Saturday, February 14, 2015

Supernova In Blue - A Finished Quilt

 This finish was on my Finish-A-Long Quarter 1 goal list, and it was done on time! Yay! I'm linking up with Adrianne @ On The Windy Side.

This is what it's all about. Making pretty quilts just because. Even though I tend to have 8-10 projects going on at once (especially within the last three months), when I get obsessed with a project, it's all I can think about. Well, pretty much all, not counting my family, friends, students, and the importance of ice cream.


Here's the front - it was flurrying while we took pictures - that's what those white streaks are! It was the only time we had to get a good picture. The things I do for quilts...


I chose to start this Supernova Friendship Swap quilt with Karin simply because I wanted to. Last year, I craved a year-long project. I also craved a piecing challenge (these little whippersnappers took 2-3 hours to make two, even with chain-piecing). I had always wanted to try Lee Heinrich's beautiful quilt; however, making all those blocks on my own was daunting. It made sense to team up! Each month, we each made two identical (or almost identical blocks) within our chosen color palette. For the back, I took the extra supernova (and the lightest one overall) and pieced a back together from my stash. It includes some treasured prints (especially those arrows!).


Quilts full of saturated color make our hearts sing, and this one is no different. We chose the blue quilter's linen as a background after I saw this quilt on Pinterest. Sometimes I need a break from using cream/white/gray as a neutral. ;) The extra fabric in the border is the metallic Netorious by Cotton and Steel, and it gives off a great shine. I can't wait to see what Karin chooses as her extra fabric! And, thanks to my friend Liz's suggestion, I bound it in the purple Cotton and Steel Dottie print. Good thing I recently purchased another yard (so technically I am sewing from my stash!).


As I mentioned earlier this week, I quilted so that the center supernova exploded to the ends of the quilt in all directions; I used large pebbles for the horizontal and vertical lines, and repeating arcs on the diagonals. The other supernovas are quilted individually in one of three designs: spirals, squares, and waves. I made sure to continue the quilting into the borders to maintain the exploding illusion. Then, I felt like it needed one more element (what can I say, I quilt quilts to death), so I quilted 8 diamonds in the middle Xs that the supernovas create. I discovered such joy in quilting this quilt.  This process included a few very late nights because I was so wrapped up in what I was doing. I can only wish that others have or can find that feeling within their own hobbies. It was euphoric.

Another great aspect of this quilt was accuracy. Karin is an impeccable piecer; every month, I was so impressed with her matching up! For myself, as a self-taught quilter, I've often felt a bit lagging behind in matching up points and seams. I noticed myself improving immensely starting about 2 years ago. The more you practice, the better you get! I've also just started using Best Press and have already gone through one and a half bottles - love that stuff! It makes my pressing much more accurate and helps the fabric stay flat. It's interesting to reflect on how your skills and your craft improve over time.


Go start (or finish?) that quilt you love. You won't regret it. I'm so glad I persevered this week... it was worth it. This quilt is staying with me!

Finally, it was so much fun to get to know Karin over this year... and I'll meet her for the first time at QuiltCon in 5 days!!!

You can read more about my Supernova quilt here, here, here, here, and here.

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts.

rsz_1friendship_button_small FINAL

Thanks to Sandra and Stephanie for cheering us on all year!

17 comments:

  1. Stunning! Beautiful! I love it. The saturated colours of this quilt make my heart sing, and the blue background just works so well!

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  2. Congratulations for getting it all finished! How cool that you found so much joy in the quilting process here. Quilting is such a joy... and when we get to keep one of our finished beauties it is even that much more exciting. I hope you are snuggling under it to stay warm now! :)

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  3. Love this quilt Jess. Love the design,the colour combo is fantastic. You have put a big smile on my face!

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  4. I love the background and colors the two of you chose! What a gorgeous finish! That purple dottie print is one of my favorites for binding, I need more of it!

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  5. It turned out so beautiful! I love the colors you chose, it is such a vibrant quilt! I love all the quilting motifs you chose, they work perfectly with the quilt blocks! This makes me want to go finish my sisterhood quilt right.now.

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  6. Very nice and such an inspiration!

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  7. It's been so much fun to see your blocks come together over the months, and the end result is breathtaking! I'm pretty much incapable of sewing anything without using some Quilter's Linen -- I've bought it in well over a dozen colors. The blue here really makes this quilt what it is: a statement in deep saturated color. It would be a different quilt altogether without it!

    I'm curious at what point you use Best Press -- prior to cutting or just for pressing? I scorched some fabric this week with Best Press -- arg! (I was also in the process of learning who River Song was and what her connection to the Ponds was at the time, so that might also have something to do with the scorching incident! Distracted by "Doctor Who.")

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  8. I love this. I have been following along with this quilt's progress here and on IG. The fabrics yall chose are so great. Finding joy in what you do is the best! I am a self taught quilter as well as a lover of best press too. lol. That stuff really helps! I just need to get practicing on my quilting. yours is always SO beautiful! Have fun at quiltcon!

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  9. WOW.....that is beautiful. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your colors....those are really good to see - especially in the winter. :)

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  10. Looks great. Your choice of background is perfect. Congrats on a lovely finish.

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  11. Very striking quilt! I love the quilting motifs.

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  12. Such a beautiful quilt with a great story behind it.

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  13. This looks superb! Really like the colour palette!

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  14. I have seen tons of quilts on line in this pattern and I love it. Yours is gorgeous!

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