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Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Gossip Queen Texture and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  I am so excited to share my finished Gossip Queen quilt today, and I am completely smitten with it.  You can read more about the origin of the fun name HERE.


Y'all, it's hard to tell in the photos, but this quilt has texture for daaaays.  I used six different 50 wt. Aurifil threads, blending the thread colors through the quilt.  It is quilted with a dense spiral design with four side swoops as I did on some of my color gradient minis (check out my yellow mini to get a really good look at the overall design on this quilt).  Getting the spiral centered and balanced on the quilt took some planning, but I love how it turned out.


On the back of the quilt, I used my leftover scraps in a mixed-color strip, along with a rich, berry purple tonal main fabric.  You can almost make out the distinct quilting lines in the photo of the backing.  


The whole goal of the photo shoot for this quilt was to show off the color and texture.  Getting the vibrant colors to show well was easy, but really capturing the texture was a little more difficult.  The improv piecing is so busy that although the texture shows up well in person, in a photo it just blends right in.  (ps- that is not a pucker in my backing, just a weird wrinkle where the quilt was folded)


To really show the texture, I had to take a photo indoors.  Those quilting lines are about 1/4" to 1/2" apart throughout the entire quilt.  Since I quilted this one with free-motion, the spacing and curve of the lines is organic, but I think the lack of perfect regularity really adds to the movement and charm of the quilt.


I set aside enough of my yellow scrap strips for a scrappy binding, and it blends right into the quilt without boxing the colors in.  I love that it just disappears!


If you're looking closely, you'll see that this binding is actually finished by hand (gasp!).  Unheard of for me, I know, but I love this quilt so much that I think I might enter it into shows, and I thought it deserved to be as perfect as possible. 

I really do hate hand sewing, so it's a good thing that I have a quilty BFF that doesn't mind it.  Barter is a beautiful thing, y'all.  Since I made the Louisiana and Tennessee home pillows, my friend has been wanting a Texas Home pillow, and she and I agreed to a little deal.  I made a Texas pillow for her in exchange for beautifully hand finishing the binding on my Gossip Queen quilt.  Win, win all around!


This color blending technique is SO much fun, and much easier than you might think.  It takes a little patience and planning, but the result is well worth it.


Since this technique uses the method from my book with just a little different execution, I've decided to add Using Scraps to Explore Color and Texture as a full-day class offering next year, in addition to the other classes from my book Stash Statement.  I've just started booking for 2020, so if your guild is looking for a fun, unique workshop, be sure to contact me soon for more info and reserve a date on my calendar!

Okie dokie!  Before we get our party on, let's check out some highlights from last week, shall we?  Look at this gorgeous plus quilt by Alison at Little Bunny Quilts.  Be sure you go check out all of the yummy quilting on this one.


I am all about scrappy texture (obviously), so I think this beauty by Katie Mae Quilts is just fantastic!


The transparency effect is so cool in this quilt by Anja Quilts-


And finally, this scrappy quilt by Sarah Goer Quilts is hot, hot, HOT!


Alright friends.  Let's link up!

1You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!
2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.
3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  
4. Spread the comment love far and wide!
5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)




17 comments:

  1. Gossip Queen turned out beautifully. LOVE that the quilting added SEW much texture!!!

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  2. More tons of beautiful quilts, as always. Gossip Queen looks gorgeous, and your photography really reveals that beauty.

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  3. Gorgeous quilting for the Gossip Girl. I'm glad to see you are all mended and PT did wonders for your pain. I'm hoping to one day try and do spiral quilting but I better try it on a smaller quilt first. BTW, I was wondering if you were planning another QAL based on one of your patterns in Stash Statement? Hopefully not too soon because I have misplaced the book and need to find it. Also, I just finished sewing blocks from your Interference pattern-loved it!

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  4. C'est un rêve de suivre un atelier avec vous Kelly !
    Hélas, pour moi il y a l'Atlantique à traverser...
    Muriel la Française

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    Replies
    1. I would love that too, Muriel! One day perhaps I'll make it across the pond to teach...

      :) Kelly

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  5. I went back to look at your Gossip Queen inspiration. (Thanks for the link.) I remember reading it but actually forgot about the inspiration. You did a fabulous job. It is an excellent resemblance.

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  6. Swoon! I'm still so taken with the scrappy piecing that I can barely get my brain wrapped around the dense quilting. So much work ... but so worth it!

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  7. It's gorgeous! You captured the hibiscus perfectly, and your choice of quilting reflects the petal texture too! I love it! Nothing wrong with making a deal or two to get what you want either!!

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  8. Gossip Queen is my favorite too!!! I just love the colors. Can't believe you did the spiral quilting free motion. It adds great motion to the whole finish.

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  9. Your quilt is stunning! The quilting reminds me of a fingerprint. So the fact that the spacing is organic is perfect! Thanks for the linky opportunity. :) MelvaLovesScraps(at)NolanQualityCustoms(dot)com

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  10. LOVE Gossip Queen!!!! I could stare at all the fabrics all day!!!! And the quilting - to die for!!!! Wish I lived closer as I would love to take this class with you!!!!

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    1. Thank you, Cindy! I am so happy you like it. And- if you are a member of a quilt guild who brings in guest teachers, I would love to visit you. I travel all over to teach my classes.

      :) Kelly

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  11. Great finish. The quilting is wonderful. And I love that your bartered to get the binding done. ☺ Now to figure out how I can barter to get my quilts quilted. LOL

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  12. This is a beauty!!! How can I learn more about this pattern and your color blending technique?

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    1. thank you! There isn't a pattern for this quilt, but the piecing technique is included in my book Stash Statement. If you want to know more about the color blending technique, I would love to visit your local quilt quilt for a workshop. Have your workshop coordinator contact me via email and we can work on getting it on the 2020 calendar!

      :) Kelly

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