Spoonflower Sampler Quilt Update

I have finally got back to my Spoonflower Sampler quilt, which has been lying around since last August.

Spoonflower Sampler Quilt Top

I worked on the quilting last night at Spoonflower’s Pins & Needles. I am doing various straight line quilting designs, using the bottom middle block as a focal point.
SamplerQuilt_WiPFront

And you can see the quilting a little better on the back and I am loving the texture. The lines are my usual 1/2″ apart.
SamplerQuilt_WiPBack

Last year, I also promised to provide the instructions for each block, finally I have managed to get around to that and plan on releasing at least two blocks each week.

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

A Finish: Idea Design Create

It has been on my list to finish since April, and its finally done.  I think it is one of my favorite quilts, I have made. Idea, Design, Create.
IDC_Front

This quilt was designed to show my design process of making one block – Mind the Gap. The pattern, for this final block, is available on Cloud 9’s blog and in my quilt it is Block 9.
Screen Shot 2015-08-14 at 4.14.36 PM

The design process shown in the quilt is:

  • Block 1: decide on size, single square
  • Block 2: Decided on an uneven split (ie. two parts).
  • Block 3-5: Was deciding on how many white horizontal stripes to include in the block.
  • Block 6: Decision to add the vertical stripe at just over the center of the block
  • Block 7: I didn’t like the vertical bar going all the way to the top as it took away some of the flow of the block.
  • Block 8: Now that I reduced from the top, I also did not like the vertical line going to the bottom so I pulled the end up about 1/2 “
  • Block 9: Final design: Now that the vertical stripe had been reduced I though the horizontal white top and bottom stripes would be more balanced if they did not run edge to edge

IDC_Closeup

The words “Idea Design Create” has always been my tagline. I loved adding the text as it also represents my design process. Perfect combination.

As part of my prize for the “Mind the Gap” Block was a fat quarter bundle of Cirrus Solids. I used those along with Sarah Watson’s Biology line for this quilt. The left overs and the Biology Panel print were used for the back for consistency.
IDC_Back

I even included some of the selvadges on the back. The quilting was done by Sarah @ Crinkle Love (which I highly recommend!!). I finished it off with some mustard solid binding. I plan to hang it up in my sewing studio this weekend as constant inspiration.

Details

Name: Idea, Design, Create
Design:
Designed by me, Pattern of the last block can be found on Cloud 9’s blog.
Pattern: For the text, Paper Piecing Pattern by Diane Bohn @ From Blank Pages “My first alphabet #210”
Fabric: Cirrus Solids; Biology, Sarah Watson both by Cloud 9.
Dimensions: 36″ x 45″
Quilted: Sarah @ Crinkle Love

Linking up with Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday.

Linking up with  Adrienne for 2015 Finish along, as this was one of my goals for Q2 to finish.

2015 FAL at On the Windy Side

QDAD: July Installment 2

I got to put together another round of sparks this month. I love seeing what other people do with the palettes. Check them out on our facebook page. Below are my photo sparks/palettes and the designs I came up with this last week of July.

 26 July: Vatican City

imm034_35-palette

I thought I would start of with a brighter palette. I wanted to play with different designs row by row and build up the overall quilt.
QDAD_26JUL2015

27 July: Astronomical Clock, Prague, Czech Republic
020_18A-palette(1)

I used the window on the right side of the clock as the inspiration of the design. Its not a favorite of mine but in all fairness of showing my design process – here’s one I would do over.QDAD_27JUL2015

 28 July:  Ericeira, Lisbon Portugal (Coastal town)imm036_35-19-palette

I love the blues and the whites of this quaint coastal town. I used the umbrella’s and awning as inspiration. I used improv blocks in a Mediterranean feel. This definitely one of my favorite but I might try some softer colors.QDAD_28JUL2015

29 July: Scottish Castle
imm023_24-palette

This is the favorite of the week. I decomposed, somewhat, the crosses in the stain glass windows into two parts. I really like the secondary shapes that form. I kept the warmer color palette around the edges and the more neutral palette for the center. QDAD_29JUL2015

30 July: Iron Gate in CharlestonIMG_7943-palette

I love the neutral color palette. The variations in the wrought iron gate inspired the creation of various blocks to make up this design. This was version 3 (and my favorite of the 3), as I needed to play with the diagonal blocks.
QDAD_30JUL2015(2)

The first version I thought that diagonal block was too heavy, so I removed the border in version 2. I then did not like the same block across the diagonal so I replace the middle block with diamonds. The last one I added here, I have been playing with the C+S Tinsel colors thinking it might make a good Christmas quilt (??)
QDAD_30JUL2015   QDAD_30JUL2015(1)   QDAD_30JUL2015(3)

31 July: Wrought Iron, Bonaventure Cemetery, SavannahIMG_9737-palette

I got stuck on the vertical lines of the gate from the day before, hence the design of lines. Again, not one of my favorites this week but I do like the layered look the design offers. It would make an interesting improv. project.

QDAD_31JUL2015(1)

16 July: Extra Design
This was one of my designs from another spark. I was going for a minimalistic approach of a shop front door frame elements of triangles and blocks.

QDAD_16JUL2015(3)

Please Note: If you would like to make or use one of my designs, please email me (ml_wilkie(at)hotmail(dot)com) or leave a comment below. I am happy to talk with you on options and provide the relevant measurements etc. or have you test out a pattern. Also, if you use one of my designs, please use the following text to credit me the design: “Designed by Michelle Wilkie @ Factotum of Arts”.