Friday, May 22, 2015

Scrap Squad Quilt #2 - Under the Sea

 Today is the day for my the big reveal of my second scrap squad quilt.

I chose to recreate the pattern by Scott Murkin called "Sea Glass".I picked this pattern from the May/June issue of Quiltmaker because I have a lot of blue in my stash (doesn't every quilter?) and because my daughter is a diver and I thought it would be fun to make a quilt for her.

I needed a bit of extra time to make my quilt because I wanted to add in two design elements - photo transfer and paper piecing. 
Thankfully fellow scrap squad member Pam Snow came to the rescue and was able to switch reveal dates with me. Just look at her gorgeous quilt! It features machine embroidered flowers in the grey squares. You can hardly see the resemblance to the original "Sea Glass" design, right?





And here is my version of "Sea Glass" which is called "Under the Sea". I stayed with a similar colour palette as the original pattern. Using the block construction method in this pattern was really fun
I also added a few photo transfers of my daughter diving, and a paper pieced sting ray block.





Here is one of my beginning photos when I was making blocks and putting them on the design wall.  As I was looking at the blocks, I was asking myself "what would help me like this quilt more"?  The quilt really came to life for me when I decided to try putting the blocks on point and it started to look like an underwater scene.  I arranged a light to dark layout from top to bottom to look like the ocean does when you're diving, and the water gets darker as you dive deeper.



Machine quilting this was so fun. Most of the quilting was wavy horizontal lines, but in the larger blue sections I experimented with quilting fish tails and swirly waves.
I had a blast making this quilt and am delighted with the outcome! It is so rewarding to look at a finished quilt and remember the journey from your first glance at the pattern, to looking at a finished quilt! 

24 comments:

scraphappy said...

Your quilt is such a great version. So personal! Love how it turned out -- and done so quickly too!

Kate said...

What a fun quilt! I love how you incorporated so many different techniques in this one quilt. Beautifully done!

Sheila said...

Wow! Beautiful quilts!

Karen said...

Very creative and it does look like an underwater scene. And so very different than the embroidered block quilt and even the original design.

Laura Jean said...

Oh how extremely lovely! I especially love the movement in the quilt, and the all the elements compliment each other so beautifully. *Applause Applause*

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I love how you re-made this pattern into something so personal and special.

Betty said...

"Under the Sea" is visually stunning!
Betty

Deanna W said...

Way to go friend, you nailed it! What a great finish and I am sure your daughter will love it!!

Cathy said...

I love the way you added the fish fabric to the design. It really enhances the Under the Sea concept.

Rebecca said...

Love what you did with this!! makes it so much more!

Julie said...

This is a fantastic version of the pattern. What an awesome idea to use photo transfers.

Mary said...

I like the fishy tails and fun quilting on your version! Your daughter will enjoy looking back at this one. The Stingray was a good addition to the SEA scape. Scary to me but it applies to the theme you created. Good Job!

Janet O. said...

Outstanding interpretation of the pattern, Kathy. I'll bet your daughter loves it!
My sister recently went swimming with stingrays in Palau. An ocean fed lake has created a haven for the stingrays with no predators, so they have lost their sting. For a price, you can swim among them. She said it was incredible.

the girlfriend gap said...

Beautiful Beautiful. I love the dark to light and all the little fish fabric with your daughter's photos. I think you have out done yourself. I imagine your daughter is thrilled with this! Janita

AnnieO said...

I love all three versions! How lovely to include your daughter as inspiration and take off on that theme for your design. Amazing!

Debbie said...

Your quilt for your daughter is delightful, Kathy! I love that paper pieced stingray & the photos of your daughter are the perfect touch. What a wonderful gift!

PeggyinNO said...

Your take on this pattern is amazing! Love all the special touches, the stingray, photos and all the 'fishy' fabrics!! Your daughter is sure to love her special "sea glass" quilt!

Scrappy quilter said...

What a delightful quilt. Love the blues.

Flickenstichlerin said...

Dear Kathy,
congratulations to this beauty. Wonderful quilt and the thoughts behind it, adorable.
Greetings,
Sylvia

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Ah so THIS is what that sting ray was for!! It's absolutely stunning! :)

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Ah so THIS is what that sting ray was for!! It's absolutely stunning! :)

Pam said...

Your quilt is amazing. Hard to believe our quilts were made from the same block. The sting ray is the perfect addition to your quilt.

Jean said...

I love your version. Very pretty and interesting. Funny how the blocks on point make a straight design and the original design looks on point. I had to look closely after reading that part of your post.

starflash quilts said...

Love this version, big improvement on the original! I have been collecting fishy fabric for a while.............thinks............(;~>