When my friend Cheryl from Meadow Mist Designs told me that she was working on a book proposal with Paige from Quilted Blooms, I started looking forward to this blog post. Today it is my extreme pleasure, honor, and privilege to tell you about Modern Plus Sign Quilts, the book written by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander as part of the Modern Plus Sign Book Blog Hop!
There are 16 quilt designs in the book, and on each day of the blog hop (full schedule at the end of the post), 2 quilt designs are shared from the book and bloggers (like me!) will be sharing our versions of the featured designs. Along with the designs, the book has historical information and includes more in depth discussion of techniques (like traditional piecing, applique, and foundation paper piecing), making this book contain something for a quilter at any experience level. Also, for each day of the hop, Cheryl and Paige are hosting giveaways on their blogs, so be sure to visit them to learn more!
Kona Cotton in Sky, Lake, Astral, and Ocean
When I had the opportunity to select which design I wanted to make as part of the blog hop, my husband and I decided that the quilt I made would be one of several I plan to make this year for us to keep as bed quilts. Bed quilt in this sense means that I am making it for a 48-inch wide bed we are putting in our custom expedition vehicle, so we settled on a goal of finished quilt top sizes of 68-inches wide by 88-inches long. Pulling from the blue tile we purchased to use as an accent inside the vehicle, we selected Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Sky, Lake, Astral, and Ocean (above).
Kaleidoscope Plus – photo credit of C&T Publications
One look through the quilts in the book and my heart was set on making Kaleidoscope Plus. The pattern calls for 5 fabrics, and I only had 4 to work with, so the first thing I did was spend time evaluating how I wanted to place the colors.
I instantly knew that I was going to make the Dark to Light colorway option, and thankfully my husband agreed (or knew) without me doing more than asking him which of the two he preferred.
Kaleidoscope Plus
Be still my heart! The quilt looks even better on our real bed in our bedroom than I had hoped!
To achieve the crisp precision of the points in the Kaleidoscope Plus quilt pattern, the majority of the quilt top is paper pieced. I was able to get all of the paper piecing completed before I left for QuiltCon, although the quilt top was not finished when I left (which was a soft goal or milestone I had hoped to meet).
Matching Aurifil Thread Order
My husband and I sleep under quilts that I have pieced, but I have not quilted any of the bed quilts we own. So another huge aspect of this project for me was to quilt as much love and care into it as I could possibly muster. With that in mind, I bought a LOT of 50wt Aurifil thread to match the selected Kona Cotton colors to be sure that I was not going to run out in the middle! I purchased 3 large spools of 50wt 2740 (Dark Cobalt) to match Kona Ocean, 2 large spools of 50wt 2725 (Light Wedgewood) to match Kona Astral, 1 large spool of 50wt 2710 (Light Robins Egg) to match Kona Lake, and 1 large pool of 50wt 2612 (Arctic Sky) to match Kona Sky.
Quilting Plan
My husband was a huge part of this process. I digitally doodled out many options for different quilting motifs and areas, and we discussed what we liked and did not like. Ultimately, he selected or suggested the motifs that I quilted in each area of the quilt after we auditioned lots of possibilities.
Kaleidoscope Plus
In the background surrounding the pieced design, I quilted a Digital Circuit Board motif, and we are enchanted by the texture and the way it looks from different angles and views.
Kaleidoscope Plus – Post Wash Quilting Detail
And the quilting in the pieced areas went basically exactly to the quilting plan doodle I shared earlier. In all, I spent over 30 hours quilting this quilt in the last week. Due to coming home from QuiltCon and being under the weather, I worked on this quilt right up to the deadline of publishing the post. I put the final hand stitches into the binding at 9pm on Monday night: cutting it very close (by my standards) to being done in time for the real deadline of sharing the quilt with you!
Kaleidoscope Plus – Prewash Quilting Detail
I did all of the quilting on my longarm by hand (there is nothing computerized about my machine). I did mark guide points and use a ruler for the extensive amount of dot-to-dot quilting that I did in the piecing. I used the Clover White Marking Fine Pen, which erases with heat (not an affiliate link).
When I took the quilt off of my longarm, I asked my husband to come in and look it over with me to look for any areas that I might have left unquilted. I said it as a joke, but he actually spotted an area at one edge of the quilt that I had not finished off! I placed my Quilting Jetgirl label at that spot so that I will always remember the 4 small lines I quilted on my Juki to fill in the space.
Kaleidoscope Plus
Kaleidoscope Plus from the book finishes at 63 1/2″ square, so I modified the size of the finishing borders to upsize the quilt to my desired 68 1/2″ wide by 88 1/2″ long (I used 7 1/2″ wide side borders and 17 1/2″ wide top borders). After quilting and squaring, the quilt was 67 1/2″ wide by 87″ long (~1.5% and 1.7% shrinkage) and after the first wash the quilt is 65 1/2″ wide by 83″ long (~4.4% and 6.2% shrinkage). I actually think that with a little use it will probably be closer to 4% shrinkage overall.
Kaleidoscope Plus
One of the wonderful aspects of all the quilting is how the the design still shines through when viewed from the backing (solid Kona Cotton Ocean)! I know many people have asked if a quilt quilted this densely is stiff. I used Quilter’s Dream Dream Green batting, and the quilt is not stiff. There are areas where the piecing is more stiff (which I avoided when quilting), but overall the texture of the quilt both before and after being washed is delightful.
I will say that the only time I have really struggled with a really stiff quilt is when I have done very dense matchstick quilting in only one direction. This is not at a matchstick level of density (I consider matchstick quilting every 1/8″ or closer), and there is movement and a change in quilting direction across the quilt.
Kaleidoscope Plus
I just love how the plus signs are still apparent from the back with the lighter colored thread and dense quilting. And how about the fun secondary design of the star with the color removed? There is so much for me to love about this quilt. It will be one of the many on our bed for the foreseeable future!
Kaleidoscope Plus
If you would like to make a Kaleidoscope Plus quilt and are especially drawn to my blue color palette, you can re-create this exactly by using:
- Astral for Dark Gray,
- Ocean for Light Gray,
- Lake for White, and
- Sky for Dark Blue and the Blue Print.
I backed the quilt in Ocean and bound it using Astral.
Thank you so much for visiting today and sharing in my joy at my new quilt and celebrating Cheryl and Paige’s book, Modern Plus Sign Quilts! If you would like to purchase a book, you can order a signed copy from either Cheryl or Paige’s Etsy stores, via C&T Publishing, or via Amazon at the links below:
- Cheryl Etsy
- Paige Etsy
- Modern Plus Sign Quilts (Amazon)
- Modern Plus Sign Quilts (C&T Publishing, Affiliate link)
MODERN PLUS SIGN BOOK HOP SCHEDULE
Monday, March 12th
Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs
Paige @Quilted Blooms
Tuesday, March 13th
Soma @Whims and Fancies
Ann @Brown Paws Quilting
Kitty @Night Quilter
Sophie @Luna Lovequilts
Afton @Quilting Mod
Shelley @The Carpenters Daughter Who Quilts
Wednesday, March 14th
Jayne @Twiggy and Opal
Jen @A Dream and a Stitch
Abigail @Cut & Alter
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
Sandra @mmm! quilts
Karen @Run Sew Fun
Thursday, March 15th
Linda @Flourishing Palms
Bernie @Needle and Foot
Liz @Savor Every Stitch
Stacey @Stacey In Stitches
Michelle @From Bolt to Beauty
Patty @Elm Street Quilts
Melanie @A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog
Friday, March 16th
Myra @Busy Hands Quilts
Izzy @Dizzy Quilts
Ruth @Charly and Ben’s Crafty Corner
Christa @Christa Quilts
Monday, March 19th
Jessica @Quilty Habit
Cindy @Hyacinth Quilt Designs
Jennifer @The Inquiring Quilter
Julie @The Crafty Quilter
Tuesday, March 20th
Tish @Tish N Wonderland
Judy @Sew Some Sunshine
Emily @The Darling Dogwood
Wanda @Wanda’s Life Sampler
Karen @Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Katherine @Sew Me Something Good
Wednesday, March 21st
Anja @Anja Quilts
Kate @Smiles from Kate
Sue @Sevenoaks Street Quilts
Carole @From My Carolina Home
Alison @Little Bunny Quilts
Thursday, March 22nd
Debbie @Esch House Quilts
Laura @Slice of Pi Quilts
Beth @Cooking Up Quilts
Janice @Color Creating and Quilting
Joanne @Quilts by Joanne
Friday, March 23rd
Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs
Paige @Quilted Blooms
Linking up with Let’s Bee Social and Finish It Friday.
What a fabulous quilt! It looks great as a picture of a quilt, but seeing it on the bed takes it to another level. I’m not a big fan of blue, but I’d buy blue to make this one!
Love the colourway you chose, I would have picked the dark to light colourway as well. Beautiful quilting too! The quilt looks amazing on your bed.
-Soma
You have truly outdone yourself, Yvonne! WOW! That quilt is incredible. And the quilting is beautifully done. I enjoyed seeing your process and choices made along the way.
Oh so THAT’S what those amazing blue fabric picks were for! I’m speechless, this quilt is beyond stunning. All those amazing colors of blue together, and that quilting, just wow. It’s perfection. It looks so fantastic in your home, I’m glad you’re keeping it for yourself!
What a beautiful quilt. The paper piecing really does give such accurate points. And the quilting is so beautiful. I love the quilting in the background and the way it changes direction. You have really outdone yourself.
GORGEOUS! all the love you put into it really shines through. enjoy it!
Amazing quilting for a gorgeous quilt, congrats !
Aah so that’s what all those blues were for! It looks great Yvonne and even better it looks fantastic on your bed! lovely quilting as ever!
It is such a joy to read your planning and designing of this fabulous quilt.
Thank you.
Oh my, this is absolutely stunning. x
This is probably one of my favorite quilts from the book – very nice! Love your quilting! Thank you for sharing, Susan
Wow, what an amazing quilt! I love the colors and the texture from the quilting is fabulous. The picture of it on the bed in the room with matching walls looks like it came out of a magazine!
I love blues, and this quilt is truly amazing! Your talent and love for your craft shine thru again! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Beautiful, Yvonne! I would have made the light to dark version (b/c I’m a sucker for a light background and have a bolt of Kona Snow on hand at all times!), but *love* seeing how the dark to light came out. Congratulations on making progress on your bed-quilt goal!
Your version of Kaleidoscope Plus is simply stunning! I love the blues and the quilting is so fabulous I am drooling over it! Thank you so much for all of your support and friendship and for being part of the hop!
Your quilt is absolutely beautiful!
What a beautiful quilt! The colours, the quilting — it’s perfect in every way.
All your beautiful blues together, gorgeous! I love the quilting with the dot to dot and circuit board motif!
That is one awesome quilt! The color placement and quilting makes the quilt sparkle!
You did a very good job with the paper piecing…..how did you keep that part of it interesting….I tend to get bogged down….the transparency effect with the blues is beautiful!
Yvonne, those blues are beautiful. Make me think of the ocean and sky. Your quilting looks perfect!
Yvonne your quilt and quilting is fabulous,
It’s no surprise to me that I love this quilt! I love how it looks in your bedroom; it’s just perfect (and your wall color is amazing)! So much care and planning by both of you with this quilt, I hope it lasts you many, many years. How can you not rest well under something that beautiful!
The colors and the Quilting are just fabulous! Great job!
Woozah!
This quilt is just absolutely stunning, Yvonne! I started to watch your video on circuitry quilting. I will resume watching it someday when I have more time. It is really neat!
Absolutely gorgeous Yvonne! Love that dark blue and you made it match your walls – how cool is that?
This is electric! I can feel the energy!!! And the quilting. Wow A++
Wow! Wow! Wow! This is just stunning! You really pulled the perfect fabrics, colors and quilting and nailed it. It’s so beautiful on your bed!!
Pretty amazing! Beyond stunning!
It is truly beautiful and amazing, this quilt GLOWS!
Wonderful Yvonne! I love how you did the dark background, and that you made it rectangular too! Awesome job on the quilting too, and ya I see where we had similar ideas for Dot to Dot – isn’t that just the best invention ever, with little to no marking. 🙂
Gorgeous and outstanding quilting.
In a word: gorgeous.
Oh Yvonne! You outdid yourself on this one. Yes, it’s a beautiful design, but your quilting just made it so special – really really lovely!
I love it Yvonne!! When I see your two designs I would have automatically have gone for the light to dark but I love seeing it made up dark to light. It is so striking and has got me thinking about darker backgrounds ….. The quilting is wonderful and good to hear the batting still has softness – I haven’t used that one yet so will file away for information! I am sure you will enjoy many good night’s sleep under this 🙂
Stunning from the word “Go.” I love your version of this quilt, and thank you very much for sharing the Kona colors. It’s good to see how they look in finished quilts.
I love this quilt, Yvonne. Hard to find one of yours I don’t love, but I am always drawn to the round out of straight line quilts. The colors are just gorgeous and the quilting is phenomenal. I do a little ruler quilting on my domestic machine and it does take a lot of time. I think it is just perfect – perfect colors, pattern and quilting.
Really love the quilting done on this one!
Beautiful! Hope you have many years of good, loving sleeps under it!
Beautiful, and so “you”
This an amazing and wonderful quilt!
I just love this quilt! Everything about it screams “Yvonne”!
Your quilting is amazing!
Beautiful quilt, beautifully quilted. It is terrific that your husband was part of the process. Makes it really special!!!
Wasn’t 50wt rather thin for quilting? I have only used Aurifil 50wt for piecing and I am curious how it works for quilting.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing the quilting on it. I often ask my husband his opinions on quilts I am planning or making. Even when we do not agree, his concepts often make more sense than my original ideas, therefore I find myself going with his ideas, or compromising between the two.
Your quilt is just beautiful!. The quilting is beyond amazing,
Wonderful colors! Great pattern! I LOVE the quilting…especially the way it shows on the back side! I like quilts that feel reversible!
Whoa! 30 hours is a lot of life to quilt into something, but it sure shows. I love the texture of your Digital Circuit Board, and am so glad to see you created a video because that was going to be my next request. I’m not sure how I missed your original post, but I’m going to blame the wee distracting babe. This solid blues are such a stunning color choice. I love how you have a collaborative effort with your husband, not that I mind my husband’s lack of decisive contribution.
This is stunning! The texture you created across this quilt top is AMAZING and the back is just as beautiful as the front.