Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Modern Quilt Guild Challenge - Finished Quilt

Woohoo! I finished my first MQG Challenge quilt.

This was my first time sewing with curves and my first quilt made without any rulers.


When I first got the fabric for this challenge, I wasn't really sure what to do with it. The soft green/grey colors aren't really my typical style. I've been really into Sherri Lynn Wood's book, the Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters, so I decided to try one of the scores from her book.


I had a hard time deciding what to do, but I decided on the Layered Curves Score. I have never done curved piecing before, and it's something I've wanted to try for a long time! I bought a few shades of grey and white to go with the fabrics sent, and I also got a 1/2 yard of the triangles from the Cottage Garden line.


This top was so much fun to piece! I made the entire quilt without rulers (except for on the facing), so the blocks ended up all different shapes and sizes. They were fun to make, but I got a bit nervous about how they'd fit together.


I used a lot of steam, and filled in with strips when the blocks were different sizes. It wasn't as difficult (or as stressful) as I thought it would be, and I really enjoyed the process. I'm actually starting to prefer sewing without a ruler! Sherri Lynn Wood also has awesome instructions, which make a huge difference.


I quilted it with an off-centered spiral in variegated (white & grey) Aurifil thread. I was going to try something different with the quilting, but I think a spiral was the right way to go with this one. I tried spray basting for the first time, and it is a game changer! I never minded pin basting, but I do occasionally get small puckers on the back. I got some tips from a friend on spray basting, and I have converted! It worked out so well.
 

I love the variety in these blocks, and how all of the different shapes come together. I am really looking forward to my next improv pieced/ruler-free project!

 
I ended up doing a fairly simple pieced back, with some of the left over border pieces. I finished this quilt with a facing, instead of binding (another first!). I liked the look of the border I had added, and didn't want to add a solid binding.
 
 
Overall, I'm very pleased with how this one turned out. I'm not quite sure what to do with it now, but I'm sure I'll think of something. I also need to think of a name for it so I can make a label.
 
I've also learned a lot making it, and I'm really looking forward to doing more improv piecing. It was a lot of fun, and I liked not having to worry about measuring, piecing and cutting accurately!
 
 
Linking up with NTT Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation and Crazy Mom Quilts. 



11 comments:

  1. This is a beautiful quilt, Kate! I loved it when I saw it on your Instagram feed and knowing more details about it just makes it more amazing. The spiral quilting really pulls you into the quilt and helps emphasis the curved piecing, and I really like how the featured prints seem to be more grouped closer to the center of the spiral.

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  2. If you think this quilt looks great on her blog it looks ten times better in person. Kate is very talented!

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  3. Beautifully done. Using the teal with the grey really makes the quilt sparkle.

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  4. GO Girl! What a great improve / curve quilt. You did a great job.

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  5. Simply Stunning!!!
    aschaefer24@yahoo.com

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  6. Oh it's stunning, and wonderfully kaleidoscope like :)

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  7. Very unique, really pretty! Love your spiral quilting.

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  8. what a fabulous quilt! I love the curviness of it and the colours, though not my usual style either, work so well together in this quilt.

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  9. Looks fantastic, I love that this was your first curves quilt, turned out really well and spiral quilting is really lovely with it1

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  10. I love the colours.
    Not even each block was trimmed with a ruler? Goodness! How did you manage that!

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  11. How did you do the binding? Is there a website or Utube for that?

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