cross tile quilt – a variation

Oct12

In my earlier post I have shared the finished Cross Tile Quilt – pattern by Emily of Quilty Love. I was so happy with the result that I wanted to make another one. This is Cross Tile Quilt Variation :

cross tile quilt variation - skalabara quilts

I did not want to piece a new quilt exactly the same, but it should be very similar and matching. So I decided to swap the cross in the block center for a simple log cabin-like square feature. The fabrics used and the block outline are the same as in the original quilt, but the “block inside” is different.

cross tile quilt variation detail 1 - skalabara quilts

I have also added only a square to the sashing – instead of a cross in the original pattern :

cross tile quilt variation detail 2 - skalabara quilts

Matching quilts mean matching quilting – straight lines (mostly) one inch apart using the walking foot :

cross tile quilt variation detail 3 - skalabara quilts

cross tile quilt variation quilting - skalabara quilts

Matching quilts mean matching backing – used the same fabrics for both quilts (luckily bought enough material during my last visit in Prague) :

cross tile quilt variation backing - skalabara quilts

and the same fabrics for binding of both quilts – Kona solid in silver .

cross tile quilt variation binding - skalabara quilts

cross tile quilt variation 3 - skalabara quilts

cross tile quilt variation 2 - skalabara quilts

cross tile quilt variation 4 - skalabara quilts

Here the two quilts in comparison :

cross tile quilt variation - 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

Linking with :

Modern Patch Monday @ Modern Cologne Quilters
Let’s Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication
Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Happy quilting! barbora flower small skalabara quilts

flowers for the window

Sep14

As you know, I am a big fan of Elizabeth Hartman and here playful quilt designs and clearly written patterns. This time I have been working with her Greenhouse Quilt pattern. I have made only a small quilt to cover the (ugly) shutter box over the window in the spare room.

greenhouse for window 1 - skalabara quilts

Since I have made some new cushion covers for the spare room and also got some new curtains, the old shutter cover would look a bit funny. It was in black and white with birds sitting on a branch – all in applique. Well, it matched the old curtains.

The Greenhouse Quilt pattern is written straight forward and is easy to follow. The “worst” part was to decide on a color palette. I used the same fabrics as for the cushions – so this was easy – various hues from Kona Solids by Robert Kaufmann. Here photos of the flowers in detail :

greenhouse for window detail 2 - skalabara quilts

greenhouse for window detail 1 - skalabara quilts

I added a sleeve on the back to hang the quilt on a curtain pole. I have sewn the top part of the sleeve with the binding, the lower part of the sleeve is finished by hand.

greenhouse for window back 3 - skalabara quilts

Once more wavy quilting with the walking foot – the “easy” free-motion quilting version. I have added binding in the same fabric as used for the background. The backing fabric is calico from IKEA – a good price/quality purchase.

greenhouse for window back 2 - skalabara quilts

I have followed the small Greenhouse Quilt pattern version to piece the flowers, but made some adjustments to the size of the quilt – added more fabric to the left and right of the flowers and less fabric on the top and bottom of the flowers.

greenhouse for window 3 - skalabara quilts

And the quilt “in action” :

greenhouse in window - skalabara quilts

quilt size : 16″ x 54″ / block sizes vary : 6″ x 11″ – 15″

wadding : Quilters Dream Request – very thin

quilting thread : Mettler Quilting Cotton col. nat 4

Linking with :

Modern Patch Monday @ Modern Cologne Quilters
Let’s Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication
Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Happy quilting! barbora flower small skalabara quilts

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

trip around the world quilt

Aug17

I have always wanted to make a Trip Around the World quilt. This summer was the right time start with this project. As I am aiming to use my stash that I have bought over the years, I got out my fabrics and started cutting strips of 2,5″ x 16″. My idea was to make 24 blocks, each block is 12″ x 12″ finished size and has 36 squares.

trip around the world quilt - skalabara quilts

A tutorial for Trip Around the World quilt can be found here and here and here – with fabric requirements and colouring page download sheet. Here some quilt inspirations. I have decided to combine the design with an Irish Chain quilt pattern and I have chosen a yellow solid fabric for the diagonal squares of each block.

trip around the world detail 2 - skalabara quilts

I have used for the first time Aurifil Mako 40/2 quilting thread in Light Sand. Really good quality thread, definitely will be my choice for the future. I have quilted this quilt using the walking foot in straight lines on the diagonal.

trip around the world detail 1 - skalabara quilts

The backing of this Trip Around the World quilt is pieced with three different fabrics : a pattern one that I have bought as backing fabric and two Kona solids from my stash.

trip around the world quilt back - skalabara quilts

This time the choice of binding fabric was easy : I have used all the cut offs from the quilt backing that I have cut in approx 22″ long strips and pieced together interchanging the fabrics.

trip around the world quilt binding - skalabara quilts

One more photo of the folded quilt :

trip around the world folded quilt - skalabara quilts

Quilt details :

quilt size : 48″ x 72″

block size : 12″ x 12″ finished, layout of 4 x 6 blocks = 24 blocks = 864 squares

quilting thread : Aurifil Mako 40/2 colour 2000 Light Sand

wadding : Warm & White by Warm Company / 87,5% cotton – 12,5% polypropylene

Thanks for visiting, happy quilting, barbora flower small skalabara quilts

neutrals with a colour touch

Aug4

Since we have changed the couch upholstery fabric from burgundy to a neutral beige/grey shade, I have made some new cushion covers for the lounge. Up to now I have hardly worked with neutrals (because I think they are boring). But maybe now was the right time for some change.

I wasn’t sure about the neutral colours, but I was lucky to find some beautiful Bella Solids in Flax and Etching Slates in my local store.

cushion cover hourglass 2x 1 - skalabara quilts

cushion cover hourglass 2x 2 - skalabara quilts

These two shades were the base for the cushion covers. As I made the hourglass blocks, I thought that I should add some colours to them. Only neutral colors didn’t feel right. So I got out my Kona Cotton Collection fabrics and started to look for some eye-catching colours.

cushion cover hourglass 1 - skalabara quilts

cushion cover hourglass 3 - skalabara quilts

I made two cushion cover designs – one entirely with hourglass blocks and the other with adding borders to the hourglass blocks in the center. Quilted and sewn them together to make two cushion covers that are quilted on both sides.

cushion cover hourglass 4 - skalabara quilts