Quilt Update

Hey everyone! I just wanted to post a quick update on my sampler quilt.



What do you think?

I really like them side by side like that and I'd love to sash them in white. It's sort of the traditional layout but not quite. I finished 7 blocks and I've almost finished putting the borders on the last 5. I picked out my 12 favorite blocks for the top...I'm not sure what I'll do with the other three because I already have a different idea for the back.

I've been working on these green and blue log cabin blocks and they're mostly finished. I was thinking that maybe this could be a double sided quilt...with no official front or back.



So, how are your blocks coming along? Is anyone finished with 12 or more? Have you decided what your layout will be?

Nine Patch Aqua

Nine Patch Aqua
Originally uploaded by simplykidsocala

I spotted this gorgeous Nine-Patch quilt on flickr. The colors and fabrics used give a very fresh feeling, especially paired with the white sashing. I like how the quilter didn't put sashing around all the edges-- it creates visual interest.

I also like the blue and white blocks best-- the ones with only four blue squares blend into the sashing nicely. Imagine a whole quilt made with just that block!

What's Modern: Layout

I've been thinking about the layout for my quilt. I had an idea in mind from the start but now I think I've changed my mind. Of course, the layout I want to try will take longer so I might not get it finished before the end of the year. But I'm going to try really hard to finish it before then.

Anyway, I wanted to share some of the quilts that have been providing me inspiration over the past month.

These quilts use blocks in rows to create a dramatic layout. I really love the simplicity of blocks in rows, especially off center or vertical.

These quilts use rows of blocks with some fantastic boarders and sashing. I was originally going to use Jacquie's quilt as inspiration for my layout. I like the double row of blocks paired with sashing and solids. Very nice!

But then I saw Ashley's quilt the other day and it got me thinking. I really love random groupings of blocks in quilts. The feeling is so modern to me, so dramatic. I've been searching flickr for days to find an example of a quilt that paired traditional blocks with multiple boarders and random layouts...but I've come up with nothing. So, that's my plan because I want to see how it'll turn out.

So, do you have a favorite "modern" quilt? What type of layouts appeal to you the most? Feel free to link to a picture so we can all see.

Diamond Log Cabins

Diamond Log Cabins
Originally uploaded by carriestrine

I know we didn't make any Log Cabin blocks, but I couldn't resist featuring these gorgeous Diamond Log Cabins I saw in quilts and quilting on flickr. The diamond shape makes it just different enough, and the vibrant fabrics give it a kaleidoscope feel.

Awesome job, Carrie!

Mosaic Block Correction

Just a note about the Mosaic Block. When I posted the tutorial, I said to cut 1 7"x7" square for the center. That was a mistake...it should have read cut 1 6.5"x 6.5" square.

I apologize if this has messed anyone up (sorry Jennifer!) The tutorial is updated now and has been double checked. Sorry again for the mix up!

Lady of the Lake and Card Trick

Whew, I'm finally caught up with my quilt blocks. Lady of the Lake and Card Trick:



First, I want to talk about the Lady of the Lake block. I wanted to use more light blue in my quilt and I figured that this block would be busy enough without adding busy fabric. But I was wrong and my block is rather dull in comparison to my other blocks. If I ever make this block again, I'd make it scrappy like the one Jennifer linked to the other day. As I was sewing the very last seam I thought "Wait! Why didn't I make this scrappy?" and then I was sad but then I got over it because I wasn't going to redo it.

Then there's the card trick block. I like how this turned out and the triangles weren't that hard to work with.

I must not really be a fan of the card trick block because I could only find one card trick picture on flickr that I liked. Check out this cool pillow! I really like the wild prints. I think I like most traditional quilt blocks when they're made with wild prints. I wish I'd used wilder prints in my blocks but it was all a learning experience so I'll just remember that for the future.

If you're quilting along with us, is there anything you wished you'd done differently?

Old Maid's Puzzle

Alright everyone...this is the last block of our quilt-along! This week we'll share some ideas for modern quilt layouts but for now, I hope you enjoy making this block.

Maleficent Mosaic

This block gave me so much trouble!  Many of my pieces were way too big and when I trimmed them down, I messed them up.  Others were too small.  I really had to work to make this block look right and I didn't do that great of a job.

Don't let the picture deceive you!  This block is pretty wretched in real life.

Card Trick

Card Trick relies heavily on the use of light, medium, and dark fabrics. Be sure to choose fabrics with obvious contrast, otherwise you'll just have a lot of triangles.


As the name suggests, this is an extremely tricky block. We'll be piecing this block using actual triangles instead of our easy cut-squares method. I tried to figure out how to do this using the easy method, but because of the necessary light-dark combinations, it doesn't work. Don't try it! Trust me.

Bonus Block

Bonus Block
Originally uploaded by abxkris

I keep coming back to abxkris's pinwheel bonus block. I can't stay away. I love the way she's used various patterns together to create one unified design. The cross in the middle stands out against the pinwheels, but at the same time I get to appreciate each pinwheel on its own. Plus, I just love those pink polka dots.

I want it. Can I have it?

Mosaic

We're almost finished with our quilt along...just two blocks left to go after today's tutorial. As you can see, the blocks are getting more complicated but not harder. This block has a lot of pieces and steps but you've done them all before if you've been quilting along with us.

Courthouse Steps

I'm running a little behind here. I was away from my sewing machine all weekend. Sadness, right?

Anyway, I'm a huge fan of log cabins so courthouse steps are fun too. I like that they can be arranged in all sorts of ways to make really cool patterns. I usually prefer the log cabin look to the courthouse steps look but this quilt just might change my mind.

So, what's your preference: log cabin, courthouse steps, both or neither?