A Chambray Flowering Snowball Quilt

I love a "big block" quilt and a large scale Flowering Snowball Quilt was always going to happen, and now seemed like a good time. I have had fun playing with the layout/coloring of the blocks in EQ8 (quilt design software). Although using a limited color palette - as I have done for this quilt - does not come easy, the design possibilities are endless and dare I say, this won't be my last big block Flowering Snowball Quilt.

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This quilt consists of 16 Flowering Snowball Blocks (each finished block measures 11" x 11"), and the fabrics have been cut using acrylic templates. The fabrics used are Robert Kaufman Kona Cottons (in White and Quicksilver) and a denim chambray fabric by Andover Fabrics. The chambray fabric is a light weight cotton/denim fabric with a white weft for contrast and interest.

The quilt is quilted with edge to edge straight lines creating a foundation of intersecting lines (by first ditch stitching the seam lines of the blocks) and then adding more lines of stitching in between. The stitching lines are closely spaced - a 1/2" apart - to create a texture that is lovely to touch and at the same time gives the quilt a soft drape.

In addition, I have used a heavier weight thread for extra stitch definition; for the quilting I have used Aurifil 28wt thread for the top thread and 50wt thread for the bobbin thread. This combination of different thread weights works well in my sewing machine and doesn't create any problems with stitch tension.

For the back of the quilt I have used a single text fabric from the Sun Print collection by Alison Glass, and I have finished the quilt by again using the blue chambray fabric for the binding.

QUILT DETAILS:

Chambray Flowering Snowball Quilt

The finished quilt measures 45 inches x 45 inches.

16 Flowering Snowball Blocks - finished block measures 11" x 11".

11" Flowering Snowball Block Acrylic Templates.

Fabric:

Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in:

Snow and Quicksilver.

Chambray in Denim by Andover Fabrics.

Thread:

Aurifil 50wt cotton thread for piecing.

Aurifil 28wt cotton thread for quilting.

Batting:

Low loft cotton batting bleached white.

The finished quilt is for sale and is listed in my Etsy Store.

See all of the listing details here:

Modern Geometric Baby and Lap Quilt

Thank you for stopping by!
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Red Pepper Quilts Etsy Store

More RPQ Flowering Snowball Quilts
Flowering Snowball Quilt - September 2016
Berry Marmalade Flowering Snowball Quilt - August 2017
Low Volume Flowering Snowball Quilt - November 2016

More RPQ Big Block Quilts
Two Big Block Baby Quilts - January 2016
Big Block Half Square Triangle Quilt - January 2016

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COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.

The Scrappy Irish Chain Quilt and Quilt Pattern

QUILT DETAILS:

Scrappy Irish Chain Quilt 

The finished quilt measures 56 inches x 56 inches.

1369 patchwork squares.

37 rows each of 37 squares.

Each finished square measures 1.5" x 1.5"

Fabric Used:

200+ different small scale prints including

many stash basics - dots, stripes, checks, gingham -
and small scale prints.

Solid Fabric: Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Wasabi.

Quilting:

 Stitching along both sides of all vertical and horizontal seam lines.

Batting:

Low loft cotton batting - bleached white.

I have lots of photos to share with you today! My Scrappy Irish Chain Quilt is finished and having received several requests for a quilt pattern I sat down on the weekend and wrote a pattern for this quilt. While there are many patterns available for an Irish Chain Quilt, my pattern is written for scrap busting; using up small fabric scraps, and sewing together individual squares in the most efficient and effective way.

Click on any image for a larger view.

This is not a strip pieced quilt, instead I have broken the quilt design into small, manageable size blocks that can be pieced quickly and easily, which gives you control over accurate piecing and seam pressing. All blocks are pieced and pressed in exactly the same way thereby ensuring that all seams nest when piecing your quilt top, regardless of which way you turn the block. It also means that you can pick up this project and work on it for short periods of time, and not feel overwhelmed or lost in the process when you next pick it up again.

ABOUT THE SCRAPPY IRISH CHAIN QUILT PATTERN

• The Scrappy Irish Chain Quilt Pattern (PDF file) is available for immediate download from my Etsy Store as well as my Pattern Store and includes 14 pages of photos and diagrams. (Australian customers please note: Etsy charges Australian buyers GST because they are considered an international electronic distribution platform - Australian customers may therefore prefer to purchase patterns via my Pattern Store).

• The quilt is pieced in blocks and blocks are constructed in such a way that all seams will "nest" when sewing the individual blocks together, as well as when sewing blocks together into rows, and when sewing rows together into a quilt top. This not only makes the task of matching seams and sewing a quilt top easier but helps to ensure that the seams will lie flat resulting in an smooth and even quilt top. 
• Finished quilt size is 56 inches x 56 inches. Included also is an Quilt Size Chart - 3 additional quilt size details have been provided (one smaller quilts size and two larger quilts sizes - up to 92 inches x 92 inches), and includes fabric requirements, cutting information, number of blocks required, as well as backing and binding fabric requirements for all quilt sizes.

I have thoroughly enjoyed making this quilt! I really enjoy the repetitive nature that is repeat block sewing, as well as working with small squares. It is especially satisfying to see that collecting the many 2" squares - most rescued from the scrap bin or perhaps destined for the rubbish bin - has been so worthwhile. I have already started replenishing my 2" squares collection.

I have quilted the quilt with edge to edge straight lines, outlining all of the seam lines by stitching along both sides of those seam lines. As always, I have used a walking foot to stitch these lines, and have used the edge of the walking foot as a stitching guide. It is a slow and steady process, although once the foundation lines are in place I do pick up the pace.

For the back of the quilt I have used my favorite text fabric Newsprint from the Story collection by Carrie Bloomston, and have matched it with my signature black/white stripe fabric for the binding. I have used a low loft cotton batting.

The actual finished quilt is for sale and is listed in my Etsy Store.

See all of the listing details here:
Scrappy Irish Chain Patchwork Quilt

Scrappy Irish Chain Quilt
56 inches x 56 inches

As always, thank you for stopping by, for all of your kind comments about my quilts, and of course happy stitching!

RELEVANT LINKS:
Scrappy Irish Chain Quilt - Work in Progress
Red Pepper Quilts Etsy Store
Red Pepper Quilts Pattern Store:

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COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.

Bright Hopes Quilt - A Finished Quilt

QUILT DETAILS: 

Bright Hopes Low Volume Quilt 

The finished quilt measures 52 inches x 63 inches.

154 Bright Hopes Blocks (see tutorial here).

14 horizontal rows of 11 Bright Hopes blocks.

Each FINISHED block measures 4 ½ inches x 4 ½ inches.

180+ different fabrics were used to make this quilt top.

Fabrics Include:

Quilting Cotton, Liberty of London, and lots of novelty fabrics.

Batting:

Warm & White batting from The Warm Company;

a low loft batting perfect for use with low volume and bright white fabrics.

I love my collection of "low volume" fabrics and have thoroughly enjoyed working with these pretty fabrics for the last few weeks! This quilt includes many fabric favorites and as often is the case I have added fabrics with a pop of color for interest. When it comes to color I find it difficult to restrain myself. Every scraps counts and I am therefore also pleased to have used up the many left over fabric strips from my previous quilt project (Herringbone Quilt).

The quilt is randomly scattered with printed novelty fabrics; anything from  from flowers to fruits, fish, insects, birds, cats, faces, mermaids, ballerinas, text, and more. These fabric pieces were fussy cut to feature those designs and add interest as well as a fun "I-Spy" element.

I have quilted the quilt by first ditch stitching all horizontal and vertical seam lines around all of the blocks, then adding additional lines to create a grid of closely spaced lines by the following seam lines around the center square of each block.

For the back of the quilt I have my usual backing fabric: Newsprint from the Story collection by Carrie Bloomston and the binding fabric is a soft pink and white stripe from the Petite Basics collection by Sevenberry for Robert Kaufman Fabrics.

This quilt was sold prior to listing in my Etsy Store

 and prior to publishing this blog post.

If you are interested in purchasing one of my quilts

 - even one that I am still working on -

please don't hesitate to contact me by email.

RELEVANT LINKS:
Bright Hopes Quilt (Work in Progress and Tutorial).
Low Volume Herringbone Quilt - November 2017
More Red Pepper Quilts Tutorials
More RPQ Scrap Quilts:
99 Squircles Quilt - July 2017
A Color Splash Quilt - July 2016
Rectangle Checkerboard Quilt - May 2016

This week I am going to be using some of the 2 inch squares that I have been cutting from fabrics scraps for most of this year. Rather than adding small pieces of fabric to my scrap bins - where they may well disappear in amongst the many odd size pieces of fabric - I have cut my fabric scraps into 2" squares. There are many squares (!) and I am confident that I can pull a quilt out of that box. I am so looking forward to this project.

As always, thank you for stopping by,
Rita

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COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.