Today, I'm finally introducing my quilt, Trellis, which has quite a story and process behind her. She sits riiiight at the edge of the "Small Quilts" category, at 60" square. Similar to my other entry, Metropolis, this quilt was a long-term WIP that really challenged me to develop a myriad of sewing skills further. Apparently, I love a good challenge!
The concept behind Trellis began when I gleefully signed up for Anna Maria Horner's "Mod Corsage" workshop at QuiltCon 2015 in Austin, TX. Readers might already know how much I love her fabrics and admire her as an artist and teacher. Anyway, the premise of the class was making tons of different flowers. I learned a lot about fussy cutting, how her fabrics are strategically made, needle-turn applique, and piecing flowers. I wrote more about the class here if you're interested. I ended the day with a bunch of pieced flowers and possible leaves:
My overall concept: the "trellis" that you might see in a garden, holding up flowers that have woven themselves over and through it, is actually invisible. Since that was the image in my head from the beginning, I thought it would serve as a good name. I envisioned a large pieced flower (top left) as the starting point, with all kinds of flowers and leaves growing off of it.
Eventually, I decided to add two black bars on either side of the quilt to suggest a garden gate. Hopefully, the flowers would flow over it! It's abstract but I like the depth it provides. I eventually ran out of steam while machine appliqueing flowers and the quilt became much larger than I originally imagined, but I'm very happy with the final look!
The piecing process was drawn out and interesting, to say the least. My design wall and floor were very handy. Here are some progress shots of lots of low volume, random curves, and partial seams. Just some of the flowers are appliqued; the background is completely pieced. Somehow it all came together over a year and a half; it was frustrating at times and I had to put it away often. I honestly didn't know if it would get finished this year... but it did!
I made bias tape out of an old green AMH print, and it was perfect (see below)! I machine appliqued it all over the quilt, leading to different flowers and sections. That was probably the easiest part! I used my walking foot to quilt an all-over spiral from the top left (where the trellis started) with Aurifil 2024 (white). I felt like it was the only motif that could bring all of the elements of this busy, detailed quilt together, and the white blended perfectly.
My favorite section of the quilt is the one below, where I appliqued two different colorways of the "Summer Totem" print from Loulouthi (my favorite fabric EVER in the history of the world). This part really conveys the "trellis" image. Plus, the Pride and Prejudice text print in the background (from Ardently Austen) is one of my favorite low volume/text prints!
She's bound in low volume scraps for two major reasons: 1. To avoid detracting from the colors and gate bars and 2. Because I had a ton of scraps!
The backing is a conglomeration of many AMH prints I have hoarded and loved. Since I'm keeping this quilt forever, I figured it was worth using up some large pieces (it was). I'm particularly fond of "Summer Totem" (the large flowery piece on the left - I've always wanted to back something in that print thanks to inspiration from Ashley @wasntquiltinaday, who was in class with me!) and the book-like stacks!
One last picture. I was going to hang it on my sewing room wall but it's way. too. big. I tend to "go big or go home!" Oh well - maybe next sewing room. After a lot of work in so many skill areas, I feel so thrilled and relieved to have completed this thing!
Past Blogger's Quilt Festival entries:
Fall 2014 (nominated for Viewer's Choice)
Spring 2012 (First Place in Baby Quilt Category)
oh my gosh, I cannot even begin to tell you how awesome this quilt is! You know I am an AMH lover too, and this quilt really shows off those large florals perfectly. The design is so interesting, that your eye just travels across the quilt. LOVE IT!!
ReplyDelete:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
Such a fun quilt to explore and so very inspiring. This is where I want to be when thinking of improv, which I can't seem to relax enough to try. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to see this one finished, Jess. I remember when you and Renee took the class together! <3 How awesome that you had an idea and image in mind from the beginning. It is really clear how that influenced your design and the black bars do help ground it all, I think.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and innovative quilt. You really let the creative juices flow when designing this gorgeous quilt
ReplyDeleteI can't really put into words what I feel about your amazing quilt. It is absolutely wonderful and simply beautiful. I love everything about it including the backing. It makes me smile. Congratulations on your gorgeous creation.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt Jessica. It is so bright and cheerful. Isn't it wonderful when something comes together. I admire you for working through all the painful parts to a wonderful completion.
ReplyDeleteTerrific quilt--quite an accomplishment! It's very light-hearted and free form--I love the lack of straight lines for a change. I'm curious--why walking foot quilting and not FMQ?
ReplyDeleteThis is a beauty. All of your quilts in the past were pretty amazing too
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty! This is a quilt you could look at for ages and never get bored I feel like. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun project - thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThis is the most beautiful quilt in the world. I LOVE it so much! Excellent work. I love how you pulled it all together.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt! And, so nice to read your detailed description of the concept, appliqué and fabrics used.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Thanks so much for sharing some of the ups and downs of the process of making and completing it too.
ReplyDeleteI see a Garden Party!! What a gorgeous and unique quilt. The combination of applique, bias and piecing is a magical combination in this quilt!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your quilt process today. The Mod Corsage concept never appealed to me, but what you did with the concept does. I like how yours is so abstract. The pieced backing is stunning!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful creation!
ReplyDeleteHi Jess! Your gorgeus quilt is absolutely one of my top favourites! I love that totally free, improvised layout! All the flowers and colours are really beautiful and the backing just what makes this so perfect! x Teje
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteVery fun looking! So creative.:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning quilt Jessica - love the idea behind it and the final result is really eye catching!
ReplyDeleteWow! This quilt and your post are the best advertising for AMH I've seen! lol It's a beautifully creative quilt and you tell its story so well that I really would love to see it in person. (The bars to represent a garden gate are a stroke of genius.)
ReplyDeleteYaaay I'm so glad to see it finished! I love the way you turned your idea into a reality, and think the abstract gate helps balance the quilt and sort frame the more empty corner.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful quilt... and very creative! I really enjoyed reading about how you worked all your elements into one cohesive finish!
ReplyDeleteI love the front. I love the back. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, and great fun! This is a wonderful way of showing those pieced flowers because finally it has all come together. I can imagine there was a lot of deliberation and maybe even frustration along the way, but, finally, none of that shows!
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