Tribal Quilt is Finished!

Tribal has been an amazing journey for me and I am quite happy to share this finished quilt with you!  Just look, the snow has almost all melted and I am taking outdoor shots!

It all started with a friend handing me a box of fabrics from the trunk of her car almost a year ago.  I poured through the contents of the box and adored all the new treasures that had come to me.  I first used the fabrics in a wild and crazy chair seat recover. 

 

I knew when I got the fabrics that I would be making a quilt, but this idea marinated for nearly a year in my head before I finally had my ah-ha! moment and knew what design I wanted to use to show off these bold and very textured fabrics.

Enter Melissa from Happy Quilting and her Happy Quilt-a-long!  Once I saw the pattern, I knew it was ...the one!  I have happily followed along from the fabric selection, to cutting, to learning a disappearing 16 patch block, then making the corners.  So much fun!! 

And this was also my first quilt-a-long -- what fun to see all the other fabrics come to life in this design and chat with others making the same thing!  You can see more at the flickr group here.

The fabrics in this quilt range from:

• very light/thin cotton - terracotta colored squares and brown-white-and blue squares
• normal quilting cottons - lightest brown squares, black and white squares
• linen - white squares, and chocolate sashing
• thicker almost interior design weighted fabric - leopard print, dark green squares, white textured squares, and light brown sashing

The textures are what really make the quilt unique.  I was nervous using all the types of fabrics together... would it be too thick to cut or quilt?  Would they lay nicely together?  Would I be able to iron everything and make the seams like I want?  ...so many worries.  In the end, so silly to worry, as it worked out just fine.

This quilt is the kind that you want to explore with your hands... the feelings under your finger tips range from buttery soft, to velvety, to sturdy ridges.
 

I used a higher loft batting to compliment the heavier weight fabrics.  The result is a very warm, heavy blanket that could beat off the coldest day. 
 

I also used that pre-made leopard print binding (one of the treasures from that box of fabrics gifted to me) and I couldn't be happier with how it ties the whole design together.  It's like living on the wild edge!!

Between the fabric weight, batting, and very soft sheet I used for the backing I didn't want to fight making an elaborate quilting design.  So, I went mega-mega simple to "let the fabrics do the talking."  It's a simple stitch in the ditch around each of the larger squares (all the diagonal lines).  

It works nicely and adds a bit of fluff and cushion to the quilt!

The finished size was right on track with what Melissa had in her pattern -- about 51 by 68 inches in her 3x4 block design.  I also have to admit, that this is the first quilt to come out of my sewing room that is actually pretty square.  Another first for me!

All in all, I am head over heels in love with this quilt.  It's so me with the neutrals, but the wild and crazy twist in fabric patterns and edgy push in use of all the fabric weights. 

It's warm and snuggy, and just the right 'cuddle with a book size'.  However, this quilt will probably have a new home in early April.  I originally made it with the intent to gift it to the same friend that gave me the box of fabric.  And if she loves it -- it's hers. 

You can see this quilt progress through various stages through these posts:
First introduction to Tribal quilt fabrics and design
Cutting all the squares for Tribal design
Making 16 patch squares
Cutting and reassembling 16 patch squares
Finishing the sashing and a look at the top for the first time
Assembling the top and the first look at the binding
Katie's (the dog) quality check of Tribal
Hand sewing the binding

The last step will be to wash it.  I can't wait to see it in its crinkly goodness!  And that's it. 

I am already planning to make another quilt using this same design.  The next one will be larger and I am excited to say it will be the first quilt I am making for my own Mr. Happy.  He has asked for manly neutrals in the range of  'Katie color' ... must make it so that dog hair isn't overly obvious on it.  Can't wait!

And, yes, I have another finish for you tomorrow.  Central Park Pinwheels is all ready for her big reveal!!

-- I am joining Fabric Tuesday at Quiltsory --

日本のための多くの愛
Much love for Japan