Amy, over at Amy’s Creative Side is running the Spring Blogger’s Quilt Festival again, and this time I don’t feel like quite such a fraud for entering! (Apologies to those that have been round these part for the past few weeks, but it’s going to be *that* quilt again, really, feel free to not read the description again ;o) )
Back in January when I signed up for Rachel’s Curves class I got a special offer on the Retro Flowers pattern, which I leapt on at the time (because really, who doesn’t love a bargain, regardless of how fab you think the ones springing up around blogland are?) but hadn’t got round to using for a while. I was quite bad at doing the class projects at the time, although I had plans to revisit some when I had a bit more time, so when the Retro Flowers QAL started, I was doing pretty well for time, and I needed to make something for a gift for the end of May, so it seems like the perfect match.
The recipient did not need a huge quilt, in fact I thought it would work well as a wall hanging too, so I went for a 3×3 layout. Whilst my heart normally sings rainbows, I thought that perhaps the recipient might not be quite so thrilled with something eye searingly bright, so I went for nice calm aquas and greys. I was slightly haphazard in picking my fabrics, starting with hitting up M is for Make and finding 7 fabrics there, 4 grey, 3 in mint/aqua. I didn’t know if they would actually go together, because really, who knew how good the photos were for colour representation, but it was worth a shot! When they arrived, I then grabbed a couple of fat quarters I happened to have in my stash – grey flowers from Sweetwater’s Sunkissed line and some Stof Basics in aqua with white dots. I grabbed some Klona white for my background fabric (that would be a budget version of Kona for those not in the know, and readily available here), and also used it on the back (as there didn’t seem much point using a pieced back for a wall hanging!) The binding is Sherbet Pips white squares on grey.
Fabrics amassed, I grabbed my templates and started cutting. And cutting. Seriously, this quilt has a LOT of cutting, I was glad I was only doing a small one! Next step was a production line, easing myself in with the squares, and then miles and miles of curves… I did the curves using the pinless method and only actually had a couple of unsew, which seemed to directly correlate to how I starched the fabric (for the Sunkissed flowers, I forgot to starch initially, and they gave me the most problems). I ended up with my shoulders up round my ears by the end from all the concentrating, but once the curves were all sewn, pressed and trimmed it was a breeze! I added 3″ of white border, then did my first ever FMQ with quite a dense meandering stipple in white. I was so happy with how well the stippling went, and it was very forgiving of the fact that I happened to run out of basting spray about 1″ from the top edge! Finally it was bound and thrown in the wash – I just love how crinkly it came out, it’s such a fab texture!
The recipient will receive it in the next couple of weeks, and I do hope it’s loved :o) Now I want one for me, in a bigger version… (I have plans ;o) )
gorgeous, simply gorgeous — bigger quilt for you!?! love that! haha can't wait to see!
It's very lovely, and I didn't mind reading about it again at all! I think that quilt design is really great. I've been tempted to make one as well.
Stunning quilt K! Great choice for the BQF! Jxo
Stunning quilt K! Great choice for the BQF! Jxo
That turned out beautifully! A bigger one? wow, good luck. I didn't have the patience for a big one either. Maybe after I take a break from the pattern for a while?
Yay – so happy it got the sunny photo-shoot it deserved! x
If I hadn't already taken on a 'manageable' qal I would have joined in this too – glad I couldn't! Yours looks fantastic, have fun on the next one!
Such a lovely quilt. Cant believe you are crazy enough to make a bigger one though?! All those curves would do my nut in!
Yay! It looks so fantastic all quilted!
Awesome glad you entered. Quilting looks great!
it is gorgeous well done love it
Its really gorgeous Katy 🙂
I love this quilt, so nice to see it in the festival. For sure you should make another one, I am going to show you some curve tricks when we meet, no need for such pain.
This is one of my favorites of the retro flowers quilts! Lovely choice. : )
Love the color palette and quilting. It looks so crinkled but soft.
ooh it looks so yummy, all crinkled like that… good work, friend!
I recently made a DP quilt as well and I just love all of the possibilies for layout. Yours is fabulous! I can see one like this in my future 😉 Smiles~Beth
It looks absolutely wonderful!
I think it's a good choice. I love the colors you picked. I thought about entering, but I have NOTHING to enter. Just a couple crappy baby size quilts that aren't even pieced much. I really need to start quilting for me.
This is indeed a very sweet quilt. I love how you laid out the colours with the grey in the middle. Great gift – I'm sure your friend will love it!
Love the photo shoot and it is definitely a great choice for the festival! The stippling turned out fantastic.
Such a lovely quilt!
This is a great addition to the festival. I hope lots of people visit your blog
I love this pattern. Your fabric choices are great – love it!
oh i love this so much! it is all crinkly heaven! beautiful!
It's great seeing this quilt again! It's autumn here in Australia so your retro flowers do make it a bit springy. I love the colours youve used.
yup, still love it!
This quilt is so beautiful:)))
Gorgeous! I'm sure it'll be much loved 🙂
It's beautiful!
Beautiful quilt. Congrats!
Love the soft colours in this quilt!
oh this turned out wonderfully! VERY nice!!
I love it, such pretty colors and it being all crinkly is the best!
That quilt? Again???? *sigh*
Just kidding…I love it! Reminding me I need to get focused back on mine again!
I love the colorway you chose and the crinkly-ness of it after a wash!
What a fabulous quilt!
I really need to finish mine up . . . your Retro Flowers are the perfect inspiration – thanks! Love it!
Really pretty color choices!
Can't believe you are giving it away! Gorgeous!
This is really beautiful Katy. I am off to nominate it for something!
I just love your quilt! The color combination is perfect. 🙂