It had been a while since I quilted anything, so I started looking around. I have some jelly-rolls. I could probably find an easy pattern online. Now easy for me, means it can’t simply be a jellyroll race – it has to be more complex than that.
There were a number of braid patterns, most were basic bands. One took the extra step to combine them all in a more pleasing overall pattern.
The jellyroll was mostly black and white with fashion elements, glasses, shoes, handbags. I combined some batik rolls as well as actually cutting some other fabric. Here you see how this basically creates a zigzag. I know I am very good at combing color and pattern. So There was some planning as I went along, but not a lot.
Then I started quilting. Its an overall flower meander. Once again, I probably quilted it more densely than needed. But because of the busy pattern on top, it just gives a pleasing feeling. Also, I think it softens the overall quilt, breaking up all this straight lines.
Its’ about 60″ x 70″, a very nice throw size. Aside from black, white, very neutral pales I used purple, green and two multi colored fabric. I deliberately avoided red, orange or blue. I wanted a more subdued feels, since these zigzags are a very graphic prominent pattern.
The pattern is created n rows, then, it gets a little fiddly, combining the rows. I was sort of careful with my placement of darks and lights while making the rows, but I had no control once I put the rows together. Which I like, there are stretches of light and dark that just happen organically.
It is fun to see that this almost square quilt looks great from any angle.
I pieced the back. Even using some of the leftover jellyroll, which also was used for the binding. I think I had about 6 strips leftover. I still have plenty batik ones. Yes, there is red in the backing. I used this fabric more for it’s black and white
, and I’m fine if the red pops on the back.Now heres’ the thing, I’m really not in love with this. It’s nice, it was fun to make, it’s even beautiful. I don’t need a massive stash of quilts, just ones I love. So this will be gifted to some very good friends who I know will love it. They also truly appreciate my work and know that by giving this to them, it is a gift from my heart. No, they aren’t on social media, so they won’t read this or anything else I post. I like that that, a gift in the real world. Whereas here, I can share some true thoughts without them feeling less because I don’t absolutely love this myself.
Leah