cross tile quilt with kona solids

Aug31

In the moment I have seen a photo of this quilt on the web, I knew that I wanted to make it. The pattern is by Emily from Quilty Love and is called Cross Tile Quilt. I liked the strong bold colours and the white background. Also the blocks are 14″ x 14″ and it is a quick sewing project.

cross tile quilt - skalabara quilts

As mentioned before, I am trying to use the fabrics that I have on stock. I have a big box full off fabrics from the Kona solids collection. As I wanted to make a quilt throw, I needed to choose 20 colours. The photo is before I decided on all colours, four are still missing. Made staples with the first colour combinations – they changed constantly.

cross tile quilt kona solids - skalabara quilts

And voila, the top was finished and basted for quilting.

cross tile quilt baste 1 - skalabara quilts

Bought backing fabric during my last stay in Prague. The fabric is “European”, i.e. is has a width of 59″. I added some Kona solid in silver to top up the quilt backing.

cross tile quilt backing 1 - skalabara quilts

A “x-ray” photo of the quilt taken against the sun from the back. Here you can see the piece on the right with the silver solid fabric.

cross tile quilt backing 3 - skalabara quilts

I wasn’t sure how to quilt it. I did some thinking about the pros and cons between free motion quilting and quilting with the walking foot – and yes, the walking foot made it. I decided to quilt it with straight lines approx. 1″ apart and did guidelines with the Hera Marker.

cross tile quilt baste 3 - skalabara quilts

A detail photo of the quilting – the lines are somehowy straight, but I am very happy with the result. It is handmade!

cross tile quilt detail 1 - skalabara quilts

cross tile quilt detail 2 - skalabara quilts

cross tile quilt detail 3 - skalabara quilts

I have used the same fabric for the binding as in the original quilt by Emily : silver from Kona solids.

cross tile quilt binding 1 - skalabara quilts

I am very happy with this quilt – it turned out even better than I thought. Bright colours and a simple design – once more: thanks Emily for the great pattern!

cross tile quilt 5 - skalabara quilts

cross tile quilt 4 - skalabara quilts

Quilt size : 62″ x 78″ / Block size : 14″ x 14″

Wadding : Warm & White by The Warm Company

Quilting thread : Mettler Quilting Cotton col. nat 4 and Aurifil 40/2 colour 2600

Maybe this bright Cross Tile Quilt could be inspiration for your next project!

Happy sewing, barbora flower small skalabara quilts

unicorn cushion cover

May25

Paper piecing is the next adventure on my quilting journey. I have made a few small projects some time ago with this technique and I was not really keen on it. But when I wanted to make a cushion cover with a unicorn block, there was no way around, but to start once more with paper piecing.

unicorn cushion cover for kate 1 - skalabara

The cushion cover is for Kate and I have used the same fabrics as for the previous cushion covers and the Magenta and Golden Flowers Quilt. The background fabric is magenta from the linen texture collection by Makower UK and the prints are diverse fabrics from Kaffe Fassett Collective.

unicorn cushion cover for kate detail - skalabara quilts

The pattern is from Unicornharts shop at Craftsy.

I have quilted the unicorn cushion cover using the walking foot and Gutermann Sulky Cotton No. 30 thread in straight lines, both on the front as well as on the back.

unicorn cushion cover for kate back - skalabara quilts

unicorn cushion cover for kate - skalabara quilts

Size : 20″ x 20″ / 50 x 50 cm – for a standard inlet cushion size

By the time I have made the unicorn paper pieced block I started to like this sewing technique and I got confident with it. So I knew that I shall continue with paper piecing. The next project was already on my list … – more in my next post.

Happy quilting,

barbora flower small skalabara quilts

magenta and golden flowers

Aug25

For the quilt I have combined two variations of a classical log cabin block – one is the courthouse steps block and the other block is a log cabin with stitch and flip squares around the flower panel.

magenta and gold flowers quilt - skalabara quilts

magenta and golden flowers quilt

Fabric details :

flower panel 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ is Corsage in Gold by Kaffe Fassett
solid is magenta from the linen texture collection by Makower UK
all other prints are diverse fabrics from Kaffe Fassett Collective

Happy quilting,

barbora flower small skalabara quilts

mini quilts

Mar23

Over the last few weeks I have finished some mini quilts for decoration at Kate’s new shop. Yes, Kate from our local patchwork and craft shop has moved to new – larger and brighter premises. And I thought mini quilts would be the right present for a new shop.I have practiced a new free-motion quilting pattern with squares/rectangles instead of a curvy, meander style. It was a bit challenging at first, but only practice helps to get more confidence with free-motion quilting. I was really happy with my first “squary” free-motion mini quilt finishing. Not perfect, but nearly.

The pattern is by Elizabeth Hartman – Pineapple Farm. Last year I have made with the same pattern a table runner for my sister-in-law as a Christmas present.I have used the leftover cuts from both pineapple minis to create a raw edge triangle application design that is framed with dense pebble-free motion quilting.And photos from the design and sewing process.The other two mini quilts I have made are with squares that Kate has received as samples from Makower Fabrics. I have decided to use the same design but different quilting. The Marina mini quilt is quilted with the walking foot with a wavy design.The Fantasy mini quilt is quilted with the free-motion squares/rectangles all over design. Well, I have to practice this one!Thanks for stopping and enjoy quilting!

barbora

christmas and quilting

Oct30

Wow, hello everyone! I haven’t posted for some time, but this doesn’t mean I have stopped with patchwork or quilting. I have fully enjoyed my August holidays that I divided between 2 weeks in Prague and 2 weeks at home. I went back to work in September, both in the office and teaching patchwork and quilting. September was filled with visitors that came to see us after the hot months of July and August. With October nearly over I am slowly getting back to my normal routine.

Never the less I have worked in the meantime on a few small Christmas projects :

table runner

table runner size : 60″ x 18″; free motion quilted with meander pattern using Gutermann Sulky

A lady from my quilting classes send me a photo of a table runner with this design that she liked on Pinterest. As there was no pattern on the web, I started cutting fabrics and piecing until I got all the measurements right. It is a straight forward design, a table runner that you can make in an afternoon.

place mats

place mat size : 12″ x 18″; quilted with walking foot following the tree shapes with Gutermann Sulky

I found this pattern for place mats and a matching table runner in a quilting magazine, but can’t remember which one it was. It is quick and easy design with appliqué.

mini quilt version #II

mini quilt size : 23″ x 24″; free motion quilted with meander pattern using Gutermann Sulky

Below is a photo of version #I of the mini quilt. But I wasn’t satisfied with the design, I thought that the Christmas tree glass ornaments and the present boxes turned out too bulky. So I refined the design – see the photo above with version #II.