Tuesday, September 28, 2010

A Finished Checkerboard Quilt

Today started by cutting and piecing the quilt binding.  It wasn't long after that the binding was attached to the quilt top and thereafter machine-stitched down at the back of the quilt (see here for a machine stitched binding tutorial).


The binding fabric of choice for this quilt is again a Kei Honeycomb dot in dusty pink.  I think it matches the soft pinks in the Dream On fabric collection really well and adds a spot to another wise spot-less fabric range (and I do love polka dots and spots).


Some of the details;
Quilt size:  60.5 inches  x 63 inches
Design:  Checkerboard layout with 600 squares each measuring 2.5 inches (finished)
Fabric collection:  Dream On by Urban Chiks (one layer cake only)
Solid Fabric:  Robert Kaufman - Kona Cotton in White


Sewing technique:  I was able to strip piece this quilt by cutting the layer cake pieces into three 3 inch strips and then sewing these pieces lengthwise to a 3 inch strip of Kona White fabric (Kona White strips were cut from selvage to selvage).  These units were then pressed (seams pressed towards the printed fabric) and cross-cut into 3 inch units.  These two-piece units were then sewn together into long rows after which the rows were sewn together.


The back of the quilt is pieced from several pieces of Kona Cotton the colors of which all compliment the quilt top.  I also managed to use up the very last pieces of my Dream On fabric stash.  The quilting grid has added a graphic dimension to the otherwise plain backing fabrics.


It is easier to see from the above picture that I have in fact quilted this quilt with more than just diagonal lines running through the solid white fabrics.  I wasn't happy with the large open and un-quilted spaces after the diagonal lines were quilted and have therefore outlined the horizontal seams of the quilt by stitches a very generous 1/4 inch on either side of the quilt seam lines.  It was a lot more work (48 lines and 4 hours of stitching), but worth the final result.


I don't feel as if I have yet finished with the Dream On fabric range by Urban Chiks and look forward to yardage being available later this year.  As such I don't feel too apprehensive about parting with this quilt. 

You can find the listing for this quilt in my Etsy Store.  SOLD


27 comments:

  1. Love it :-) time to buy a layer cake methinks ;-)

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  2. This is such a pretty and fresh looking quilt. And it is finished. Good for you.

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  3. What a beautiful, fresh quilt. I love the front, the back is great and the binding is just perfect!

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  4. It's beautiful! I keep noticing how perfect your quilts are...all the corners match up perfectly...all the stitches are beautiful and even. You're an inspiration for sure!

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  5. it's very pretty. your quilting is, as usual, immaculate. do you mark the lines?

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  6. A fantastic combo all round! Front, back, binding, quilting! Color and design are perfect, as usual! Love this quilt!

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  7. very nice, rita!

    i have a quilt ready for the machine and i am thinking of a grid pattern, but am quite nervous about it. i don't want to end up with bunching. i guess i have to try it at some point, right?

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  8. Divine. I adore the back, that is good enough for a front in my book! Gorgeous quilting. xo

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  9. Beautiful Rita! I never would have thought of using that binding but it so works! I haven't picked up any Dream On yet and can't wait to get my hands on some now!:)

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  10. Another beauty, Rita! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Very pretty! I love the fresh, traditional feel on the front and then the back is a great splash of color and bold shape! I love the combo!

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  12. OMGosh Rita! first, love the quilt! but, second... just saw the new machine at Bernina and almost died! that things a BEAST!!! i am green with envy!! haha ;)

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  13. What a cheery quilt! I love that you used dots on the binding!

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  14. So sweet...I love the binding and the pieced back.

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  15. Really nice quilt, and a good inspiration. I am collecting some vintage sheets recently, and was looking for a nice pattern and quilting idea. This one is a good option.

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  16. I am loving this quilt... The backing is precious...

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  17. Rita its gorgeous! I really admire your patience with tiny squares! :-)

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  18. Do you keep count of how many quilts you've made in a year? I wonder what this year's tally is.
    Andi x

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  19. What a fresh and happy quilt. I just love the simplicity of only squares in a quilt. Maybe its because that was my first ever quilt and all the ladies at church had a quilting bee and helped me 'tie' it off...30 years ago!

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  20. It's lovely Rita.

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  21. Absolutely love it. It's so comforting and calm. What a great quilt to cuddle up with and dream sweet dreams. No pun intended...
    Love this one!

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  22. Why, why, why do I always try to find fabric wide enough to be a solid background on my quilts? I'm digging the multi-colored backing.
    inspired.

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