my variety of KONA grays, and then adding that splash of {as yet undetermined, but I think I've decided} color. . . * Afternoon Snack table runner adapted from this pattern by G. E. Designs.

* Quilts for our siblings.

On hold for a while
Block-a-palooza quilt along needs basted and quilted.

That's it for this week! Be sure and head over to Freshly Pieced to see more W.i.P.s!

Let the Cutting Begin!

I've been waiting {impatiently} for the cutting instructions for Don't Call Me Betsy's Kaleidoscope Quilt Along! They were posted today, so time to get templates made and start cutting! I'm really excited to cut into the stack of fabrics I've collected for this project:

For those interested in such details, most of the fabrics are
Denyse Schmidt Fairgrounds, with several other fabrics
added to coordinate ~ see the flickr page here to get fabric details.

Stay tuned!