Pastelly, a finished quilt
I wasn’t planning on custom quilting this quilt, but when a reader wondered how I would quilt it, the idea of doing something special began to grow on me.
And actually, the different elements of this improv quilt do lend themselves well to block-style custom quilting. This type of custom quilting isn’t super time-intensive, since you work in larger blocks sections. Still, it gives the quilt a lot of character. Maybe it even makes the improv patchwork feel more intentional.
I repeated certain quilting elements to create a sense of unity. For example, each of the white rectangle sections with 3 yellow squares is quilted with the same diagonal straight lines. Most of the star blocks have a fancy radiating pattern quilted on them, and I used elongated eights repeatedly on the quilt, at different scales.
Yes, quilting it was a fun project! Now, how about the whole finished quilt? Would you like to see?
Today I noticed those charming purple flowers growing in front of a characteristic wooden fence. It struck me as a sweet spot to photograph one of my most optimistic quilts.
That’s Pastelly! She’s sparkly and a perhaps touch mysterious, but mostly sunshiny happy, playful and candy sweet. This improv quilt is a celebration of life’s unexpected joys.
On the back I used some leftover Tula Pink tent stripes from the improv patchwork, as well as a big piece of an Anna Maria Horner Brave print. It’s palette and playful vibe sing along nicely.
I also included my last cut of this Mediterranean map fabric by Katarina Roccella. To me it’s symbolic since this quilt was actually the first new patchwork that I began after crossing the ocean to make a new home in Europe.
I am so, so happy with how it turned out! This couldn’t have happened if I had forced myself to finish the project before I was ready and before my mood matched the energy and colors of the work. These days I am feeling so much lighter, and this quilt is a manifestation of that joy.
Here’s to the Pastelly side of life!
p.s. Pastelly is listed today in my Handmades shop. If you take her home with you, be sure to smile often in her direction. =)
I love my Crossweave quilt design with its playful X’s and pointy diamonds. And then to sew it in fabrics by my very favorite designer, Anna Maria Parry; well, that was the cherry on top!
Hurrah, for another Rainbow Over Head! This sweet-sized quilt would be perfect for that baby or toddler in your life OR to hang up on a wall where you sew. She’s 41” square and 100% made with love and light.
Ta da, my finished Scrap Cabin quilt! She’s bright and warm and made from so many, many scrap fabric strips, folks. It truly boggles my mind that I have this many scraps, given how many scrap quilts I sew. Where are they coming from?
My Hourglass Curves quilt is sewn with drunkard’s path blocks. It’s straightforward curved piecing, which suited these bridal gown silk scraps just fine. The silk is crisp like quilting cotton, but lightweight as silk will be.
But the quilt! I love that too. It turned out great, if I do say so myself. I already had faith in it as a scrap quilt, but the green and black sashing pushed it way beyond ordinary. I imagine that it will bring such a cozy, joy to someone’s home.
I have never hung a quilt in my home before. My ex disliked quilts in general and color in particular. I accepted that it was painfully so, until one day when I realized that disliking someone’s art is rather similar to disliking their soul. In my new life post-divorce, I see how important it is that a lover also loves what I make and how I express myself in color and shape. So, in that context, you can imagine how dear it is that my boyfriend asked me to make quilts for our living room and our bedroom walls. And that hanging this first one up really makes that house my home.
Gosh I love this quilt! She was so fun and fast to make. I tried to work mostly with softer tones, while allowing for strong contrast in the improv crosses. The combination is more spunky than sweet, more wild than cultivated and positively buzzing with island energy.
Red-orange-yellow-green-indigo-violet or ROYGIV, that’s the rainbow and she never gets old. I have recreated my Dear Dottie quilt as Dear Roy. He is a square-format color wheel quilt made up of delightful, scrappy polka dots. And I love him, love him, love him!
I am quite happy with this finish! I find it pretty irresistible with its bright colors and playful, improv setting. Check out these summer vibes! It captures the slightly reckless, high-energy state of summer. Like waves crashing on the seashore or butterflies flitting over bright blooms.
Last weekend I visited a park on the other side of town and was mesmerized by the tall, blooming rhododendrons. When I returned yesterday to photograph this quilt, I was so pleased with how the flowers and myriad shades of green coordinate with my latest finish. How lucky! How wonderful. And, yes, I am in love with this quilt!
I do love how this quilt came out! The colors and patchwork make a lovely impression whether viewed from close up or from far off. With more distance the sunny yellow center absolutely glows. I love how the colors blend horizontally in both directions like the sunset reflecting on water.
The happy, sunny vibe of our this charity bee quilt is just perfect for this moment! After the most amazing, unusually warm weekend, it feels like everyone is smiling in The Netherlands.
Ta da! Even the daffodils are smiling at my finished New Maid quilt. She’s a total classic. I’ve sewn the old maid’s puzzle block in a nostalgic, spring palette. And the prints are super cute and playful as well.
a finished quilt