Secret Sewing Reveal

I've been working on a couple of secret sewing projects and it's Reveal Day for one of them. I've shared some sneak peaks on social media over the last couple of weeks, but in case you missed them I'll share them here too.

In November, I received a box from Cheryl Lynch filled with Mosaic Masterpiece scraps. I was excited when I opened the box and saw all this gorgeous fabric. 

Since I wasn't sure what I'd be getting, I'd only given a little thought as to what I was going to make. The plan was for me to add some of my own scraps and create a quilt. After seeing the scraps, I came up with a plan and decided to add one constant fabric, a very light green. 

I then went to my "Small Scrap Bin" and pulled a variety of fabric and started cutting 1.5" x approx. 5.5" pieces. I stacked the cut pieces on one side of my pressing table so I could see if/when I needed to add a new color.  This is a very mixed group of fabrics, but it's exactly what I wanted. 

I have to laugh at the comments I received when I shared this picture on social media. Yes, it really is a jumbled mess of fabric and could actually have turned into a hot mess, but I was sure it would work. I got busy sewing and paid no real attention to which strips I pulled. They just had to contrast with the strips near it. 

I completely forgot to take pictures of the small block units to show here, so I will just share the completed quilt now. I don't think this picture does it justice, but I think you get the idea.

I am very happy with the results! 

I tried to take pictures outside because the lighting is so much better, but the wind and cold temperatures didn't want to cooperate, as you can see in the picture below.

Here are a few close ups of the quilt.

This quilt was created using a foundation piecing technique. I started with a 5.5" square of the constant fabric. I drew two lines to create what I call a kite. I then sewed strips onto each side. The first and third rounds were sewn using the Mosaic Masterpiece fabrics. I used my fabric scraps for the middle strip. 

When I was sketching this out, I was thinking about the star that would be created from the unsewn constant light green fabric when four small blocks were sewn together. I was pleasantly surprised (thrilled, actually) with the secondary design that was created when those blocks were sewn together. Jack thinks it looks a bit like a Medieval coat of arms. I don't know what it looks like, but I like it!

I used my favorite black and white stripe for a border to frame the blocks. I usually reserve this fabric for binding, and that was one of my original binding options; but after I had the inside of the quilt sewn together, I knew that this would be the perfect first border. I added a plain border of the same light green fabric from the blocks and then bound this with scraps of the Mosaic Masterpiece fabric.

I quilted in the ditch around all of the strips and created the illusion of the blocks continuing into the border. I was very happy when that turned out to look like I had envisioned. Yay!

Earlier I said that I used an interesting mix of scraps from my stash. Here are just a few examples of some of those fun fabrics...

Doesn't everyone have Hot Wheels and toy truck fabric in their stash?

I have quite a bit of fruit and vegetable fabric because that was the theme of the 2021 Color Challenge project hosted by Patterns by Jen. Check back Friday for the reveal of that challenge. 

I also included at least one piece from each of the ten reading pillows I made for the grandkids' Christmas gifts. I think they'll enjoy seeing pieces of fabric from their pillows in this quilt. 

Speaking of pillows, I made a few extra blocks (on purpose because I wanted to have options while laying out the blocks), so I made two 18" pillows to go with the quilt.

Isn't this backing fabric fun? I had that in my stash too. 

If you've been a reader of my blog for any length of time, you know that my husband Jack is my official quilt holder and quilt namer. Here he is smiling, despite the 16 degree temperature and strong winds. I am one lucky woman!

I have to share a conversation Jack and I had regarding the making and naming of this quilt. I think it's kind of fun.

As I'm pulling fabric from my scrap bin...

Jack: That's your small-pieces bin. Are you using those for this quilt?

Me: Absolutely! I'll be using pieces that measure 1.5" wide by about 5.5" long.

Jack: Oh, ok. I don't see it, but I trust that you know what you are doing.

As I cut fabric, the conversation continues with:

Jack: You realize that you just cut strips of Hot Wheels, olives, and toy trucks right?

Me: Yep! And I'm adding the other fruit and vegetable fabric that I used for the Color Challenge project. Plus, fabric that was used in each of the grandkids pillows (all 10 of them) will be in there too, along with whatever I pull out next. 

Jack: This should be "interesting."

I made a few blocks to test my pieces and put them on the design wall. The conversation continued:

Jack: I'm sorry Hon, but I am not loving this...

Me: Give it time. Do you like the individual blocks?

Jack: Yes, sort of. This may be a challenge for me to name. 

I added more blocks to the design wall and the stars (both the pieced ones and the solid ones) began to show.

Jack: I get it now. I'm kind of liking this and will start thinking about names. 

Me: I already have a name in mind. The goal here was to make a scrap quilt using the mosaic fabrics along with my stash. In my mind, I needed fabric that compliments each other and "plays well together."  That's what I want to name this: Plays Well with Others

Jack: BINGO! That's perfect and I think the quilt is pretty darn cool. 

Fast forward to the finished quilt and picture taking:

Jack: This is one of my favorite quilts that you've made. You know I don't love scrappy bindings, but that mosaic fabric is perfect! 

Me: I agree!   

Me: Since I made extra blocks, just to be safe; I made two pillows also. I am smitten with those as well.  :-) 

Jack: After we take pictures outside in the freezing cold, I'm going to use that quilt to warm up and sit by the fire.

That's exactly what he did!  :-) 

Quilt Facts:

Quilt Name: Plays Well with Others 

Quilt Size: 48" x 58"

Technique: Foundation Pieced

Machine Quilted in the Ditch and straight lines on my domestic Bernina 180

Fabrics: Scraps of Mosaic Masterpiece from Cheryl Lynch and whatever was in my stash, Hoffman 1895 Sea Grass for the constant light green, QT Fabrics Digital Blanc Et Noir Stripe Black, and Fossil Fern by Patricia B. Campbell and Michelle L. Jack for Benartex for the backing (Other than the fabrics from Cheryl, all of the fabrics came from my stash.)

Pillows: 18", with zippered backs made from the same fabric as the quilt backing 

I am thrilled with this quilt! I hope the new year brings you as much joy in your quilt making as this quilt has brought to me!