Blogger's Quilt Festival: Small Quilt

Hey there! Today I'm sharing a rerun, Gail's Heart Attack, in honor of the Blogger's Quilt Festival.

If you're new around here, don't you worry. Fortunately, the quilt's title is in jest. I do some work for Gail Garber, and this sample of her Tutti Frutti pattern was my attempt to merge Gail's use of rainbow gradation with aspects of the modern aesthetic including negative space, low volume fabrics and dense machine quilting. While Gail was initially skeptical of my interpretation, she came around in the end, even suggesting the tongue-in-cheek title.

For the free motion quilting, I tested out what Karlee Parter calls "graffiti quilting". My version holds true to a philosophy of, "Quilt whatever you want, wherever you want." It might be a little flotsam and jetsam for some, but I like it. I also threw in some Angela Walter's-style dot-to-dot and feather fills.

For the detailed scoop of Gail's Heart Attack, you are welcome to see my original posts about the piecing and quilting.

Don't forget to check out the glorious entries at the Blogger's Quilt Festival too. If you feel so obliged, I'd love your vote. Just click the heart in the corner of the thumbnail.

Thanks for visiting. I'll have more fun coming up, so if you'd like to follow Quilting Mod, hit the button below or chose your favorite blog-following method in the sidebar.

Baaaaaaby Quilt

My dear friend Jenn is expecting her first child. As I'm sure you'll understand, this called for a baby quilt.

Her nursery is done up with handmade sheep-themed goodness in subtle neutral tones.

Taking my inspirational cue from Jenn's decor, including custom illustrations by Tracie Pouliot and a handmade mobile, I set forth with a sheep quilt block pattern designed by Lori Holt for her Farm Girl Vintage book.

While rummaging my stash in search of sheep, I chanced upon some Kokka Cosmic Zoo Saute Mouton, a whimsical organic print. I pulled a shiny, white Hoffman Bliss Blender; a hand dyed greenish yellow; and Kona Black to coordinate.

I realize the black background is a bit gothic for a baby, but I didn't want my selected colors to be so neutral that it resulted in camouflage sheep. Besides, if I sacrificed my hoarded out of print organic Japanese fabric, I ought to be forgiven, right? I also liked the added benefit that baby messes would be less apparent.
I created a two borders for my sheep blocks by cutting 4" white squares and doing stitch and flip triangles in the corners made from 2 1/2" squares (2 black and 2 sheep print).
As for the quilting, I decided to test out a Baptiste fan design in the background.

This is the back of the sheep print. On account of the business of the fabric, is very difficult to see the quilting on the front. I used combination of swirls, stacked coins, feathers, echoing, and pebbles.

As for the sheep, I did a loopy loop on the white and stitched around the other parts in matching thread. For the white squares, I did some dot-to-dot quilting and filled the center with an undulating line.

I hope Jenn likes it.

Piecing Minky

Towards the end of my pregnancy, I decided to treat myself to some quick finishes. A few fabric representative samples and some minky yardage picked up from the Albuquerque Modern Quilt Guild Destash Sale, and I was underway. After arranging the pre-cut rectangles of various sizes into a preposed arrangement on the floor, I began piecing. If you intend to attempt likewise, I have a few pointers, as minky is a slippery little devil.

• Use a 1/2" seam allowance.
• Do not iron; minky melts.
• Pin generously along the edges to kept them aligned while stitching.
• Use a walking foot.

To assemble the blankets pillowcase-style, I placed the right sides of the back and front together, stitched around the edge (leaving a gap for turning), and pulled the fabric through the hole. The opening was sealed with permanent fabric glue. I could have top-stitched around the edge instead, but  I opted for the carefree route.  I created on blanket for my older son to take to school for kindergarten nap, and another for my daughter, as a  consolation for acquiring a brand new and demanding sibling.

Should you choose to accept the challenge of conquering the piecing of minky, I found some useful references. Quilting Adventures, The English Geek, and Superior Threads have some excellent suggestions for getting minky to cooperate. Whereas, see Greener Grass Handmade for a blanket construction tutorial.