Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Handcrafted - Bright Like a Diamond Quilt

Work in Progress.
Bright Like a Diamond Quilt - Handcrafted Fabric | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

As promised earlier this month, I have cut into my stash of Alison Glass Handcrafted fabric collections. These fabric ranges are made entirely by hand (a process unique to Andover) and are a new interpretation of the ancient wax resist fabric dying art form (batik). It is made in Indonesia by people skilled with this technique. Featured here are my stash of fabrics from the Handcrafted and Handcrafted 2 collection, and the more recent Chroma (Handcrafted) collection.

Bright Like a Diamond Quilt - Handcrafted Fabric | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Bright Like a Diamond Quilt - Handcrafted Fabric | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Bright Like a Diamond Quilt - Handcrafted Fabric | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

These fabrics are not what I usually choose to work with but I was very much drawn to the simple prints and bright and saturated colors! Surprisingly, I found it exhilarating to work outside of my comfort zone and spent quite some time thinking about the best way to use the prints - deciding to use larger rather than smaller blocks - and then worked on the design with an aim to keeping it simple.

Bright Like a Diamond Quilt - Handcrafted Fabric | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Bright Like a Diamond Quilt - Handcrafted Fabric | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

I have used both whole rectangle and half rectangle triangle (HRT) blocks for this quilt. The HRT units add interest by creating diagonal lines. Piecing HRT blocks was made easy with the use of a HRT Bloc-Loc ruler; so quick and easy to use! Over-sizing and trimming units is my preferred sewing method so these rulers really do suit my needs.

Bright Like a Diamond Quilt - Handcrafted Fabric | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

QUILT DETAILS
Bright Like a Diamond Quilt
Quilt top measures 52 inches x 64 inches.
24 HRT Blocks and 80 rectangle blocks.
8 rows of 13 blocks.
Each finished block measures 4 inches x 8 inches.
Fabrics:

Bright Like a Diamond Quilt - Handcrafted Fabric | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

I spent a long time playing with the blocks, creating lines and shapes, while trying to let go of my need for symmetry, but still end up with a balanced design that doesn't stray too far from my comfort zone.  Arranging and re-arranging. And in case you are wondering, while these fabrics are slightly lighter in weight than standard quilting cotton, they were lovely to work with; not all that different to working with quilting cotton.

Bright Like a Diamond Quilt - Handcrafted Fabric | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Bright Like a Diamond Quilt - Handcrafted Fabric | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

I am looking forward to adding many lines of quilting. One stitch at a time.

More soon,
Rita
Bright Like a Diamond Quilt - Handcrafted Fabric | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

RELEVANT LINKS:
Sunday Stash: Handcrafted & Handcrafted 2 by Alison Glass
Sunday Stash: Chrome by Alison Glass
Bloc Loc HRT Rulers available from The Fat Quarter Shop

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