The Finished Aerial Grove Quilt

The Aerial Grove Quilt is finished and it may well be one of my favorite finished projects this year! This quilt design (the applique panel) is from the book Savor Each Stitch: Studio Quilting with Mindful Design by Carolyn Friedlander. I have however deviated from the design in the book by adding simple borders to the applique panel to finish the quilt.

The border fabric is a chambray fabric printed with a running stitch in blue by Andover Fabrics: Chambray Threaded in Linen. I love this fabric and had yardage on hand waiting for just the right project ... and this was it!

I have loved quilting this quilt. It was a quilting marathon which I don't mind at all especially when it all goes to plan. The stitches are long - 4.0 mm - and the lines are just a 1/4 inch apart. This is a slow process and starts by spacing lines evenly across the width of the quilt; first 5 inches apart (the width of the applique columns), then filling in the space between with equally spaced lines: 2 inches apart, 1 inch apart, etc. Some of this is made easy with a walking foot that is exactly 1 inch wide which allows you to accurately follow seam lines and previous quilting lines. The texture of these closely spaced lines is just gorgeous. I really do wish you could feel it by touching the screen!

I have also again used Aurifil 28wt thread (the gray spool) for quilting (28wt top thread - 40wt thread in the bobbin).This is a heavier weight thread which makes the stitches stand out and adds another point of interest. The stitches are long and the thread is heavy because I want the closely spaced lines of quilting to be a feature.

For the back of the quilt I have used a single print from the Cookie Book collection by Kim Kight for Cotton + Steel. And for the binding I have used an uneven stripe from the Essentials collection by Pat Bravo for Art Gallery Fabrics.

QUILT STATS

Aerial Grove Quilt

Applique Panel from the book 

Savor Each Stitch by Carolyn Friedlander.

Finished quilt measures 46 inches x 61 inches.

Aurifil 80wt cotton thread for applique.

Aurifil 28wt cotton thread for quilting.

Low loft cotton batting ~

Warm & White batting from The Warm Company;

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

For all sale inquiries please email me: redpepperquilts@gmail.com.
SOLD

Click on any image for a larger view.

Whilst I don't foresee too many applique projects in my immediate future - I never say never - I am really pleased that I have stepped outside of my comfort zone to learn a new technique! It is so important to keep challenging yourself, to embrace all that comes your way with an open mind, and enjoy the process. One stitch at a time.

Thank you for stopping by and for scrolling through the many photos! I really appreciate it.

Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Aerial Grove Quilt - Work in Progress
Aurifil 80wt Thread for applique available exclusively from The Fat Quarter Shop.
Aerial Grove Quilt from the book: Savor Each Stitch by Carolyn Friedlander
RPQ Finished Quilts 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.

Aerial Grove Quilt and 80wt Aurifi Thread Giveaway!

A few weeks ago I received a surprise package in the mail from the Fat Quarter Shop filled with a rainbow of the most beautiful Aurifil 80wt threads on wooden spools. Aurifil 80wt thread is 100% cotton thread. It is much finer/thinner than 50wt thread (the higher the number the finer the thread), and it is great for English Paper Piecing, machine applique, and in particular hand applique.

My experience with applique is limited to machine applique (my very first - and second - quilt were both machine applique quilts). I have however no previous experience with hand applique and after a brief moment of panic I accepted the challenge that these threads represented. I think the best way to learn a new skill is to tackle the task with confidence. So why not tick another quilt off my quilt bucket list?

The Aerial Grove Quilt is a more recent addition to my quilt bucket list. It is a design from the book Savor Each Stitch: Studio Quilting with Mindful Design by Carolyn Friedlander.

The Aerial Grove Quilt features a panel of organic hand cut squares with rounded corners that are first thread basted and then hand appliqued onto a background fabric. I love everything about this quilt; especially the opportunity for color play and the free form look of the "circles". No two patches are the same with the result being a free form and organic look. Of course this also is a challenge for me. 

My work is usually exact and structured and giving up control and the self imposed expectation of a precise outcome was not easy. After several frustrating failed attempts at achieving the perfect rounded corners I decided that the best way to move forward was to confiscate my seam ripper. No more false starts, just keep going. Once I embraced the perfectly imperfect shapes there was no looking back and I was indeed able to savor each slow stitch.

As with any new skill this project took considerable time and all of my concentration. If I have made it look like that I whipped this panel up overnight that would be a misrepresentation. I spent 5 whole days working on the five rows of applique squares, and I loved working with these threads!

I have color matched the thread with the fabric pieces whenever possible. I love how easy it is to make the tiniest of stitches that hug a curve evenly and how the fine thread disappears into the fabric, hiding even my early clumsy and uneven stitches. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone and try a new technique. 

Panel background fabrics from left to right:

• Euclid Tangerine by Carolyn Friedlander (cotton/linen blend)
• Text fabric: Neighborhood by Alyson Beaton for Windham Fabrics
• Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Bone
• Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in White
• Euclid Natural by Carolyn Friedlander (cotton/linen blend)

With thanks to the Fat Quarter Shop for this opportunity and for entrusting me with this bounty of beautiful threads! This may be my first applique project but I know it is not my last.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Kimberly and the team at the Fat Quarter Shop are giving away a complete set of 36 spools of Aurifil 80wt thread to one lucky RPQ reader. Valued at over $US100.00!

Aurifil 80wt thread - image by The Fat Quarter Shop
and used with permission.

To be in the draw all you need to do is leave a comment. Email me if you are not able to leave a comment (redpepperquilts at gmail dot com) and I will leave a comment on your behalf. International readers are welcome to enter. Only one entry per person/email address.

Click on any image for a larger view.

A winner will be drawn and announced by edit to this post at 8pm on Friday 14 October 2016 (Australia EDT). The winner will be contacted by email.

Thank you for all of your entries.

ENTRY HAS NOW CLOSED

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The winner of the Aurifil 80wt threads is:

Shannon has been contacted by email.

With thanks to the Fat Quarter Shop for such a generous giveaway!

Good luck everyone.

Rita

Next up: the finished Liberty Blues Quilt.

RELEVANT LINKS:

Aurifil 80wt Thread available exclusively from The Fat Quarter Shop.

Aerial Grove Quilt from the book: Savor Each Stitch by Carolyn Friedlander

Follow RPQ on:

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COPYRIGHT AND DISCLOSURE: Aurifil threads supplied by the Fat Quarter Shop. I am not paid for clicks or by commission from this sponsor or any other sponsor. Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.