Monday, February 18, 2019

Design Wall Monday

The last 5 blocks to construct
For the past few years I have been participating in the July Shop Hop in Southern Ontario. The hop includes 15 quilt stores, and at each store you receive (yes they GIVE to you) a little package that contains the pattern and the fabric to make their block. It's like a quilter's version of Halloween with free fabric candy! 

Also at each store you can see 15 unique sampler quilts made from the same blocks for which you have received the patterns and fabrics. You can see the 2018 finished quilts at their website here.
Finishing Kit
Although I had participated for a few years, I had yet to finish one of these quilts, although I love them all. This year I bought the finishing kit from Undercover Quilts in Fergus. I really liked all the neutral fabrics in the kit. But what good is a kit if you don't actually finish the quilt?!?!

Here is my quilt pinned to the design wall. All the 15 shop hop patterns are in the quilt, including 1 paper pieced block and 2 appliquéd butterfly blocks. I added in some teal fabrics here and there for a little sparkle. 
The alternate double 4 patch blocks were fun to sew from the fabrics in the kit, and I laid those blocks out according to the pattern in the finishing kit.

When I realized the deadline for submitting photos of finished quilts to be entered in a draw for a $150 shopping spree, I got busy finishing my quilt. I had my quilt finished, but between some surgery I had, and the terrible weather and driving conditions, I didn't think I'd be able to drive to the store to get a photo taken for the draw. But I did and I'm so happy that an  Undercover Quilts kit sampler is represented in the finished photos. You can see photos of the finished projects here, including mine! 

Here is the backing pinned to the design wall. It was pieced from 3 large scraps found in my sewing area plus leftover border strips. You can actually see the quilt top peeking through the backing. 

I was motivated to finish my quilt before the deadline. I worked really hard, enduring a bit of back and hand pain but it was worth it. I'm in training for my upcoming quilt retreat, which is painful when you sew for 12 hours a day. It's almost like training for a marathon!! 


I did some very simple horizontal, vertical, and diagonal straight line quilting using the walking foot. I quilted large diamonds in the outside border but it seems to need more quilting in that space so I might add more diamonds. But for now it qualifies as done!


Here is an outside photo with granddog Max trying to be the star of the show! He does match the quilt with the neutral colours of his winter coat and his little teal coloured dog collar tag.

Finished size: 61" x 70.75"
Hop over to Small Quilts to see more design wall activities.

12 comments:

The Cozy Quilter said...

Grand dog Max matches perfectly, and he knows it! Lovely quilt finish! Have fun at the retreat!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

love your doggy - I wouldn't be able to sit at a quilt retreat and sew for 12 hours LOL - I rarely sit and sew for more than 30 or 40 minutes before I get up and do something else - I'm one that quilts/sews for a little bit then do something else come back and sew and back and forth all day

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Sweet dog! Nice quilt and congratulations! Hope you win

Deb said...

Beautiful! Have fun at the marathon!

Ramona said...

Of all of the quilt photos submitted, I like your design the best. I reminds me of the beach... sand with little pools of water. It's beautiful. Congrats! on your finish.

Judy D in WA said...

WOW it's fabulous! Max is perfect for this photo shoot! My favorite is that little spool block. Crossing my fingers for a big win for you.

Laura said...

It is as if the quilt was especially designed for Max! Congrats on the finish!

Louise said...

It's so soft and lovely! What a great project, from shop hop to finished piece :)

Millie said...

It's very pretty, and the dog co-ordinates beautifully!!

Karrin Hurd said...

Very cute quilt and grand dog!

QuiltGranma said...

Very nice finish. I especially love the double cat block!

Ellen said...

Beautiful finish - I think the addition of the teal gives this quilt just the right sparkle.