Thursday, May 21, 2009

jolly rancher quilt


The jolly rancher quilt is finished! I LOVE it and now I (kind of) wish I had made it larger. The top is 100% scraps. Love that.

The one question comes up when using this many colors of fabric in a quilt top: what color of thread to use? I took a chance on grey thread and I think it works so well-even on the white....
....and I love how it shows up on the yellow backing.

I call this concentric square quilting, but really it's a squared off spiral. I quilted each of the 9 blocks separately. I love how this quilting looks and it's easy! (I used a walking foot, so that does most of the work.) I didn't mark anything, just used the squares as a guideline for quilting. This is where the small size of the quilt was much appreciated. (it's about 40" square.)

The only thing I bought specifically for this quilt was 1/2 yard for binding-that's it! Now, if I could start to notice a dent in my stash, I'd be ecstatic.

89 comments:

Emily Herrick said...

Your quilting is great! I need to venture out on my machine. I still love the stipple though. After your last post I have to try the line quilting. It looks so good.
Love all your posts, BTW.

Meredith said...

awesome. I like the colors and the quilting. Isn't it great to use scraps/stash. looks like a good size for a nap.

Leslie said...

so dang cute! I adore those bright colors!

Jocelyn said...

Amanda Jean, did you have a tute for this pattern? Just was wondering what the sizes were that you cut out. I tried to look back on your older posts but could not find anything. I am all for using up scraps and stash!! When you run out I can send you some more :-)

Jocelyn
http://happycottagequilter.blogspot.com/

Kangaroo said...

i LOVE LOVE LOVE that wonky square quilting. it is gorgeous and you continue to inspire!

Kenton and Marianne Ogg said...

GORGEOUS!! It turned out fantastic! If you would be interested in selling a bag of scraps, I would be interested in buying. I've been sewing for a long time, but have moved so much and wasn't really into quilting until lately, and I don't have many scraps. Email me if that sounds like something you'd be interested in...
mamaogg(at)gmail(dot)com

Betsy said...

That looks great. I have never quilted using a walking foot. I should try it out.

Jessica said...

Love those colors together! Hey, I'm considering hosting a "Quilt around the U.S." Still just looking to see if there is any interest....you wanna come play?!

Anonymous said...

I sooooooooooooooo want to make one of these! I don't have a single scrap to start with, though! :( Wonder what's the best way to remedy that situation?

Mrs. JP said...

It is beautiful. You know you've done a good job using scraps when it looks like you didn't. Wonderful job and that's a new way to quilt for me. I love my walking foot and will try that technique some time soon. I have trouble now having bunchies. I try to have everything squared up but when everything gets so big I lose control and I think that's where the bunchies come from. The biggest (clean) area I have is my dining room table. How do you get everything so flat?

Cheryl said...

I love it! Though that quilting, even with a walking foot, must have been somewhat of a pain. All that pivoting and scrunching through your machine!

Liz Jimenez said...

Turned out great, such bright and cheerful colors! "Jolly Rancher" totally sums up the feel of it.

I'll have to remember that concentric square quilting idea. Great for big square blocks like that!

Sarah said...

I LOVE it...the bright colors are awesome!

Bison Girl said...

This looks fabulous!

I bet if you made it bigger, you would have regretted it when quilting time came. I think it's just right.

B.E.A.T.L.E. said...

Awesome! I love the quilting, and the bright colors are so darn fun. Way to go!

Yvette said...

VERY nice.. love the grey on yellow. yums!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

make another bigger!!! it's so fun!

Emily said...

It's beautiful! Those bright colors just jump right off the screen at me. :) Makes me wish I was picnic-ing in the park with a tall glass of lemonade.

rachel griffith said...

oooohhhhh i ♥ it!!!
and you only had to buy 1/2 yard of fabric...awesome!!!

Rebekah said...

it's beautiful! I love how you quilted it!

Aimee said...

Simply beautiful! I love the quilting pattern.

angelabe said...

Bello. Veramente bello.

Molly said...

I LOVE this quilt! The colors are yummy and the quilting is perfect!
You are such an inspiration :)

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Using something that would otherwise be thrown away is one of my favorite things, and you've done a masterful job of that with this quilt. It is SO pretty! And the way you've quilted it really sets it off.

Alissa said...

Oh it looks so good! The quilting is perfect!

Judy said...

I've used that quilting pattern before and it does work very well! Looks great!

shellysquilts said...

Very cute!! Well done!

p.s. There's no rule that says you can't change thread color when you are machine quilting.

Maria Harrits said...

I just love it! Must try to make a quilt like that one day!

MichelleB said...

It came out great! I love it. I love the colors, and quilting really sets it off.

Bonnie said...

Absolutely fabulous! I love how it turned out!

G'G'ma said...

I was just having my lunch with the new McCall's Quilting mag and all of the sudden there your quilt was on the Moda ad!! Congratulations. I thought,"Wow, I know her and have seen that quilt before". Great. The picture could have been larger though!

erica said...

I love a scrap-busting quilt! This is no exception.

heather said...

Looks good!!:)

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Very pretty and a great way to use up some stash!

Sweetpea4kids said...

Ive just stumbled upon your blog and had to comment. Your quilts are beautiful and I like your choice of stash colours.

Philigry said...

i love this. it looks great. the quilting is awesome.

Linda said...

Very cute! I have used variegated thread in matching colors for a bright multicolored quilt before. Used that in the top and a solid color for the bobbin. I liked the effect, but it did take a little extra thread to match up the color when a bobbin ran out, or the spool ran out. I have a real thing for the bright colored quilts these days! :)

Emily Cole said...

I love the way this quilt looks - the bright colors are "me"!!! I think I'll have to put it on my list, and I will probably try to make at least a twin size... I love the look!

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

i really love the rich colors. i love your blog, it is so inspirational. I always look forward to what your doing next...I have used many of your tutorials and they are always fun!

Anina said...

This makes me want to go buy some Jolly Ranchers. I've done concentric quilting before and it's hard on a big quilt.

Sara said...

That is a beautiful quilt! I love it...it is bright and cherry. I'll bet it would make a great baby quilt!

Karen said...

It's always a great feeling to use lots of scraps up! This is a really neat quilt....love the colors, the gray thread and the quilting!
Karen

Becca said...

What a perfect name for such a bright and cheerful quilt!

Amy Jo said...

love it!!!!!

Andi said...

I agree with you.
Imagine this quilt on a larger scale.
Even more divine.
Amazing work Amanda. Really beautiful.
Andi :-)

Holly said...

It is gorgeous. I love the colors.

Cheryl Arkison said...

I love seeing how you put those pink and orange scraps together - combinations they never saw at my house!
Looks great.

Malissa said...

What a good idea to use grey thread. It turned out great, didn't it!?

One Flew Over said...

Love it! and even better that it used your scraps.

Andrea said...

I really really love these colours. The white adds just the right punch to it. I think if there was no white, the colours wouldn't be featured as beautifully...

Jodie said...

Love it Amandajean. Great colours , great squareish quilting.
Just great all round I guess.

Leslie said...

ahh but doesn't a dent in the stash mean it is time to go buy some more fabulous fabric...the gray on the yellow looks really great...i love the concentric squares idea. So pretty

MissesStitches said...

This quilt is beautiful! Way to go!! Now I want to try one like it. You really rock, Amanda.

Mushyhed said...

Beautiful!!

dotti white said...

The scraps make just a wonderful quilt! I love it! thank you for sharing, amandajean and for being a great inspiration!

Rebecca said...

What is a walking foot? So when you machine quilt, you have the choice of either using a walking foot or not using one?

http://craftalittle.com/

Terriaw said...

Love it! Great use of colors. And gray thread for the quilting - what a great idea. I have a colorful quilt that I have been puzzled over what color thread to use.

knittinbrit_in_wi said...

It looks wonderful! Don't be put off by how the stash hasn't even had a dent made in it yet; just look at all the fun you can have using it.

Beautiful quilt, as always.

Red Pepper Quilts - Rita Hodge said...

Love your quilt, in particular the quilting. Inspirational! Thanks for sharing.

Rita

Hannah said...

so cute! i'm working up the nerve to make a quilt from scraps but my OCD is clinging tight to coordinated color schemes

Patsy said...

What a great quilt. Love all the bold colors. It just makes me smile!!!

Unknown said...

Love this! So vibrant :) The quilting looks fun too!

Anonymous said...

Those colors are fabulous. I hadn't thought about orange with aqua, but it is a winner, and as always your quilting is awesome. I haven't ventured trying the quilting on my machine. I'm told I need a special foot. I just haven't felt like spending the money. But I need to, so I can finish all those tops, start a blog, and show you my progress. I hope Northeast Fl is finished with the rain for today. KEEP-UP the excellent work. (ONE)of your dedicated fans and followers.

Anonymous said...

LOve the quilting!
If you noticed a dent in your stash wouldn't you just end up buying more fabric to fill it???!

Louise said...

I am trying to do a bit more machine quilting as I want to be able to make more quilts. At this point I'm unlikely to do stipple quilting so I am really loving these two versions of straight quilting. I was planning to quilt a small quilt like this as a practice so thanks for showing how. It looks great. I also love the lots of lines one - I reckon I could do that too!

Anonymous said...

Love it! Looks like fun. Maybe a picnic blanket for summer.

Amy
abf3615@aol

Anonymous said...

Coming out of lurking to say - I have to say - I absolutely ADORE this quilt!

Thimbleanna said...

Gray thread is a stroke of genius! What a great quilt CrazyMom!

knitting bean said...

I love all of your quilts, but this is one of my favorites!

Quiltgal said...

Another beautiful Quilt.
The grey thread is great but I also like Taupe. Those are my two favourite colours for piecing.

dutchcomfort said...

Your line-quilting looks gorgeous!!!

SuzyQSparkles said...

I'd be ecstatic to have a Jolly Rancher Quilt of my own!

You can always make another version bigger... one to keep, one to give away. ;)

Catheine said...

I love the bright colours you've used and such a simple quilting pattern is all that was needed.

Lisa said...

Love your quilts! I wish I had more time to do more quilting but I am in the stage of life where raising the children take most of my time. I do manage to squeeze in a few projects though!

There is an award for you at my blog. Blessings!
~Lisa

Vicki W said...

What an adorable quilt!

Heather said...

I love how it all came together.

duckyhouse said...

Oh this is gorgeous and so colorful!

Snowbird said...

I normally wouldn't like those colors for a quilt, but this is just perfect!! Love the name as well!!
I have enjoyed your site and all your quilts. You've inspired me to start quilting again (after a 20 yr break!)

I look for your updates everyday and soak in all the quilty-goodness!!

Cheryl said...

I love it! I am wondering if a walking foot would also be good for quilting circles, or do I have to do it freeform? Does anyone know?
Thanks.

dotti white said...

Still loving the happy colors of the jolly rancher quilt! Amandajean, check out my latest post and let me know if you have any suggestions! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

What a happy quilt! I'm gonna give that squared spiral a try one of these days. Thanks for sharing...Kathy

jacquie said...

love the quilting, amandajean. i'd sure love to do that on a bigger quilt, but the throat space on my machine just won't handle all that turning. this is still a pretty good sized quilt to handle that so kudos to you for a great job!! the name, the colors all so happy!!

K said...

This is beautiful! I love the gray thread and don't think I'd think of this. I just love the inspiration from your website!

Katherine said...

This is such a fun and energetic looking quilt. Wouldn't it be fantastic to have as a bed quilt???

Need any help shrinking your stash? I'll happily volunteer for the job. LOL

Sachiko said...

So fun!! I love how you combine fabrics and come up with something totally unexpected! Wonderful job!

regina said...

new to your blog and love it! thanks so much for the wonderful tute on ModaBakeShop. I just finished my VERY FIRST QUILT. :)

lera said...

Mmm. I just ate a Jolly Rancher ... Okay, I ate about five. You caught me.

Love that quilt. Very vibrant.

(Love the mini quilt, too.)

Anonymous said...

Love your site. You are fearless when it comes to color. Thanks for taking the time to share with so many quilters, both novices and experts. Sincerely, Brenda Nora C. (no blog) in Texas. I guess I am computer challenged, I can't figure out how to leave a message other than "anonymously.

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful.