The custom Strips and Bricks Quilt is very much finished and in between showers and windy weather I have managed to take lots of photos. So herewith a picture post: ~
This quilt is based on the Strips and Bricks Quilt Pattern by Malka Dubrawsky and was featured in the Sew Hip Magazine (April 2009), although I have tweaked block size to accommodate the larger quilt size.
As usual the back of the quilt is also pieced and incorporates more of the Strips and Bricks Pattern as well as featuring some much loved Amy Butler Lotus prints. The solid fabric is Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Ash.
The quilt is quilted with straight lines from edge to edge of the quilt, both vertically and horizontally. Where the quilting lines cross paths a very busy intersection of stitches is created. Avoiding tucks and puckers at this point comes down to good basting. I pin baste and use lots of pins; at least one pin every four inches. I do think that basting is something you get better at over time. You eventually get a "feel" of how to match the tension of the top and back of the quilt. (I hope to write a more thorough basting technique post soon.)
When quilting I do increase the stitch length so that the stitch itself is a feature. This particular quilt was quilted with a stitch length of 4.0 (Bernina 440QE) compared to a usual piecing stitch length of 2.0. I do adjust stitch length according to quilt size; larger quilts can cope with longer stitches. My usual choice of quilting stitch length ranges from 3.5 to 4.0. Larger stitches also makes stitch ripping a little easier.
Straight line quilting is time consuming with this particular quilt taking approximately 12 hours to quilt and 6 bobbins. It gets boring after about 1 hour so a little patience and determination is definitely required. The overall effect is well worth the effort though.
This quilt is now off its new owner. It is difficult to part with this one, although I take great comfort in knowing that this quilt will be very much loved and used.
Rita
Rita
