Noteworthy Arkansas Crossroads Quilt (#53)

Déjà vu ... obviously I really like Sweetwater's Noteworthy collection ... this is my third quilt using it and I have two more to go! 

Noteworthy is a modern and none traditional group of fabrics.  Combining their love of Pinterest (a pre-occupation with "Bucket List's") and memories of doodling - Sweetwater designers incorporate swirls and scribbles to perfection.

Every muted color of the rainbow is here, making it the perfect quilt to sew for friends ... it's so easy to like.  Quilted with Aurifil 50wt. Light Sand on the top, Mint Ice on the bottom - this wavy line grid pattern gets all crinkly after washing and still looks good on the minky back.

What is also fun to see is how using different colors in this "Arkansas Crossroads" quilt pattern changes the vibe of each blanket - below is Terrain by Kate Spain, Noteworthy & Oh Deer by Moda. 

 Whether the colors are strong or soft - this pattern is my favorite.  For tutorial links and tips how to make an Arkansas Crossroads quilt: HERE  is my earlier post. 

Materials:
Noteworthy by Sweetwater (Moda)
Aurifil 50wt. Light Sand (#2000) &  Mint Ice (#2800)
Dimple Dot Minky in Aspen (Hawthorne Threads)
Warm & White batting
Size: 58" x 74"
April 2016

Nostalgia Layer Cake Quilt (#52)

Nostalgia by Jennifer Paganelli came out last year and it is even prettier 'in person' than on a computer screen.  Buying fabric on-line can be a gamble but this collection does not disappoint.

No matter how many times I have used the Easy Bake  pattern from Allison over at Cluck Cluck Sew, I am always pleased with the random yet structured final result.  I didn't follow her pattern to the letter for this quilt - but her general instructions give me guidance every time.

Beautiful French Lilac Variegated Aurifil 50wt. thread in a wavy line over the seams, vanilla minky on the back & Kona Grape Mist binding ... well, this makes for a really nice lap blanket.

I only know how to do simple quilting and not intricate free motion designs so I appreciate fabrics like Nostalgia whose stunning patterns & delicate colors make a simple quilt become a star. 

Materials:

Nostalgia by Jennifer Paganelli/Free Spirit

Kona Grape Mist

Vanilla minky

Warm & White

Aurifil 50wt White, French Lilac Variegated (#3840) & Dove #2600

Size:  54" x 74"

April 2016

Arkansas Crossroads Quilt in Oh Deer (#51)

My love affair with the Arkansas Crossroads quilt pattern continues. 

Made with one Oh Deer layer cake cut into 2.5" squares - it is the perfect pattern for intense colors when paired with Kona white.

For tutorial links, diagrams and my tips on how to make these fun blocks, my earlier post has is all HERE.

Oh Deer is a unusual mix of colors and designs released a few years ago by Japanese designer, MoMo, for Moda. 

Materials:
Oh Deer by MoMo for Moda
Kona white
Warm & White batting
Aurifil 50wt. White & Light Sand #2000
Size: 58"x 73"
April 2016

Snowball Quilt in Feather Flock (#50)

A perfect way to showcase large repeat fabrics is with a snowball block.  

 Feather Flock by Tina Givens is rich in saturated colors and harmonizes so well that only a little white is needed to separate all the different patterns and hues.  Some quilts look good with a random placement, but this collection needed similar colors to be grouped together so the weaker fabrics wouldn't get lost.

I used the Accuquilt snowball die, fat quarters and lots of starch.  Once you have had fun cutting out the center pieces, its just routine to do all the corners and iron.  

For all its simplicity in assembly, the final effect of a snowball quilt is a winner every time.  Aurifil 50wt. is my go-to choice to piece & quilt through spray baste, minky & batting.  By following the seam lines and then through the snowball, the finished blanket always looks good front & back.

One of my favorite dimple dot minky's is vanilla - great when I need a 'neutral' to go with a strong colorful quilt top.  A minky & batting blanket is heavier than a traditional quilt, but when I give everyone a choice of backing, they want "that soft fluffy stuff"!   My standard size of maximum 60" wide and no longer than 74" makes it machine wash & dryer friendly. 

Some fabrics are thinner than others but Feather Flock is regular quilting weight and needed a #14 needle to attach the binding.  Sometimes I can get away with a #12,  but after my thread kept skipping I knew it was the needle size, not the Aurifil Dove #2600, which blended well with the Kona Grape Mist. 

Materials:
Feather Flock by Tina Givens (LlamaFabrics)
Kona: White & Grape Mist for binding
Dimple dot minky in vanilla (Fabric.com)
Accuquilt snowball die
Warm & White batting
Aurifil #50wt. White, Light Sand #2000, Dove #2600
Size: 58" x 74"
April 2016