Color Wheel Quilted
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I shared this quilt as a work in progress earlier this week. Today I’m going to bore you silly with a bazillion photos of this finished quilt.
I made this quilt as a gift for a little girl as part of the Curves Class I took at Stitched in Color. Funnily enough I’m generally not a pattern follower and when I was making the top I was enjoying it but I got to thinking about how you can follow a pattern but still make a piece your own. Coincidentally Rachel wrote a blog post earlier in the week that really helped clarify how I was feeling. If you haven’t read it I encourage you to pop over, it’s all about discovering your style. This speaks volumes to me. I am learning to be confident in my style, to always listen to my instinct, to respect but not be confined by traditional rules. I put a lot of “me” into this quilt and I am super proud of it. It is quite possibly my favourite quilt to date and definitely my best FMQ so far. But moving right along 
I’m not sure whether the recipient will use this quilt as a wall hanging or baby quilt so I included a hanging sleeve but I also made the back fun and a little girl.
Working on this quilt I found myself feeling really proud of how well it was coming along and that maybe it would become a wall hanging in Baby’s room. Let’s not forget that quilts are meant to be used and kid’s quilts can be fun, I would be so happy to see this quilt used.
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If you’re a regular reader of my blog you will know that I love using Aurifil. In fact I only use Aurifil these days. Why? Because the colours shine, my machine feels better when I quilt with Aurifil, my bobbins seem to last longer (I think this is because Aurifil is so fine) and I always love the result.
I quilted each of the segments of the wedge in a matching colour of Aurifil 50 wt (2250, 1100, 2235, 1135, 2884, 2720, 2810, 1128, 2545 and 2605). I actually started to quilt the negative space in grey, but I wanted it to feature without being overbearing so I changed to a soft pink (2410).
The binding (Kona Lagoon) has to be one of my favourite parts of the quilt. I love how it totally defines the edge of the quilt, is fun and perfectly matches the quilted flower in the centre of the quilt. I was worried it might be too much, and it may not be to everyone’s taste, but remember this is a kid’s quilt
For the first time ever I marked some quilting lines. I’m glad I did, by marking the most inner and outer diamond lines in the negative space I was able to achieve balance. I then echoed one of these lines. The rest of the quilt is entirely free motion quilted and I’m super proud with how well I did. It ain’t perfect but it’s my best effort so far and keeps me dreaming about one day owning a longarm and maybe even quilting for others
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| My wishes for the recipient <3 |
I recently wrote about photographing quilts, I’m trying to find a balance between detailed shots, interesting shots, shots I think others like and shots I like.
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| standard shot (midday, out of direct light, taped to wall) |
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| hanging shot. Seemed like a good idea, but not sure it works. |
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| I love showing a little of Nouméa’s colours |
And then there seems to be an unwritten rule of photographing your quilt folded LOL
This quilt was pieced and quilted by me on my domestic machine (Delilah my Bernina 440QE) using Aurifil threads, cotton batting, scraps, Kona solids (except for the back with is a Spotlight special LOL) and using the pattern provided as part of the Curves Class at Stitched in Color. It measures a little under 40″ x 40″
I’m linking up with TGIFF over at Quokka Quilts! Have you had a fun finish this week?
Barbie Mills
March 1, 2013 at 2:44 am (1 year ago)This is so beautiful! Your quilting really sets everything off nicely.
ReplyLaura
March 1, 2013 at 2:55 am (1 year ago)LOVE the quilting – just amazing. Gorgeous photos too!
ReplyKirsten
March 1, 2013 at 4:24 am (1 year ago)Such a gorgeous quilt! Love the blue binding and your stitched words, and the photos are beautiful too.
ReplyMolli Sparkles
March 1, 2013 at 5:09 am (1 year ago)I love that radiating fractured diamond quilting radiating around the circle. It draws the eye out and makes you see the rest of the beautiful quilting. Excellent work, Gemma, you always leave me jealous and inspired with everything you make.
Replyvexa
March 1, 2013 at 8:04 am (1 year ago)fab! I love rainbow colors and scraps. Great job with that quilting!
ReplyRachel at Stitched in Color
March 1, 2013 at 5:26 pm (1 year ago)Absolutely fantastic! You definitely made it your own with that amazing FMQing. Wow. Wow! The back is incredible. Well done and thanks so much for sharing!!!
ReplyM-R Charbonneau
March 1, 2013 at 5:39 pm (1 year ago)Gorgeous!
ReplyKristy @ Quiet Play
March 1, 2013 at 10:06 pm (1 year ago)So so so stunning!! The back is just as beautiful as the front!
ReplySharon - Lilabelle Lane
March 1, 2013 at 10:19 pm (1 year ago)well done, looks fantastic. Hugs
ReplyFinding Fifth
March 1, 2013 at 11:24 pm (1 year ago)Delightful yet again. You do love to FMQ and it shows. But I particularly love your hand stitching and what a beautiful phrase to include for a baby girl.
ReplyKimberly
March 1, 2013 at 11:43 pm (1 year ago)This is amazing and beautiful. Your FMQ is superb!
ReplyLynCC
March 2, 2013 at 2:11 pm (1 year ago)This is wonderful!! I love your creative quilting. Very inspirational.
ReplyBeth Bastian
March 2, 2013 at 4:21 pm (1 year ago)I would normally agree with you that a quilt should be used, but this quilt is a work of art and if you want to hang it on the wall go for it!
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