Wednesday, September 07, 2016

WIP Wednesday--the circle edition

I seem to have at least 20 projects going on at all times, so I decided that I am going to make an effort to show more of the process rather than focusing on showing finished products. It's good to enjoy the journey, right? I think WIP Wednesdays might become my new favorite thing!
Today was basting day for the "dot your i's" quilt! This project has been a labor of love...but worth every single stitch. You can find the details about the quilt in this post.
Most of the fabric is from the original flea market fancy line by Denyse Schmidt, which is long out of print and some of my most hoarded fabric. There is also some hope valley fabrics (also by Denyse) along with some of my good neighbors fabric (yay!), and about 5 other random prints that worked well with what I had going. All of the background squares are either low volume, very light solids or white on white fabric. I am thrilled with the combination!
I had a very hard time choosing backing fabric, but I finally landed on this sweet print from Heather Ross from her Tiger Lily collection. (I got it on clearance at Connecting Threads...for a screaming deal. Hurray!) I adore how this print works with the front of the quilt. It has the exact vintage feel that I was looking for. I plan to start playing around with hand quilting designs tonight!
Continuing with the circle theme...this is another quilt I'm currently I'm working on, which uses my running in circles tutorial. I'm teaching this as a class for the Minneapolis Modern quilt guild this Saturday at the Textile center. (I believe that there are still a few spots left...if you are a last minute non-planner like me. Ha!) For this version, I am using a collection of 30's prints that I inherited last spring. It's been lovely working with these. They are a bit of a departure from my normal brights, but I love the softness of the prints and the overall vintage feel of the quilt already. I'm definitely undecided about how large to make it....but I guess I have time to figure that out. :)

27 comments:

The Cozy Quilter said...

Very fun circle quilts! Love your fabrics! How are you going to quilt the dot your i's quilt?

Di~ said...

LOVE it, love them both!

Quilts By Laurel said...

I love both of these, but Dot Your i's is AMAZING!! Wow!!

Linda Swanekamp said...

Love process photos! They help me in my thinking. I could also do a WIP Wednesday and I have about 20 things in process also.

Bernie Kringel said...

I really enjoy process/WIP posts. I like seeing how people come to decisions with design, quilting, quilt backs and bindings, etc. There is always something to be learned and inspiration is there for the taking. Love the circle quilt and I think hand quilting some or all of it will be lovely.

Thimbleanna said...

OhMyGosh -- that dot your i's quilt makes me hyperventilate. I NEEEEED one. It's fantastic Ms. Crazy!!! (On another note -- are you going to market?)

KaHolly said...

Just delightful! I have a circle quilt that has just been sitting on the shelf all summer...perhaps it's time for it to resurface! You are very inspiring.

Gretchen Weaver said...

Love your little circle quilt and the backing fabric is sweet too. You are in a circle mode but I like the big circles too. Hope your class goes well and you all have fun. Blessings, Gretchen

Southern Gal said...

You're definitely my quilting hero. ;)

Unknown said...

I have a few WiP's right now and my quilting sketchbook is bursting at the seams for next year so I'm trying to finish up everything if I can. I'd actually like to have a clean slate by Christmas break/New Years so I can dive into something new while free time is bountiful. That sounds amazing to me. I would like to make another version of the Bright Birch Trees quilt sometime before the end of Spring next year. Christmas break seems like a good time to start the trees for it, as I found it so relaxing and fun the first time. I love your quilts, you're a huge inspiration in my quilting style- a fusion of scrappy love and bright colors.

Suzanne said...

I think WIP Wednesdays are a great idea. I love the journey you took me on through past links. It was a fun reminder. Keep on stitching, AJ. You inspire me.

Sam said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE the inherited fabrics. 30's and 40's prints get my heart racing like nothing else. Okay, maybe not as much as a large jar of buttons but close. Don't want the scarps from the Running Circle? Send them my way!

Nancy in IN said...

Love the circle quilts, both machine and hand. I think I will try.
Thanks

legato1958 said...

This quilt is going to be awesome! I am inspired to try to make one someday!
I love the backing you found, too!
Susie

pennylanequilts said...

I absolutely love your dot your i's quilt! It is one of my all time favorites. I looked back, and I'm impressed that it has been just over a year since you began this quilt. Thanks for sharing. I know that it will be fun to look at each little block as you quilt it. Happy stitching!

Unknown said...

I continue to love and admire your ability to put these scraps together in such a beautiful way - not everyone can.
I was in Fort Collins for about 2 hours last week, really miss those retreats, cherish the memories.

Summer said...

Pretty quilting! Hugs ♥

summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

Karen said...

So many gorgeous dots! I'm afraid I would be seeing spots ;)

Patty said...

I have a lot of projects that have been started but the "in progress" part would be a stretch. Hopefully I will be able to get back to some of them some day. Right now I am on crutches so my second story sewing room doesn't get visited often enough. Not sure when that will change. Love seeing what people are working. Finished or not. Keep them coming!

josiekitten said...

That is just beautiful. I am curious about your safety pins, they look a little curved. Are they special ones for quilting?

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

I really like your "Dot your i's" quilt! Talk about perfection!

Leanne Parsons said...

I absolutely love your Dot your i's quilt! It will be fun to see how you quilt it :)

liniecat said...

Both are divine but that first one is my favourite by far - and a cheery backing to boot!
Wonderful ...

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Oh my gosh that quilt is stunning!! Perfect for those special DS prints! I look forward to seeing how you quilt it ❤️

Kay said...

I love the circle quilt, Flea Market fancy is on of my all time favourite fabric range. x

Sandy Panagos said...

I just love the "Dot Your I's" quilt. The backing is perfect for it, I agree.

Becky said...

Lovely quilts, as usual. I am especial fond of the "Dot your I's" one. Love the use of all the scraps.