One of the reasons I was motivated to finish the Butterfly Inspiration Mini Quilt a few weeks ago was that it was time for me to start working on the next design group challenge. In general, I like to finish one project before moving on to another (although quilt alongs and other long term projects definitely interrupt that general trend for me). So once I had wrapped up the Butterfly Inspiration quilt, I felt ready to tackle the next challenge.
Design Group Inspiration Images
Cindy Lammon of Hyacinth Quilt Designs supplied the inspiration images for this challenge. They are murals on the new restaurant in Greenville called el Thrifty, which were painted by Greenville, SC, local artist Sunny Mullarkey. I was drawn to the golden elements in the murals and especially to the orange peel design on the mural on the right in the collage above.
Crown Mini Quilt
Based on that element, I recreated the design to create the Crown Mini Quilt. I used 4 different yellow solids in varying tones. The center full orange peel is a Kona cotton and the 3 outer half orange peel blocks are Michael Miller Cotton Couture solids. I like that these challenges also help me focus on using what I have available in my stash.
I created the mini quilt quickly using templates cut from cardboard using a compass to create the orange peel shape. Then I traced the templates onto the fabric, cut the fabric, and stitched them to the quilt top using raw edge applique. Note that my machine, a Juki TL-2200 QVP Mini, is only a straight line stitch machine, so the raw edges have frayed and I keep trimming the loose threads back as I have worked on the quilt.
Crown Mini Quilt
Next, I took 2 layers of batting and stitched the 2 layers of batting behind the shapes, cutting the 2 layers back as close to the sewn seam as possible. Then I created a typical quilt sandwich. I don’t have a photo of the backing, but it is the darkest Michael Miller Cotton Couture solid (which is also the binding). Having that much extra batting behind the shapes, I am hopeful that they will stay full and not sag or wrinkle over time.
Crown Mini Quilt
For the quilting, I used 50wt Aurifil 2105. I started by outlining the shapes for a 3rd time to keep the mini quilt as flat as possible. Then I just used the edge of my presser foot as a guide and echo quilted around the shapes. I think the dense quilting helps the shapes stand out and provides good definition. The texture, especially on the upper portion of the quilt, is really fun to run my hands over!
The Crown mini quilt finished at 21″ wide by 17 1/2″ tall. The orange peel templates were 7″ from point to point and after fraying and puffing the orange peel shapes are 6 3/4″ point to point.
Linking up with the April Favorite Finish with Meadow Mist Designs.
That lovely texture! Did you use anything on the back of those peels, like a light fusible?
Wonderful interpretation! The petals remind me of lotus flower.
I love your interpretation! I appreciate it when you share so much about how you quilt your projects….it has inspired me to try some of your ideas in my own projects……Thank you!
This reminds me of a lotus flower as well as the crown. It’s just beautiful. I can’t imagine the difficulty of doing raw edge applique with a straight stitch machine, but you accomplished that so very well. Congratulations on another stunning quilt!
I love this piece, Yvonne! Your quilting really enhances the design!
I love how you made the peel stand out!
I love the use of the different yellows. It really adds interest to your quilt. I am curious about how you managed to stuff the crown shapes . It’s an overall great piece and I am impressed that you used only fabric you had in your stash. I’ve managed to do a bit more of that myself in the last couple of weeks.
This is so gorgeous Yvonne! And I agree with Paige – it reminds me a little of a lotus flower. My machine also does only straight stitches and I’ve been avoiding applique for that reason, but after seeing this, I might give it a try!
This is such a fab design! I love all the negative space 🙂
I just love this! What a great detail to focus on.
Great detail to focus on for your quilts and a great interpretation. It is such a happy quilt, and the quilting is just perfect.
Beautiful! Springy, sunny and fresh! Love the gradient yellows and how the bright yellow binding brings this quilt together!
Wow, I love it! So creative and I love that trapunto look. The citrusy color is perfect, it looks rejuvenating and calm at the same time!
I love the extra batting and how it gives more oomph to the petals! Great interpretation of the inspiration photo 🙂
It’s beautiful. You did an amazing job!
I love the mini quilt. I am really drawn to the quilt, color. You are inspiring me to think outside the box. I bought some fabric by kona gradient orange shades. Going to play with design. Thanks for yoyr inspiration
Going from the mural to this mini is just inspiring. What a leap and it is so pretty!! I was put off by the murals – I don’t really like them. But what you took away from them is a totally different feel. Springtime, light and airy. You knocked it out of the park. Great finish.
Very interesting! They are larger than I realized when I read about the piece on Ig. Clever to puff them out a bit!
A wonderful design. I Love the yellows and the size of the finished wall hanging is perfect. Do you fuse the pieces before sewing them down or maybe just a spot of glue? I like the idea of layering extra batting to give the piece more dimension. Congratulations on a wonderful finish.
Wonderful texture. It’s a great piece.
This is lovely . Is it your own version of trapunto quilting ? I had to scroll back up to the sugar scull to see your inspiration. Much more gentle than the sugar skull itself !
I very much like the element you chose to take your inspiration from and how I can see the connection with the original pictures but your quilt has a completely different style and mood. I especially like the variety of yellows. It’s also very interesting for me to read the details of how you went about the making; even though we work quite differently I feel like I’ve learnt some useful things from you.
Wow! Gorgeous! You never cease to amaze me!
Fun design and quilting! Love the extra puff from more batting.
Adorable crown quilt. The crown areas look like trapunto quilting. It looks welcoming hanging on your wall.
This is really striking. I love the quilting and agree it really draws out the design. Well done!