For me, nothing fit the bill better this year than my Metropolis quilt, which I'm entering into the Modern Quilt category. This quilt challenged every part of me throughout the 1.5 years it was made over, from piecing together all the improv piecing to the quilting. You can read the full story here if you'd like, but for now, here are 5 things I appreciate about this quilt:
1. Colors. I started with 2.5" mini charm squares of Carolyn Friedlander's Doe fabric, and pulled colors that are quite unlike my normal color schemes.
2. Layout. As the quilt evolved, it became clear that I didn't want a neutral in the background (why go neutral when you can go full on COLOR?). Forget gray and white - this quilt totally transformed.
3. Piecing. The middle is completely pieced; this was not easy to do but I am so proud of it! "Metropolis" was the first time I really used partial seams, and now I don't hesitate to use them when needed. Learning new skills is always a plus.
4. Quilting. Notice how I didn't say "the quilting process" - because that was the main part I struggled with over about a year! With help and encouragement from lecture attendees and students, I started to see a "city" in the middle of the quilt, and quilted it at varying densities to encapsulate the idea of population density. One day, I finally decided to quilt the "background" with improv-y, wavy lines. I am so glad I did.
5. Photoshoot. I have fond memories of traipsing around New York City with my sister this summer. We took some great shots and got lots of strange looks - but it was sooo worth it. Long ago were the days when we were embarrassed to whip out quilts in public.
Please enjoy the festival, which has many categories of quilts! Make sure you vote for Viewer's Choice as well! Thank you to Amy for hosting and to the festival sponsors for supporting such a wonderful show (and the blogging community).
Past Blogger's Quilt Festival entries:
Fall 2014 (nominated for Viewer's Choice)
Spring 2012 (First Place in Baby Quilt Category)
Just gorgeous! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful quilt and I can tell that it is full of so much growth for you, Jess. I am excited you are sharing this one in the BQF! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful quilt. One to be very proud of. It is such a great feeling when you step outside of your comfort zone and things go so well. Great job!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous quilt to enter! It's turned out beautifully and I like what you say about learning new skills - once you have them mastered you look at things so differently. I've not got round to partial seams but am in the process of conquering curves!
ReplyDeleteCool! Enjoy the festival!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorites of your quilts. Another favorite is an early orange peel (?) quilt with a neutral background and colorful (purple and others) peels.
ReplyDeleteOh! Nice one - love all of the prints in here!
ReplyDeleteAmazing quilt! I love the "why go neutral when you can go full on color" part! haha! Very you! Beautiful quilting Jess, you should definitely be proud! xo.
ReplyDeleteGreat, great quilt, my favorite of yours so far!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sue! That's very kind. It's grown on me a lot over time. :)
DeleteI couldn't find your email address, so I'm replying here. Hopefully you see it!
Such a fantastic quilt! The 'chunks' of the suburb fabrics surrounding the downtown are just perfect! Great entry for the BQF!
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful quilt Jess. I really like it.
ReplyDeleteVoted for you!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great quilt! Love how you pulled it all together.:)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Love the improv style design. Your quilting choice works really well, too!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful quilt. I love it!!
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is so amazing! I really love the design idea and execution. Your work is inspiring. So fun you could photograph it in NYC too! Congratulations on being a finalist in the festival.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt may be my favorite of yours. I think it's the palette that initially gets me ... Those mustardy-browns could fall flat in another quilt, but here they counter the cool blues with a needed warmth. And it's the contrast between the small scale of the center pieces and the large-scale outer pieces, giving the illusion that the center is almost emerging from the background. Well done!
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