Bloggers' Quilt Festival Spring 2011: Tribal

First I'd like to say a big hearty hello!  "Hello!!"  Whether you are a regular around these parts or if you are wandering over for the first time from the Quilt Festival, I am so happy to have you visit!

I am also very excited to be participating in Amy's Bloggers' Quilt Festival for the first time!

My festival quilt is called 'Tribal' and here are some of her (quilts can be female, right?) stats:

* finished size is about 50 by 70 inches
* pattern is from Melissa at Happy Quilting; it's the Happy Quilt-a-long pattern
* this was my second time ever hand stitching down binding
* this is also the most neutral palette I have used so far
* Tribal took me about a month to put together, but well over a year in design if you count the time I spent brewing about what to do with these fabrics

*drum roll* ......and here's Tribal!

Tribal all started with a friend handing me a box of fabrics from the trunk of her car over a year ago.  I poured through the contents of the box and adored all the new treasures that had come to me.  Even funnier is the fact that she had driven around with the fabric in her trunk for a year.  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.

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.  The results are a quilt 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 a 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).

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

It's even puppy tested and approved!  (That's Katie, my quality assurance manager; aka 4 year old golden retriever)

You can read/see more of this quilt in this post: Tribal Quilt is Finished!

Thanks so much for dropping in and checking out Tribal.  If you like.. leave your quilt festival link and I will make my way over to see your quilt as well!  Or, if you are interested in submitting your own quilt for the festival head to this page and whip up your own festival posting!

See you all at the festival!!  I'll bring the cupcakes!

日本のための多くの愛
Much love for Japan

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

Running for Happy

The sun has been on and off all day, but this morning it was just what I needed to dust these off and put them on.

After a big stretch from Katie we were off for a nice (and way overdue) run and hike through the woods.

The run was everything I needed to clear my mind and re-focus on making a positive difference.

I managed to put on and finish hand sewing the binding for Tribal quilt!  That means that I should be able to get outside photos taken and then it just needs a wash to be considered all done. 

Yup, you will be able to see the finish it early this week!

I think Katie enjoyed the outing as well.  I just love it when she makes herself into a cute little doggy donut!  She had perfect manners on leash today and with every run we are getting more and more matched in pace. 

Love this dog!!  She makes the day seem right!

Japan is still heavy on my mind.  

Watching the news pierces my heart and I can just feel the pangs of needing to do something to help.  I am hoping to join an aid effort of some sort and will pass on details as soon as I straighten that out. 

Until then, strong love and strong hope are being sent there from here.

日本のための多くの愛
Much love for Japan

Katie Dog Days: Behind the Quilting Scenes

You probably know by now that I have a staff of one.  Namely my quality inspector, Katie. 

She is a nearly four year old golden retriever with a heart of gold and a detailed eye for all things crafts.  Quilts are her current specialty. 

She can often be found at my feet (or on my sewing machine pedal), with her head in my lap (getting her ears rubbed), or somewhere close by (always in a place where she can watch me -- you know, if any inspecting needs to be done).

She's a ham for the camera -- often posing for pictures when she sees the camera come out.  And she is not known to turn down a snuggle under a quilt on the floor.

Yes, this is Katie in my lap under a quilt.  The quality inspector job is a tough one and requires frequent breaks to unwind.

There are times when she must use a tool to help her measure a quilts quality.  In this case, Katie uses a fuzzy squeaky squirrel to quality check the ... flatness of my quilt sandwich.

However, she does often resort to the 'just lay on it' method of testing out the batting and loft.

Katie takes her job very seriously and really throws herself into her work 110%.

Last night, Tribal quilt was put through a battery of tests including the 'leave the squirrel on it' and see how long mom can work around it before I leap back into the room and home run slide on the quilt.

She was not impressed when I chucked said squirrel down the hall and asked her to fetch.  What was I thinking... ruining her quality testing and all?

All in all, I wouldn't exchange my quality tester for anything and can't imagine what it is like to try and put together a quilt without Katie's input and expertise to assure a high quality output.

Gah, I just love this dog.  She makes the world right with those big brown eyes!

Happy Thursday Loves!

Happy Quilting Fool!

I'm a happy quilting fool over here.  There is definitely a relationship between the amount of sewing I can squeeze in and the size of the smile on my face.  And this week, it's a big smile!

--ONGOING--


Tribal - Happy Quilt-a-long
I gave a rather in depth update on Tribal yesterday and couldn't be happier with how it's looking!! 

As of last night I still had pieces of Tribal on my machine as I carefully assembled the top...and painstakingly made sure all the lines and points matched up! 

It looked something like this.

And... guess what?  Last night, I finished sewing the whole top together.  Whoohooooo~!!

So pretty!

And remember I said I had picked out the binding for Tribal already?  Well, would you like to know what it's going to be?

-drum roll-

Oh, ya.  Leopard.

It's wild, it's fitting... and I have two large rolls of pre-made leopard binding needing a purpose.  So hey, why not, right?  I don't suppose there is anyone out there that would want some pre-made leopard binding?

Onward.  I am hoping to get this quilt sandwiched and ready for quilting tonight.  And looking for a finished quilt by the weekend. 

Central Park Pin Wheels

Still my all time favorite!!  Shhhh... don't tell the other quilts.

I am still in the process of hand sewing the binding down and it looks a little something like this at the moment.  I think I have finished all of about 8 inches so far.

I could probably finish this one up and have it ready for a wash and it's grand unveiling photos by the weekend!

X Marks the Spot 

I am ready to dive right back into this one and have several ideas on how the layout will be -- I am making the design up on the fly with this one.  I have pulled the basket containing all the pieces out and I can see this hitting the design wall as early as tomorrow.

Crewel Spring Flowers

While not technically quilting, I will include it anyway.  It's slow, but relaxing.  I have no self imposed deadline and I am doing my best just to enjoy my time spent quietly coloring in this flowery piece.

I finished the second square of lavender flowers.

Here is the start on the third flower box.  I am enjoying the red and blue combo so far!  I also started working with a smaller hoop and finding it a bit easier to maneuver.

Have we talked about yarn organization?  I don't think so.  The yarn came in a bit 'ole lump.  Tangled, messy, not my style. 

I attempted to organize with this piece of reused cardboard and made a fatal flaw of wrapping the yarns around the board.  While pretty, it's not easy to take one strand off.  Beginners mistake. 

But you have to admit it is pretty to see all those rainbow colors together! 

I saw an organizer at the store and didn't spend the $2 to purchase it.  Silly, I know.  But I have a feeling I will be making one over the next few days to get this yarn in order.

--BACK BURNER-- *cricket, cricket*

You Can Sew-a-thon! - no progress

Tulip Runner - no change here in cricketsville.

This is a bonus picture. 

My version of the best use of a quilt. Ever!  Yes, those are Katie's toes sticking out from under a quilt.  The other half of her (including her head) is snuggled in my lap. 

I just love how this dog adores being snuggled and wrapped up in a quilt.  That's happiness at it's finest!

This Week's Work in Progress (WiP) Stats 

Last WiP Wednesday Total: 6 (up one from last week)
New Projects: 1

Finished Projects: 0
Total WiP's: 6 (I am expecting two finishes next week!)

---Linking to W.I.P. Wednesday---

Tribal: Happy Quilt-a-long

Tribal quilt is coming along nicely!!  I told you when I joined the Happy Quilt-a-long with Melissa not too long ago, and more recently showed you I was making progress (earlier progress here).

Want to see the top pieces all laid out together?  I know I was excited to! 

Ta-da!

These prints look amazing with this design!  It's got so much movement and balance to it.  It's crazy and wild, but still within some bounds.

The latest step had us create the sashing or corner pieces.  I went a little rogue and decided to use two sashing colors (khaki and chocolate brown) to help offset or soften the diamonds in the center of the quilt.

This is the sashing in progress.  The remaining charms had to be laid on triangles, pinned and marked.  Then, the two lines were sewn. 

After sewing, I cut between the lines very carefully (and mostly straight) which created the corner pieces as well as a bonus HST (half square triangle)!!!

Here is another look at the stack of bonus HST's piling up!  I'm excited to put my thinking cap on and come up with the perfect use for these little bonus pieces.  I have an idea that I am hoping to give a try this week!

So, there you have it!  I am making great progress. 

I have begun to assemble the top and my brain is already off thinking about what the back should look like, if I should add any borders to the front, and how I should quilt this one. 

Oh... and yes, I have the binding picked out as well.  Can't wait to show you more!!

I can already imagine this design in a different color scheme and in a bigger size.  You may be seeing round two with this pattern in the near future. 

Happy Fabric Tuesday -- see other wonderful creations at Quiltstory!