Finding a fabric 'match' for my official Pantone swatch card was the first order of business. Thanks to my daughter, Rachel, who orders us both a card each year once the color is announced, I had proof positive. So in my unscientific research (ordering a handful of options) I decided Cotton Couture Coral was the best match for me. I rounded out the palette for my challenge quilt by including Kona Nectarine and Kaleidoscope Persimmon from Alison Glass, accented by Konas Grellow, Silver, and Graphite.
As for a design, I'd been loving the approach of repeated shapes and sizes in my recent Home Away from Home and Nine of Ten quilts, so I decided on doing that again, this time inspired by the improv hourglass blocks found in Free Range Triangle Quilts by Gwen Marston and Cathy Jones. The blocks were fun to make, and I love how there are places in the finished quilt where some hourglasses are misshapen. That really adds to the overall piece, I think. My secret to success with this project really was less is more.... meaning adding more 'tone on tone' blocks really let the others shine.
For the backing, I happily started with a good-sized length from stash, and pieced in some bits to bring it to size.
Early on, I knew that this one would be matchstick quilted, and time-consuming as that was, I never really second-guessed myself. I used Aurifil 50wt #2220 [Light Salmon] - very nearly an entire spool of it - and it really was perfect.
And then, as you've already figured out, I finished it all off with a faced binding, using the tutorial by Anita/@bloominworkshop. It really makes for a nice, neat finish.
So I'm super happy with the improvisational hourglass design, and in spite of it being oh so unique for me, my choice of fabrics. And as luck would have it, I finished just in the nick of time!
Quilt Stats
Name – Timeless Category – Quilts
Size – 45" x 52" Country – USA
