Author Archives: mlwilkie

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About mlwilkie

Software Developer, Mother, Wife with keen interest in art, design and crafts of all kinds.

WiP Wednesday: Upcoming Book Review Project

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I had a blast last night at Spoonflower’s Greenhouse – Pins and Needles event. The event is held once a month, where folks who are interested in fiber arts/crafts such as knitting, crocheting and sewing, come together and spend 2 hours concentrating on their projects (similar to like a sew in).

I had a lot of cutting to do, since I am starting a new project for the book review, coming next week. I won’t give too many details so you have a surprise, but have pulled the fabric. I am using my favorite line at the moment – Safari Moon with some matching Kona solids. I am almost done with cutting the pieces.

IMG_1227

These two colors will be included. I am hoping to have these cut later today…then on to sewing!!IMG_1229

 

Linking up with Lee over at Freshly Pieced for WiP Wednesday (see button on the right).

It’s “A Fine Day”

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Can you believe it? I actually finished the Riley Blake Challenge on time with my depiction of “A Fine Day” and it’s submitted. I decided to try a multi-piece binding, so I could keep the colors focused. To get the binding to match up to each block:

  • I used the darkest solid in each block for the binding.
  • I sewed each piece onto the front, leaving 2 inches from the block end.
  • I marked the edge on the binding + a 1/4 inch mark, then sewed the pieces together and trimmed.
  • For the last two pieces, I marked both pieces and matched up the lines and sewed the seam,  and trimmed.

AFineDay_hanging Bottom left: Sunrise, Top Left: Midday, Top Right: Sunset, Bottom Right: Dusk

Name: A Fine Day
Size: 34 x 30 Inches
Material: Riley Blake Prints + Kona Solids (Torch, Stratosphere, Royal, Navy for the binding)
Design: by me…inspired by the color of the sun
Technique: Improvisational piecing, Circular Quilting, Multi-piece binding

For the quilting, I wanted something that depicted the sun. I used a star like – straight line quilting in the middle circle, then used radiating circles for the rest of the quilt. This was my first time sewing circles – which aren’t perfect but I still think they turned out great. (PS. I think I need a better sewing machine to do the quilting on, instead of my light weight $150 Brother….I hinted this to the hubby at breakfast…maybe for Mothers day or birthday ;-)).

AFineDay_lying

For the 1 inch radiating lines, I used my walking foot with the guide. I could not work out a color that would work across all blocks so I used invisible thread on the top, white on the back. Here is one last photo to show the binding and quilting. AFineDay_QuiltingBacking

Lastly, here are the links to the posts documenting my whole process for the Modern Quilt Guild Riley Blake Challenge Quilt:

Design idea
Fabric Selection
Sunrise Block
Sunrise + Midday Blocks
Sunrise + Midday+ Sunset Blocks
Quilt top completion

Linking up with Alyce @ Blossom Heart Quilts for Sew Cute Tuesday and Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts for Let’s bee Social. This is also one of my Quarter Goals and linking to:
41031-fal-2014-button

Finish line in sight

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I made great progress yesterday, during the snow day on my Riley Blake Challenge quilt. We were one of the lucky ones, not to lose power during the snow/ice storm we had in North Carolina.

“A fine day” quilt top is done!!! Cheers and celebrations, as I did not enjoy having a deadline that is for sure.

I changed my original design, as I loved the rectangular improvisational blocks and did not want to take away from them. I have just started using Instagram (ml_wilkie), and loved it as a process/feedback tool during making this quilt. Thank you to all those who offered advice for block color choices and the sashing aspects (or no sashing as it turns out).

AFineDay_QuiltTopFinish_hanging
Bottom left: Sunrise, Top Left: Midday, Top Right: Sunset, Bottom Right: Dusk

I was so excited to get snow photos too, however we get so much sun in our yard, so it was hard to avoid shadows. In the end, I hope this one in the shadows (indirect light) works.

AFineDay_QuiltTopFinish_Ground

Here are the links, to my other posts, if you are interested in the progress of this quilt:
Design idea
Fabric Selection
Sunrise Block
Sunrise + Midday Blocks
Sunrise + Midday+ Sunset Blocks

I am trying out spray basting, so this is already basted. Now, onto the quilting and binding!! Linking up with Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom quilts for Finish it Friday + TGIFF which is being hosted by MR @ Quilt Matters, this week.