Bloggers' Quilt Festival Entry - Spring 2011

/ Friday 13 May 2011 /
My regular readers may say ho-hum when they see this post, since I wrote about this quilt when I finished it just a week or so ago.  But I am so in love with it that I knew it had to be my entry into the Blogger’s Quilt Festival this spring.
Introducing Miss
March!
The name of this quilt is Miss March.  March 2010 was my month for sending out fabric to the ladies in the Modern Tradition Quilt Bee.  I sent everyone a bunch of fabric in two different colourways and asked for two monochromatic blocks.
The pattern is based on a traditional one – I found it here – which is made with 2.5” strips of different lengths surrounding a centre square.  I wanted to update it a bit and also to allow my bee buddies to have scope for their imagination.  So I asked them to use the teal square in the centre, but to have a party in the coloured bits.
Bee blocks on the
line
I was so excited by what they did!  One of the blocks has some tiny four-patch mini-blocks that measure 2.5”.  One is made entirely of half-square triangles.
red
block
One has large panels made of improv/crazy piecing.
Improv
pieces
Some are made entirely from strips, some are made entirely from squares, and some are an energetic mixture of both!
March blocks for MTQB
The talents of all these bee quilters were really in evidence – I was thrilled.  And fortunately I also had help with the assembly of all the blocks.
Susie
helping
I used Essex linen-cotton blend in Putty for the background.  It was okay for piecing, but when it came to quilting it stretched like a fiend.  I like the contrast in colour and texture with the background and the flowers.
I chose this pretty Tina Givens print for the back.  I think it’s perfect! 
Back of Miss
March
And to add to the excitement that I feel over this quilt, it is also the first time I have ever tried to do an actual motif-doodah in my FMQ.  Normally, I do variations of an allover, more or less swirly quilting meander.  But this time I knew that those large spaces left by the linen called out for something special.
FMQ on Miss March
I used, more or less successfully, a kind of flower motif that looks like some kind of chrysanthemum on steroids.  Thankfully, once the quilt was washed, it became harder to see that some of those flowers looked like hamsters after a binge weekend.  Overall, though, I was pleased with the quilting and am encouraged to continue to challenge myself in that domain.
Miss March
detail
This one is going on my bed.  I’m glad to have a new quilt to replace the one I’ve been using for so many years – I made it when I was pregnant with my daughter in 1993!  After all those years of wear, including two sets of two dogs who loved to lounge on it, it was ready to retire.  Miss March is a worthy replacement!
What all the best-dressed
trees are wearing
I’m glad to have the chance to feature this in Amy’s Blogger’s Quilt Festival.  I’m excited to see what everyone else is showing this time!
Miss
March




77 comments:

{ Quilt+Bitch } on: 13 May 2011 at 13:13 said...

Oh so pretty, so pretty...

{ Francis Paul } on: 13 May 2011 at 13:15 said...

it's gorgeous!!!

{ Cathy } on: 13 May 2011 at 13:19 said...

I like your block, and the creative variations on it that you received. Wonderful idea for a swap, and they made up into a beautiful quilt. Funny comments about your quilting, which is better than you let on. Keep it up!

{ Becky (My Fabric Obsession) } on: 13 May 2011 at 13:30 said...

oh wow, I can see why you re-posted this one! So pretty. I love that all the blocks are different, but similar enough that from a distance they look the same! Beautiful job with the quilting too!

{ Little Island Quilting } on: 13 May 2011 at 13:56 said...

Gorgeous - I love the colours

{ Twinfibers } on: 13 May 2011 at 14:20 said...

It's beautiful!
You've inspired me with your quilting to try something different. Thank you.

{ Joanna @ ShapeMoth } on: 13 May 2011 at 14:40 said...

Wonderful colours and the pattern. Love everything with the grey background ;)

{ Lisa } on: 13 May 2011 at 14:43 said...

I just love this quilt! Thanks for showing the close ups of the blocks this time, they are really fabulous.

{ patchworkdelights } on: 13 May 2011 at 15:12 said...

Wow stunning, I love the colours and they are so vibrant, beautiful!

{ myBearpaw } on: 13 May 2011 at 15:18 said...

Gorgeous quilt and such fabulous photos too! I am so impressed with your machine quilting!

{ Manda } on: 13 May 2011 at 16:06 said...

Its still beautiful even if I've seen it lol! I love that all the blocks are different!

{ Amy Seven-Stitches } on: 13 May 2011 at 16:07 said...

It's wonderful. I love the range of tome you and your bee buddies have used in each block. It gives the quilt a very warm and flickering feeling.

Anonymous on: 13 May 2011 at 16:37 said...

What beautiful colors!

Anonymous on: 13 May 2011 at 16:46 said...

One of my festival favorites so far! Great colors, and I love how close up the blocks all have a little character from their maker. Wonderful.

{ oh, jenny mae } on: 13 May 2011 at 16:46 said...

this is a beautiful quilt. i love the difference in the blocks, but they all are so very cohesive when put together. a really lovely way of letting everyone do their own thing, but have them look so great together. and the quilting is great! i'm not brave enough to do that. and i don't like how my machine (a babylock) does the quilting.

{ Sara } on: 13 May 2011 at 17:05 said...

I like your putty background choice and the colors pop well!!

{ Jolene } on: 13 May 2011 at 17:15 said...

This quilt is stunning! Great colors and design.

{ stitchinpenny } on: 13 May 2011 at 18:22 said...

I think it is amazing that you could keep up with all different blocks. It turned out great.

{ Anne at Film and Thread } on: 13 May 2011 at 18:28 said...

I love it! Another quilter who lets her dogs onto her quilts! This quilt is so stunning. When looking at the whole picture, I couldn't tell that the blocks were made differently, but then seeing the close-ups really showed it off. Your quilting is just wonderful, too.

{ Spontaneous Threads } on: 13 May 2011 at 18:42 said...

Everything about this quilt (especially all those unique details) is just wonderful. Congrats and enjoy your new quilt.

{ Jeannette Bruce } on: 13 May 2011 at 19:46 said...

Beautiful colors, love love love this quilt!

{ Janet } on: 13 May 2011 at 20:27 said...

I love all the red, orange and yellow. Intriguing how everyone does it differently!

{ Unknown } on: 13 May 2011 at 21:42 said...

The colors just call to me! Love it and the design!

{ Laurel H. } on: 13 May 2011 at 21:59 said...

I like the quilt--and the "helper" laying on the quilt top is hilarious!

{ Linda at Roscoe's Ma } on: 13 May 2011 at 22:16 said...

I love this quilt. It is so pretty! The gray background is perfect contrast to the bright colors. Nice job!

{ Eileen } on: 13 May 2011 at 22:20 said...

Ooh...love this quilt so much and how fun to have it be a group project. So fun to see what differentvpeople come up with. Had to laugh atvyour fmq comments...can totally relate, thanks for sharing and have a greatvday

{ Allie } on: 13 May 2011 at 22:29 said...

Amazing - love how the colors pop, beautiful quilt!

{ Katie B } on: 13 May 2011 at 22:59 said...

Wowsa! Excellent choice for your bee! This is a fantastic quilt. I adore your color palette, and your quilting is spectacular!

{ Sandra } on: 13 May 2011 at 23:30 said...

Love how the blocks were pieced in so many different ways. It makes the quilt very interesting, lots to look at. Initially I thought they were all the same, I love quilts that make me look twice.

{ Sara } on: 14 May 2011 at 00:07 said...

love the free motion flowers!!

{ Emily } on: 14 May 2011 at 00:15 said...

wow! not only is this quilt gorgeous, but your quilting is too! And.. your photos are too! :) I love it!

{ Kelli } on: 14 May 2011 at 01:16 said...

This is an awesome quilt.
I love that at first glance, it looks fairly straight forward and simple but then you have a closer look, it is fantastic!
Lucky you, you obviously had a fantastic group of ladies in your bee!

{ BJ } on: 14 May 2011 at 02:34 said...

Great quilt. Great quilting.

{ Helene | 25reasons } on: 14 May 2011 at 03:41 said...

Beautiful! I especially love the background colour you've used. Perfect!

{ Karen } on: 14 May 2011 at 07:30 said...

What a great collection of blocks you received. Love the colours and the way you have put them together. Great work with the quilting, too! A wonderful quilt.

{ Amanda Dickson } on: 14 May 2011 at 09:30 said...

Love the picture of all the blocks hanging on the clothes line.

{ Debbie } on: 14 May 2011 at 10:54 said...

First off, what fun & creative photos of your project! I love the one with the blocks hanging on the line. Actually, I love alot of them!
The overall quilt is great, and I really like your FMQ mums (I mean hamsters-ha). Overall, just a really fun post of a great quilt! Thanks for sharing.

{ Kelly & Stephen } on: 14 May 2011 at 11:06 said...

i really like this! what a great look with the brights and neutrals! Thanks for sharing, now I have another quilt I want to make!

{ Debbie } on: 14 May 2011 at 11:11 said...

Darn. I did a 'cut & paste' boo-boo. My previous comment was incorrectly linked! (Sorry Marci!)

{ Charlotte } on: 14 May 2011 at 13:39 said...

Such a beautiful quilt, I love how everyone interpreted their blocks slightly differently. Gorgeous use of colour too

{ Martine Kuciel } on: 14 May 2011 at 14:47 said...

votre quilt est un vrai rayon de soleil ,j'adore félicitations

{ {Leila}Where the Orchids Grow } on: 14 May 2011 at 14:53 said...

Beautiful quilt!!

{ mathea } on: 14 May 2011 at 15:38 said...

Awww - what a beautiful quilt! And such a treasure, with blocks from your quilting buddies. I love all their different approaches to piecing the blocks and your quilting looks really great!

{ Teresa } on: 14 May 2011 at 15:41 said...

Oh I love the color combo! This quilt is really fun and pretty!

{ Karen } on: 14 May 2011 at 18:24 said...

What a great pattern you picked for your bee members. They really did a fabulous job making blocks for you. Your quilting looks great. Congratulations.

{ O'Quilts } on: 14 May 2011 at 20:37 said...

Nothing ho-hum about this quilt. It is really wonderful. You did a great job!

{ meli B } on: 14 May 2011 at 21:30 said...

It's amazing how something so simple can be interpreted by different quilters in so many ways. Love the linen. The quilt looks like its on fire draped over the tree. Great shot.

{ ladybugquilting } on: 14 May 2011 at 21:53 said...

This is such a Beautiful Quilt, such a great group of Ladies!
My dog is exactly the same, doesn't quilting and throwing ball go together?!?

{ baukje } on: 15 May 2011 at 03:28 said...

Lovely idea, beautiful quilt. The colors are so summerlike, love them

{ jednoiglec } on: 15 May 2011 at 05:57 said...

Gorgeous quilt! I love how you did the blocks and the color combination.

{ Rose Hughes } on: 15 May 2011 at 06:49 said...

Simply adore this quilt in all it's color glory!

{ Sarcastic Quilter } on: 15 May 2011 at 11:53 said...

This is super! Everyone, including you did such a great job!

{ quilthexle } on: 15 May 2011 at 15:46 said...

I loved the quilt when I saw the first glimpses of it - and I love it finished. It is wonderful !!

{ Vicki } on: 15 May 2011 at 18:41 said...

Very pretty! Love the colors. I did similar quilting on a circle quilt last year. :)

{ Jennifer } on: 15 May 2011 at 18:51 said...

Scheisse Manelli, 54 comments!

As before, I love this quilt. It reminds me of a popsicle.

Your quilting, however, does not remind me of a hamster after a binge weekend...

{ Bec Clarke } on: 16 May 2011 at 01:51 said...

Oh it's just lovely. I have saved the link to the pattern, I have some lovely Fat quarters that I can use to make a quilt in this pattern.

{ Judith, Belfast } on: 16 May 2011 at 09:38 said...

Wow your Miss March quilt is stunning! And the quilting, oh my! I love the funny way you described it!! Congrats to your daughter on her big decision. We are only 2 short years away - yikes! Jxo

{ Karen } on: 16 May 2011 at 13:36 said...

Beautiful quilt and beautiful story! Love the putty color as the background.

{ Unknown } on: 16 May 2011 at 20:26 said...

I love the colors in this quilt. It's so vibrant. And your floral quilting is amazing!

{ Molly } on: 16 May 2011 at 20:47 said...

Very, very pretty! I could never get tired of looking at this beautiful quilt :) LOVE IT!

{ Cynthia } on: 16 May 2011 at 22:08 said...

Very cool quilt! The quilting is great too! Good work!

{ Kate } on: 16 May 2011 at 23:22 said...

Fun quilt, love all the brights!

{ qusic } on: 17 May 2011 at 10:56 said...

drop dead gorgeous! colour combo and quilt pattern, not to forget your machine quilting!

{ Vicky } on: 17 May 2011 at 14:44 said...

I'm most impressed with your FMQ, I hope one day I'll be able to do that too. //the quilt is amazing. Thanks for sharing.

{ Carol G } on: 17 May 2011 at 16:35 said...

Beautiful colors and love your quilting.

{ hilary } on: 17 May 2011 at 21:07 said...

I love this quilt (I love orange and brown!) but honestly what cracked me up was the description of "hamsters after a weekend binge" I just let out a big loud snort!

{ Margo } on: 17 May 2011 at 23:42 said...

I love the colorways - that teal in the center is GREAT. How nice that the quilt is a treat for you, too, and you can look at it everyday!

{ SewCalGal } on: 19 May 2011 at 00:25 said...

Beautiful quilt. And I love your furry four legged child on your quilt too. Would make for a great entry in the Pets on Quilts Show this coming August.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

{ Rose Marie } on: 19 May 2011 at 12:08 said...

A wonderful quilt and a great entry!

{ Ariane } on: 19 May 2011 at 18:55 said...

I love it!!! It looks wonderful. Congratulations!!!!

{ Karen } on: 20 May 2011 at 01:08 said...

What a lovely quilt--good job by you and your friends. I love the finished product! Good color combos!

{ Rachel } on: 20 May 2011 at 07:24 said...

Stunning quilt!! I would be proud of it too. :) You have some really creative gals in your bee, such a wide variety, yet they all play together so well.

Cheers!
Rachel
http://www.dewberrylane.com

{ Kristen } on: 21 May 2011 at 20:35 said...

This is one of my favorite quilts!!!

{ Kristen } on: 21 May 2011 at 20:35 said...

This is one of my favorite quilts!!!

{ Sheila } on: 24 May 2011 at 19:43 said...

What a gorgeous quilt! I'm in my first bee right now, and I have no idea what I'm going to have the ladies sew for me during my month. This is a great idea!

{ Lisa D. } on: 31 May 2011 at 13:27 said...

Wow - what a beautiful quilt! And the backing is perfect and your quilting? Magnifique!

{ Beth@seasonsofhome } on: 5 July 2011 at 18:52 said...

Absolutely beautiful.

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