Wayward Transparency Quilt Link Up

I enjoyed making both of my Wayward Transparency quilts and I've also really enjoyed the link up that Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl set up for all the participants in the Quilt Along.

If you enjoyed seeing my quilts, you really should take the time to check out the others. I think there are 90+ people who have linked up pictures of their quilts, so grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the eye candy. Some of these are absolutely spectacular, especially when it comes the quilting. 

I really like both quilts and am very happy I joined the group. I'm impressed the with finished projects and am quite inspired by them.

One final posting of these two quilts - you know, because I like them so much.  😊

Wayward Transparency Quilts Completed

I loved making these two very different versions of Wayward Transparency. I participated in a quilt along (QAL) with the designer, Yvonne Fuchs, the Quilting Jetgirl and found the pattern to be very well-written and easy to follow. Along with the other QAL participants, I learned a lot about fabric choices, transparency, and some tips for cutting fabrics and piecing units. 

There are two size options (68" square and 48" square) and of course I had to make both.  :-) When I first saw Yvonne's quilt, I knew that I wanted to make the larger, on-point version; and I knew exactly which fabrics I wanted to use. I posted about those fabrics HERE.

I had seen one of Yvonne's samples made with prints,  and then she wrote a blog post about choosing fabrics and I was all set. No questions. I knew I would like the combination. 

Yvonne also wrote a very helpful blog post about evaluating fabric contrast.  Actually, it was a photo tutorial that was wonderful and very well-written. I was pleased to see that she used my fabric choices in her post. I have to admit that it did make me feel even better about my decision. 

These fabrics...

turned into this...

Because the fabrics have fairly busy designs, I decided to use an all-over design to quilt this.  

Here's the back of the quilt. It's light brown in color and reads almost solid. It's Stonehenge - A Stitch in Time by Deborah Edwards for Northcott.

Here's a close up. It's quilting rulers!

Here's a better picture from the web, since mine isn't that good. 

As I said, I made two of these quilts. The second one was made using solid fabrics and not set on point. One of the coolest things about this quilt, is that there are four blocks that measure 24" each, and only difference between the two quilts is that the larger one is set on point and you add setting triangles. 

Well, there is also the fact that you have options on not only your light and dark fabric placement, but the layout of the four blocks as well. It was really fun to see the variations of the QAL group. 

Here's my smaller version, set in a rotating - almost flying geese - layout. I REALLY like this layout!

I quilted this one in a continuous spiral and I blogged about it HERE. 

Here's a link that Yvonne has set up to show the many variations created by the QAL participants. It truly is eye candy and I know you will enjoy it!  

I've had some correspondence with Yvonne about making other versions of this quilt and changing the sizes so I can offer classes.  I learned a lot during this QAL and know that many of my students would benefit from this as well. I've not only made what I consider to be really nice quilts, I gained a lot of confidence and knowledge in the process. I want to pay that forward. I'm really looking forward to next month when the pattern will be available commercially. 

And speaking about paying it forward, did you see my post yesterday about Scott Fortunoff and The Sewing Revolution? Scott has already given away 72 sewing machines and there are more available. Check out my posts HERE for more details. This isn't a scam. This is for real and you too can be a part of paying it forward. 

Friday Finished and More

As I stated in my last post, my sewing time has been limited due to some dental issues. I'm feeling better; but with more work being done earlier this week, and more to come in the next couple of weeks, I'm still kind of a mess. Even with that though, I've been successful at doing some sewing, just nothing that requires a great amount of thinking.  😀

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a picture of what looked like a very messy and crowded design wall. I've been working on those items and am happy to say that I'm being successful at finishing some things.

I completed the binding on my 24" version of the Tartan Terrace Table Topper and I like how it looks. Not bad for using scraps to test my math skills.  😉  I think I might make the larger version too. It's pretty easy and goes together quite quickly.

I also quilted and bound my larger Faith Hope Love wall hanging. In the past, I've generally made three individual wall hangings and I've always liked them. (I think they make great gifts, especially wedding gifts.) I've only made one other single wall hanging before, and I wasn't in love with it. I followed the pattern instructions, but felt like everything was too close together and cramped. I made adjustments and this is a bit larger (44" wide x 23" high) and like it much better. 

Here's the backing I chose and I'm very pleased with that! 

I can't believe that I'm saying this, but I think I want to make yet another version of this. I envision more spaces between the figures and making it longer - like twice as long. I've sketched some quilting ideas for those extra open spaces and think that I'd like this as a bed runner. I'll keep you posted...

Buried underneath a bunch of smaller projects on that design wall was this Patty Cake Quilt. The top was complete when I posted that pictures but I was debating on what I wanted to do for the backing.  

Here's what I decided. I took the scraps from piecing the blocks and what I had left of the background, and pieced this. I'm happy with results. 

This is actually on the frame waiting for me to feel good enough to quilt it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that happens today, but won't be too disappointed if it doesn't.

I'm stitching the binding down to the last side of my large version of the Wayward Transparency This should be done tonight and I'll post pictures of both of my versions. I really like this quilt and am so happy I participated in the Quilt Along with Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl. 

I used some of the same fabrics from my Wayward Transparency quilt for this Zen Table Runner, which uses a Curvy Log Cabin Ruler. This is quilted and ready for binding. Since it's not very large (18" x 52"), I should be able to get this done tonight too. Yay!  I pulled some of the binding back and clipped it to verify that I liked my dark brown binding choice. I do! 

Here's a close up of the quilting. I used a simple meander in the blue and then freehand quilted repeating half circles in the dark areas. In retrospect, I really should have used my walking foot for this. I did that on the first one and since this one is for me, I was feeling a bit daring and decided to try it freehand. I think I was over-confident in my skill level because there is some unequal spacing between the lines on many of these. Good thing I had matching thread! I pieced the backing from left over fabric and will show that when it's all quilted. (Yikes! The uneven quilting lines really show up there!)

Also on that design wall were blocks from the pattern testing I did for Rachel Rossi. The top is done and I'm deciding on backing so I can get busy quilting it. I can't share it yet, but will do so when Rachel gives the go ahead. I like how it turned out and can't wait to show you!

I guess that I better hop off of here if I want to accomplish everything on my list. Oh what should I do first.....

I'm linking up with Sarah over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. If you need inspiration or want to see some really neat quilting stuff, be sure to check out Sarah and the others who link up today. 

Design Wall Monday

I know it's the end of the day, but I'm going to go ahead and post a Design Wall/Monday Making post anyway.  

I made two version the Wayward Transparency quilt as part of the Quilting Jetgirl Quilt Along - the large one is set on point and measures 68"x 68", but there is a smaller version that measures 48" x 48". I'm quilting that one right now. 

There are so many different layout options for this quilt! Whether you are making the larger or smaller quilt, you make 4 blocks that measure 24" and then set them in whatever layout option you want. For the larger version, you simply add triangles to the corners and viola! you have a larger quilt. 

It's hard to see n the picture above, but I am quilting this in a continuous spiral design. I'm really happy with how this is looking.

It's amazing what tricks the lighting plays on fabric when you are trying to take pictures. Honestly, these are all the same quilt! 

I'm pretty happy with my ability to slow down and keep the spacing  between the quilting lines consistent.

Of course that was after the very rough herky-jerky start I had at the beginning. I WILL be going back and fixing that! 

I hope to complete this tomorrow and get busy on the binding soon after that. I have yet to figure out how I'm going to quilt the large quilt, but I have time to think about that. Any suggestions? 

I really like this pattern and am already thinking about making another one with a different layout. There are so many options that even Jack said he'd like to see another quilt made using this pattern. 

What are you working on today?

Check out the quilting eye candy at 

Judy's Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

and

Beth's Monday Making

Time to Play with Fabric!

I received this bundle of fabric from P & B Textiles recently, and love it!

The top two fabrics are from the Norman Wyatt Signature Earthtones 2 and I fell in love with them the first time I saw them at M&E Quilt Shoppe. I was thrilled when they were included in the bundle! The other fabrics are Bear Essentials 3 fabrics, and since all of the Bear Essential lines have been a favorite of mine, I'm happy they were included too. 

I've been mulling ideas around in my head for what to make with the fabrics and finally decided that the first project is going to be four placemats and a table runner using the BQ Goes Mini pattern from Maple Island Quilts. I'm going to make one of each of the four placemat designs and the smaller table runner,  which will measure 18" x 45". The placemats will measure 18" x 13 1/2".

Here are the fabrics I've pulled for that.

I already have a couple of the Norman Wyatt fabrics in my stash and decided to include them for the project. And, I just bought a little more since there was an End of Summer Sale at M&E this past weekend. Lucky me!  👍 

The gold will be the background and I'm thinking about the stripe for binding.

I'm also using to use this bundle to participate in Quilting Jetgirl's Wayward Transparency Quilt Along. Here's what I've pulled for that. Yes, I've pulled two of the same fabrics for this project. (The brown is different.) I really like these two fabrics and since I already had some in my stash, I decided to use them. 

I've got some thinking to do for the remaining fabrics, but I'm sure it won't take long to figure out how to use them.  😊

Check back tomorrow to see how far I've gotten. 

What are you working on this beautiful Sunday?