PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GIVEAWAY HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR THIS PROJECT. YOU CAN FIND THIS PATTERN ON MODA BAKE SHOP HERE.
If you are new to the blog, welcome. We typically put up new blog post twice daily so there is always something new and fresh here. We host lots of giveaways too. Click HERE and see what’s new today…
Lookie..Lookie…we have a finished quilt! It’s such an awesome feeling to finish up a project isn’t it? This quilt is a collaboration by Kelli and I. I did the designing, machine quilting and binding. She did the sewing. This quilt features Basic Grey’s PB & J from Moda. If you want to know how the quilt got it’s name or the free pattern instructions you can find the here at Moda Bakeshop. Keep reading if you are looking for the giveaway sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop…
We like the quilt and are just fine with how it turned out but it wasn’t quite what we wanted. We debated on not telling this story but decided to because we want to be up front and honest with you all. Besides, making a quilt is often a learning process and we want to share what we learned.
I did the original design on this expecting the quilt to look a little more like this with more distinct stars. Pretty right?? Lots of detailed sewing would be needed but Kelli is great at detailed sewing and was up for the task.
We went to order the fabric and Kelli said, “Mom, the neutrals need to be all the same.” I said, “No, I have it shown with different colored neutrals. I like it busy.” We ordered the fabric my way…
When we design a project, the sample fabric isn’t in our hands and we don’t always know scale or color intensity. We just sort of guess. When the fabric came, Kelli questioned me again. I said, “Oh just go with what I ordered”. She was apprehensive and by this time the fabric was at her house and I couldn’t see it so I didn’t know.
In the end, Kelli was right. We should have gone with all the same background fabric. The stars would have shown up better had we done that…do we hate the quilt? NO. But if we ever sew it again…it will be with all the same light background fabric. Lesson learned…sometimes things can be too scrappy looking. (I can’t believe I just said that?!?!)
We love the fabric line…we love the design, we just wish we’d have chosen a less busy background neutral.
Some more details on the quilt…. We used a stripped print for the binding…I love strips for binding.
For the quilting I did something made up that I call lassoed stars.
I do really love this fabric line. My favorite print of the line is on the back of the quilt. Isn’t that a fun floral?
I always pick my favorite fabric from the line for the backing as there are typically leftovers. Oh I can’t wait to play with these left overs.
So Fat Quarter Shop has a jelly roll of Vin du Jour in their hot little hands and would like to give it away to one of my readers…how about YOU??
To see more the fabric from the line and to check out individual prints in the line, you can follow this link.
Just leave a comment here telling a lesson you learned while quilting. We’ll pick a winner next week.
I learned that if you want to hand quilt, don’t use a tightly woven bed sheet as sashing. I was teaching myself years ago and thought it would work. Now I know better….. I did manage to painfully quilt in some small areas and still have the quilt to remind me….
I’ve learned to make a practice block before cutting out the whole quilt. I think your quilt looks wonderful!
I’ve learned that when I start making mistakes (sewing, cutting, or whatever), it’s time to stop and take a break – things will only get worse if I continue. I’ve also learned to undo the mistakes before stopping, so when I continue, I’ll be able to start sewing right away and not have to unpick a bunch of mistakes.
Quilting is new to me – I’ve just begun learning from a dear friend in June. I’m learning to be patient with myself and my fingers. I need to practice, which has never been my strong suit. Rushing takes away the joy of the process, and quilting is a great way to distress my mind after a long day at work. I can focus on my fabric, and let my whole day just seep out into the air. Plus it’s a hobby my husband actually enjoys a little bit with me, as the patterns bring out the math geek in both of us. I can’t believe I went so long with it!
My lesson is “slow and steady”. Whenever I rush, I make silly mistakes.
Soooo many lessons. . .! READ all the instructions before begining. Measure twice and cut once! My frustration level will drop dramatically if I put a new blade in my rotary cutter before starting a new quilt. When in doubt, PIN! Oh, I could go on and on! My goal is not to make the same mistake twice. That, to me, is SUCCESS!
Sometimes you have to take a step back. In my case take a picture of the scraps to figure out how to put it together.
When I started quilting, I took a class at my LQS. The instructor told us we would be “fined $50.00” if she saw us lay a rotary cutter down without closing the safety cover (or laying it down with the blade locked open). I did not get “fined” that night. This soon became habit which I have passed to my grands while teaching them to sew. (LOL, my DD told me she wanted DGD to graduate with all of her digits!!) The very 1st class I took the instructor cut the end of her finger off showing the class how to cut fabric for paper-piecing.
Lovely quilt and great design. As for a lesson learned it took me many goofs but I finally smartened up, buy more fabric than you think you need. Inevitably my quilts get larger as I work on them and of course I run out of a fabric so it will set and stay as a WIP for years even decades while I hunt for that fabric. Never works so I always adjust my plan so now order more than you need then you’ll have enough fo rmatching shams if yolu don’t use it for the quilt. Jane
What a wonderful blog! Love your quilt and I also love how you two work together. Great memories to have. How timely for me. I’m in the middle of a sewing mishap. I’m doing a quilt as you go project for the first time. I’m doing a pattern on the blocks but the first few I sewed I didn’t change directions when sewing so the fabric began to bunch as I neared the center of the block. I was just doing a simple “U” on each block getting smaller as you go. So there’s a ton to rip out but I’m not wasting the blocks I created! Plus the fabric is really pretty. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win!
I’ve learned that I am better served if I make a sample block before I make the final purchases for a quilt top. I, too, love scrap quilts and I agree that this quilt would be better with all the same background — you would really see the stars. That said, I still really like the quilt.
I learned to have good contrast in your fabric choices so the quilt doesn’t turn into a puddle of tones. Thanks for sharing your story so we may all learn together.
I have learned to quilt, just been doing this for a year and 8 months, and I am 71
Measure 3 or 4 times, hopefully cut once. I’ve had to re-cut a few times and it’s really aggravating! LOL!
I learned so much from a quilting group that I belonged to. The lady who was in charge was in her 90s (she is 97 now) and the others were all in their late 60s and 70s. They had been quilting for a long time. Really can’t say just one thing; they each taught me something different. Love the blog and thanks for the chance to win.
I have just recently learned that when the pattern says to MARK and PIN, they really mean that! I don’t enjoy marking but I am making a Radiant Star and marking and pinning is essential. I did it just as my teacher told me to and I am so happy with my results. I tried doing one without marking and pinning and the results were not great!
I love your quiltpattern! Ioften quilt as I’m feeling, but I’ve learned it’s sometimes better to have a plan – so you can save fabric, and there is a result!
After taking a quilt class I finally learned how to make an accurate 1/4 inch seam. It was awhile after I started quilting before I found out why my blocks were always less than the specified size of 12 1/2″.
I’ve learned that things don’t have to be perfect to look good. My mom, sister, and I love to quilt together and I am a pefectionist, but my sister is not. My sister’s shown me that sometimes you have to try new things knowing it might not be perfect to discover something new that was better than you imagined!
What have Ilearned–sew many things! I love, love, love scrappy, but sometimes you do need one fabric to bring them all together (I too have used scrappy neutrals when I shouldn’t have!) I’ve also learned that you can mix 30s with florals or strips or…, and 1800s and moderns if you pay attention to the values and it’s very scrappy!
I learned that I like scrappy better than planned. I don’t have any sewing buddies and learned quilting online .
I so love this quilt. My mind in going through all the FQ bundles that I want to use!! Thank you for sharing it.
I learned that needles get dull and need to be changed. (honest…I had to learn that)
I have become a great believer of practice over perfection. Hence, the more we do, the better we get at it!
Many years ago I decided to try quilting. I learned to sew in high school in the late 50s and made most of my own clothes and then my 3 daughter’s clothes. So I thought quilting would be fun and easy. My first try was an 8 pointed star wall hanging. Since I had no idea what I was doing, some of the “fixing” to make it look right, were inventive. Then I joined a quilting group and soon realized how much I didn’t know. And I am still learning new things after all this time quilting.
I have learned to changing my rotary blade before starting to cut out a new quilt really
does help!
I have learned to keep my quilting as a time for relaxation and a time for me. It is not a time to fret and worry, and I’ve learned that a little ripping can be relaxing also.
measure twice and think
I’ve learned to just relax and take my time and not to worry about what someone else thinks about my projects they are for me to like.
I’ve learned to use sewing as therapy! When life goes to pieces Make a quilt!
Hi, I’ve learned i never have enough time for all the quilts and projects i want to do!!! I think I need to retire from my full time job and maybe my part time job too!
I have an ongoing list of things I’ve learned, so I can read back through them each time I start a quilt. One of the first things I learned was the value of choosing the appropriate thread for quilting. The first quilt I made I chose an off-white thread for the quilting. I know there are times when a prominent choice is good, but this was way too pronounced for the bold fabrics of the quilt. Plus it accentuated my beginner’s quilting mistakes. ;)
I have learned to keep track of my projects so I don’t end up with a pile of UFO’s. A list helps to keep me organized and on the road to finishing quilts.
I have learned when making a quilt for someone else, make the quilt you want, with a nod towards the recipients color preferences or styles. It is hard going to work on a quilt you don’t like.
Lesson I learned??? There are so many! For one thing and the main thing…be sure that you have enough of the fabric you need! I always end up with a least a half yard or sometimes a yard extra because of 1 quilt I made. I ran out of the fabric I was using and had to make a 90 mile trip hoping all along that they still had the fabric I needed! Whew they did but that one yard sure cost me! LOL!
My lesson was to always check what you are doing before cutting! I was making a paper pieced block. I carefully folded back the edge, laid my ruler on it, and cut off my seam allowance! Lesson learned.
Lesson learned? Take time to enjoy yourself, no one can do that for you. Quilting/sewing makes me happy, so I also have to schedule a day for that, just like a shopping trip or going to work. Plans can be changed, but if its not at least on the schedule, I won’t make time for it.
Take time and do it right!! This includes accurate cutting & accurate 1/4″ piecing. Otherwise, you’ll pull your hair out trying to get things to line up. Also, ENJOY the process!!
Thanks for the chance to win!!
I’ve learned to stop working on a quilt project when I’m getting tired or I make a lot of thoughtless mistakes. Measure twice, cut once.
Quilting has taught me a valuable life lesson. After 6 decades of having major perfectionist issues I’ve learned that there really is no such thing as a perfect quilt :). Now I have a lot more fun and a lot less stress.
I learned to make a sample block to see if I really like it enough to make the whole quilt… or I might have a quilt top started and decide I don’t like it after all. ( don’t ask how many times this has happened. lol)
I have learned that I like making quilts with lots of fabrics. I get bored using just a few – with all blocks the same. Also, not to feel bad if I don’t finish a quilt, this is my fun time not my job.
After all, how much does a golfer have to show for a day of golfing?
The lessons that I have tried to keep in mind is to not to have to many going at one time. I love bright colors in my quilts. I.will start one quilt and then I will see another pattern that calls me to it so I start that one too. I am trying to learn to only have three going at one time!!
But the biggest lesson is on some days I can’t do any thing right so those days is when my house get a lot of love.