Let me start off by saying, don’t take the amount of time it
took me to complete this quilt as any indication of how much I love this quilt
pattern. The fact that she was pieced well over a year ago and just hanging out
draped over the back of my sofa patiently waiting to be quilted has no bearing
on how much I adore this pattern.
took me to complete this quilt as any indication of how much I love this quilt
pattern. The fact that she was pieced well over a year ago and just hanging out
draped over the back of my sofa patiently waiting to be quilted has no bearing
on how much I adore this pattern.
Then again, let’s face it, I adore Suzy Quilts’
patterns. They’re fun to make and always full of eye candy. The Rocksteady pattern is
no exception. In fact, I’d say it’s one of my favourite patterns of Suzy’s
(well, until she releases another epic pattern and then that one will be my new
fave 😉). I love how the design is so harmonious and
has lots of movement, which is fun to see take shape as you piece her up.
patterns. They’re fun to make and always full of eye candy. The Rocksteady pattern is
no exception. In fact, I’d say it’s one of my favourite patterns of Suzy’s
(well, until she releases another epic pattern and then that one will be my new
fave 😉). I love how the design is so harmonious and
has lots of movement, which is fun to see take shape as you piece her up.
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But what
I love the most is the strong message behind the design. I’ll let you hop over
to Suzy’s to know her full reason for creating the Rocksteady quilt pattern,
but essentially the message is about strength. Knowing that when life is
hitting hard, we’re more than capable of dealing and surviving because we’re
“rocksteady”.
I love the most is the strong message behind the design. I’ll let you hop over
to Suzy’s to know her full reason for creating the Rocksteady quilt pattern,
but essentially the message is about strength. Knowing that when life is
hitting hard, we’re more than capable of dealing and surviving because we’re
“rocksteady”.
The testing for this quilt came just as I was miscarrying my
second child. It was a brutal experience and one that definitely tested my
rocksteady capabilities.
second child. It was a brutal experience and one that definitely tested my
rocksteady capabilities.
Funny how life has a way of sending you just what you need
when you need it; even if it’s in the form of a quilt pattern.
when you need it; even if it’s in the form of a quilt pattern.
The top came together lickety split, especially since I used
Suzy’s fun technique of chain piecing rows.
I think I had her pieced in an afternoon. But then I needed some backing. And I
found the perfect one, only, I had to order it. I think this delay didn’t help
with my momentum. And by the time the backing arrived, I had to move onto some
other projects with hard deadlines.
Suzy’s fun technique of chain piecing rows.
I think I had her pieced in an afternoon. But then I needed some backing. And I
found the perfect one, only, I had to order it. I think this delay didn’t help
with my momentum. And by the time the backing arrived, I had to move onto some
other projects with hard deadlines.
But at some point, I did get her basted! Which was my first
experience using the Kwik Klip, and it has revolutionized my pin basting game! Honestly, if you
don’t already have one of these doohickeys, then you’re in for a real treat!
I’ve saved a quick demo in my IG highlights if you want to see it in action.
experience using the Kwik Klip, and it has revolutionized my pin basting game! Honestly, if you
don’t already have one of these doohickeys, then you’re in for a real treat!
I’ve saved a quick demo in my IG highlights if you want to see it in action.
And then she was back to being draped over the sofa. For several more months she just hung out as I considered my quilting options. I really wanted to step outside my usual quilting techniques and took some inspiration from some of Suzy’s versions, as I found she enhanced the quilt design in such an eye-catching way. What was interesting was taking that inspiration and then actually implementing it. It gave me an appreciation for the feel of the design and not just the look. It reminded me that quilting is as much about the process as it is the end results.
I was having so much fun trying new designs, I just kept
adding more and more lines. I even decided to try different designs in a few of
the rows just so I could see how they all looked.
adding more and more lines. I even decided to try different designs in a few of
the rows just so I could see how they all looked.
The design looked particularly fab in the 28wt. I had picked
it up on a whim while visiting Stacy from Craft de Ville. I thought Dove was a perfect colour for the light grays, blue
and pop of plum. Plus, you know me and how much I love a prominent stitch; the 28wt
does that beautifully.
it up on a whim while visiting Stacy from Craft de Ville. I thought Dove was a perfect colour for the light grays, blue
and pop of plum. Plus, you know me and how much I love a prominent stitch; the 28wt
does that beautifully.
MATERIALS USED
Here’s a full overview of materials and tools I used to make
this Rocksteady quilt:
this Rocksteady quilt:
Linen texture in light blue Makower UK
Gray and white hexies Camelot Fabrics
XOXO in Plummy Cotton + Steel
Buoyancy in Wan (found it in black and white) by Art Gallery Fabrics
Architextures Shadow Crosshatch Carolyn Friedlander
White thread (piecing)
Dove thread (quilting)
Rocksteady quilt pattern by Suzy Quilts
I love how this Rocksteady quilt turned out. The softer blue
reminds me of streams of water flowing around the rooted diamonds which show
strength and stability. You need both in life and this quilt reminds me of
that. I haven’t decided where I’m going to put this one, so, for now, she’s
been added to my expanding stack of finished quilts!
reminds me of streams of water flowing around the rooted diamonds which show
strength and stability. You need both in life and this quilt reminds me of
that. I haven’t decided where I’m going to put this one, so, for now, she’s
been added to my expanding stack of finished quilts!
I’m super thrilled to finally be knocking this project off my
Q3 FAL list – she’s been on there for awhile 😉
Q3 FAL list – she’s been on there for awhile 😉
Happy quilting!
xo
Shannon
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I do love this quilt, with your kitty on it.
I hope the bat saga is behind you. Happy Day to you Shannon
Pips can’t resist a good quilty snuggle! Thankfully he blends quite nicely with this one so his fur doesn’t stand out as much 😉 The bat is at least out of the house – yay! Now to just finish up those vaccine shots!
I love love this quilt!😍 So pretty!
Yay! I’m so thrilled you love how she turned out, Frédérique! It such a fun pattern to quilt up 😊
I love everything about this quilt–the colors, the bold design and especially your quilting! It's beautiful.
Thrilled you love how she turned out, Nancy! I’m really happy I stepped outside my quilty comfort zone to tackle some new designs. It’s encouraging me to keep exploring 😊