finished scrappy kaleidoscope quilt (with downloadable templates)
I spent the last few days finishing up this quilt for my sister Carly. This was the last in a series of scrap quilts for my sisters (and Mom). You can find the other scrap quilts:
My sister lives in Utah in a basement apartment and it gets cold, so I wanted to make sure this quilt was extra warm. The backing fabric is a pretty, tiny black and white herringbone Robert Kaufman Shetland flannel. It is thick and warm and gives the quilt a nice weight.
I used Quilter's Dream wool batting and it was wonderful to work with. I have only used wool batting one other time and I can't remember which brand it was, but the Quilter's Dream was much easier to use. If you have never used wool batting, Debbie recently made a very informative post that is definitely worth checking out.
As you can see in the photo above, the seam on the back is kind of noticeable. The flannel didn't appear to have a right or wrong side and I think I must have used one of each. It isn't nearly this noticeable in person though and both sides feel just as snuggly.
I used Quilter's Dream wool batting and it was wonderful to work with. I have only used wool batting one other time and I can't remember which brand it was, but the Quilter's Dream was much easier to use. If you have never used wool batting, Debbie recently made a very informative post that is definitely worth checking out.
As you can see in the photo above, the seam on the back is kind of noticeable. The flannel didn't appear to have a right or wrong side and I think I must have used one of each. It isn't nearly this noticeable in person though and both sides feel just as snuggly.
The quilt top ended up with lots of Ann Kelle prints and I decided up using one of her new Remix stripe prints for the binding. I quilted it with an "organic" cross hatch which basically means that I didn't mark the lines ahead of time and they definitely weave and wobble a little. But I love how dense they are and how defined the lofty wool batting makes them.
This is the second kaleidoscope quilt I have made. The first was with do. Good Stitches more than two years ago. I wanted to use smaller blocks for my quilt so that I would be able to use smaller scrap pieces. I made the block in EQ7 and printed out the templates which you can download here (this makes an 8" finished block).
If you need directions on piecing the blocks, Elizabeth at Don't Call me Betsy hosted a quilt along a while back and the block instructions are here and here.
In other news, I celebrated my 31st birthday yesterday and it was probably the best birthday I have ever had (I am currently eating leftover chocolate caramel cheesecake). We didn't do anything spectacular, but my family gave me the sweetest notes and I got to spend all day with them and then go to dinner and a movie with my husband. I am so grateful for these guys!
I have the cutest neice and nephew!! #3 has a lot to live up to, or some great examples to follow, either way. Oh yeah, the quilt looks good too, :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great scrap quilt. Very effective pattern.
ReplyDeleteLovely family too
Beautiful quilt! Beautiful family! Love the spirit and energy in your son's expression!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the templates. This quilt pattern is one my bucket list!
I love your quilt and especially the backing. Happy belated birthday, glad you had a lovely time :)
ReplyDeleteI love your quilt and especially the backing. Happy belated birthday, glad you had a lovely time :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing pattern!Great work!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Glad it was such a great one. And love your quilt! It looks just terrific all scrappy!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt turned out beautifully. Love the quilting! Nothing better than a scrappy, warm quilt.
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt, I love the colour scheme.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday.
That is so beautiful Erica! You can just never, ever go wrong with a scrappy quilt, there is just something special about them. And Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday.Great pic and tfhe quilt is awesome.This pattern is in my to do list!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt, and it looks super warm and snuggly, too!
ReplyDeleteNow that you´ve had the best birthday, I´m wishing you all the good spirit to last you and your wonderful family throughout the rest of the year, Erica!
ReplyDeleteI love your modern combo of fabric colors and styles, simple twist on traditional patterns...simply fresh and lovely. Thank you for sharing your work and pics with us quilters all over the world, and hugs from Germany! Bobbi
Gorgeous quilt, Erica! I'm sure your sister will be complexly cozy wrapped in it. I'll have to give wool batting a try sometime. Thanks for doing the work on smaller templates, and sharing them! Maybe I'll actually make this now with my hoard of scraps! Happy Birthday as well!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! What a beautiful quilt and beautiful fam!! Hope you have a wonderful year!!
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how much I love that quilt! It is just so lovely. And you have a wonderful family. Quite a cute picture.
ReplyDeleteLeslie S. in MN
Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteGoing to have to give this one a whirl - thanks for sharing the info! <3
oh my, your Captain America gives impressive smolder. :-) Love this quilt, and happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is pretty beyond words and I simply love it! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteFabulous and beauriful quilt!! Glad you added the flannel backing and wool batting to make sure it's warm for your sister!
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous! I'd like to try wool batting sometime. Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday! The quilt is beautiful. I've always loved kaleidescope blocks, but it's another of the many I've never gotten around to making. One of these days...
ReplyDelete