The fabric: Here is the very popular De La Luna collection from Tula Pink. It has everything a Day of the Dead fan could want: eye balls, skulls, bats, beautiful bright colors and so much more. Better yet, I was able to purchase the fabrics as part of a quilt kit - a first for me.
(Quilt kit from DIY Addict here.)
The pattern: The pattern is free (here) and called Family Portrait. It has since been updated to include the correct amount of yardage and fussy cut instructions. Unfortunately not in time for me - but luckily for those now making this quilt.
I like to pick a quilt pattern that can be made from a few simple blocks - put them together and call it a day. Of course this pattern was nothing like that!
Here are some tips I found helpful especially since these blocks were not oversized for final trimming.
1) Measure the fabric and make sure it can handle slight shrinkage that will come from using starch & steam.
2) Make a dummy block and get a handle on unfamiliar angles or techniques.
3) Sew slowly and be as precise as you can with your seam allowance.
I did all of the above and after more sweaty palm moments than I would have liked - totally enjoyed the pattern, the fabric and the challenge of making something so different.
Quilting: Because there is so much going on in this quilt I kept it to simple lines 1/4" on either side of the seams with a walking foot. I did not sew over the faces and opted for a beautiful Aqua thread from the Tula Pink Chipper collection - Aurifil 50wt. #2835.
The backing is black dimple dot minky. The pattern called for 2.25" width for binding - yikes. I usually do 2.5" width because of the bulk of the minky & batting. But the good news is - a 2.25" wide binding can work with such a ' thick' quilt sandwich.
Materials:
De La Luna / Tula Pink
Family Portrait pattern / Free Spirit
Quilt Kit from DIY Addict
Aurifil 50wt #2835 (bright Aqua) #2692 (black)
Warm & White batting
Dimple dot minky / black
Size: 59" x 59"
December 2018
