Classic Meets Modern Finale!

As hard as it is to believe, we've been quilting along on our Classic Meets Modern quilts for a full twelve months, and it's time to close this baby out.  If you've kept up, all of the blocks are finished and now they just have to be put together.  Easy peasy!

I just couldn't help myself.  I actually finished my quilt right after putting my filler blocks together back in November.  I'm so glad I did since I am still on doctor's orders to rest my neck.  I absolutely LOVE how this quilt turned out with the pretty Acreage fabric collection, so different from my original version in bold solids.

I quilted this one with an allover floral pattern with my favorite 50 wt. Aurifil White, and I think the motif works so well with these prints.  The sun was casting some major shadows during my photo session which really highlights the quilting texture.

The bundle of fabric I used was larger than I needed for the blocks and included lots of low volume fabrics.  A low volume backing is a bit of a different choice for me, but I simply couldn't bear to leave them out. These softer fabrics paired with a strip of bold scraps and solid gray work really well, and though it is a different kind of backing for me, I really like it a lot.

For the binding, I pulled this print from my stash. It's the perfect shade of teal.  It isn't from the Acreage collection, but it definitely looks right at home!

I think my favorite part of this quilt is how the prints give the pattern such a different look.  In fact, seeing the pattern interpreted in so many ways throughout the year has been my favorite part of hosting this QAL, and I can't wait to see everyone's quilt tops put together.  Remember, there are a few prizes up for grabs!

To be eligible for the prize drawings, you just have to have a completed quilt top before the linky closes, and because the holidays are SO busy, I'm going to keep it open until January 15th!  You can link from a blog, Flickr, or Instagram, or if you don't have any of those platforms, you can email a photo of your completed top to me, and I will add your photo to my post and enter for you.

Okay!  You've spent an entire year putting your quilt together, and it's finally time to show off your hard work!  Remember, this link up is only for sharing Classic Meets Modern quilts.  You can link up all of your other awesome finishes at the next Needle and Thread Thursday.

Linking from IG has been finicky lately, so check out a few quilts that have been emailed to me!  These entries are numbered in the order they were sent to me, and following the LinkyTools numbers.

If you want to have your quilt top included here but aren't finished in time for the prizes, that's okay.  I would still love to show it off.  Just use the Email Me button on the right to send me a photo!  :)

  6.  Jackie (j2watson on IG)-                                                7. Brenna (bgoode29 on IG)-

8.  Joanne- (joejodub on IG)-

       














                                                                

CMM October Blocks

We are in the home stretch, y'all!  After this month, I can't believe that we only have the snowball and flying geese filler blocks left, and then it will be time to put our quilt tops together.  With my love of all things scrappy, it is no wonder that the blocks for this month are two of my favorites in the entire quilt.

The Curved Log Cabin block is the first for this month.  The Log Cabin quilt block is one of the oldest traditional quilt blocks, and with lots of different layout options it can be used to create many different looks.  It is so much fun to see how just changing the measurements of one side of the block creates such a neat, curvy effect.

You actually have a couple of different options with this one.  I like the cross shape and thought the quilt needed some negative space in that spot, so I chose to sew my block using prints for the narrow strips; but this block could easily be changed to create a rounded bubble shape.  To do that, you would just need to flip your background and print fabric placement.  I've actually never made a quilt with the bubble shape curved log cabin, but you can see an example of one HERE if you want to give it a try.

The second block for this month is the String Diamond.  There are so many applications for string blocks, and putting them together to create half square triangles is a little twist that gives so much fun movement to the string pieces.  For this quilt, I opted to cut all of my scrappy strings a consistent 2" width, using seven strips in each set, but in my original CMM quilt, I used a variety of widths.  Either option works beautifully!

I packed as many prints into each of this month's blocks as possible (there are no repeats in either block!), and because these blocks are a great place to use up scraps, they are perfectly situated toward the end of the QAL.

I've added these two blocks to my digital layout sheet, and I LOVE the way the quilt is looking.  I can't wait to get my snowballs and geese done so I can get this baby put together!

Okay, ya'll!  It's time to share your October progress!

1.  If you're late to the party, it's okay!  You can still join in anytime.  You can get the Classic Meets Modern pattern in my Etsy or Craftsy shops (links on my right sidebar).  As long as you have a finished quilt top at the end of the QAL, you'll be eligible for the prizes.

2.  Remember, the link party opens on the 15th of each month, and will close at midnight CST on the last day of the month.  You can certainly link to the weekly NTT post if you like, but be sure to link your quilt along blocks to this party, so everyone is sure to see your progress.

3.  You don't have to have a blog to join in!  You can link to an Instagram post, or even a Flickr account.  Use the hashtag #classicmeetsmodernbomqal on Instagram!  If you do have a blog, grab a button to let everyone know you're participating!  You can get the button on my right sidebar.

CMM September Blocks

It's the middle of the month, and that means it's time to share our latest blocks for the Classic Meets Modern QAL, and let me just say that my design wall is officially full of awesomeness.  It's a good thing that we only have a couple more months of blocks left, because I am ready to put this baby together!

I am loving the way these blocks are all looking and I can't wait to finish them so I can start putting the top together.  

The first block this month is the Squash Blossom block, and I love the interesting shape this block makes.  The components of this block are not difficult to sew, but I will say that it took some paying attention on my part to make sure that everything in this block was pointing the correct way.  The resulting block is awesome though, and it's actually the basis for lots of the southwest inspired quilt patterns that are out there.

The second block this month is the Eccentric Star, and it doesn't get much easier that eight HST and a center square.  Even considering its simplicity, the spinning shape of this block is super cool.  

And because I'm a big ole copycat, I couldn't help but steal the brilliant digital planning method that Something Rosemade is using for her blocks.  I finally got around to it this week, and it was so much fun!  Since I have always left a little white space around my blocks in my photos (and I am just too lazy to re-crop every single one), my digital layout isn't quite as neat as hers, but I still love seeing it take shape without actually having it sewn together.  Each digital pattern includes this blank layout guide, so if you want to you can do this as well with any free online photo editor.

Can you believe that we only have one more month of blocks, and then our filler geese and snowballs left before it will be time to put the top together?  I am having a tough time wrapping my head around just how quickly 2018 has flown by so far.

Okay, y'all!  It's time to link up your September blocks!

1.  If you're a little late to the party, it's okay!  You can still join in anytime.  This is a Block of the Month Quilt Along, so we will only be completing two blocks each month.  The pace is leisurely and it will be easy to catch up.  You can get the Classic Meets Modern pattern in my Etsy or Craftsy shops (links on my right sidebar).  As long as you have a finished quilt top at the end of the year, you'll be eligible for the prizes.

2.  Remember, the link party opens on the 15th of each month, and will close at midnight CST on the last day of the month.  You can certainly link to the weekly NTT post if you like, but be sure to link your quilt along blocks to this party, so everyone is sure to see your progress.

3.  You don't have to have a blog to join in!  You can link to an Instagram post, or even a Flickr account.  Use the hashtag #classicmeetsmodernbomqal on Instagram!  If you do have a blog, grab a button to let everyone know you're participating!  You can get the button on my right sidebar.

Fall Foliage

My Fall Foliage quilt is finished and I am so excited to share it.  If you missed my last post, this quilt is destined for someone who loves everything about the fall season.  The muted palette of this quilt is way outside of the norm for me but it definitely screams autumn, and I know she is going to love it.

The scattered maple leaf blocks finish at 16 inches and 8 inches, and I designed them with plenty of negative space to keep them looking like they are floating gracefully down the quilt.  I love how the Kona Khaki background makes the quilt look very woodsy.

I decided to make my maple leaves with eight points.  I think the shape is a little less chunky than the more traditional maple leaf block, even though that meant lots more points to worry about.  As much as I love the shape and layout of the leaves, my favorite part of this quilt is the woodgrain quilting.

I knew deep down that this quilt needed the woodgrain motif, but I was apprehensive about it because I had never even tried it.  After quilting a practice quilt sandwich, I decided to just do it, and hoped that the organic nature of the design would hide any imperfections.  I am so glad I did, because I absolutely LOVE how it turned out and it adds so much to the quilt.  It is quilted with 50 wt. Aurifil Beige, #2314.

On the back, I used all of my scraps, along with a stripe of Kona Khaki, and a pretty leaf print.  Since I wanted the leaves to look more natural on the front, I stuck with tonal fabrics and didn't actually use any fall novelty prints.  I figured that the back was a good place for one.

This maroon woodgrain print echoes the quilting motif perfectly, and creates an awesome frame for the quilt.  This finished quilt measures 54" x 72", so it is a really great lap size and will be a perfect addition to their home.  I can't wait to ship it out!

CMM July Blocks

We're officially halfway through the month of July friends, and that means it's time to link up your Classic Meets Modern blocks.  The two blocks for this month are ones that are extremely well known, and versions of them have been used over and over again for decades.

The first is the Bowtie block, and it is one of my favorites.  If you look at my quilt designs, you'll notice that I love quilts and blocks that have a curvy look without actually sewing curves, and the Bowtie block accomplishes this beautifully.  When the blocks are all put together in a quilt, they create a gorgeous, rounded lattice pattern.  I chose a gray background for my block, and the softer colors in the prints really stand out against it.

The second block for this month is the Weathervane.  I love the shape of this block, and they make a beautiful secondary pattern when put together as well.  I decided to use one of the larger prints in the Acreage collection for the larger pieces in the block.  I didn't fussy cut because I needed the green to be the predominant color in the block, but I like that the large blooms in the print are peeking out just enough.

By the way, if you have fallen behind and catch up on your blocks in a single month, just add those blocks to your current post so we can see them.  It's okay if your July post includes blocks from previous months.  There's no QAL police here.  Let's link up!

1.  If you're a little late to the party, it's okay!  You can still join in anytime.  This is a Block of the Month Quilt Along, so we will only be completing two blocks each month.  The pace is leisurely and it will be easy to catch up.  You can get the Classic Meets Modern pattern in my Etsy or Craftsy shops (links on my right sidebar).  As long as you have a finished quilt top at the end of the year, you'll be eligible for the prizes.

2.  Remember, the link party opens on the 15th of each month, and will close at midnight CST on the last day of the month.  You can certainly link to the weekly NTT post if you like, but be sure to link your quilt along blocks to this party, so everyone is sure to see your progress.

3.  You don't have to have a blog to join in!  You can link to an Instagram post, or even a Flickr account.  Use the hashtag #classicmeetsmodernbomqal on Instagram!  If you do have a blog, grab a button to let everyone know you're participating!  You can get the button on my right sidebar.

Churn Baby, Churn (and NTT)

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday!  My latest quilt, appropriately named Churn Baby, Churn is all finished, and I am in LOVE with it!

The colors in this collection are so rich and vibrant, and are perfect for the fun layout in the quilt.  When I went to quilt it though, I was stumped on the design since there is so much going on.  I feel like any allover quilting motif would have taken a back seat to the piecing and fabrics, so I just went with my good ole standby stipple.

When I asked for thread input in my last post, the aqua won out by far, and I'm so glad.  Sometimes I worry that I default to aqua too often, but my heart really wanted to quilt this with aqua thread.  So, it was good to have plenty who agreed with me.  I quilted with 50 wt. Aurifil # 5006, Light Turquoise,  my favorite shade of aqua thread.

You might also remember that I planned to use an entirely different main fabric for the back.  Well, sometimes the very best plans get foiled, and when I went to my local shop to get the fabric, only 1.5 yards were left on the bolt.  So, instead, I picked up this orange print from Art Gallery's Bound collection.  I mixed this print into the front as well, so it's all good.  I also threw in a stripe of Kona Pool for good measure.

With such an explosion of color and print on the front, this solid Kona Navy binding creates a perfect frame to contain all of it.

Several have asked if I am planning to write a pattern for this quilt, and after giving it lots of thought, I have decided that I am not.  The trouble with a quilt like this is that it is difficult to write concise cutting instructions for so many different sized pieces.  It can be done, but I just don't have the time right now.  Instead, I have created a layout diagram with (finished) sizing for you!

Each color corresponds to a different size, and the finished sizes are listed for you on one of each color block.  The black lines show how I sewed the quilt together in sections, giving it a random look (with no partial seams!)  This layout could really work for any block you like.  As long as your finished blocks are 15", 9", and 6", you can just plug them into the spaces for an awesome, modern quilt.  If you use this layout, be sure to send me a photo!

Okie dokie!  Let's get to the features from last week's party, shall we?  Denise from For the Love of Geese shared this pretty Granny Square quilt.  I love these colors!

Michelle at From Bolt to Beauty linked up this jelly roll log cabin quilt.  I love how making rectangular log cabin blocks give the quilt a fresh look!

Look at this awesome Sawtooth Star QOV by Katie Mae Quilts-

And finally, this awesome quilt is by Tiina from Kasityolainen- unelmissaan.  Her blog is written in
English as well, so definitely check it out!

Wow!  Just WOW!  Y'all bring such amazing inspiration each and every week.  I am just amazed.  Without further ado, let's link up!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Churning

It's time for Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all!  Last week, I gave a little peek at the fabric pull for my latest quilt, and I'm super excited to share that it is now a completed quilt top.

The idea of using alternate grid work with churn dashes in several sizes is one that I've had rolling around in my mind for awhile, and I'm so glad I finally made it a reality. I picked up the bundle of Bari J's Splendid Fusion fabrics at Quilt Market in May, and the fabrics seemed perfect for it.

Just in case you're wondering, the churn dash blocks are 15", 9", and 6" finished, and then I just filled in the open spaces with scrappy pieces of fabric.  I think the fact that there are little strips of fabric tucked between the blocks gives the quilt an extra modern feel.

I added this awesome print from the Joie de Vivre line (also by Bari J) to the Splendid Fusion fabrics.  Since one of my local quilt shops actually has this fabric in stock, I'm planning for this on the back (with scraps, for course).  I love it when a plan comes together.

I actually used this fabric to back my Centrifuge quilt last fall.  I loved the fabric so much then, and I'm excited to have the chance to use it again.

With all of the rich colors in this collection, I have tons of thread options for quilting on this one, but I'm leaning toward the yellow or aqua (though that berry color is luscious).  This quilt is getting an allover quilting design, and I think a lighter color would really work best.  Thoughts?

Last week's party was full of amazing inspiration!  Take a look at this amazing mini quilt by Jayne at Twiggy and Opal.  Tiny, super-meticulous piecing looks so cool and I'm glad someone in this world enjoys it because it is definitely not me.  I'll just ogle, thank you very much.  I know my limitations.

This quilt, called Summer on the Coast by Alison at Little Bunny Quilts is just lovely, and I love the softer colors-

This improv mini quilt by Sarah Goer Quilts is ultra cool-

This Fireworks Show quilt from Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts is just awe inspiring (check out the closeups of her amazing quilting.  You won't be sorry!

and finally, this Electrify quilt by Jess at Quilty Habit is gorgeously crisp and modern.

Yes, yes.  I went a little overboard on the highlights this week (just a little).  And you know what?  I could really have chosen several more to showcase, because y'all continue to rock it out every. single. week.  Let's party!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

CMM June Blocks

Wow, friends!  It's June, which means that we are officially halfway through the Classic Meets Modern BOM Quilt Along, and it's the perfect time to get yourself caught up if you're a little behind (hint, hint!). This month's blocks were quick and simple to sew, and that's always a win in my book.

*ps- if you're looking for this week's NTT, you can find it HERE.

The first block for June is the X-Plus.  This block has been around since the 1930's, but has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity within the last few years.  Of course it has!  It is a gorgeous block, perfect for showing off a fun variety of fabrics.  I love the way this block looks in the Acreage prints, and I think the dark pink background is unexpected and fun.

With seven different fabrics in the block, it certainly helped to refer to my planning sheet.  Are you using yours to plan the color placement for your quilt, or are do you prefer to "fly by the seat of your pants"?  It's all good either way!

The Ribbon Star is the second block for the month, and though I love the end result of my block, it wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

When I planned this block, I intended for the ribbon to be dark pink.  Though the fabric I chose is a teal/pink combo, and it's really the teal that jumps out.  At a distance, the block looks orange and teal, rather than the orange/pink I planned.  Like I said, the contrast is good and I still love it, I just may need to rethink the surrounding blocks to make sure there's not too much teal in one part of the quilt.

Are you all caught up with your Classic Meets Modern blocks?  I'm sure they're looking awesome.  Remember, there are prizes at stake, so get those blocks done!

1.  If you're a little late to the party, it's okay!  You can still join in anytime.  This is a Block of the Month Quilt Along, so we will only be completing two blocks each month.  The pace is leisurely and it will be easy to catch up.  You can get the Classic Meets Modern pattern in my Etsy or Craftsy shops (links on my right sidebar).  As long as you have a finished quilt top at the end of the year, you'll be eligible for the prizes.

2.  Remember, the link party opens on the 15th of each month, and will close at midnight CST on the last day of the month.  You can certainly link to the weekly NTT post if you like, but be sure to link your quilt along blocks to this party, so everyone is sure to see your progress.

3.  You don't have to have a blog to join in!  You can link to an Instagram post, or even a Flickr account.  Use the hashtag #classicmeetsmodernbomqal on Instagram!  If you do have a blog, grab a button to let everyone know you're participating!  You can get the button on my right sidebar.