This is one of those posts that for the last 5 months I couldn’t wait to share…but then that changed to dread over the last 2 weeks. Last December I made this quilt and pattern for Issue 2 of Modern Quilting Magazine. For those of you that haven’t heard, this UK based magazine, owned by All Craft Media, went into bankruptcy about 2 week ago. There were a lot of people with subscriptions that will probably lose out on the magazine and their money. Some did receive Issue 2…not me though so I haven’t actually seen my quilt in it. Lots of artists have projects still with the magazine and may never see their quilts and projects again. I actually thought I would never see this particular quilt again, but I did receive it back about a week and a half ago and for that I am very grateful. I don’t really want to make this post about ACM though, so let’s just focus on the quilt.

These quilt blocks were made by placing fabric strips improvisationally through square blocks. I used all solids – a combination of Kaffe Fassett Shot Cottons, Moda Cross Weaves, Art Gallery Pure Elements, FreeSpirit Designer Solids, and Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids. The blocks measure 9″ x 9″ unfinished. My blocks alternate warm/cool/warm/cool… colors.

I decided on a scrappy binding and quilted this in a free motion meandering design. I am really happy with the finished product and it will probably now live in my daughter’s room.

So, I’m sure I don’t need to say this, but just because I like to keep my blog a positive place, please let’s focus on the quilt in the comments and not negative or disparaging comments surrounding the now defunct magazine. I know for those involved, emotions are high. Thanks everyone!

Updated:
Wow, I am really overwhelmed by all the emails and comments from you guys offering to send me a copy of the magazine! I am actually practically speechless over it, this is just the best community.

Since people are just now getting their magazines late, I’m going to wait a couple weeks and see if mine makes it over here. Looks like there is hope! Thank you so much everyone. xox

Another Update (early July):
Thanks so much to one of my readers who let me know she found the magazine at Barnes & Noble. I just found and bought a copy there! So if you are interested in making this pattern, check your bookstore for the magazine.

I am a true believer that you don’t always have to make an intricate quilt to make a beautiful quilt. I find this especially encouraging for beginner quilters who may not have mastered paper piecing or y-seams or perfect points (yet!), but still want to make something that catches the eye and wows their family and friends.

I recently made this quilt and pattern with all levels of quilters in mind. The underlying design is simple and one you have probably seen many times, but I decided to break the quilt into color blocks, changing the look of the quilt.

I just love these colors, perfect for a little girl I think.

I decided to quilt this using densely spaced free motion meandering, but I only quilted the white, negative space. This makes the prints pop.

For the back of the quilt, I used one of my latest favorites – FreeSpirit Designer Solid Jade as well as a print from Moda’s Hello Luscious called Blissful Floral.

This quilt measures 45″ x 60″ and the digital pattern is for sale for immediate download in my pattern shop!

And speaking of my pattern shop, if you missed out on my Prism pattern in Quiltmaker magazine, you can now buy a digital pattern for that quilt there too.

Despite the beautiful weather we’ve had here in Chicago over the last week, I managed to finish another quilt. I’ve had these blocks done for awhile now, waiting to assemble into a quilt top. I finally was able to work on that last week and then finished up the binding while we went on a trip to northern Michigan this weekend. Check out this cool photo my mom edited for me of my husband and daughter flying a kite.

This block is no doubt attributed to many quilt designers, but one of those happens to be…Nancy Cabot! She called this block the “Thrift Block” and you can find a paper piecing template for it created by Tamiko of Patchwork Notes in this blog post.

When I first made these blocks, I thought I would make about 25 and turn them into a mini quilt. Then I started brainstorming alternate quilt layouts and decided on a bit more unexpected layout. I am really thrilled with the finished quilt. Almost equally thrilled when we drove past this apple storage building on our trip and my husband suggested we stop for pictures!

The backing is Kona Ash, the binding is probably my favorite deep blue print, Lizzy House’s Outfoxed Jewels in Blue. The white is Moda’s Bella solids white. I have a bolt of it and I really just think it is the softest white. I quilted this in a free motion meandering design and the finished quilt measures 53″ x 59″.

This quilt is headed for a local charity auction here in Chicago in May, raising money for the Melanoma Research Foundation.

I am almost embarrassed to admit how long I sat on this quilt top and back, waiting to finish it. Apparently, I had plans 8 months ago to baste and quilt it right away! Ha, well things must have crept up and it just was pushed further and further down the priority list. It feels really good to check this UFO off my list.

The blocks and cornerstones of this quilt were all made using Kaffe Fassett’s striped fabrics as well as Moda cross weaves. I am SO sad to say that I just heard last week from Brenda at Pink Castle Fabrics that Moda has discontinued their beautiful cross weaves. It’s really a shame, I hope they bring them back at some point. But for those that are hoping to stock up or try them out, you can find a few still on Etsy.

When I originally made these blocks, I wrote up a quick tutorial. The blocks actually came together rather quickly and I love the variety of them. Then I used 3″ finished white sashing with corner stones between the blocks.

It’s actually hard to see the detail in the photos since I washed this quilt before taking pictures, but for the back I used two blocks of solid fabric and then incorporated strips of Kaffe stripes and Moda cross weaves. I love the look.

I quilted this in a free motion meandering style, giving it that cozy, crinkled look. It measures about 44″ x 58″. I’ll be putting this quilt up for sale in my shop soon.

This weekend was my son’s 3rd birthday. We spent both days celebrating, relaxing, but not sewing. But that’s ok, I really love this guys and can’t believe how fast he is growing up. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!