Such is the case with this latest quilt. I wish I could explain how it started. I would imagine from a block idea which blossomed into another idea, and so on! But I can't be sure!! It can sometimes paint me into a corner, or it can snowball and in the end it can actually look like I planned the entire thing from the beginning. Which I did not!!
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| CIPHER 45 1/2" x 58" |
Maybe it's the plus signs that reminds me of math. Very smart and complicated math! It also feels like there is a secret message hidden along the way and all you have to do is figure it out! Imagine if I was smart enough to do that!!
All I know is I had to #makeithappen just as my little notebook states! Pulling out scraps led to the colors I used in this quilt. I seemed to have tons of blue, aqua, teal and greens scraps so it was the obvious choice. Those combined with yardage I had on hand, I was able to get a good mixture of color.
This is where I actually planned something! There are two blue/aqua and two green squares in each block. At some point during the piecing you do have to have a plan. It would make it nearly impossible to put together otherwise.
With the top finished there is always that moment of how to quilt it. Which always baffles me. All that open space is intimidating!
Basically I mimicked the blocks throughout most of the quilt. At first I was kicking myself for thinking and doing it. The quilt is a manageable size, but there was a lot of marking, turning and thread burying!
It ended up being a wonderful effect! But there was still more to do!
And speaking of thread, I decided to use a 28wt Aurifil thread. (white #2024) I've used it before on a couple things, but I've always used a 50wt thread in the bobbin. This time I decided to give the 28wt a try in the bobbin and much to my delight...it worked perfect! I was a bit worried it would be too thick. I changed the tension a tad bit, but other than that it was smooth sailing! The heavier weight thread stands out more than a standard 50 or 40 weight thread does, which is a nice change!
The inside of the blocks was begging for texture. I busted out my free motion limited skills and added some squiggly lines.
The final area inside the blank rectangle needed something different. Not too dense, not to open and certainly not like any of the other quilting I had done thus far.
I added a grid of 3/4" squares for the finale! It brings a different element to the table and filled the space.
Besides white, I didn't have a chunk of fabric big enough for the back. Not to worry! One large piece with an added scrappy strip down the side works wonders! I can use my stash and scraps for a big win!
For more added scrap power, I pieced strips for one side section of the binding. The length of the strips are the same size as the lines in the pluses. Hand sewn to the back and this baby was ready for some crinkle!
The background fabric is Kona White, the teal circle fabric on the back is 'Spot On' by Robert Kaufman and the thread is White (#2024) 28wt Aurifil thread.
Fun fact: When I was free motion quilting inside the squares everything was going just as planned. I wasn't fighting the quilt, I wasn't fighting the free motion action...I was feeling good! However, when it came time to call it done, I removed the quilt from the machine and soon found out I had sewn through a section that was folded! The seam ripper, the swear gods and I had a pretty good work out!
I'll say 'live and learn' but I know full well it will happen again!
LINKING:
I have loved watching this come together. brilliant! also I do love a good bit of scrappy binding. well done!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the process! There’s something about not knowing where something is going that is exciting!
DeleteYou constantly amaze me! You may have already thought of this, but having a second bobbin case for your heavier thread saves having to adjust the bobbin tension between weights.
ReplyDeleteI have also had success using the exact same weight in the bobbin for 28wt. It's at 12wt that I find I need to match color but not weight. I think your quilting choice looks great, and I can certainly appreciate all the stops and starts you had to make to do it!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fabulous! And yes, Cipher is the perfect name. Love your color choices.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely quilt! Love the colors and the quilting. I'll have to remember to keep in mind all the thread burying with your quilting designs as the squares within squares is what I had in mind for a large quilt I am working on that needs to be finished (it has languished too long on my ironing board -- with about five or six other unfinished projects). Nice job once again. Nadine W. Northern Cali
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this quilt. I hadn’t appreciated from your IG Post quite how complicated the quilting was but boy does it make even more special. I wish I had the patience for that.....
ReplyDeleteApologies for going anonymous, it always sounds rude to me but I just can’t post comments on blogger for reasons that are entirely down to me I’m sure! Jenny - the lilac cat
So cool, Jayne! It reminds me of those pattern matching questions on IQ tests where you have to figure out what is the next logical pattern in the series. Clearly, quilting genius-level stuff going on here! :)
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean Louise! I’m not sure about that genius part…I’m going with a little luck and a desire to make it work!
DeleteThat is just fabulous! Sounds like "Cipher" is the perfect name for it.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI just love when you play with these kinds of colors! This design is so light and fun...I really like the idea of an encoded message...hmmmm☺️
ReplyDeleteSometimes it is hard to know how an idea starts. But I always love how one grabs you and pulls you through to a finish. Your quilting is lovely too. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
ReplyDeleteIt really is! I do like when it happens though! I always feel like I’m having a ‘play day’ when I take on something like this!
DeleteI'm always glad you go with your "crazy" ideas, because I'm fascinated by what happens when you do! This one is beautiful, Jayne! I especially love the colors you chose against the white background, and of course the quilting.
ReplyDeleteIt's fabulous Jayne! Love the way your mind works!!
ReplyDeleteUmm...wow...awesome...you knocked it out of the park once again.
ReplyDeleteWonderful design! I really like how if looks like the different shapes are behind and are part of the squares.
ReplyDeleteYour crazy designs are wonderful, and this one is no exception! It's incredible, Jayne! Love how you added the curves. Keep on jumping in with both feet!
ReplyDelete-Soma
That is super fun! great job designing this one!
ReplyDeleteHi Jayne,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great finish! I love all the fabrics and especially your creativity in putting it all together. Your quilting is fab, too - it enhances the overall beauty and gives it great texture. I've never used the 28wt Aurifil - I'll have to branch out a bit. ~smile~ Roseanne
Your Cipher quilt looks fantastic, and I would totally think it was all planned if you hadn't 'fessed up! Thanks for sharing about the heavier weight Aurifil. I bought several spools of that by mistake once when I thought I was buying the 50/2 thread that I like to piece with. I'll have to try it for quilting instead! Thanks for linking up with TGIFF!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous airy design. I love the 28wt, too. And the crinkle... I can't wait for it to come out of the dryer!!
ReplyDeleteLove your on-point square quilting. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic quilt!! I absolutely love the clean feel, the mysterious secret message you just know is there, the pretty print in the backing, and the one side of scrappy binding with all the rest white. Nice quilting, too. I can well imagine the tail tucking time - something I do a lot of as well. It's a bit of a pain, but when a quilting design calls for it, it adds so much more than "cheating" and just traveling to the next perimeter, you know?
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt!! Great color choices and quilting too.
ReplyDeleteJumping with just one foot would lead to injury - literally too. So glad that you jump with both. Love the citrusy vibe in this quilt - it brightens and freshens but tickles me too. As far as the message is concerned, I figured it out. But since it is secret, I won't be telling anyone :-)
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