I named it "Cottage Garden" because that is the vibe I get from it!
I first read about this challenge on Amy Smart's Diary of A Quilter blog and am so glad I joined in because the blocks were truly fun! Amy designed the windmill block, one of sixteen varied blocks. I am discovering that I really love sampler quilts, because I never experience the boredom of doing the same thing over and over. These patterns were, for the most part, fun to sew and satisfyingly pretty; so much so that I became impatient when I had to wait for the next pattern!
Instead of solids, I chose mostly prints similar to the colors on the RBD fabric requirements page, and the resulting variety of colors and blocks was a happy surprise. At first the suggested sashing layout seemed too busy to me, but in the end I loved it, because it tied everything together and gave a pretty finish to the quilt blocks. Strip piecing the sashing was mind-numbing, but it got the job done quickly!
I quilted the sashing with a preset curvy stitch on my Janome 7700 and set the stitch length and width as high as they would go - would love to set it even higher but have not figured that out! Then I got the bright idea to "big stitch" the individual blocks. Well that didn't work out - hurt my hands! - so I loaded it up on the Simply Sixteen and quilted the blocks.
I hadn't intended to do a contrasting binding, but I love this fabric!
The backing is a Laura Ashley fabric from the early 1990s that reminds me of a vintage sheet
Cottage Garden Quilt Details:
Finished Size: 62" x 62"
Finished size laundered: 59" x 59"
Pattern: Block patterns here by various designers for Riley Blake
Block Fabrics
Various yardage from stash
Sashing
Larkspur in Straw by 3 Sisters for Moda
Green Hobby Lobby Print
White Hobby Lobby Grunge-ish solid
Backing
1991 Laura Ashley yardage
Binding
Maywood Studios "In Stitches"
Superior Threads
50wt So Fine #503 Genoa Gray
40wt Magnifico #2068 Ingot
40wt Living Colors #515 Raspberry
I'm linking my post to Alycia's Finished Or Not Friday! Go read about all the hats Alycia has been knitting - it's amazing!
I have enjoyed making sampler quilts too! Isn’t it interesting how they all go together! I like the sashing here, but understand about the mind-numbing part!
ReplyDeleteLinda, you're amazing - two finishes in one week! I love this one - all the different blocks make it interesting to look at. Such elegant colors,too, and the sashing design is so pretty with the 9 patches and stripes. Are you keeping this one - I would have a hard time giving it away!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful finish!! You are having so much fun with that machine!!
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with this! It is a fun quilt and doing a block a month is just a nice way to make a quilt! Your quilting is fab - congrats on getting another finish in before the end of the year.
ReplyDeleteHow fun!! all those blocks look amazing!!
ReplyDeleteYou had me at "cottage garden."
ReplyDeleteI’m not a fan of sampler quilts for myself, but I think that’s only because I get stuck on how to quilt them. I like everyone else’s, and I especially like yours. You obviously knew what to do to quilt! The colors are so lovely and work so well together. And the sashing is amazing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt finish, Linda!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt - I love the fabrics!
ReplyDeleteSampler quilts look great. I love looking at your creations.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sandy. :)
DeleteBeautiful job Linda! Love the Sampler and the red binding! Hugs
ReplyDelete