The colors are much more vibrant - they seemed to fade in the sunlight!
I started this quilt in January for the Exploding Heart quilt-along, hosted by pattern author Laura Piland of Slice of Pi Quilts. It seemed an appropriate time to make a Valentine's Day quilt but I wanted different colors than red or pink.
This pattern is made up of six different blocks using quarter square triangles, and I chose the scrappy version. I cut 328 squares from my selected fabrics, and those were sewn into HSTs to make the quarter square triangles.
At this point I was crossing my fingers the kitties wouldn't start pawing!
Quilt assembly was the most intricate part, and thank goodness Laura provided very precise layout instructions. It took some time, but it was fun to see the pattern come together. I can't imagine trying to figure out this arrangement on my own!
It qualifies for a Mullet Quilt - sophisticated in the front, party in the back!
I am a traditional quilt girl, but I am often attracted to modern quilts. This one was irresistible, and I love how it turned out. My husband claimed it early on, which really surprised me, so I wanted the backing to be something uniquely "him". He has been a "Minions" fan since 2015, so I had purchased a Minions panel with the intention of making him a Minions quilt. Well that never happened, so I used it to complete a pieced back.
This guy is my "one in a Minion" 😍
I really, really enjoyed quilting it on the Simply Sixteen. It seemed to take a long time, mainly because shifting the quilt around on the frame and aligning the quilt with the carriage and the rails is all new to me. It's a learning experience that is very satisfying.
On the floor
Colors and fabrics closeup
Binding closeup
Quilt Details
Pattern by Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts
Finished size: 72" x 72"
Laundered size: 68" x 68"
Front Fabrics
Dancing Fortunella from Floralish by Katarina Roccella for Art GalleryBotanica Sunburst Chartreuse by QT Fabrics
Grunge in Metallic Lead, Key Lime, and Seeing Spots in Sunflower by Basic Grey
Blue Plaid Elements by P&B Textiles
Elizabeth's Dowry Blue Dots on Cream by Marcus Fabrics
Newspaper Butterflies on Yellow by Carrie Bloomston for Windham Fabrics
Background - Decostitch Cloud by Art Gallery
Backing
One In A Minion fabric panel
Minions blue fabric
Light mottled gray from JoAnn's
Binding
Navy with yellow dots from JoAnn's
Quilting
FMQ Meander on HQ Simply Sixteen
Laundered, crinkly, and cuddly and waiting for cold weather!
Thanks for putting up with this long post! You can see other versions of this pattern on Instagram using hashtag #explodingheartqal or click right here.
I'm belatedly linking this post to Alycia's Finished ( or not) Friday!
It is terrific! You did a great job on your "one in a minion" guy's quilt - just perfect. You will get the hang of moving it on the frame. It really is a dandy machine, isn't it! I even do really small pieces as it is so easy to load em up and do them. The extra big backs for the beginning is still something I need to figure out when using the frame as a hoop!
ReplyDeleteYou have done a beautiful job on this quilt and your quilting looks nice! Isn’t it great to have a long arm? I just need to get back to where I was doing things quickly a few years back! Getting better now. Hugs
ReplyDeleteLovely finish! THe back is amazing too!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fun quilt - I love the backing, with that cute little panel. The quilting looks great, and I think your Minion will have many happy hours snuggled under that quilt!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! I am just blown away by this. Fabulous work! If you want colors to stay vibrant in photos, shoot them on a cloudy day. You'll be surprised at the difference.
ReplyDeleteOh, Linda - I adore that quilt! Lucky husband! Your colors are so pretty, and the back is a great use for that panel, especially considering who it is for. I don't often say this, but I wish I had joined in on that QAL. Maybe I'll have to get that pattern for myself anyway! Congratulations on your finish!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda! Gosh, this turned out just great and it was worth waiting for to see. I think putting the minion panel on the back is just the best thing ever. And to think that DH claimed it - well, that just makes my heart happy. And yours as well, I'm sure. I remember when Laura held this QAL, and I had wanted to join in but had time constraints. It really turned out nicely with the scrappiness. Wow, that was a LOT of pieces to cut out and put back together. But that's what we do, right?! It is a lovely finish. ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeleteIt turned out faaabulous!!! So good that your guy wants it! That's the best compliment!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a great finish. Your meander looks nice and smooth. I LOVE that minions back. Definitely a very fun surprise. Great job; kudos for finishing it in under a year!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh Linda, what a gorgeous quilt! It is really a beauty and you are right, looks so tricky to line up all those shades and pieces. Well done you too with the quilting on your new machine. I think you've got it knocked!
ReplyDeleteI like the minions too and what a great way to use that panel. Hubby looks pleased.
I thought that was such a pretty quilt when the pattern first came out but knew it was one I'd never do (given all those 1/4 sq pieces!!). Yours is beautiful and glad your hubs put dibs on it..LOL! I grew up in OKC (20 yrs) and in DFW since 1983 (couple of commonalities we have aside from quilting).
ReplyDeleteThat quilt with those wonderful fabrics is fabulous! I think it is great that hubby likes it and you were able to personalize it for him.
ReplyDeleteOh! My! Gosh!! A minion and a mullet quilt - you had me trying not to spit my drink!!! that is an awesome quilt - and gorgeous - with the party panel in the back - I LOVE it!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! I guess it is One in a Minion(Million)! I love the panel used on the back to make it just perfect for your honey!
ReplyDeleteI love it, Linda! Beautiful colors and the back Minion panel is very cool!
ReplyDeleteLove also the quilting. Well done!!!
It is gorgeous!! I just love the color scheme you used. He will cherish it forever. And the quilting is wonderful, makes it look so squishy!
ReplyDeleteWow! I absolutely love your fabric selection for this quilt! I follow the party in the quilt back hash tag on instagram, but hadn’t heard one called a mullet quilt. I am definitely going to use that to describe future quilts!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting.
Deletelove, Love, LOVE the front of this quilt!
ReplyDelete