Modern Quilt Guild Habitat Challenge

I'm finally done the Jay McCarroll Habitat Challenge Quilt for the Modern Quilt Guild. The Toronto Modern Quilt Guild had our challenge quilts due in November, but I had been so busy with school I didn't have time to finish the quilt or even attend them meeting. There was no meeting in December and I was sick in January so I am looking forward to brining the quilt with me tomorrow.

At first, I was nervous to work with this fabric because it was very different from the fabrics I tended to pick. It wasn't that I didn't like it, but I just wasn't thrilled...however, the fabric definitely grew on me and I am very happy with the end result! I think that the vibrant spectrum of colours with the crisp white worked really well. 

Quilt Front

At first, I was nervous to work with this fabric because it was very different from the fabrics I tended to pick. It wasn't that I didn't like it, but I just wasn't thrilled...however, the fabric definitely grew on me and I am very happy with the end result! I think that the vibrant spectrum of colours with the crisp white worked really well. 

Detail on Front

I was originally planning in quilting straight lines all the way down the quilt but then I decided last minute to try something more exciting and new to me. I decided to follow the outlines of each of the shapes and down three sets of outlines for each. In retrospect, I should have done this type of quilting on a smaller quilt (this was a double bed size approx). The large quilt was very difficult to rotate in the machine and I got it stuck under the arm a few times. I loved how the quilting turned out and am hoping it try out a similar style on a baby quilt. Also, there were a few areas that has large unquilted areas because there were no colours shapes there so I just freehanded some interesting shapes, which I think gives a neat effect.

Quilt Back

The back is one-third like the front and two-thirds a printed fabric with birds (I forget the name right now...).

Wonky Mosaic Blocks

Ah! I didn't like making these. Good thing they turned out pretty, or else I wouldn't have been a happy quilter! And yes, the are supposed to be wonky and angled...that's what makes them tricky.

I am finally getting around to finishing piecing Eric's quilt. I finished the top on the weekend and now I made these wonky mosaic blocks for the back.

 I haven't been able to sew very much since school started, but we finally have a little break in our assignments so I am trying to make the most of it. I finished  Eric's quilt top and my TMQG Habitat challenge quilt top on the weekend. Woo hoo! Tonight, I finished the wonky mosaic blocks for Eric's quilt and started to work on my first commissioned quilt for my Dad's clients.

Hexies!

At the September meeting of the Toronto Modern Quilt Guild, we learned how to make hexagons and diamonds using a technique called "English Paper Piecing". I have admired hexagons on other blogs for quite some time now but was intimidated by what I thought would be too finicky of a technique for me. However, they are actually quite simple to make.

I made this wall piece for my parents room. It is very simple but cute. Plus, it matches their quilt :) 

Toronto Modern Quilt Guild: Kaufman Challenge Complete!

I finally got around to binding this quilt. I was having a tough time thinking of a binding that would look good with all the colours and was still kind of funky. My Mom actually came up with the idea to use the same one that I used on her mug rug. However, I only had about 12 inches left of that binding. I decided to check out a fabric store in the east end that has some quilting fabric. Oddly enough, when I got there, sitting right smack dab in the middle of the cutting table, was the exact same Michael Miller gray polka dotted fabric I had used for my Mom's mug rug. Very weird but I was obviously thrilled that I was able to find the fabric I had in mind.

 In the end, I think the binding was a perfect fit. I LOVE the wrinkly look after it's been washed.

Kaufman quilted

I haven't been doing any crafty stuff because I was in MEXICO! My amazing parents surprised me with a trip to Mexico last Tuesday as a graduation present. It was a wonderful trip!

Here are some process shots of the Kaufman quilt. It seems like it's taken ages. I had some machine difficulty at the beginning of the quilting part. The owner of my local sewing store was incredibly helpful and kind and fixed my machine for me on the spot. 

 I really love the quilting design I chose to do. It was very fun to quilt (once I got my machine fixed...).

Ooh, you can see a tiny bit of the back. I will wait to show the whole back until I finish the binding.

Kaufman Top Done

This is the finished quilt top for the Kaufman Challenge. It's simple but I really like how it turned out. 

Toronto Modern Quilt Guild -- Robert Kaufman Challenge

I joined the Toronto Modern Quilt Guild last month. They have been working on a challenge since March but I was able to participate as well, I just have less time to complete it. 

The rules were pretty simple. We were given a kona solids charm pack in the 'dusty' palette. We had to use the charm pack, plus only ONE metre of ONE additional fabric (could be solid or print). I chose a light grey linen/cotton blend as my extra fabric. I also went with a design where I wouldn't have to cut up the charm squares too much as I wanted the quilt to turn out a functional size.         

I am going to add a grey border and then the top will be finished. There are no rules about what we can use for the back and binding... I have a few ideas of what I want to do for the back.