Derived Inspiration, No. 2 "Stitched"

Derived Inspiration

Derived inspiration- The process of being deeply inspired by something/someone.  It happens to us all the time. We photograph, we pin, we post, we admire, we dream……...then we create.

This is No. 2 in a series of quilts. The first in the series is to be gifted to a friend but it won't be mailed until mid-August, hence the out of sequence numbers. No matter if it's the first or the 100th, the process is the same, the spark of an idea taken hold and mulled over until just right. The translation of thought into something realized. The beginning, but certainly, never the end.

The inspiration for this quilt was a quilter and her pattern. 

Leanne's style and quilting ethic makes me want to do my best always, and she was kind enough to let me use her pattern in a slightly different layout than that described in the canvas quilt pattern which is available on both Craftsy and in her Etsy store. The challenge (for me) was to use what I had (fabric/batting/backing/threads) but to also have fun. I started with one block.

What I used from the inspiration: The basic block pattern, in pillow size.
The goals: To make a small quilt using the original block I made, plus 5 others,  using solids and prints and using similar colors in different tints. To try and incorporate something I've never done before (inset seaming), and give the languishing metallic threads in my thread stash a second chance to shine- literally.

The Details:
"Stitched" Derived Inspiration (No. 2) - 2014 (named from the stitch like inset seam joining the quilt panels)
39" x 50"
Quilt block: Canvas Quilt- she can quilt (Leanne)
Fabrics: All stash material, Kona black, steel, medium gray, ash,  bright pink, medium pink,  curry, maize, snow, azure)  for the "stitch", and the canvas blocks. Various printed quilting cottons for block centers. 100% cotton flannel (pre-washed) for the backing, pieced.
Threads: Aurifil #2012 (top and bobbin), #2625 (top); Gütermann #10, 116, 110 (Top); Coats and Clark #V35 (top) and Sulky metallic #142, 7009 (top)
Batting: 100% cotton Warm and Natural
Binding: 2" wide straight of grain, color and layout inspired by comments on instagram.
Quilting: Bernina modified stitch #4, 5mm wide using a walking foot.

Detail of center inset seam, metallic threads really show up on black, on the right.
I used multiple different thread colors and types on the quilt.
Makes the otherwise solid background a bit more interesting.

inset seam with glue residue. Not pretty, but it did the job
Seam total width= 1/4"
Split binding detail, top

quilt back with pieced flannel

binding detail lends pop of color to back of quilt

washed and wrinkly the "stitches" really standout.

New things I did in this quilt that I haven't done before : Joining seam for the Canvas Quilt pattern panels- an inset seam featured in Threads Magazine, July 2014. Glue basting using a washable glue stick (when pins don't/can't do the job) and using metallic thread for quilting. (I think I finally figured out a trick to make it less unpleasant to use).

Thank you to Leanne (she can quilt) for use of her pattern, Canvas, #canvasquilt. Thank you all my fellow IGer's. I appreciate your binding suggestions.

One of these is not like the other

A finish from the Always Bee Learning Bee, a group "effort" in this case. I chose the block from the book "Modern Blocks" compiled by Susanne Woods. This group is about learning new and perfecting existing quilting skills, literally "Always Learning", and I would like to thank  everyone for their contributions, so Thank you: Kristina, Megan, Michonne, Leanne, Toni, Hettie, Marci, Mary, Debbie, Celeste, Shanna, Elizabeth. Most of the group tackled  and completed 2 blocks, and you can see how lovely they are all together. The blocks arrived in their quarter sections, and I further mixed them together to get the scrappy of scrappiest layouts.

Quilt front

 The lovely ladies of this talented Bee used their stash for the colorful bits. I provided the background material. I was piecing the top during my economy block phase and added these to the sashed grid and corners. A few blocks even made it onto the back, as the top was already completed when they arrived.

Front, close-up

The Details:
"One of these blocks is not like the others"

Can you find it?? And yes, I did that on purpose.

73 x 73" square
Collaborative effort, the Always Bee Learning Bee, 2013-2014 season.

Quilt layout/sashing and back design- me. Block from: "Modern Blocks" compiled by Susanne Woods
Fabric: 100% quilting cotton bits and pieces from my Bee-mates; background Sketch in black and white, Kona cotton solids in medium gray, coal and charcoal.
Thread: (for piecing and quilting) Aurifil #2021, 2625, 2605
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom cotton
Quilt back: Main block plus left over economy blocks that didn't make it onto the front. Bits and pieces left from the sashing.

Quilt, back

The blocks look different with sashing between the quadrants instead of just around the blocks.

Binding: cut 2" straight of grain- Kumari Garden holiday edition

Sashing detail with binding

Quilting: FMQ on a domestic Bernina machine: random zig zag quilting in the background, avoiding all the colorful geese. FMQ scallops and fish scales in the sashing.

Perfect! (that's 2 different quilts and one girl)….. Bliss!

Backtracking on Keeping Track

So, I loved hearing from all of you on how you keep track, or not, of your creations. It was fun to read your comments - Thank you, thank you.
I learned and I realized that I am not alone.
It was hard to pick just one "I wish I had thought of that" comment, so I let the random number generator pick a winner……

So, Melissa- I know how to get ahold of you. But if you see this, you won!!!

Here is the link back to the post for anyone who wants to read the comments. I learned a few things about all of you. Thank you for sharing honestly!

June Blocks and the Lock, Stock and Barrel

June has been busy- not like May busy, but a good busy …. I'm back teaching at Fabricate Boulder, and enjoying all my various Bees and other creative endeavors. Here is what happened in June.

Jane Austen Bee and Book Club: Lyanna's month, and the last month of the Bee,  and we're making a churn dasher block

Haven @ do.good stitches: scrappy vines block with lots of denim essex linen

Always Bee Learning: Celeste's month and we made Bonnie Hunters boxy star block

Birthday Bandy swap: for Kelli

zip clutch,w/ removable handle,  flower pin, Zakka inspired "pencil" pouch 

matchstick quilting, inset improv curved piecing, matching threads, natural linen

improved pieced removable handle

"Lobsta" care package for my niece who moved into her first apartment in Maine. 2 dish towels and 2 pot holders, among other things.

Berthoud Outdoor Quilt show- June 21st at Finkle Park. The weather cooperated nicely and the quilts were beautiful.

That's my Remi taking a close-up for me.

4th of July

                                Happy Independence Day