Well, before getting started on the fox wholecloth quilt, I had a DrEAMi project (Drop Everything And Make It – coined by Sandra from mmmquilts); a design bee challenge. And since I just received the circle templates from Jen Carlton-Bailly, I had to use curves, right?? The design bee group that I had an opportunity to participate with in October (Pansy Mini Quilt) sent out a new photo to use as design inspiration:
…a wrought iron sculpture that can be found on the Wildacres Retreat grounds in North Carolina. There is a lot going on in the sculpture, but I was especially drawn to the repeated “string of pearls” and circles that can be seen repeating throughout the work. So I wondered: could I piece a thin outlined circle? I don’t know if I succeeded with the “thin” aspect of my question (the green piecing is ~7/8″ wide), but I sure like the outcome!
Crop Circles Table Runner
I used a Peppered Cotton for the green and the background is a natural muslin. I started with the larger circle and then wondered, “can I do it again, but smaller?”, so I ended up with 2 outlined circles. Simple and quick piecing added connecting lines between them.
Crop Circles Table Runner
I quilted the mini on my domestic, a Juki TL-2200QVP Mini, using a walking foot and 50wt Aurifil 2000 (Light Sand). I took it slow when I quilted inside the circles, and they got a bit organic and wobbly as they got smaller.
Crop Circles Table Runner
The backing is also a natural muslin and I definitely enjoy being able to “read” the design on the back due to the quilting. My husband thought the piecing looked like crop circles, but once I added the echo quilting that’s all he could see, so it was easy to name this the Crop Circles Table Runner.
Crop Circles Table Runner
I wanted to frame the table runner, which finished at 11 3/4″ by 46″, with the Peppered Cotton, but I only had enough to eek out a pseudo-flange binding in combination with more natural muslin. The Peppered Cotton is a cross weave of a bright yellow and light blue which reads as green (I love that the fibers are not green) and so I used a yellow 50wt Aurifil thread, 2105 (Champagne), to top stitch down the flange of the binding. It blends in really well!
Mini Quilt by Cindy from Hyacinth Quilt Designs
I also wanted to share a few of the other items made in the design group. Above is a mini quilt made by Cindy from Hyacinth Quilt Designs. Cindy used my Diffraction Block tutorial and added sashing between her Diffraction blocks to continue the effect. She then inset the blocks into the background using the 5 minute circle technique. I love how she used an offset to add interest, and I am tickled she chose to use the Diffraction Block!
Faye Jones – 9 Patch Block
Faye Jones created a 9 Patch Block and incorporated different elements from the inspiration image into her quilt top.
The checkerboard element in the center of the inspiration image was popular for several other of the pieces shared.
I will be linking up with Sandra’s next DrEAMi link up!
So fun seeing everyone’s interpretation!
Inspiration and process here is fabulous…..trying to figure out how you did the crop circles when my brain should be asleep long ago……
Simple and stunning Yvonne! I love the way everyone picked different elements from the photo to come up with their pieces. Great challenge!
The 7/8″ is the right size for your piece. You nailed those curves! Love it!!
What a fun challenge Yvonne: I like how all the quilts are different. I love the simplicity of yours although I am sure it was not simple to make.
How fun! Love the simplicity of the design.
Very nice! That iron sculpture is very interesting, too!
Such a cool, simple design that looks just stunning as a runner. It really has an impact resting on that beautiful table (I love the woodgrain in the table). I’m not sure what I would’ve come up with looking at that iron sculpture, but I really like your design.
There is always beauty in simplicity. Your crop circles runner is elegant.
I really had a good laugh over that expression, “a DrEAMi project (Drop Everything And Make It)”, ’cause that’s me too. If I see something I really like I’m often compelled to make it. It must be an addiction. ;- }
I love the simplicity of your Crop Circles, both in color and design! And I think you nailed the curves. How did you like using the templates and making it?
Oh I like how you incorporated an element from the inspiration piece into your runner. Very nice!! I bet it’s even better up close with the cross-weave.
I love your table runner! My favorite part of your post is that your small circles became more organic!! I do a lot of organic quilting. How nice to have a new name for it!
As always, thank you for sharing your inspiration process and your creativity!
Really cool piece, Yvonne! Did you piece the inside or the outside of the circles first? I’m assuming you didn’t cut a 1 3/8″ wide ring of the peppered cotton first 🙂
That’s a fun challenge! I love your interpretation and I definitely see the crop circles, too. The quilting really enhances the circles.
Great table runner…and great name. I really like how you quilted it.
Love the runner! The design is great and the fabric choice perfect.
The different interpretations of the image are really fun to see. Your quilting is terrific and it really does look like a crop circle.
Your Crop Circles tablerunner is wonderful! I really like the simplicity of the piecing and how your quilting adds movement to the whole thing.
Okay, I read this. I know I did, as I very nearly didn’t click on the link in my inlinkz knowing I had read it … and I am sure I left a comment… but apparently it was in my mind or I dreamed your DrEAMi, or wait, maybe IG? … sorry! I love that quilt, so calm and complete and perfect on your table. I love the unusual aspect of different sized circles, a nice surprise. I remember the photo too so interesting but for some reason I thought you had taken it when you were out visiting/teaching in Cheryl and Paige’s guild. The other quilts are striking too and isn’t it fun to see your own design executed by others? 🙂