Pot luck off-set coin quilt

It must be pretty obvious by now that I love, love, strip quilts.  I love the simplicity of them and how they really show off the fabrics.  My latest strip quilt is a variation of a design called chinese coins, or stacked coins.  

You can see where the pattern gets its name as the coloured fabric columns look like piles of money.  Often the fabric coins are stacked exactly on top of one another.  In this case, as the coins are off-set, they look as though they have been piled higgledy pigglegy.

A single jelly roll, from the Pot Luck collection by American Jane for Moda, was used to make the quilt coins.  I love the retro look of these designs and colours.  To me they seem very reminiscent of the 1950s.

For the back I used a fantastic giant text print called Nummer, from Ikea of all places.  Many quilters use it and this was the perfect project for me to try it for myself.  I think it is the perfect partner for the quilt top; the large writing works so well with the little numbers on the tape measures. 

The quilt was professionally long arm quilted with a design called feathers.  I chose it because of the tiny chicken fabric.  After washing, the quilt did shrink a bit but I don't care.  It is still a great size (about 60 inches square) and I love the textured look and feel that the quilting creates. 

Rae's quilt - a remake

Those loyal followers of Dashwood Studio will remember this lovely quilt, appropriately nicknamed the Stacked Books quilt.

The very talented Rae from Fabric HQ designed and made it to show case Dashwood's beautiful Retro Orchard fabric collection.   

This quilt has been admired by many and a number have asked for a pattern so that they can make their own version.  As it was made with no thought of making more, sadly there was no pattern.   So Rae asked me to draft one up from the original quilt.

Cue much measuring and many calculations,

Selecting and cutting fabrics for a test version, 

And finally piecing and machine quilting.

Here is the final test version, made up in Origami Oasis with Flurry in green used for the contrast strips and binding.

Even if I say so myself, I think this version looks just as pretty as the original.  Stacked Books is a terrific design that easily lends itself to other fabric combinations.  It is a great usable size too, being approximately 1.2 x 1 metre, and would make a fab throw or child's play mat.

If you'd like to create your own version, Fabric HQ will be running a class to make this quilt later in the year.  Keep an eye on their website or sign up for their mailing list to be notified of the class dates.   

Fleurologie quilt take 2

A rare sunny day this week was too good to miss.  It was the perfect excuse for me to take a stroll along the canal nearby and photograph my latest quilt. 

Bella Solid in off-white was used for the sashing between the blocks of colour cut from my last Fleurologie layer cake.  I just love the Fleurologie fabric collection.  It is bright, colourful and just so pretty.   This is the second quilt I have made using it. 

This one however is very different in style from my first Fleurologie quilt.  The white sashing makes this quilt more subdued whilst the hot pink binding (as seen earlier with the corner trimmer) provides a strong border to the quilt that frames it perfectly.  I spent ages checking various fabrics at Fabric HQ before deciding that this pink - Kona Solid in Bright Pink - was just right. 

The pattern, called Ruby, Pearl and Opal, is available free on the Moda Bake Shop website.  Although there are a number of small pieces in the pattern, it was an easy design to put together.  It would be a good one for beginners to try as there are no seams to match up (yay!)

I even broke out of my comfort zone and made the "equally snazzy pieced backing" which I agree does look rather lovely.

For the long arm quilting, I chose a design called Curlz.  I haven't used it before but certainly will again.  It gives a lovely overall texture to the quilt with just the right weight to it.

So there you have it; a beautiful quilt measuring  146cm x 177cm.  One that any girly girl would love.