Today, I'd like to share my Springs Creative Kaleidoscope quilt with you. While I'm at it, how about a free coloring book outline and paper piecing units to make a custom kaleidoscope quilt of your own?
Let's talk inspiration. I really liked the look of Kati of From the Blue Chair's Grandma's Surprise mini, @ellibeaven's Cotton+Steel Mini Quilt Swap winner (made from Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane's Southern Star pattern), and a mini quilt by Debbi Groskopf that I saw in the market booth for Patty Sloniger's Into the Deep fabric line. The impetus for these works was often cited as Joyce Dean Gieszler's Then and Now Quilts referenced in her blog post and Dawn White of First Light Designs' post.
Using the inspiration pieces as a starting point, I created a 60" square quilt design composed entirely of 12" kaleidoscope blocks with EQ7. The fabrics I chose from the Small Wonders collection by Mary Fons include Mustard South America Ditsy, Cream Netherlands Ditsy, France Leaf, and France Mustard Ditsy. I incorporated a solid black to emphasize the prints and provide negative space for elaborate free-motion.
I began constructing paper-pieced units. Oh so many paper pieced units!
These eventually came together to form blocks.
I pinned, and I pebbled. And pebbled and pebbled...
Then, I practiced.
After which, I decided it was time to get down to business. The fill in the black background was inspired by Jess at Elven Garden Quilt's floating motifs over a straight-line background in her Binalong quilt.
Next, I quilted the life into it.
To quote Oscar Wilde, "Nothing succeeds like excess."
I used matching thread to add texture without distracting from the fabrics and overall design -- 50 weight Aurifil #2692, #2135, and #2311 to be exact. For those who want to spoil themselves a bit, there' a thread set to go with the Small Wonders collection. (Yes, I'm an enabler.)
When all was said and done, I took my creation on a field trip. This is what grass looks like in New Mexico. Just kidding. Kind of.
Thank for visiting me.
I'm linking up with:
I wish they'd update their IG already so I can vote! Your fabric and color layout looks so good, and the quilting adds so much texture and definition to the un-quilted triangles.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize you had made the pattern yourself as well!! This just came out so amazing
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is beautiful! You are so right about the grass in New Mexico...
ReplyDeleteYou grabbed my attention from your first sentence, and held it! Stunning, from quilt design to fabric print and colour choices and finally quilting. You have my vote :D Thanks so much for linking up at Sew Cute Tuesday today - Chris (guest host) @madebyChrissieD
ReplyDeleteHow will you know if people liked your quilt or only wanted the bribe - with work as nice as this its a shame you did't have the confidence to let it stand on its own...
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous! I voted for you :)
ReplyDeleteWow! This is just amazing! So happy you loved my mini in Patty Sloniger's booth-it was so much fun to make. I have been tossing around a full sized kaleidoscope for a while - time to do it! You have now inspired ME! Such a great quilting community! Debbie Grosskopf
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt! I liked on FB, good luck!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful.....I want to make one!
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how much I love your quilt it is stunning. I voted for you I hope I did it correctly.. if I didn't tell me :)
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how much I love your quilt it is stunning. I voted for you I hope I did it correctly.. if I didn't tell me :)
ReplyDeleteVery complex looking design. Congratulations to the finish.
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning! Off to vote for you happily.
ReplyDeleteLOVE it! voted for you on Spring Creative FB page! Now to find time to play with tiny triangles. ��
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely awesome! Yeppers you have my vote.
ReplyDeleteI voted and just wanted to tell you that it is AMAZING!!! I love everything about it!!! Stunning color choices, beautiful quilting, and beautiful design!! Hope you win!! Hugs, H in Healdsburg
ReplyDeleteAfton, this quilt is a masterpiece! The amount of piecing and quilting is amazing! I sure hope you win! You definitely deserve it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt! Thanks for sharing your process with us!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is gorgeous, Afton! I love the design of the quilt, and the quilting you did really does quilt the life into it. I'm not on Facebook, so I can't vote, but I would if I could. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful, love the colors, the quilting, all of it. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is absolutely gorgeous! I went over and voted for you on Facebook, too!
ReplyDeleteHoly smokes! What's not to love? It's brilliant : )
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! You have my vote.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! You have my vote.
ReplyDeleteOh this is gorgeous! Sorry I don't do facebook anymore, darn.
ReplyDeleteThis is ah-mazing!
ReplyDeleteYou've got my vote! Lovely quilt - great job piecing and quilting!
ReplyDeleteI really like the pattern the light-coloured diamond bit creates. (Goodness, I am failing at describing the section I mean right now, but it is pretty.)
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is gorgeous! The design, the fabrics, the quilting... stunning. I'd vote for you, but I am not on Facebook. Good luck though!
ReplyDeleteVoted! Thank you so much for sharing with amazing quilt (and templates!) with us!
ReplyDeleteStunning, good luck in the vote!
ReplyDeleteAmazing finish! Love your colour/fabric choices. I did go and vote for you. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a masterpiece! I don't know that I could ever piece so many similar units. I wish I had your patience! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt, and I voted!
ReplyDeleteI was happy to "like" this amazing stunner of a quilt! I keep looking at it, trying to find the block... what a great design, I hope you'll share it...
ReplyDeleteI voted. This quilt is stunning and I hope you win! <3
ReplyDeleteYour quilt and quilting is just beautiful and photographs amazingly well. I hope you win!
ReplyDeleteAfton, that is amazing!!! I couldn't begin to do this. Kudos!!!
ReplyDeleteI am in love with this quilt Afton! You did such a lovely job! I've been following your progress on Instagram! We featured your quilt over on the FWFS blog! Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
ReplyDelete-Lindsey
http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.com/2016/04/fabric-frenzy-friday-features.html
It's so pretty! Great work! Pinned! Thank for linking up to TOO Cute Tuesday!
ReplyDeletePretty incredible! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThis is a stunner and the quilting is fab!
ReplyDeletecongratulations! I had no doubts about you winning. Woohoo
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love your quilt! Your inspiration quilt was a take-off of a quilt published in my first book. Here's a link to the blog where I introduced the variation: http://www.quilterchickdesigns.com/2015/01/the-pine-needle.html. (The fabric designer was unaware of the take-off, but a pattern designer lifted the pattern and started selling an exact copy as her own design.) Your color choices are just divine. I teach a method to make this that is not paper pieced. I love that students have taken the original pattern, increased the number of blocks, and made beautiful new designs from them. Keep up the great work! Congratulations on the win!
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