Recently on facebook on of my friends asked how frequently we listen to our inner quilter voices. I replied that I my inner quilter voice is loudest at 4a.m. Usually I can ignore it for a couple of hours and then write down my ideas when I'm ready to be awake. This quilt was different. After months of struggling with different ideas for the paint chip quilt I woke up one morning with a full design in my head. I love the drunkard's path blocks and the 7" size go together really fast so a few hours later I had this stack ready to go.
This idea wouldn't let me sleep so I found myself sewing a couple of hours before work each day and was finished with the top on Wednesday. Friday afternoon I found a great backing fabric and variegated pink thread and was back to work on this quilt the next morning. After basting the quilt I traced a spool of thread in the center to give me a circle to follow. I used my darning foot for the first few rounds and then switched to my walking foot. I did pick out my first attempt. The second attempt isn't as perfect as I want, but its pretty good for my first time doing circular quilting.
March in Iowa is very brown and muddy so I didn't want to lay this quilt on the ground. Spring (at least green grass) usually shows up over the course of a week and I was hoping for that to happen. I held out until yesterday afternoon when we were struck by a blizzard. Another quilter on facebook encouraged me not to let the forecast cancel my plans so after work I headed out with the quilt. I don't think she meant I was supposed to take pictures during the blizzard, but I kind of like all of the snow on the quilt.
My husband and I went out last weekend for my first attempt at photographing this quilt. There wasn't any snow, but the wind proved to be a challenge. Thankfully I was able to get one shot that showed the whole quilt (and is snow free!)
When I got inside from the blizzard photo shoot I hung the quilt in our hall to dry. I love how quilts will naturally drape themselves into beautiful arrangements. You can see the red onion fabric I used for the backing and binding and understand why this quilt has been named, "Bloomin' Onion."
Bloomin' Onion
original pattern
Kona Solids
56"x56"
I love it, Kymberly! It's absolutely beautiful, especially with the snow on it! Whoop whoop!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah. I'm glad you convinced me to take it out in the snow for a photo shoot.
DeleteThis is simply gorgeous, and I'm loving the effect of the snow on it. You make me want to see if I can duplicate that look with hand-dyed fabric!
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet. I'd love to see pics if you try to duplicate this effect with hand-dyed fabrics.
DeleteVery nice design.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteBeautiful quilt and I love the backing and the name too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. It's taken me a while to warm up to the onion fabric, but now I really like it.
DeleteLovely quilt, colors and stitching! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
DeleteIt's lovely although I prefer the no snow view. The backing fabric is fantastic with the front. How funny that my next quilt will be a variation of drunken
ReplyDeleteI was disappointed that we had snow on the ground in April. Drunkard's Path is one of my favorite blocks. Good luck with your quilt.
DeleteI enjoy a drunkards path block especially this setting.
ReplyDeleteLeeAnna Paylor
lapaylor.blogspot.com
Thank you so much. I'm really proud of the effect created with this setting.
Deletevisiting from crazy mum quilts. What a fantastic thing to be photographing in a snow storm!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. I felt a bit foolish to be taking pictures of a quilt in a snowstorm as cars drove past, but I like how they turned out.
DeleteOh wow - such a lovely effect! Is there a pattern??
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. Bloomin' Onion is my own creation. My husband is encouraging me to make a baby version with a 3" template so I think I'll write the pattern up and post it in Craftsy eventually, but it will be several months before the pattern is for sale.
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