The Blue Moon Quilters had such a good time making our 2017 QuiltCon Charity Quilt, Four Greater Than One, that when the information about the 2018 QuiltCon Charity Quilt was released, we all readily agreed to collaborate together again. The theme for 2018 is Modern Traditionalism and the color palette is vibrant!
Traditional Quilt Block Examples
As a group, we brainstormed traditional blocks, and we settled very quickly on Birds in the Air.
I really like to play around with design, so I spent some time making the layouts above, but nothing was really resonating with us in any of the layouts. After considering what makes a quilt “modern traditional”, I went back and played with the scale of the block.
We all liked the result of playing with scale a lot better, so then it was just a question of playing with color. To be honest, none of us had a lot of time this summer to put into design, and I think we ended up with the second color study I created because I liked it and none of us had the time or energy to go back and re-think it. Why complicate the process, right? We named the quilt for 2018 “Better Together”: a nod to the fact that we took a block and repeated it in smaller scale within itself while also acknowledging our collaborative efforts.
Michael Miller Cotton Couture (L to R): Hyacinth, Jewel, Watermelon, and Bright White
Once again, Michael Miller generously agreed to sponsor the fabric for our charity quilt. The colors we are using this year are Hyacinth, Jewel, Watermelon, and Bright White. The fabric was shipped to me, and I had the pleasure of prepping the fabric to pass on.
Better Together – Binding Roll
The first thing that was cut and pieced for the quilt was the binding! It was satisfying to tack it to a piece of cardboard to wait for use. I used 50wt Aurfil 2535 (Magenta) to piece the binding.
Better Together – Backing
The next seam that I sewed was the long seam to create the backing for the quilt. The backing itself and its seam will need a good press and trimmed down to size (it is generously oversize at the moment). I used 50wt Aurfil 4225 (Eggplant) to piece the binding.
Better Together – Fabric Prep
Then I moved on to cutting all the other pieces required for the quilt top. For the blocks, I made sure to add labels so my friends won’t have to spend a lot of time measuring and figuring out what I did (hopefully, haha).
Finally, I prepped and sewed the required half-square triangles (HSTs) for the quilt top. I will leave pressing and trimming the HSTs to the next quilters. In my mind, having the HSTs travel from me to them in the mail is a bit safer in this un-pressed and un-trimmed state. Hopefully that’s not just my inner laziness talking.
Better Together – HSTs Ready for Pressing and Trimming
I will be mailing the extra fabric and everything I prepared off to Renee from Quilts of a Feather this week. She and Afton from Quilting Mod will finish piecing the quilt top and then pass it on to Sara from Blue Quail Studio for quilting and finishing. I am really thankful to be collaborating with these lovely women again, and I am already excited to see how the quilt comes together.
Many thanks to our generous sponsors: Michael Miller Fabrics, Aurifil, and The Warm Company.
it’s going to be another beauty Yvonne!
Great commentary and pictures!
Thank you for sharing this info. I love the design and especially love the name, “Better together.” It is very thought provoking and conveys a special meaning to me especially in these difficult times that many people find themselves in. Congratulations to you and your friends on a beautiful concept and design.
Woo-hoo! Those are gorgeous colors and as always you four have come up with another winning design!
Great design! I am excited to see this quilt come together!
Great design Yvonne. I enjoyed hearing about your process as I’ve been the lead on our guild charity quilt for three years and like to learn how other groups approach it. We (BoulderMQG) completed our top this past weekend during a sew day.Thanks for sharing and good luck with the finish.
I love the bright fabrics and the way you have interpreted the pattern. The four of you work so well together and your projects are a pleasure to see completed. The final result of this labor is a beautiful donation quilt for someone in need. It will bring joy, I’m sure. Sometimes charity projects like these bring me more pleasure than the quilt I make for myself or family.
Love the colors…wow.
Oh man it’s fun to see it coming together so quickly! You’ve already done so much!
what a great way to put together a group quilt!
This is going to be a lovely quilt all the more because of the collaboration.
Another wonderful combination quilt, with fab colours. Your labels will be such a help, and sending the triangles still closed makes great sense. I will look forward to seeing it all finished.
All of it looks great Yvonne. Well done on all the planning.
Wow! It’s going to be incredible!
I love the design Yvonne. It should be a great quilt!
I like your final version of the design a lot – very clever – and I think this will be a really striking quilt. Also – what a lot of work you have put into all the prep!
Fun Birds in the Air design! Ya’ll make a great team!
This is an amazing design Yvonne and I love the colour choices. Can’t wait to see the final results!
OOOH! I love this!
I love the design! I also love the way you’ve divided up the work on the quilt. It seems like a smart way to make group quilt when you don’t all live in the same area.