Epic AMH and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all!  You might remember that I shared this humongous Anna Maria Horner quilt top way back in October of last year, but I am so excited to finally share the finish with you.  I call this pattern 2-4-6, and if you're interested in the block measurements, you can check out my post HERE.

This king size quilt is a whopping 108" square, and because I am completely certain of my limitations, I had my extremely talented friend, Teresa at Quilts2AT Studio, quilt it for me (follow her at tpino on IG).  Teresa is a nationally known, award winning quilter and a member of my guild, so when I finished wrestling with the top and backing of this behemoth, I happily passed it off to her so she could work her magic.

Since this quilt is so simple in its design, I decided to choose a paisley loop quilting design with a little flourish to soften the squares a little bit.  I think it really goes nicely with the AMH prints too.  Speaking of prints- in case you're wondering, this quilt contains 125 different Anna Maria fabrics.  The complete Folk Song, Mod Corsage, Loominous, True Colors, and Fibs and Fables collections are represented, as well as a few prints from LouLouThi and Honor Roll.  Because I thought they blended so well, I even threw in two Amy Butler prints, and two prints from Anna Maria's daughter, Juliana Horner.  Can you pick them out?  Here is another shot of my precious stack before I had the guts to cut into all of it.

That stack totals over 30 yards of fabric!  Way more than enough for a king sized, fully reversible quilt, so that's just what I made (plus another throw quilt from the scraps that you can see HERE).  It took a little planning to make sure that my leftover pieces were arranged in a way that the quilt would look just as good when flipped over, and I'm so impressed that Teresa was able to load it onto her longarm and perfectly center it with the top.  That is hard to do, but she's a rock star!

For the binding, I opted for this rich maroon wood grain print, also by Juliana Horner (keeping it in the family as much as possible).  The dark fabric creates a perfect frame for the quilt and picks up on lots of the deeper colors in the fabrics.

In almost 20 years of quilting, this is the very first quilt I've made that I didn't quilt myself.  Everything about a king size quilt is more difficult.  Even jobs that seem small, like pressing the quilt top or taking photos, become tedious when the quilt is so monstrously huge.  I was so glad to turn the quilting over to someone else, and of course that meant that I got to skip the basting step as well!  Basting is the devil, so a big whoop! whoop! for that.

For longarm quilting, the backing has to be made a little bigger than I usually need for basting and domestic machine quilting, so I actually still have some small scraps left after squaring the quilt.  Don't worry though, they will not be going to waste.  I already have a little project in mind for them.

I have been happily sleeping under this quilt for the past few nights, and let me tell you- I could not love it more.  From collecting the fabrics to putting the final stitch in the binding, and finally snuggling under it at night, this huge quilt felt like an epic journey, so I'm calling it Epic.

Okay then, friends!  Before you link up to show me the epic happenings in your sewing studio, let's take a look at the highlights from last week's party!  This lovely chambray log cabin is by Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts.

Katie Mae Quilts shared this awesome Oklahoma quilt.  What a great design, and the quilting is so amazing!

And this pretty Plus Playtime quilt is by Anja Quilts.

Just one more thing before we party.  I owe you a winner for the 4th of July sponsor giveaway.  The winner is comment number 37, rosemaryschild.  Congrats!  I'll be contacting you soon so you can claim your prize!  :)

Okay, y'all!  It's time to share what you've been working on this week!

1. You 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!  :)

Vintage Soul and NTT

Welcome to another Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all!  Today, I get to share a new quilt finish with you, and it is already right at home in my living room, getting lots of use.

Anna Maria Horner fabrics are so rich with color and print, and yet, they have such a lovely vintage vibe, so I've decided to call this one Vintage Soul.  With strips finishing at just two inches wide, many of the larger prints get lost, but I don't care.  I am in love with the way the colors move across the quilt.

I did have some trouble figuring out what to put on the back.  Since I used the last bits of my scrap fabric, I couldn't do my usual backing with leftovers, so I decided on this pretty robin's egg blue floral, with a nice wide strip of Bella Solids Leaf.  It compliments the top nicely, but doesn't take away from it; and this warm, golden crosshatch fabric is a perfect frame.

This finished quilt measures 60" x 72" so it's a perfect snuggle size; just in time for the chilly autumn temperatures.

Before we get to the features from last week's party, I owe you FOUR giveaway winners!  

First up, the winner of the $25 gift certificate from Lady Belle Fabric is comment number 136, Karen.  

Next, the winner of the gorgeous Sweet Prairie bundle from Shabby Fabrics is comment number 133, Shauna.  

Our third giveaway winner of four Moda mystery charm packs from Fort Worth Fabric Studio is comment number 31, Ann.

And finally, the winner of the $25 gift certificate to LouLou's Fabric Shop is comment number 116, Kathy.

Congrats to all of you ladies!  I'll be contacting you via email very soon so you can get your prizes from my amazing sponsors!  

Now that we have all of the business taken care of, let's take a look, at some of the awesomeness from last week.  Check out this beautiful charity quilt, made by members of the New Hampshire MQG.  

This pink and gray string top by Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework  is so much fun!

and Yanicka Quilts linked up this baby elephant quilt finish.  I love how all of the different gray fabrics add so much dimension!

Okie dokie, friends!  It's time to link up the latest from your sewing space!

1. You 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!  :)

Scrap Strips and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  I'm still working away at busting through my 35 yards of Anna Maria Horner fabrics, and it's really getting down to the nitty gritty.  After my king sized quilt, and the backing of the quilt, I was left with lots of strips.  I cut them to a uniform 2.5" x 12.5" and put together in this fun quilt top.

I love the way the light and dark colors move your eye across the quilt.  Even when the quilt is in indoor light, it kind of looks like sunlight is scattered across it.  Little by little, I've been changing out some of the accessories and decor in my living room to freshen it up a little bit, and this quilt is destined to bring warmth and a pop of color to my sofa.  We've had some chilly fall weather here lately, so I'm going to hurry and finish this one up so I can start enjoying it!

Before we party, check out some of last week's fabulousness.  This beauty is by The Lilac Cat.  The colors are so soothing and are perfect against that dark blue background!

Ali at Arabesque Scissors showed off this pretty quilt.  So clever to add "bubbles" to classic piecing!

And this Marmalade baby quilt is by Tisha at Quilt Therapy.  Sometimes simple and sweet is just right!

Before we get to the link up, if you haven't already, be sure to hop over to my October Sponsor News post and take a minute to check out all of the amazing coupons and sales going on.  There are FOUR awesome giveaways included in the post, and you don't want to miss out!

Alrighty then!  Let's party!

1. You 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!  :)

A Reversible Quilt and NTT

Happy NTT, y'all!  If you're a regular reader, it's no secret that I love to piece my quilt backings with leftovers from the front. What happens though, when the fabric hoard is so out of control that there are is more fabric left over than I actually used in the quilt top?  Make the quilt completely reversible, of course!

Most of the time, when I piece a quilt backing, I don't worry too much about print and color placement, but for a truly reversible quilt, I took my time to make sure that everything was balanced nicely.  I had to work with the sizes I had leftover, which dictated the design, but I love the fact that the three narrow strips will be centered on the bed.

If you assumed that this backing (which measures 116" square) used up the remainder of the AMH, you were mistaken.  Shockingly, I still have enough fabric left for a scrappy binding for this one, plus a nice sized throw quilt for my sofa, and probably even enough for the backing of that quilt to have some scrappy interest.  The lesson here- 35 yards of fabric is a ton!

As big as this backing is, it isn't the biggest thing I've been working on this week!

My publisher sent my book pages for review, and when I opened them, I'm pretty sure my squeals of delight could be heard for miles around.  It is surreal to see my creative work take shape in book form, and I can't wait until I can start revealing little snippets about the concept, title, and of course, the quilts.

I hope your week has been as fun as mine!  Before we party, let's take a look at some of my favorite projects from last week.  Sew Preeti Quilts linked up her Esmeralda quilt tutorial.  Just gorgeous!

Check out these fun, scrappy pineapples by Angel on flickr.

Something Rosemade linked up this beautiful quilt top, and I'm Smitten with it too!

Jess at Quilty Habit is a free-motion maven with this whole cloth clamshell quilt.  Look at all of the amazing details!

and finally, I love this pretty, curvy quilt called Teal Fizz by Lori at Crossquilt!  I had the pleasure of seeing this finished top in person at my guild meeting last Sunday and it is fantastic!

Okay, my friends!  It's time to show what you've been working on this week.  Let's link up!

1. You 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!  :)

King Sized Difficulty and NTT

In case there was any doubt, every step in the process of making a king-sized quilt is more difficult, right down to photographing it.  Add a little wind in there, and getting a nice, smooth shot of this massive (108" x108") quilt top was next to impossible.  That being said, I love love LOVE it!

Since this quilt is going on my bed, I had to take the opinions of Mr. MQI into account, which usually doesn't happen with quilt design.  Finding a pattern that kept the larger prints intact and wasn't too fussy was key.  Just in case you missed my last post where I showed my AMH hoard, you can rest easy knowing that I had way more prints than needed, so I also decided to pull out some of the fabrics that were heavy on hot pink and fuchsia, leaving just enough to keep the quilt balanced.

I opted for a 12" block that I like to call 2-4-6.  Beyond basic patchwork, this one is about as simple as it gets, but it lets those prints shine beautifully.  Here are the block measurements, just in case you're wondering-

These are finished measurements, so you would need to cut your pieces 6.5", 4.5", and 2.5" wide x 12.5" in length.  Then I just alternated the position and direction of the strips in the quilt.  Easy peasy!

I have enough fabric to make a completely reversible quilt (plus some), and I'm working on the backing now.  I've decided to turn this monster over to my friend who is a professional longarm quilter.  Her Christmas rush is already on, and since I'm not on any sort of deadline, it will be after the first of the year.  Having someone else quilt for me is a first, and though I truly enjoy quilting my own (reasonably sized) projects, I'm not going to lie, the fact that I don't have to baste this sucker is making me do a little happy dance.

Alrighty friends!  I've been super busy sewing this week, and I know you have as well but before we party, let's check out some of the amazing projects from last week.  This set of cheery quilts is by Simply, Sarah, and I love the bright colors and fun, random piecing.

Soma at Whims and Fancies shared her crisp and pretty Squares Plus quilt.

and finally, check out the quilting on this modern beauty by Leanne at Devoted Quilter!

Okay, y'all!  Let's kick off our first Needle and Thread Thursday of October with a bang!  It's time to party!

1. You 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!  :)

Folk Dance Encore and NTT

Welcome to Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all!  With my roses in full bloom, it's my very favorite time of year to take quilt pictures, so I hope you'll indulge this slightly picture-heavy post.

As I mentioned in my last post, this quilt is a remake of my original Folk Dance quilt, and I'm keeping this one as a class sample, as well as for trunk shows (pattern available HERE and HERE).

I thought a dense, allover flower quilting motif would compliment the Anna Maria Horner fabrics nicely, and I have to say- I am as proud of this quilting as any I've ever done.  I even had a quilty friend ask if I had bought a longarm machine.  Nope- all quilted on my domestic BERNINA, but I take that as a huge compliment!

Even though I used 25 different prints in this quilt, I am saving the remainder of these fat quarters for a king size quilt for my bed.  I did use the smallest leftover pieces on the backing though, and it adds just a little bit of flair.

This quilt has a full rainbow of color, so I could have chosen almost any color binding.  This Kona Oasis was already in my stash, and I love how it frames the twirling skirt blocks, so it was a no-brainer.

Okie dokie, friends!  I owe you some winners from last week's April sponsor post!  First up, the two winners of the adorable Hello Spring embroidery from Fort Worth Fabric Studio are comments 20 (Lee), and 16 (Mary).

 

Next, the winner of the $25 gift card to LouLou's Fabric Shop is comment number 52 (Angela Bowling).

And last, but certainly not least, the winner of the $25 gift certificate to Lady Belle Fabrics is comment number 34 (Susan L.).  Congratulations to all four of you, and happy stitching and shopping!

Time to check out the eye-candy from last week's party!  This stunner is by Cyndi at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework-

Katie Mae Quilts shared this lovely quilt.  Definitely check out the post for some close ups of the quilt, but I couldn't resist including this gorgeous rainbow shot here.

Speaking of beautiful photos, check out this quilt from Elm Street Quilts.  A gorgeous quilt, and I love the beautiful setting!

The talent showcased at NTT week after week is simply amazing.  Without further ado, let's party!

1. You 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!  :)