I’m usually one to make complicated intricate quilts. When it comes to a very large quilt, that is not a good idea. I’m so glad I’m making these 20″ blocks. What a relief, especially after all those 6″ ones I’ve been making for the Spendid Sampler.Time to chose the background. I went to Michael Levine’s, they have a good selection of Kona Solids. Ended up choosing three shades of green as well as a few prints. I also met a nice lady named Mary, here’s hoping she comes to the next LAMQG!I cut 20.5″ background squares, glue basted the tips down, then for extra stablizing, I put pins through out the center of the blades.Using Superior Monopoly thread and a hemming stitch, I got to work sewing down the plates. This is a close-up image. Otherwise, it is practically invisible, with quilting, it will be completely invisible.All the centers are made from this fabric. Put a bird on it! Another reason to go to Michael Levine’s. This is from a juvenile line, the colors and the size of the birds are perfect, white background is great. I couldn’t have found a better match.I am loving the result! Yes, as I look closely I can see seams that don’t match exactly, who cares! It all works, no one will ever get that close to be able to see the tiny details. A quilt is the whole package and these Checkered Dresdens look wonderful.I have 12 blocks, so 4×3. My two center blocks are on the lightest green. Surrounding them will be the medium green. At Road to California, I showed this image to the people at the Missouri Star quilt company booth. They were thrilled! It is always fun to show the designer what I’m doing with their concept.Best advice from Irene put the quilt on the bed, see how it fits. Rather than working off set measurements, work in the real world and see how it fits on the bed.Crumpled top on the floor.Here is the top on the bed, The length is fine, I could have added to the width.I didn’t because this thing is going to be sooo heavy. As you can see, I had leftover sections, I threw them onto the outside border, which is the darkest green.At the moment the backing is much larger and fits better. I bought much more of the medium green than I needed for the top, not a problem, use it for the back. Add other large pieces from my stash. One of these days I might buy and extra wide fabric for backing, today was not that day.
After 5 days of rain and clouds the sun is streaming through, I like sunshine!
I will be quilting this on my friend Ruth’s new longarm quilting machine. We had to cooridinate a time that works for both of us, and that is a few weeks away. On to other projects while this becomes a WIP.
Leah