Quilting Mouse Trap Abstract Version 3: Curved Lines

Waves, Wobbles & Creative Wins: Quilting Mouse Trap Abstract Version 3

There’s something tender about returning to a quilt that’s been waiting for you.

When I first planned the release of the Mouse Trap Block of the Month back in December 2024, I imagined having this Abstract Version 3 quilted and ready to share alongside the launch. But hand quilting Abstract Version 4 took me on its own slow, meditative journey, and other projects naturally rose to the top of the queue. So this quilt quietly held its place, folded neatly over a hanger, patient as ever.

Coming back to it now feels a bit like picking up a conversation mid‑sentence — familiar, but with fresh energy.

The Mouse Trap BOM Quilt Pattern is available for instant download!

This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission.

Why I Make Multiple Versions of Mouse Trap

One of my biggest hopes with the Mouse Trap pattern was to show how quilting can completely transform a design. Each version I’ve made has been a little creative experiment:

• The cover quilt was longarmed with curvy, bold, graphic texture
• Abstract Version 2 explored straight‑line machine quilting
• Abstract Version 4 invited me into slow, hand‑stitched meditation
• The 2025 BOM quilt played with dot‑to‑dot quilting
• And now, Abstract Version 3 brings in curved, angled lines that mimic waves washing over the quilt

Each one has taught me something different — about the pattern, about quilting, and honestly, about myself as a maker.

The Vision: Waves in Motion

For this version, I wanted movement. Something soft, fluid, and a little unexpected. Curved lines on an angle felt like the perfect way to bring that sense of water and flow to the quilt top. I could see it in my mind: gentle waves sweeping across the design, shifting the energy of the piecing in a whole new way.

The Reality: A Quilting Adventure

Let’s just say… this one made me work for it – ha!

Curved lines on an angle meant the fabric wanted to shift. A lot. I found myself stopping often to reposition, smooth, and coax everything back into alignment. There were moments when I wondered if I’d bitten off more than I intended. But there was also something grounding about the repetition — the pause, the adjust, the breathe, the try again.

It wasn’t the serene kind of slowing down that hand quilting offers. It was the gritty, practical kind — the kind that asks you to stay present, stay patient, and trust that the effort will be worth it.

And then, somewhere along the way, the waves started to appear. The quilting began to flow. The quilt relaxed. And so did I.

✏️ Marking, Movement & Making It Work

Quilt Marking

Since I shared my Quilt Marking Essentials and the Marking Cheat Sheet last week, it feels fitting to talk about how little marking this quilt actually needed. For all the movement in these angled curves, I only marked a single line to establish the direction. From there, my quilting guide bar did the heavy lifting — keeping the spacing consistent and making the whole process feel surprisingly approachable.

This project also found me during a deep cold snap in January — the kind where the world outside feels hushed, and the studio becomes the coziest place to be. Snowy days meant long stretches of indoor quilting time, and there was something magical about stitching away at the machine, then glancing up to watch the snow swirling past the window. It made the whole experience feel like a little winter retreat.

Quilting Process

Of course, the quilting itself wasn’t all serene. I started quilting from one side of the quilt and tried to make it all the way across without shifting the bulk. I got about three‑quarters of the way before my shoulders started protesting. Carrying and shifting that weight over and over again was a lot, and I found myself taking breaks, stretching, and reminding myself that patience is part of the process.

Eventually, I caved and flipped the quilt.

Did it give me a little pull on the fabric when I changed quilting direction? It sure did — ha! But honestly, that’s part of the learning curve. I’d had a few challenges with my pin basting on this one, and spray basting probably would have been the better option for this style of quilting… if I spray basted my quilts. A good reminder that every project teaches you something, especially when you’re trying a new idea.

This is exactly why I’m always encouraging you to slow down and take your time. Even when the process isn’t perfect, it’s worth the effort. You learn what works, what doesn’t, and how you might approach a similar situation differently next time. (If you missed it, my Top 10 Quilting Tips to Improve Your Machine Quilting at Home covers a lot of these little adjustments that make a big difference.)

Threads

For the thread, I used a 50wt Aurifil in the dreamiest blue‑grey — the same one I used in the blue and coral Shattered Star quilt — and it matched the backing so beautifully. It gave the waves a soft, subtle texture that I absolutely love. And because I can never resist adding one more layer of tactile goodness, I finished things off with big‑stitch hand quilting in pearl cotton and a bold poppy binding that pulls out the colour in several of the Mouse Trap blocks.

A little marking, a lot of learning, a swirl of winter magic, and a finish full of movement and heart.

Slowing Down, Even When It’s Not Easy

This quilt reminded me that slowing down isn’t always peaceful. Sometimes it’s fiddly and frustrating. Sometimes it’s a dance between you and the fabric. But it’s still a form of care — for the quilt, for the craft, and for yourself.

There’s beauty in the challenge. There’s growth in the wobble. And there’s joy in seeing the vision finally come to life.

Make it Your Own

To recreate a similar Mouse Trap quilt, here’s what you’ll need to make your own:

• Mouse Trap Quilt Pattern – Abstract Version 3
• Mouse Trap Acrylic Ruler Set (optional, but super helpful!)
• Fabrics in colours:
  • Cobalt
  • Coral
  • Medium Blue
  • Light blue
  • Dark Blue
• Piecing thread
• Quilting thread
• Batting
• Sewing machine
• Sewing machine needles
• Cutting mat
• Rotary cutter with these blades
• Rotary cutter for paper templates
• Scissors for paper cutting
• Ruler – long
• Ruler – short
• Small scissors
• Pin cushion
• Pins
• Iron
• Wool pressing mat – use code SHANNONFRASER15 to save 15% on your small, medium, or large wool pressing mat at thefeltstore.ca or thefeltstore.com.
• Spray bottle
• Erasable marking tool
• Seam ripper

I’m grateful you’re here, reading, stitching, cheering, and sharing your own creative journeys. This quilt reminded me that creativity isn’t a race. It’s a conversation — and sometimes the best parts happen when we return to something with a little more patience and a lot more curiosity.

More studio stories coming soon. I can’t wait to show you what’s next.

Happy stitching!

xo

Shannon

---

Never miss a post – sign up for the weekly newsletter.

This post uses affiliate links. For more info, visit the FAQ page.