I previously posted about the design process that I went through to start this quilt project. The quilt top came together pretty quickly; log cabins lend themselves to chain piecing so it only took me one day to get to a completed quilt top. I was sending photographs of the process to the customer along the way, too, which turned out to be a good thing! After laying out the blocks for what I thought would be the pieced quilt top, the customer requested that I change the orientation of one of the keystone pieces. Fair enough. After a bit of seam ripping and about 5 minutes, the fix was made and the quilt top was done about 30 minutes later.
Solar System – Sideways UFO
Can you spot the difference?
Solar System – Fixed Keystone (UFO)
For the quilting, I used a navy blue thread in the bobbin and alternated between a teal and navy blue thread for the top to keep the quilting as blended in to the fabrics as possible.
Solar System – Quilting Detail
The backing is a super fun Riley Blake fabric that I absolutely love: Rocket Age Rocket Blast in Navy. I love the grid pattern, the nerdy orbital mechanics equations, the rockets… it’s just a fabulous fabric!
Solar System – Rocket Age
I have some interesting shrinkage statistics for this quilt. Before quilting, the quilt top was 42.5″ by 56.5″. After quilting but before its first wash, the quilt measured 41.25″ x 55″. After its first was, the quilt measured 39″ x 52.5″. At least, I think knowing how much it shrunk just from being quilted was interesting! 🙂
Solar System – Binding Detail
I used the Rocket Age print for the binding as well. How fun are these details?
Solar System – Binding Detail
OK, as you can probably tell by now, I had a *lot* of fun creating this quilt. It really speaks to my love of space age rockets and nerdy details. I cannot wait to deliver this quilt tomorrow. It was a joy to make, and I hope they get years of fun use out of the quilt!
Solar System – Completed Quilt
Solar System – Completed Quilt
I had to look long and hard to find the change, but then I found the sideways space pod. It was like quilting Where’s Waldo 🙂 I love, love, love the backing fabric. What a great choice for this quilt, and it looks great as the binding.
This is a *WONDERFUL* design!!! Well done 🙂
Wow! You were fast. I love the spirals on the space quilt.
This came together so nicely. I had a hard time finding the change you made, but found it after a while. It really does make a difference in the consistency of the quilt. If you hadn’t taken the time to change it, I don’t think anyone would have noticed. I know you feel better with it fixed and your quilt completed!
That is super cute, and I did see the difference but I really had to look to find it. I never thought to measure after quilting, I always just thought the shrinkage was due to washing. Very interesting idea.
Beautiful! There is probably a mathematical way to figure shrinkage due to quilting… Just saying!
Turned out great but eeek for changing direction. Luckily just one. I love all those fabrics you used as well. Nice quilting as well.
I love that Rocket Age print so much. It really is a perfect fit for the back of this quilt! The Saturn print you made is also genius! Fantastic finish!!