I purchase my batting by the roll, 30 meters long and wide enough for even the biggest quilts. More often than not when I cut batting for a quilt I end up with a left over piece that is too big to simply discard. Often those pieces are the perfect size for pillow covers or saved for potholders, pincushions etc. There is also an ever growing pile of batting pieces suitable for baby quilts. And that is how this quilt came about ~ custom made to fit a piece of batting.
According to Maggie Malone's 5500 Quilt Block Designs
this arrangement of traditional patchwork units is called Narcissus Motif and was first published by Kansas City Star in the early 1960's. I really like how the repeat layout of the single star blocks creates a secondary pattern, and even though I have used solids fabrics, I imagine it would look just as striking if you were to use printed/scrappy fabrics, on a plain background (or even a low volume background).
this arrangement of traditional patchwork units is called Narcissus Motif and was first published by Kansas City Star in the early 1960's. I really like how the repeat layout of the single star blocks creates a secondary pattern, and even though I have used solids fabrics, I imagine it would look just as striking if you were to use printed/scrappy fabrics, on a plain background (or even a low volume background).
I have paper pieced the star units - using EQ7 to quickly and easily draw up and print the paper foundations - and as you can see I had a great time with the quilting. The quilting grid is an all over, edge to edge, 1 inch grid of intersecting lines.
For the back of the quilt I have used a single fabric from the 8 Days a Week collection by Ampersand Design Studio - Months in White. This large scale text print is perfect for backing fabric. All solid fabrics used are Robert Kaufman Kona Cottons in White, Red, Kumquat, and Candy Pink.
And I have finished the quilt with a soft pink/white stripe binding fabric broken with a small section of orange solid fabric ~
This quilt was listed for sale in my Etsy Store.
(but sold prior to publishing my post).
One piece of left over batting put to good use, with more baby quilts to follow.
Thank you for stopping by,
Rita
(I have tried sewing batting pieces together, either by zig-zagging the edges together, or slight overlap, but neither have been satisfactory for my perfectionist needs. I am particular about my quilts, and cannot have a wobble or crease in my batting. I am however keen to try fusible batting tape, soon - it has been ordered and I'll be sure to let you know how I go).
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RELEVANT LINKS:
More Baby Quilts
COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission.
pretty quilt as always Rita .. eventhou kind of different from your style time to time, but I still love the idea .. Anyway, I might want to know how to using fusible batting tape .. perhaps you will like to explain to your reader, someday .. Thank you for your inspiration ..
ReplyDeleteWill do! I am looking forward to trying out the fusible tape :-)
DeleteNo wonder it sold so quickly!
ReplyDeleteLovely Red Pepper touches to this sweet traditional star!
ReplyDeleteI have used the tape and it works fine at least with small quilts.
ReplyDeleteMyrto
I used fusible tape on a 80" long quilt, it worked perfectly fine, you can't notice it (I put the tape on the side facing the backing, just in case).
DeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteI think photographing quilts {well} is one of the most difficult things in the world. Please share your secret with me! Are they laying on the ground and you try to get a shot overhead? Or pinned up on a wall? Thanks!
Thank you for taking on the experiment with fusible batting tape--- I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
ReplyDeletelove the quilt and I also love batting tape -- I hope you have good luck with it
ReplyDeleteThat is a stunning quilt. So simple and yet absolutely graphic!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the history on the block. Beautiful quilt! I love the secondary design!
ReplyDeleteI've had great luck with the fusible tape! Maybe you already know this - if you lay your 2 pieces of batting on the ironing board overlapping by a few inches, then cut both layers in a slightly wavy line, you can pull out the excess and they match perfectly. Then iron the tape on. It works so well, I have a hard time finding the seam!
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy - thank you for your comment! I haven't tried joining batting with a wavy line, but will certainly give that a go. I think the wavy line might be key, especially for joining somewhat larger pieces together. Rita
DeleteJust love this design, simple but so pretty!
ReplyDeleteCindy's method works great for splicing batting: I put the pieces on the floor and cut wavy lines with a rotary cutter then baste together by hand. Then I take it to the sewing machine and sew using a zigzag stitch. The key is a wavy cut. I worry the fusible tape is fine today, but will it degrade years ahead. Question: fifth picture down the quilting stitches look large on my monitor, are they? What setting do you use for quilting the grid?
ReplyDeleteHi Marianne - thank you for stopping by. The wavy line method is new to me and I look forward to trying it out. With regard to stitch length, my personal preference is for a longer stitch when quilting. I've used a 3.8 setting on my sewing machine. Rita
DeleteI love it!!! ;p
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing about this that isn't completely perfect.
ReplyDeleteI have wondered how the fusible tape goes as it looks like a good idea. I love this wee quilt
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to use up leftover batting--my family has tons of placemats, next baby quilts...
ReplyDeleteArtfully inspiring Rita. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely quilt. So graphic and "modern".
ReplyDeleteI love it! Inspiring :)
ReplyDeleteI love it Rita! Great colours and perfect quilting!
ReplyDeleteWhat a darling quilt. I love how crisp the colors look against the white!
ReplyDeletevery nice, do like the odd splash or orange and pink you have used
ReplyDeleteSimply striking! The dash of orange and pink is genius. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI don't have EQ - any tips on how to create the paper piecing for the star units? Thx - LOVE the quilt!
ReplyDeleteNice quilt!
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Love how the backing and binding colours fit the quilt so well. Love it, thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and so unique, as usual gorgeous work! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove this quilt. How do you keep those quilting lines so straight? Even when I measure and re-measure somehow they get a teeensy bit off especially on queen sized quilts.
ReplyDeleteFusable tape is the best way to go, and I have often used it for making baby quilts I donate to a mother's home, that get washed over and over again. No problem has been encountered. I don't use the wavy method, I am more ruthless about the whole process and cut long straight lines with my rotary cutter and press the tape down. I find the trick is getting the right temperature on the iron to suit the batting type you are putting together particularly if it contains poly.
I like the tape so much for using up batting bits I rarely have any around anymore and order the tape from the wholesaler by the box - 12 rolls in each box.
Love this quilt....did I already say that? Well one more time won't hurt.
This quilt is insanely perfect. You're going to be submitting it to QuiltCon, right? Right?! :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love the design of the quilt! Quick question: do you wash the fabric before piecing? I was thinking about the red fabric against the white in that first washing!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about sewing batting together but I am very impressed with the batting tape. I have used it a couple of times now and you cannot tell when the quilt has been quilted..The secret is to use straight edges when butting the batting together.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt colors are perfect for the pattern design. It gives me an inspiration for one of my own. Thanks
ReplyDeleteTerrific!
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous!! And I just started using the fusible batting tape very recently - love the result so far - much smoother than zigzagging : )
ReplyDelete