Blogger's Quilt Festival

It was hard to choose which quilt to enter for the Blogger's Quilt Festival at Amy's Creative Side. I've finished a few projects this year, but when it comes down to it, I decided to go with the black and batiks quilt I made for a friend of mine.

Black and Batiks Quilt--Finished September 2012

There are certain people in this world who are absolutely lovely inside and out. I have a friend who is always encouraging, always positive, and walks out what life deals her with grace and poise. Life recently handed her a horrific situation, and instead of succumbing to what would be well-deserved grief and negativity, she has remained bright and brilliant. I watch her and hope that if I am ever in her shoes, I will handle the situation with the same confidence and grace.

Impromptu Design Wall

When I found out about the situation, I knew I wanted to make her a quilt. (Confession: sometimes when I get super stressed out, I literally hide under my covers. I wanted to afford her the same opportunity, just in case she needed it.) And I wanted it to be the best, most lovely quilt I had made to date. My inspiration was to make the quilt look like a southwestern sunset, so if the fabrics look like they are glowing...well...that was intentional.

My First Foundation Pieced Block EVER.

I learned a lot of new-for-me techniques with this quilt. I learned how to foundation piece, sew Y-seams, and wrangle a large throw quilt through my home machine. I learned how challenging the quilting negative space can be. And pin basting this baby? Oh, don't even get me started! I pieced the back entirely from scraps from the front, so it looks a little crazy. (Sorry, I didn't get many shots of the finished product due to the fact that I gave it to my friend a few hours after I completed it.)

Y-seams and I are now dear friends.

The quilting is mostly echo quilting around the lines of the blocks. I echo quilted around the central friendship stars and did some additional straight line quilting to better stabilize the negative space.

Each block was planned and very intentional, from the two state blocks to the hope blocks. This is seriously the hardest quilt I've made to date, mostly because it involved learning new skills and techniques, but I thoroughly enjoyed making this quilt, especially knowing who the recipient would be. Knowing that she loves it...well, that just makes my heart sing!

Quilt Measurements: 52" x 62"
Special Techniques used: foundation piecing
Quilted by me 

Best category – throw quilt, home machine quilted