A Trio of Quilts
Each year the Quilter's Guild of NSW holds a challenge for it's members to make a mini quilt with a set theme. Some examples of past challenges include Hexagon Hype, Purple and Yellow, Spot the Spot. The only limits are the size of 40cm x 40cm (16inches x16inches) and that the piece be 3 layers. The quilts then become a travelling suitcase exhibition and will tour for a year or two.
I've been a member of the guild for a few years now but somehow each year would fly by before I'd get something made. Ha, no more excuses - this year I finally jumped in early and got sewing.
The theme for the 2014 Suitcase Challenge was "Mini Modern".
Just to make sure I was on the right track I looked up What is a Modern Quilt? and found the answer on the Modern Quilt Guild's blog
"Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt. These include, but are not limited to: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work."
So I grabbed some bold fabrics, did some improv piecing, tried to keep it minimal, added some negative space and high contrast with the grey linen,
and this is what I came up with.
I called it Wiggle Jiggle because I think the wobbly lines look as though they're doing a wiggly dance.
Did you notice the binding? To add extra Wiggles at the edges I sewed the binding to the back first and then brought it around to the front and appliqued it down it a wiggly jiggly way. Once both sides of the quilt were appliqued I finished by binding the top and bottom with linen.
While I had my little pile of colourful fabrics sitting on the cutting bench I decided to see what I could do with straight lines. I started with squares and then added skinny lines and it just grew from there. As with the previous quilt I also incorporated the binding into the design.
And to continue the rhyming names this little quilt became Square Flair
Seeing as I'd made two quilts I thought I might as well whip up a third.
I looked at the pile of little coulourful scraps and proceeded to sew them together.
This time I was going to have both straight lines and curves!
The result became a big zany blob and a fun 2 sided border. Rather than doing any binding at all I used the pillow slip method in which I sewed the quilt sandwich together inside out and then turned it the right way around so the raw edge are tucked inside the seams.
As for the name - as soon as I thought of Bright Meteorite I knew that was it!
So in the end I made three quilts... I have sketches for more of these little moderns, using the same elements of colourful bits mixed with linen, and exploring different edges. Coming up with different rhyming names could be tricky though.
Back to the reason I started these in the first place -
the Guild's Suitcase Challenge.
I now had the dilema of which quilt to enter. I did Um and Ahh and practically had to pull a name out of a hat to decide which one to send. In the end one little quilt was packed up and sent off on it's merry way.
I'm curious - which one do you think I sent?
Wiggle Jiggle, Square Flair or Bright Meteorite?
58 Comments
My favourite is Square Flair!! There is a certain amount of symmetry that appeals to the 'organised' me! I think that design would look great made larger too! Good luck in the challenge; it would have been a eeny, meeny, miney, moh decision!
ReplyDeleteDecisions, decisions. I see what you mean about pulling a name out of a hat. I reckon you may have gone with your first choice, Wiggle Jiggle, although they would all be worthy entrants. I've seen the previous exhibitions down at Braidwood. The purple and yellow was especially effective. I can never get over the variety of interpretations of a theme. So many creative ladies out there.
ReplyDeleteWow, hard to decide. I love how you incorporate the bindings! Your hand quilting gives great dimension and texture. So inspiring. Looking forward to hearing which one you choose.
ReplyDeleteOMG I love them all but the square flair is my favorite, probably because it reminds me of a log cabin block and I can relate to that totally! I have wanted to work in solids for a long time just can't seem to get this look that you do so well. Wiggle Jiggle though is just so fun, love the name! the are all great.
ReplyDeletelove the stitching you have done, just makes the quilts even more special.
thanks for sharing
Kathie
Your whole post had me smiling, a smile which grew wider with the fun of it all until asked to guess which one your chose. Now that's hard - they make a perfect trio. Maybe was it Wiggle Jiggle?
ReplyDeleteYour quilt labels look great - do you have a tutorial for those?
Why stop at 3 --keep going! You could have your own traveling exhibit. I love them all! My eye first goes to Square Flair--I think because my eye knows there is allot going on but in a very calm way.
ReplyDeleteIf that makes any sense!!!!
Haha ... I did not anticipate those questions at the end! Each one has it's own twist & I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. My guess is that you
ReplyDeleteentered Square Flair.
Hi Rachael I think it is wiggle jiggle that you sent off,and boy they are all amazing well done my friend.xx
ReplyDeleteI think they are all so wonderful. Love the processes you have used. I think you met the criteria well with each one.
ReplyDeleteI am guessing you may have sent Wiggle Jiggle, but all are worth sending.
Love, love, love all three! Your quilt labels are like mini quilts themselves. So, which one did you send off? I think my favourite by half a hair is 'Square Flair' (I love that my eye is drawn in or out, depending on how I focus on it!), but I'm guessing you sent 'Wiggle Jiggle' with all it's wobbly fun. Am I right?
ReplyDeleteI can not choose between Square Flair and Wiggle
ReplyDeleteGiggle. Which ever one you choose they are all stunning.
What a great SET...I think you sent Square Flair. You did good naming them !
ReplyDeleteWOW,Rachael, it's hard to decide...I think they are all very wonderful!!!!! I love your bindings and your hand quilting!! My favorite is the Square Flair ;)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Deborah
Oh, the fun of working in a series. The trio hanging together has great impact. I love that you hand quilted them. I could never chose just one. Looking forward to hearing which you selected.
ReplyDeletelove these so so so so much!! They just exude fun :-) I am guessing square flair won the day!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love Bright Meteorite! So bold and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMy guess would be Wiggle Jiggle. I love what you did with the binding!
ReplyDeletesarah@forrussia.org
I love all three! Each one seems to build on the last. "Bright Meteorite" is especially original, exceptionally you! I love the way you've incorporated the binding into the designs.
ReplyDeleteLOVE, LOVE Wiggle Giggle for the grey linen (my fave fabric) with the stitching, some call it primitive but not the way you do it!!
ReplyDeleteSo, break it to us gently, which one DID you send?
HA, make that Wiggle Jiggle! but it did make me giggle.
ReplyDeleteThey are all beautiful but I think you sent Bright Meteorite.
ReplyDeleteWhy do I think you sent that one? For my selfish reason... If I were to visit the exhibition, I would want to see that in person.
Wiggle Jiggle is another piece of art. I LOVE it. All that colour juxtaposed with the solid , and the visual movement is gorgeous. I love that you made it two friends as well. Wouldnt do to have a mini quilt be lonely.
ReplyDeleteIm voting that you sent Wiggle Jiggle off because its the most unique of the three ....
Wiggle Jiggle & Bright Meteor look RachaelDaisy-est. They are very jolly all together.
ReplyDeleteSo that's what you have been up to! Oh my gosh I love them all. I want to run upstairs and grab my rotary cutter and go to town on my scraps.
ReplyDeleteThe gray linen was a great choice. I am going to guess Square Flair?
I think I would have sent in Bright Meteorite! Love seeing all your minis together. What a wonderful idea. So gorgeous.:)
ReplyDeleteSquare Flair gets my vote. It looks like you had fun.
ReplyDeleteAll three look great together - my favorite is square flair - but I am guessing that you submitted wiggle jiggle - somehow it seems more your style, more free flowing and fun rather than the straight and narrow of square flair.
ReplyDeleteThey are all so creative, down to the names! I love how you made the binding part of the overall design, so clever! My favorite is square flair. I'm going to scroll back up to see what others thought because I don't like to be influenced;)
ReplyDeleteHmmm, it looks like square flair is just ahead of wiggle jiggle. I do like how you hung them on the wall. Will you display them all in your house when you get the traveling quilt back eventually?
ReplyDeleteI am with Susan. (We share a brain you know) ....I love square flair....but I think you sent wiggle jiggle. Hehe! That are all fabulous Rachael! I love the bright colors. They look great together!
ReplyDeleteI think you went with Wiggle Jiggle as that was the first one you made. I'm with Susan too, my organised brain likes the less randomness of the log cabin in Square Flair. However, they are all pretty spectacular, and as usual, you have made some gorgeous one and only Blue Mountain Daisy originals!
ReplyDeleteLove them all, especially when I look at them turned 90 degrees to the right and the lines become horizontal. Then Bright Meteorite looks like it is barreling around outer space.
ReplyDeleteThen Wiggle Jiggle looks like a landscape and Square Flair gives the impression of the cracker they use before framing.
As yu Drew one out of the bag I'm guessing Bright Meteorite.
They are all great no matter how you look at them.
all are fabulous!
ReplyDeletethey are almost tribal and folk art and modern art all at the same time.
just really fab!!
i couldn't pick just one to favor.
I think it's Wiggle Jiggle, but my favourite is Square Flair.
ReplyDeleteThough all tree of them are gorgeous
Hard to say which one you finally chose because they are all gorgeous! Perhaps it was Square Flair? I have another rhyming title for you - "Fiddle fiddle" - because you have to do a lot of fiddling with tiny scraps of fabric. Or, if there are a lot of yellow fabrics and yellow stitching : " Mellow Yellow" ( or was that a song title?!)
ReplyDeleteHmm, I think Square Flair but maybe it was Bright Meteorite. Maybe Wiggle Jiggle? They all look like you had a lot of fun making them anyway :-)
ReplyDeleteI used to be indecisive but now I'm not so sure...
Please tell me it's your Wiggle Jiggle - I simply love it the most!
ReplyDeleteThat would be a tough choice, but I'm going with Square Flaire. I like the bright, bold colors against the soft gray and the stitching adds just the right touch!
ReplyDeleteWow, these are all fabulous. I love the colours and the soft grey background is the perfect choice. I don't honestly think I would be able to pick which one you sent in but I'll guess maybe Wiggle Jiggle as that was what you madefirst in response to the theme.
ReplyDeleteSono tutte belle, secondo me hai spedito "wiggle jiggle" che, se ho ben capito, รจ la prima che hai realizzato!
ReplyDeleteCiao
What a difficult choice! I think I would have sent Wiggle Jiggle. No Meteorite - no Square Flair - no Wiggle Jiggle. Darn - can't you send all three? Well if I HAD to pick I guess I would go with Wiggle Jiggle. I like the way you attached the binding because it made for a really interesting edge! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSquare Flair?
ReplyDeleteI just love love love these. Especially the scrappy binding that completes your composition.
Just wonderful Rachael and soooo inspiring!
the stitching is beautiful - so rachael
great post and great challenge!!
How fun! I love the results, although Wiggle Jiggle is my favorite. Isn't it amazing how easily you can get carried away by creative enthusiasm? This is a great example of what happens when you ask questions and let the answers flow. Great job!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know which one you chose to send, but if I had to pick which one to enter I would choose Wiggle Jiggle, because I adore that purple triangle between the green and orange pieces. I just love that an actual pointy triangle made it's way into a strip of square-ish rectangle-y shapes :)
ReplyDeleteOh I love these, and I definitely don't think you had to look up modern! I hope you sent them all...
ReplyDeleteThey are all gorgeous. Can't go past Wiggle Jiggle.
ReplyDeleteYou're killing me! These are absolutely fabulous! FAB-U-LOUS. I keep paging up and down to see them again and again. Super.
ReplyDeleteI so admire your ability to improv piece. I had to do some bee blocks recently and found it really hard to "go with the flow" so-to-speak. You three minis are so bright and happy and they make me smile :)
ReplyDeletecute. they look great displayed together.
ReplyDeleteI'm a new visitor here and a new quilter. I'm getting ready to start cutting fabric for my 2nd quilt. The post about your double denim wedding ring quilt was timely, as I live an hour away from Fredericksburg, VA. Thanks for the info about the expo--I'm planning to attend on Thursday and will definitely be looking out for your quilt!
ReplyDeleteoh my oh my oh my
ReplyDeleteyou need to start teaching classes
your work is a wonder. I never know what I am going to see but it always amazes me. The linen is inspired - the texture and colour contrast to the small bits of colour is so strong.
These are a fantastic trio! I love your style with the colorful big stitch quilting and bright wonky piecing
ReplyDeleteSquare Flair. But really, you can't lose with any of them they are all fantastic! Sew them together and enter all three! hahahaha! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a super trio of quilts!. I have no idea which one you sent as I think they are all worthy. Good luck with your entry.
ReplyDeleteThese are so beautiful, I couldn't pick a favourite. Your titles are ace:-)
ReplyDeleteI have no favorite, but Square Flair jumped at me and congratulation on your wonderful Denim Wedding Ring going on a tour.
ReplyDeletewow Rachael, these minis are so awesome - love everything about them !!
ReplyDeletei stumbled on this because i saw one of these quilts on pinterest! i love all three quilts; you inspire me. i also love how you incorporated the design into your binding.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for leaving me a comment. Your kind words encourage me to keep sharing my work and stories.