Coming Up For Air {More Blocks & Finished Mini}

I had time on Saturday to work on the 9″ finished inset circles using the exposed seam technique I’ve been exploring for the past year.

Test Block 4

After sewing and thinking about my first three test blocks, I only changed one thing when I sewed test block 4: I removed the seam guide from my machine and instead marked the ½” seam allowance on my needle plate. I sewed really, really slowly, and this block turned out so well, I knew I was ready to move over and use the actual fabric I want to use for the center of my Rainbow Improv quilt.

Test Block 4 Back

Sometimes I think that prints can hide detail, so here is a view of the back of test block number 4.

Test Block 5

The only changes for test block 5 were the prints. For this block, I switched over to using the fabric that I want for the center of my Rainbow Improv quilt. I only had 2 Alison Glass Art Theory circles remaining in my stash, so I knew I could make this block and one other. The background fabric is a Ruby Star Society print, and it was a slightly tighter weave than the purple print I had used for the last several test blocks.

Test Block 5 Back

While I struggled a bit with the tighter weave background print (you can see gentle waves in the photos), overall I was pleased with how this block came together and I knew that if I didn’t like how the next block turned out, it would definitely work for the center of the quilt.

Rainbow Improv Center Quilt Block

However, after sewing the final block, I knew it was the one I would use for the center of the quilt.

Rainbow Improv Center Quilt Block Back

Look at how flat the background fabric lays! I’m really pleased with how it came together.

Coming Up For Air

Test blocks 4 and 5 are really well pieced, though, so I don’t want them to be set aside for too long. On Sunday, I took the opportunity to quilt test block 5, and now that this little 10″ mini quilt is complete, I feel like I am coming up for air after focusing on this task for so long. After quilting, the gentle waves in the background have all melted away. Adding quilting adds texture and a bit of forgiveness.

Coming Up For Air Back

I used this mini to test out my idea for how I might want to quilt the center block in the quilt. The lines of the quilted spiral are spaced ½” apart. I quilted using 50wt Aurifl 3817 (Marrakesh), a rainbow variegated thread starting from near the center of the Alison Glass print until I came to the edge of the background print. Then I switched to 50wt 2311 (Muslin) to finish the remainder of the quilting. This little mini quilt will be going to a friend who recently had to move her desk at work to add a little bit of color and whimsy.

Linking up with Favorite Quilt Finish, TGIFF, Finished or Not Friday, and Beauties Pageant.