Wednesday, March 31, 2021

A Mystery Quilt Finish

My UFO project for March (and for February but we won't talk about that!) was to finish the guild mystery quilt that was started last summer. Nothing new was purchased to make this quilt and so many old scraps were used up. Being unable to shop during the pandemic has really helped me to be innovative in using up what I have accumulated over the years and I feel quite proud of that. 

The quilting is all free motion done on my domestic sewing machine, with each round of the quilt having a different design. I did not agonize over how to quilt this project like I sometimes do. I just made a decision as I came to each border and ended up with a variety of designs including arcs, swirls, waves and a few semi straight lines.

I really love the outside border for 2 reasons:

1) there are 13 pieces of black fabric scraps in the border and this really makes me so happy!

2) I love how the double swirl design turned out  using 2 different colours of threads. It was so fun to stitch that I contemplated adding another layer of stitching with a 3rd thread colour, but decided that I should focus instead on finishing the quilt instead.

The free pattern is by Robert Kaufmann and is called Gazebo Medallion. My version is much smaller and measures 54" x 64.5".


This quilt will join my guild's comfort quilt collection which is donated to victims of sexual assault that are treated at our local hospital. I love that this funky scrappy quilt will be given to a young person in need of some comfort.

I always use Warm and Natural batting for machine quilting and one tip I'd like to remember (so I am writing it here) is how to decide which side of Warm and Natural batting should be facing the quilt top. There are many different and opposite opinions on the internet (as there is with everything these days!) so I only trust the website belonging to the maker of the Warm and Natural batting. They say: 

"When quilting Warm & Natural or Warm & White, it is usually easier to do so in the same direction it was needle-punched – the cotton side facing towards your quilt top and the scrim side facing toward your quilt backing. With Warm & Natural the cotton side is distinguished by its leaf & stem remnants (face to quilt top)."

That is very helpful and I will remember that from now on as it helps with reducing thread breakage. The scrim side is smooth and it should face the backing.

Proudly linking up to One Monthly Goal and Favorite Finish party at Meadow Mist Designs

13 comments:

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Kathy, that's a great finish! Really pretty and happy fabrics and a fun design. Good to know about how to orient the Warm and Natural batting, too - I'm always confused about that!

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

It's a beautiful finish and I'm sure the recipient will absolutely cherish the quilt and feel the love when snuggled with it.

Janet O. said...

Beautiful finish, Kathy. I like that you made do with what you had to create this very pretty quilt. And it is great that it will go to such a worthy cause.
I always remember which side to place up by telling myself to look at its dirty face. :)

Flickenstichlerin said...

wonderful finish and again great color combination

Anonymous said...

Scrappy quilts on my favorite, and this one is a real beauty! I see a number of Kaffe Fassett fabrics. Also a favorite of mine. It’s being donated for a great cause too. Way to go!

Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com

The Cozy Quilter said...

Great way to use your scraps! Beautiful finish for a great cause

MissPat said...

A happy quilt going to a good(but sad that it's needed) cause. I like your various quilt motifs and the way you quilted the column of flying geese.
Pat

The Joyful Quilter said...

Fun finish, Kathy! Regarding the batting, I also use that tip. I will say, with some brands, it's challenging to tell which side is which!

Patty said...

Gorgeous! Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and congrats on your project!

Deb A said...

Good tip and congrats on your finish.

sgrehome said...

Beautiful! Thanks for including the pattern information.

Sarah said...

Great finish and nice to know it will bring comfort to someone.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I've always wondered which side was which, and how to place the batting. Thanks.