You know when you receive a new book and you instantly want
to sit down and start reading it?
to sit down and start reading it?
I, unfortunately, did have to restrain myself and hold off
until later that night, but ohhh did I ever look forward to some quilty night
reading.
until later that night, but ohhh did I ever look forward to some quilty night
reading.
After snuggling into bed on a chilly night, I was thrilled
to see Emily didn’t disappoint!
to see Emily didn’t disappoint!
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MODERN QUILTS BLOCK BY BLOCK
Not only is the photography just stunning and that alone
makes you want to create the quilts featured in the book (no surprise as she’s
an amazing photographer!). But the way the book is laid out is super user
friendly.
makes you want to create the quilts featured in the book (no surprise as she’s
an amazing photographer!). But the way the book is laid out is super user
friendly.
It’s clear and concise. Not overly wordy but still gives you
just the right amount of details so you understand everything in a snap.
just the right amount of details so you understand everything in a snap.
The projects (12 in all) are also super clear to follow with great
graphics to help ensure you avoid any fabric cutting mistakes – cause we’ve all
been there and ALL want to avoid repeating that!
graphics to help ensure you avoid any fabric cutting mistakes – cause we’ve all
been there and ALL want to avoid repeating that!
And I LOVE that she included a sampler quilt. Now, in all
honesty, I’m actually seldom drawn to sampler quilts, but the blocks in this
book are just so darn cute that I want to make them ALL.
honesty, I’m actually seldom drawn to sampler quilts, but the blocks in this
book are just so darn cute that I want to make them ALL.
Which is why the hardest part of participating in the
sew-a-long was picking just one block! Quilters problems #amIright?!
sew-a-long was picking just one block! Quilters problems #amIright?!
FIGURE EIGHT TABLE RUNNER
But pick one I did, and I’m thrilled I selected the Figure
Eight block. I knew all along I wanted to stitch this one into a quilted table
runner. The next big challenge was figuring out which fabrics to go with 😉
Eight block. I knew all along I wanted to stitch this one into a quilted table
runner. The next big challenge was figuring out which fabrics to go with 😉
To my surprise I kicked off the fabric selection process
with these monochromatic pinks that just kept calling to me. And I would have
left it at that, if I had enough of all those colours to make the table runner.
with these monochromatic pinks that just kept calling to me. And I would have
left it at that, if I had enough of all those colours to make the table runner.
Fortunately, that’s how it played out as I ended up pulling
in this gold solid that just made for the prettiest combo. You’ve been loving
the pairing as well on Instagram and I’m thrilled to discover such a love for pink + gold. I love it so much, I
can see myself returning to this combo soon!
in this gold solid that just made for the prettiest combo. You’ve been loving
the pairing as well on Instagram and I’m thrilled to discover such a love for pink + gold. I love it so much, I
can see myself returning to this combo soon!
Piecing the top was quick (I mean it is a table runner afterall),
but more importantly, it was FUN! I love seeing a cute block come together and
seeing the graphic design of the Figure Eight block was super inspiring. It
totally made me want to make a whole quilt featuring this modern quilt block.
but more importantly, it was FUN! I love seeing a cute block come together and
seeing the graphic design of the Figure Eight block was super inspiring. It
totally made me want to make a whole quilt featuring this modern quilt block.
Picking the backing fabric saw me humming and hawing over
whether to go with a print or a solid. I was specifically wavering over this
fun colourful stripe or a solid white. Both would have worked, just with
different effects. As I got to quilting her in pink 40wt thread, I was
kinda sad I went with the printed backing. The quilt design really enhances the
Figure Eight block and I love seeing that pattern repeated on the back of the table
runner. But, I suppose since this is meant as a table runner, the print will
hide the inevitable stains that are bound to occur with use 😉
(silver lining!!)
whether to go with a print or a solid. I was specifically wavering over this
fun colourful stripe or a solid white. Both would have worked, just with
different effects. As I got to quilting her in pink 40wt thread, I was
kinda sad I went with the printed backing. The quilt design really enhances the
Figure Eight block and I love seeing that pattern repeated on the back of the table
runner. But, I suppose since this is meant as a table runner, the print will
hide the inevitable stains that are bound to occur with use 😉
(silver lining!!)
Since I’m hoping this quilted table runner gets USED (my
Hexed table runner is still waiting for that to happen….) I opted to machine quilt the binding.
Now, I’m the first to admit that I’m not an expert at machine binding (I
discovered Emily has a great post on machine binding). In fact, this is literally my third project I’ve attempted
it on (see Pips’ food mat and quilted mint block). And, while I have a lot of
practice still to go before I feel like my results are worthy, I persevered
because if I never do it, I’ll never get better at it.
Hexed table runner is still waiting for that to happen….) I opted to machine quilt the binding.
Now, I’m the first to admit that I’m not an expert at machine binding (I
discovered Emily has a great post on machine binding). In fact, this is literally my third project I’ve attempted
it on (see Pips’ food mat and quilted mint block). And, while I have a lot of
practice still to go before I feel like my results are worthy, I persevered
because if I never do it, I’ll never get better at it.
But, I’ll admit, I was tempted to rip out those stitches and
finish her off by hand. In the end I left it because so many times I’ve looked
back at my older quilts and been proud to see some of the mistakes I’ve made.
Those mistakes confirm to me just how far I’ve come in my creative journey. And
we’re all on our own unique journey and should be celebrating our discoveries
and achievements rather than criticizing our work (which I’m totally guilty of
doing when I first started stitching that binding down!).
finish her off by hand. In the end I left it because so many times I’ve looked
back at my older quilts and been proud to see some of the mistakes I’ve made.
Those mistakes confirm to me just how far I’ve come in my creative journey. And
we’re all on our own unique journey and should be celebrating our discoveries
and achievements rather than criticizing our work (which I’m totally guilty of
doing when I first started stitching that binding down!).
MATERIALS USED
Here’s a round-up of all the materials and tools I used to make this pretty quilted table runner:
Party Animals Organic Sticks from Windham Fabrics (no longer
available)
available)
White thread for piecing
Pink thread for quilting
Needles (for burying threads)
Seam ripper (‘cause I totally used mine!)
Figure Eight pattern from Modern Quilts Block by Block
BOOK HOP
I was beyond touched when Emily extended an invite to join the book hop. She’s an incredible quilter and someone I’ve long admired in our quilting community. Plus, there are some amazing makers who have joined Emily’s Modern Quilts Block by Block book hop and you can see all the pretty makes using
#modernquiltsblockbyblock on Instagram.
#modernquiltsblockbyblock on Instagram.
If you’re on the hunt for ideas for your Christmas wish list
this would be a good addition 😉 Or grab a copy to gift to your quilty
friend – they’ll love you for it!
this would be a good addition 😉 Or grab a copy to gift to your quilty
friend – they’ll love you for it!
And if you’re not already doing so, hop over and visit
Emily’s fun blog Quilty Love and Instagram – the pictures alone are reason enough
to follow along! But I personally adore her fun IG Stories that always brighten
my day.
Emily’s fun blog Quilty Love and Instagram – the pictures alone are reason enough
to follow along! But I personally adore her fun IG Stories that always brighten
my day.
Happy quilting!
xo
Shannon
PS I’m knocking this one off my Q4 FAL list and will link up
with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday!
with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday!
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The gold and coral makes a nice statement. I can't decide if it feels more like a sunrise or sunset!
Oh, I love that, Yvonne! Sunrise or sunset – both are beautiful and each have their own special characteristics.
Love the mustardy-gold mixed in there! And I like that you’ve decided to leave the binding – it looks beautiful!
Aw, quilty friends are always so supportive – I love that about our community! Thank you! I’m thrilled you like that mustardy-gold too. Not necessarily the first colour you’d pick up, but I’m surprised by how much it works and just pulls the design together!