It finishes 56"x 72", a happy size for cuddling, with one side rainbow riot and the other side minimalist urban zen.

Looking at where I started, with the Rainbow Road runner and this lovely set of Kona jelly rolls..

I can't be happier with where I ended up!

Let's see. After finishing the quilt top, I chose a Sweetwater Hometown half yard cut to feature on back. I just love the contrast of simple, repetitive text against the color and vibrancy of the quilt top.

To bring the half yard to size, I bordered it with Essex linen/cotton in natural. From there, Kona Charcoal was the perfect neutral to complete the quilt back. I like that Kona Charcoal is not a blue-gray like Kona Ash and Kona Coal. It's just the gray-gray I wanted. Gosh, I can't tell you how often I use my Kona color card. It's such an important tool for someone like me who buys my fabric online.
Then, quilting. I struggled a bit, because honestly I liked the top just the way it was. I'm sure this is my own limitation - I often don't see how to improve my work with quilting. As a result, I worry about distracting from my design. I went with "organic" straight lines in a loose grid pattern. The more I added, the better I liked it. For me quilting can be like jumping into a pool when the water's not quite warm enough. In the end it'll be all right, but at the beginning there's nothing but sheer willpower at work.

And, yes, spring has sprung!

Our messy fields are filling with little purple flowers and I did spot a violet under the pear tree. Today March winds are tearing through the trees. We tried flying kites yesterday and broke one in a violent crash landing. Best save the kites for the beach...
She's all bound up in Sweetwater Town News and tucked away in my cabinet now, dreaming of her future home.
I'm so glad that the Curves Class inspired me to make this quilt. It's been such a great experience teaching this class. I've heard from many who want to know when I'll be offering Curves Class again. I am considering teaching it this summer or February of next year. But, things could always change, so no promises! For now I figured those that are interested would appreciate signing up to be notified in advance of registration. Here is the Curves Class Take 2 sign up form. This will be a great way for me to determine interest levels too, so please only sign up if you're seriously interested in the class. Thanks!
Have a lovely, colorful day!



Rachel, that quilt is so beautiful! I love the contrast between the bright curvy front and the almost minimalist back. Really lovely!
ReplyDeleteSimply gorgeous! I also love the huge contrast from the front and back. It's a good reminder that it doesn't always have to be matchy matchy. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have a modern, design-loving man in mind to give this too, so that helped me develop the idea for the back.
DeleteWhat a beauty!
ReplyDeleteThis is the loveliest quilt so far this year in blogland, a nice use of rainbow fabrics without any icky rainbow rainbows!!
ReplyDeleteI love those beautiful vibrant colours and the contrast of the plain(ish) back. I think it looks just great!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so great! Maybe I need to give my rainbow road runner another try... I also love the binding choice. So clever.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is absolutely fabulous! I just started quilting and I'm lovin' this post. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely gorgeous!! I LOVE everything about this quilt...must try!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing!
ReplyDeletemargie
Wow, great! So nice and full of colours quilt! But I want to say, that I like the back side of your quilts too! J.
ReplyDeleteThis turned out great, Rachel!
ReplyDeleteRachel this quilt is so wonderful. I love it
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is amazing Rachel! I love it so much! That text print is absolutely perfect for the binding. Great job! :)
ReplyDeleteWOW WOW WOW .xxx amazing I m so jealous .xxx
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fabulous! the binding fabric could not be more perfect for this quilt!
ReplyDeleteWOW. that quilt is AMAZING. it's stunning and breathtaking and just BEAUTIFUL! I totally want to make one now. Can you hold a mini-camp asap? please please please? just a QAL with this as the project? I can't POSSIBLY wait until summer or february!!!!
ReplyDeleteStunning! I'm truly impressed...
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful quilt. I love all the energy. My eye is carried all around, and there is so much to feast on. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this quilt. The color, the curves, the movement, its all perfect. Awesome job!!!!
ReplyDeleteI really, really love this quilt. Lots of color and movement.
ReplyDeleteExquisite. I love it so much - there`s such a feeling of movement in it.
ReplyDeleteThis is one my all time favorites. It's a beautiful combination of colors and I particularly love that you backed it so simply.
ReplyDeleteGosh, it's sooo beautiful! I think I even love the back more than the front - if that's possible! So...organic lines...does that mean they are frq or walking foot but not drawn? Just curious - it looks amazing! tfs...
ReplyDeleteOops, should have explained that! Organic straight lines in this case means that I quilted with a walking foot "trying" to keep them straight, but knowing they would veer. I didn't draw any lines, which makes for quick work. I figured with the abstract design this kind of quilting fits.
DeleteIt works perfectly and I love the idea! I'm not one for marking - would rather just free-motion quilt (sorry, my fmq above came out frq in error!) but I will try the organic lines some time. I think it would be a lot less stressful to not have to have perfect lines - although I must say your look pretty darn good! Thanks for answering!
DeleteI absolutely adore that quilt. I would ask you to put a tutorial up for it, but I don't think I could make it look that good!
ReplyDeleteFantastic finish!
ReplyDeleteYou do such beautiful work.....Even on your old sewing machine. :)
ReplyDeletebtw......I can *just* make out my hometown Peotone right next to the #4 there on your backing fabric.
Fantastic quilt Rachel - good things come to those who wait (and use a seam ripper). Your Curves Course has been so wonderful and I'm glad to see it inspiring you too!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Fantastic work..
ReplyDeleteWell done Rachel!! That quilt is magnificent. I love the contrasting back, altogether a perfect quilt, well worth those grey hairs (for me anyway!!). I definitely have to get hold of some of that hometown newspaper print, everytime you use it I love it!
ReplyDeleteStunning! You must be so happy. If I didn't already have the perfect fabrics for the wheel quilt I'd be starting this soon, but I hope to make it at some point in time.
ReplyDeleteOMG that is amazing!!! I love all the colours. It's soo summery! The back looks great too, simple but effective!! =D
ReplyDeletefabulous! Love the contrast between the front and back, perfect :)
ReplyDeleteThis turned out so beautifully! I know how you feel about being worried that quilting will ruin the quilt top design - I often have the same fear. I think that's why I like such simple quilting since I feel like it doesn't take attention away from the quilt top. In the end, I always end up liking the texture the quilting adds. I think you made great quilting choices for this wonderful quilt!
ReplyDeletecongrats. fabulous, wonderful quilt!
ReplyDeleteI love the front and the back, this is a wonderful quilt! Amazing contrast.
ReplyDeleteHard to find a word to describe this quilt! It's amazing. I love how your mind works right out the tips of your fingers.
ReplyDeleteWow! what a fantastic quilt, love the color, curves, quilting, and the zen back is just a wonderful contrast to that wonderfully crazy colorful front. So, so, so amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteI love where this ended up! I'm hoping to get more of my projects done soon :o)
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful quilt Rachel! Love it.
ReplyDeletePS: We tried to fly kites today too but after two crashed and burned we decided beach is better too!
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is lovely! I so admire the colour choices and the front/back contrast. I did sign up on your form for interest in the second class, but wanted to let you know that summer for me is limited to June to mid-July.
Ooooh it's gorgeous. Utter eye candy. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is perfect! Great balance of colors, not too busy, not too flat, just perfect. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteif you ever get sick of it i promise to give it a very very very happy home! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove this quilt. It's gorgeous. Oodalolly oodalolly golly what a day. Love the name.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fabulous quilt, all those glorious colours. How can you bear to part with it!
ReplyDeleteI like this quilt a lot. What a cheerful quilt!
ReplyDeleteAnd at any point I'll have to try the way you attached the binding. It looks interesting.
Simply stunning! So glad you are thinking of possibly having another go at a second class. I seriously hope sometime this summer but I'll take it even if it's next year. Thanks! ^_____^
ReplyDeleteI love how rainbow riot balances with minimalist urban zen... and I know exactly what you mean about struggling with quilting!
ReplyDeleteIt's really a beautiful piece of art!
Absolutely brilliant. Clever use of those rolls.
ReplyDeleteIt's so beautiful. Rainbow riot. That's an awesome term.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your success with the Curves Class!!
I love the vibrant colors of this quilt and how you put it together!
ReplyDeleteRachel, the quilt is absolutely wonderful. I love every inch of it.
ReplyDeleteI am speechless! I really, really love this quilt.
ReplyDeleteAmazing, so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely lovely. I so wish this was mine:-)
ReplyDeleteWow! Gorgeous!! Great job hun!
ReplyDeleteThis is really fabulous. Clever you!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing, awesome quilt! thanks for showing us!
ReplyDeletethank you for leaving the link to this on my blog, it's wonderful! - and yes, you're right - our quilts would certainly be friends!
ReplyDeleteWow! What an incredibly beautiful quilt! It not everyday that I feel so overwhelmed by a new quilt! This one is very different, what a pleasure!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary! I'm feeling like returning to this technique soon.
DeleteDo you have a pattern for this quilt?? It is awesome!! I own a quilt shop and would love to try this out with some of the fun fabric we have!
ReplyDeleteJenn.krazykiln@gmail.com
Actually, the pattern for this quilt is part of my Curves Class, which will be offered again January of 2013. Thanks for your interest!
Delete