Friday, January 18, 2019

Postage Stamp Finish

I admit, when I start a quilt I never quite know where it will end up.  
Today's Friday finish is a good one!


This quilt started out with these boring little blocks using some low volume and some gray scraps.  I think they measure about 5" square and used up some fabric that was sitting on my cutting table.

Not knowing what to do with these, I became inspired when I saw the Postage Stamp quilt made by Sally over at The Object of Design.


Rather than making each block in a rainbow color, I decided to try and colorwash the entire quilt.  I would use 1.5" squares and make 12.5" blocks.  I also thought I would locate the frame within the block in whatever placement I fancied.



I finally finished the quilting and the binding and I have to say, I am in love with this quilt!



My intent on this quilt was to not be a perfectly blended design.  I purposely placed light and dark squares to create a more pixelated effect.

I really wanted to use up the scraps I had and sometimes trying to blend something too perfectly, you end up creating more scraps than you started with!


The quilting is hard to see on this but I went with an echo quilting that followed the color contours.  So there were quite a few thread color changes.  I quilted the design right through the light boxes.  The quilt has some great texture!



I used a gray solid for the binding to match the gray frames.  And I used one of the backings I recently picked up from Connecting Threads.


I did add a bit of pizzazz on the back by adding in a strip of an ancient batik that was hiding out in my stash.  The colors perfectly matched the front of the quilt and this was a great way to use up that older stash!

Happy Friday! And have a wonderful weekend!



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35 comments:

Chris said...

I love it. It has turned out amazing.

Ellie said...

That’s a Winner! I love it!

Robby said...

This is fantastic! I can also see how this would be a fun technique to showcase a few special blocks or "picture" blocks. I also love that you didn't worry about it being "perfectly blended', it has more life this way.

julieQ said...

I am in love with it too!! Bravo!!!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Ditto what everyone has been saying! :) This quilt is just amazing! I bet it is a lot of fun to look at all those tiny squares up close and in person. So glad you're happy with how it turned out!

chrisknits said...

It is stunning! A great design from start to finish.

LadySchep said...

Wow, simply fabulous! I love the pixelated look.

Kat said...

So stunning!

hydeeannsews said...

this must have been so fun to make! projects like this that stretch the mind and make you think a lot during the making really please me in the process. i like how you described what was going on in your head and how the quilt evolved as you made it! fascinating.

Denise said...

Such a beautiful finish.

Preeti said...

It is scrappy, colorful, bright and oh so modern!!! Love it!!!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Absolutely stunning, Cynthia. I loved watching the project evolve and hope it put a dent in your warm color scrap bins!

Karen's Korner said...

Those grey squares look like they are hovering above. Very clever effect.

PaulaB quilts said...

The view of the entire quilt makes it seem like the northern lights kind of moving and twinkling. It’s really amazing how that came across. I can’t say I know how the frames fit into that analogy but the whole thing is really good.

Rochelle aka Bella Quilts said...

I really like this quilt and what you did with it. Those plain blocks didn't do anything for me. And seeing it surrounded by the red (that first block) wasn't any better. But when the whole thing was put together, the magic came through. Love that pixalated look. It makes the whole thing sparkle.

Jo said...

Looks fantastic

The Joyful Quilter said...

What a lovely finish, Cynthia!! While you may be planning to sell or donate this one, I'm not sure I could. It's SEW wonderful!!

Nicole said...

I think I love it as much as you do. Well done, and congrats on another amazing quilt.

Pamela said...

So stunning! I am amazed at how creative you are with scraps!

Tiina said...

Wow! This quilt is magnificent!

Kat said...

Gorgeous! It’s like a shimmering rainbow! I like the backing you used with the batik. It adds a lovely interest to the back as well?

Mari said...

Your quilt is awesome! It really turned out perfectly. I bet it feels good to use up a bunch of those squares, too!

Jayne said...

I was sure this was going to be fantastic...but WOW! It is way beyond fantastic! It's gorgeous and you should be over the moon happy with this. It is so inspiring!! Color...color...color!

Cathy said...

Oh my, that is a stellar quilt! It quite literally looks like windows on the galaxy! I hope you’re keeping this one, because it’s priceless!

LynneP said...

Fabulous quilt!!!!

Mystic Quilter said...

Oh isn't this a real gem of a quilt! Stunning Cynthia!

Louise said...

Oooooo! Ahhhhh! This is wonderful, wonderful! You'd never know that it was made one block at a time, you blended the whole thing so well. Kudos!! :)

gayle said...

I absolutely love this quilt! This may be my favorite of all the quilts you've ever made! It's GORGEOUS!

Frog Quilter said...

Love it. Beautiful!

Sally Trude said...

Wow! That shading is excellent. Your version is so alive! It looks like its undulating.

Theresa P said...

I love this! It reminds me of those dust clouds they show of outer space. It's beautiful and you did a great job!

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty said...

Wow! You completely transformed those humble little low-volume blocks. It's beautiful.

Vasudha said...

Wow! This is a masterpiece! The color wash effect is so striking and thank you for sharing your design process.

grammajudyb said...

Definitely a winner, it’s gorgeous!!

Bernie Kringel said...

Cindy - this is absolutely fantastic!!! I just love it. You nailed this one.

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