Friday, April 17, 2009

Bloggers Quilt Festival - Favorite Quilt

I am participating in Park City Girl's Blogger's Quilt Festival, and have had great difficulty choosing my favorite quilt. In the end I decided my favorite quilt is my "Spot On" Circle quilt. I made this quilt back in 2006 when I really had very limited sewing experience. I have largely taught myself to sew and quilt, so I knew this was going to be quite a challenge!

The pattern for this quilt is from the book "Quilts with a Spin" by Becky Goldsmith & Linda Jenkins. The pattern in the book is called "Everyday Best". I love this quilt, and as soon as I saw it in the book, I knew I had to make one. The instructions are really well written and comes with patterns for the arcs, although the arcs do require to be copied onto vellum paper, a major task in itself!


It probably took 18 months to collect enough spotty fabric to start making this quilt.

It is a foundation pieced quilt, with each individual full circle made from 12 arcs, and consisting of 108 pieces of fabric. I made nine full circles, so that is a mere 972 small patches of dotty fabric!


I tackled the making of this quilt one step at a time, not really knowing if I was going to have enough sewing experience to even do the next step. Once the quarter-circle arcs were made, they were joined together - no problem. Then a suitable background fabric had to be chosen. It was at this point that I was introduced to the Color Wheel. The background fabrics are also dotty fabrics, but were chosen to flow in the order of the colors on the color wheel. Adding background fabrics was probably the hardest part and I learned a lot having to sew curves! (I excel at sewing straight lines, however, curves are not a favorite.)




The quilt was professionally machine quilted by Karen Terrens of Quilts on Bastings on a long-arm quilting machine. It is quilted in concentric circles, each arc having two circles of quilting. The background fabrics are also quilted with concentric circles, just slightlyoverlapping with the circle quilting.


This quilt now spends a lot of time in my daughter's room (generally on the floor - she is a typical teenager!). This is the same daughter who exclaimed just last week that I never make a nice quilt for her!



It is such a bright, cheerful quilt, and a tribute to all the dotty fabrics out there!


Thank you for stopping by!
Rita

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123 comments:

  1. This is amazing! I love how bright and cheerful it is! I came over from the festival!

    Welcome to the blogging world! I love all the quilts you've posted. Especially those linen baby quilts. I may have to do something similar!

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  2. Oh my stinking goodness! That is beautiful!!!

    I'm seriously just amazed right now!

    I love that you did it in dots!

    Thanks for sharing!

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  3. What an amazing quilt.
    Way too ambitious for me. I'm also much better with straight lines than curves.
    Good on you for having a go.
    The prize is the final product. One of these days your daughter will appreciate what went into creating such an amazing piece.
    Andi :-)

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  4. Wow! so bright and Cheery! I love how you used all spotted fabrics.

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  5. What a magnificent quilt, and so bright and cheerful! I think it's really great that you would just dive into making it not really knowing if you had the skills, but "knowing" that you could do it. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Love this quilt! Fun, colorful, and a visual treat.

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  7. this quilt is amazing!!!
    hi-5 to you!!!
    :D

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  8. Great quilt! Did you ever count how many spotty fabrics you used?

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  9. THIS IS AMAZING. WISH I HAD ENOUGH PATIENCE TO COMPLETE SOMETHING LIKE THAT, GREAT JOB

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  10. Love it. I'm a big fan of anything spots and dots!

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  11. Your color choices is spectacular!

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  12. SO much fun! I love all the dots working together...

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  13. I'm speechless! This is totally amazing!

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  14. Great inspiration in this quilt!!
    Thanks for sharing!!

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  15. That is Amazing! I LOVE IT!! Thanks for sharing this with us!

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  16. WOW! Truly amazing. Beautiful job. I know I would never have it in me to take on that challenge. I'm so glad there are people like you out there who do. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. What a showstopper! Love the dots, love the circles, love the whole thing. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. Wow! This is stunning!!!! This quilt was on the front of a quilting calender I had a few years ago, I kept the cover as a reminder that I must make it one day. Yours is absolutely stunning!

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  19. Stunning! Such an inspirational piece! I went and found the book to add to my wishlist - that is one pattern I have on my long to-do list :) Thanks so much for sharing!

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  20. This is an amazing quilt. I expect it looks even better close up. It was well worth the effort in putting together all those spotty fabrics.
    It truly is stunning!

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  21. This quilt has been on my "To-Do" list ever since I first saw the book 3 years ago! I love dots and seeing your completed quilt gives me the motivation I need to dig in to my stash and get started on this project! LOVE IT!

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  22. Beyond incredible! I cannot even imagine how much time and effort went into this quilt. Much further than I have ever attempted. It is beautiful and just plain fabulous. :)

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  23. I love polka dots and this has to be my all time favorite example of the best ever use of polka dots! Wow! That's all I can say. And this was before you really knew how? You are a genius!

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  24. oh my gosh. Thats amazing. love all the dots. I don't think I'd try that pattern but you are right about taking it a step at a time.

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  25. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!! This is so cute! (I love circles and polka dots.)

    I have a magazine with the orginal pictured in it and always say someday I will try it, but it's just too much work for me. You did a beautiful job!! I can't believe you did this as a beginner.

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  26. This is an incredible quilt! Thanks for sharing!

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  27. I am in awe that you made this so early on in your quilting life. I love the fact that all the fabrics are polka dots. I didn't realize it until I read the story that goes with it. I know I'm dating myself but all I can say to Spot On is Right On!

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  28. This quilt is truly beautiful. What a challenge! Thank you for sharing...piece.

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  29. That is an awesome quilt!

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  30. What a fabulous quilt! I really LOVE your fabric choices! This is a quilt that makes you happy just looking at it!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Dionne

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  31. What an amazing job you did!

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  32. OK...you said limited sewing experience???? I would be so afraid to tackle something like that. This is just beautiful...You have inspired me to get myself busy and try and make a quilt....I love yours!

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  33. Wow! That is an a-maze-za-zingy quilt. I love it. I saw a simular one last weekend at a quilt show in Southern Utah. I like your dotty version.

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  34. Such a happy, beautiful quilt! You did a fantastic job and LOVE the fabrics you used!

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  35. Holy Moly! You know most Quilty people are afraid of a pattern like that. Kudos to you for a job well done! I love it!

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  36. I love the colours you used and the way you used them! Great quilt!

    Maria
    Maria Michaels Designs
    Quiltsforsale.ca

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  37. So bright and happy and Gorgeous!!! You did a beautiful job on this. And good for you for just going for it. :)

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  38. Great quilt! An amazing accomplishment for someone with "limited" sewing skills! I've been saving dotted fabric for a long time . . . still trying to decide what I will do with it. Hmmm

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  39. Wow...simply wow! Thanks for sharing.

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  40. I love your quilt, and you've inspired me.

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  41. this is stunning!! love it!!

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  42. I can see why it is your favourite. I can't imagine collecting fabric that long for one quilt. Your patience paid off.

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  43. Totally and absolutely gorgeous!!!

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  44. For not having much experience quilting, you did a beautiful job and to tackle curves for the project of starting to quilt. Love it.
    Keep Stitchen'
    Bonnie

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  45. I think this is one of the funnest, brightest,bestest quilts I've ever seen! Hmmmmm does grammar count?

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  46. Amazing curves and colors. Beautiful.

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  47. Wow - just WOW - wonderful.
    Karen
    http://karensquilting.com/blog/

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  48. What a colorful, fun quilt! I love it!

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  49. Absolutely LOVE the fabric choices! You're my kind of colorist! Thanks for the very nice comments you left on my blog -- I really appreciate them!

    Diane

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  50. This is gorgeous!!!! What a stunning quilt! Also, thanks for stopping by my blog and your nice comments. I couldn't reply as you are set to "no reply".
    Isn't this so much fun?

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  51. I am in awe. This is a totally amazing quilt! Beautiful work.

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  52. Thank for your comment :) Your quilt is a beauty and I like your other quilts too. Very colorful :)

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  53. Wow~ an amazing quilt! Thanks for sharing!

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  54. Woweee! Love all the dotty fabric! Absolutely fantastic quilt.

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  55. Great way to experiment! delightful quilt.

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  56. I absolutely LOVE the quilt and never in a lifetime would I get one that big and intricate done, so I also ADMIRE it. You did an excellent job!!!
    Thanks for visiting my blog and viewing my little *oddity*.
    Quilting is funbecause it allows so much freedom if only the maker will take it.
    Just exceptional!

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  57. Wow, amazing!! Love the dotty fabrics, the colours. It has such a happy charisma!

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  58. oh that's just wonderful!! and all your quilts posted (so far) I love all that colour. keep on going!!

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  59. this is absolutely gorgeous. i am inspired to try something like this! WOW!

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  60. It's gorgeous, but I would have thought twice before giving it to my teenager if I knew it would always be on the floor. You are much more generous than I!

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  61. I really like the color and pattern in this quilt. What a great way to use scraps.

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  62. what a wonderful quilt! so far its one of my favorites in this festival. wonderful work!(mauh) Liz

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  63. Wow! THat's an amazing quilt!

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  64. Great quilt! I love the bright happy colors, good for you for taking this on and finishing it!

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  65. Love it! Love it! Love it! My head is spinning and I am seeing spots! did I mention I love it?

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  66. I love this quilt. The colors are amazing. Love it.

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  67. The colors are just amazing. It is my style. Gorgeous

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  68. This quilt is awesome. I have been collecting fabric with dots for quite some time, although I had no idea what I would do with them. This is a possibility. Thanks for sharing...Kathy

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  69. what an absolutely yummy quilt! I love the scrappy assortment of fabrics all playing together.

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  70. Gorgeous! That's a lot of work and it looks wonderful.

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  71. I do not do curves but this is very inspiring!

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  72. It is a gorgeous quilt! I am on the list too, so I enjoyed finding your blog.
    Micki
    In Ireland

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  73. What a glorious happy fun quilt! Easy to see why its a favorite!

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  74. Gorgeous use of color! Wow, are the fabrics all polka dots? That's amazing. :-)

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  75. Ok, this is absolutely beautiful! And you are saying making this you were not sure if you have enough sewing experience? This quilt is for me something like the top of the top of sewing excellence.
    I am very glad I found your blog through festival.

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  76. Oh what an amazing quilt. So beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

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  77. Oh my!!!! My kinda quilt!!!! Absolutely beautiful! If your daughter tries of it, let me know and I'll send you my address--I will even pay postage! :-)

    Hugs!

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  78. Yeah, you and I would get along famously when it comes to quilting - Love your bright colors, the fact that you weren't afraid to use lots of pieces, and that it is so cheerful! Great quilt...

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  79. Congratulations! a challenging quilt beautifully executed.

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  80. Absolutely amazing! I can't imagine the work involved with all those little pieces. Fantastic!

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  81. This is just wonderful. I love the buzzing colour and prints. The piecing has me in awe toom

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  82. Oh my gosh, that is amazing! It's like a candy store! I wish I could see the real thing!

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  83. What a beautiful quilt!! Can't believe you made it when you were new to quilting! Also love your Strawberry Patches Nine Patch! Your color choices are very cheerful!!

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  84. What a gorgeous quilt! I love all of the bright, beautiful colors!

    Cathy ♥

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  85. Holy Cow! There are so many pieces- you must be very patient. You did a beautiful job!

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  86. Stunning! The colors are gorgeous and I just love dots anyway! Thanks for sharing!

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  87. Holy Cow! That's one gorgeous quilt -- thanks for sharing it!!!

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  88. I have dreams of making this quilt someday! It's stunning!

    Welcome to the world of quilt blogging!

    Hugs!

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  89. So that quilt is on my list, I even have some fabrics but It hasn't happened. I hope you enjoy blogging as much as I do.

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  90. I knew I was drawn to polka dots and I wondered why. Now I think I will have to make this quilt! Your work is wonderful.

    Welcome to blogging! So far, so great!!!

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  91. Just love this quilt!!! Love everything about it!

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  92. Well done you!! Your quilt is just stunning!

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  93. Wow! This is awesome! I love it.

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  94. Ooooohhh, that's my favorite quilt now, too. I'm going to have to sneak over and snitch that off your daughter's floor.

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  95. Amazing. I love it!!! I love the color wheel working in the background and all those scraps in the circles are brilliant. Very nice.

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  96. this quilt is so exciting; I must find the book now. Thanks for sharing it with us

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  97. Color, fabrics, piecing - All totally amazing! I noticed your note on the fabric shack - I buy quite a bit from them, too. I even got to stop by their brick and mortor store last month and had a grand time.

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  98. WOW! And you say you were inexperienced? I'd say that you got a lot of experience making this quilt. Beautiful.

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  99. Holy Moly - this is incredible. And the quilting --- I have seen the concentric circle quilting before and just love it.. Wish I could find a LAQer near me who could do it.

    What a fabulous job you did on this -- love the fabric selection - you have an excellent eye for color. Thanks for sharing this.

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  100. What a great use of pattern and color.

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  101. I LOVE this quilt! And all your others too. You have a great eye for colors and patterns.

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  102. You did a MOST beautiful job!

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  103. I'm late to the party Rita, but had to say, love this quilt! It was on the cover for a calender a few years back, I kept the pattern and photo to add to the must make pile. It is just beautiful!

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  104. This is quite an ambitious quilt. It is fabulous! I just might have to get that book.

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  105. Hard to believe this was your first quilting endeavor, absolutely stunning!

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  106. WONDERFUL! WONDERFUL!! WONDERFUL!!! That is what I thought when I saw this quilt.

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  107. I am not trying to tell you what to do...but this sure would look "spot on" somewhere on your header, someday!!!!! (just treating myself to some "vintage" rpq on a rainy afternoon :)

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  108. Stunning! Amazing workmanship!

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