Sunday, October 28, 2012

Bloggers Quilt Festival

Hi, have you been over to Amy's Creative Side and seen the amazing display of inspiration and talent by all the wonderful quilters/bloggers?

 
If not be sure and stop by-- you will probably need more than one trip -- as there are hundreds of quilts to see. There are many prizes to win, just by leaving a comment or if you enter and win in your category there are great prizes for that too! Readers will be nominating their favorites in each category, so go and have fun! (after you finish reading my post about my entry of course! :)

I am pleased to be able to finally show you my finished Retro Flowers quilt!


I am so happy with how this turned out! There were times when I wondered if I would ever get all the flowers together! For all of you that were following my progress - Thank you! Your encouragement was so important and helpful in motivating me to continue and finish.

This quilt started with the Retro Flowers QAL earlier this year in April. It was my first Quilt A Long. I loved "meeting" other quilters that were particpating through the Flickr group. And I loved seeing everyones fabric picks and progress. There are some fabulous quilts and quilters in that group!

I love this pattern and look with the crisp white sashing and couldn't wait to start. I took a bit of a "modern" approach, even though the name is Retro Flowers. I chose Art Gallery's Modernology line of fabric  which included some small-medium prints but also some very beautiful large prints. I was a bit concerned how the larger prints would work with this pattern as each petal of each flower is made up of 3 curved pieces and one square. So there would not be much of a chance to match those large prints up at the seams. I instead used them to balance out the flower by making sure they were scattered in each petal equally so the eye would move around the whole flower.

 
I also used the Curve Master foot to help with the curves. This special foot helps guide the two pieces of fabric together while sewing the concave and convex curve. This  seems very unnatural when actually sewing them together, but so worth it! Once you get the hang of it, it goes much more quickly and I liked this method as I did not have to pin the seam!
 
For the backing I chose a grey Modernology print that reminded me of  the Retro Flower itself. I love the colors and repetitive simplicity of the pattern.
 
 
The binding I chose is navy blue with an aqua print from the Modernology line. I really like the way the navy contrasts against the white sashing and coordinates with all the navy and aqua in the quilt while contrasting with the corals, pinks, and reds.


The quilt was quilted by Kathy Holman, Fort Wayne, Indiana. She did a wonderful job! I  requested  a "swirling pattern"  and not only did she find it but she was able to enlarge the pattern so that it was proportinate to the quilt/flowers. I love the all over pattern and the way it really shows up on the front. Once washed the quilt sqrunched up so beautifully! You can see this so well in the first and second pic above! This quilt is now ready to be hung in my guest bedroom and is one I will always cherish.

Quilt Stats:

Size 57x58 inches
Special tool: Curve Master foot
Fabric: Art Gallery Modernology and Kona White
Quilted By: Kathy Holman
Best Categories:  Favorite Wall Hanging, Best Professional Quilting, Favorite Throw

22 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful quilt with lovely quilting!

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  2. What a beautiful finish! I really love the fabric you chose for the back. Well done!

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  3. Love your fabric choices, the quilting is lovely, and your piecing looks perfect!

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  4. Beautiful quilt! I love this patterns and you picked great colors.

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  5. Amazing finish! I love those flowers.

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  6. It's gorgeous! LOVE it. Those retro flowers are so perfect!

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  7. Found you through the Monday Link up. Wow this is a stunning quilt. And what beautiful quilting too.

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  8. It's just beautiful! Gorgeous fabric choices :)

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  9. It's gorgeous and the quilting looks fantastic! Love your fabric choices,Ginny!

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  10. Beautiful. It's the battle of the Retro Flowers quilts, ha!

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  11. Such a beautiful quilt!! Love the fabrics you chose and the quilting :)

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  12. This is such a lovely quilt! I have the retro flowers pattern, but I still don't dare to begin it! Love your quilting!! Amazing!!

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  13. It is beautiful! I've never heard of the curves master foot before. And the quilting is fantastic!

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  14. I love everything about your quilt. It's really terrific.

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  15. oh your retro flowers quilt is lovely! What a fun mix of colorful fabrics you used, and I agree - the quilting just enhances your it!

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  16. I love the retro flowers quilt. Your colors are so bright and happy. Beautiful!

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  17. I love this! Modernology works so well with this pattern. Your quilting is also just gorgeous!

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  18. Your quilt has turned out beautifully Ginny, good luck in the Festival!

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  19. Beautiful work! I love the fabrics you chose for this-- and the quilting is stunning. Thanks so much for sharing! :)

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  20. Gorgeous quilt! The Retro Flowers is on my list to-do. I was actually hoping to get two done by the end of this year, NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! The one lady I was making it for has already moved (and has been in her new home for a few months now). Someday I will make her this quilt for her new home!

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Thanks for the comment! I love hearing from you!