Twiggy and Opal: bowser quilt

First off, this is not a quilt I'll be entering at QuiltCon! I'm quite sure it doesn't fit the 'modern' criteria!

Second of all, a theme quilt isn't my usual thing. If you saw a picture of this quilt you would never guess I was the one who made it!

Thirdly, I was so not looking forward to making it. But the second I started I was so stoked and excited. I didn't want to stop!

Let's back up! I've been laser focused on completing quilts that can be entered in shows...mainly QuiltCon. Much of the stress is bought on by not knowing if they will even be accepted, let alone if they are up to par with other quilts. I haven't entered any yet, but I'm on the backside of finishing what needs to be done. Which left me with free time and a desire to let loose and have fun! You know, let off a little steam!

I told my daughter that I wanted to make a Mario quilt for her god-son for Christmas. We don't have grandchildren, but this little guy and his sister are what we lovingly call our surrogate grandchildren. Anyway, she said why wait until Christmas, his birthday is in November! And, he would rather have a Bowser quilt than a Mario quilt! Well, okay!

Searching for pixelated images was the easy part! There is a million and one out there and any would be usable in a quilt. It doesn't have to be Mario themed, it can be any pixelated art. The only other time I made a pixelated quilt was this one: Pixie Ghost. Think cross stitch!

Did I say I wasn't thrilled with piecing this?! I did the math and figured I would need 1512 squares. Right?! When I saw that number I was certain I had lost my flipping mind and bit off more than I could chew...or wanted to chew.

Let me give you the details. The squares were planned at cutting to 2". That means the finished size would be 1 1/2". The quilt would finish at 54" x 63". In the end I added two more rows to the top which increased the size to 57" x 63" and the final square total...1584!

I made a test block. A 9-patch test block. So, okay...I can do this. But the trick would be getting all the seams to nest from block to block. That evening I calculated, figured, thought and was sure I knew what the plan was. Seriously, 9-patch blocks...that would mean I'd need like 180. Sleep on it. Maybe there would be an elf that will get them done by morning!

That didn't happen, but I did have a fresh outlook and a new plan! Instead of 9-patch I'd do 81-patch blocks! If that's a thing, I'm doing it! This way I can have each row pressed in a different direction for the nesting effect. Which is crucial in a design like this. And, I was able to figure out how each seam after the rows went together would go...it's all about nesting!

Another important key to a design like this is chain piecing. I figured if I had units of one, two and three squares I could tons of save time. Strip piecing and sub-cutting are your very best friend ever with a quilt like this!

I cut 2" strips from the width of the fabric (WOF) in the five different colors. However I cut the WOF in half before sewing the rows. I figured I'd have a better chance of keeping the fabric straight and it would be easier to work with. I pressed the seams to one side and then sub-cut 2" sections. The process was quick and efficient. I was ready to begin the real work...doom, despair and agony...or so I thought!

As you can see from my chart, I wrote numbers for each main 9-patch block. After which I drew lines for the '81-patch' blocks that I would make one at a time. I picked a block and laid out my squares. It made it so much easier with the 3, 2 and 1 units! I grabbed what I needed making sure the seams were going in opposite directions in each row.

I would sew one row at a time, press the seams in the direction needed and then sew the rows together. The other thing to keep in mind is which way your press your row seams so that they nest with the other 81-patch blocks.

Piece by piece, block by block it all came together. I could see Bowser unfolding before my very eyes! Seriously I was getting psyched! More, more, more! The blocks were lining up, the pixelated action was happening, I am reluctant to say it, but I was enjoying this probably far more than one should!

I should also mention that I cut my teeth on Mario gaming. Maybe not exactly... Atari Pong was really my first but I didn't want to date myself...too late I guess! And Vincent, who this quilt will belong to loves, loves, loves Mario and it's going to be his 5th birthday. So, something special was in order!

Back to the quilt. Maybe because it's something out of my norm, or maybe because with each block seamlessly fitting together, I could not stop! It did take four days of piecing but it was fun. Just plain and simple fun! I want more...I wanna do it again! Maybe Vincents sister will love Mario too and for her 5th birthday I can make Princess Peach!

Close up isn't quite as good as far away when viewing this quilt. I get it, I get the pixelation and the concept of Bowser. I didn't think I'd really get it done by Vincents birthday, and even enlisted in to bribing for my daughter for help. Not needed! She was willing, and even she was blown away by the quilt and how fast it came together! As much as I would have loved to have her making quilts with me again, I just could not stop!

Here's a picture of he back seams. It ain't pretty, but it does show you the nesting factor. To me I think it might be the most important part of making a pixelated or postage stamp quilt. It really does make lining up the seams so much easier. I won't say this is a perfectly lined up quilt. I doubt I could ever achieve perfection. And it really isn't the point of this quilt or any quilt for me. I just loved making it! It's so out of character (no pun intended) for me. It's nice to change it up once in a while regardless of your style or comfort zone.

I plan on making a pixelated strip for the back with Vincent's name and then prepping for quilting. I'm not sure how. Maybe diagonal lines which would be easier and better than stitching in the ditch! How would you quilt it?

Hopefully in another week or so I can make the final decision!

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