That's how this quilt came about. When I first started quilting a few years ago, everything was new to me. From selecting fabric to loading my bobbin thread correctly.
At that point I had no idea that there were actually sections in fabric stores where you could buy one big piece of fabric that was big enough for the back of your quilt! I found this out about five months ago at a PMQG meeting.
I've been quilting for 2.5 years.
To create the backs for my quilts, I simply took the left over fabric from the front and made a back, usually pairing it with some solid. It just made sense to use up all the fabric I had left over. More times then not, friends, family and quilt recipients commented that they actually liked the back better then the front.
I vowed one day to make a quilt with the back on the front.
Enter this quilt.
Over the last six months I have put down my sketch book (for the most part) and just let the fabric pieces direct me. I found that being a little bit lose and not so boxed in really made me happy. Using this technique only on my smaller projects, until Challenge Four came out. I knew the moment I read "Find Your Voice" exactly what I was going to do.
Pulling out a big bag a scraps I had recently gotten and the big bee fabric piece that had just shown up in the mail from Melody Miller, I started cutting. Even the size was determined by what the longest scrap in the bag was! Which, by the way, is huge at 84" by 84".
Throughout sewing this quilt I found it freeing and felt really great to sew with someone's scraps that would have other-wised been tossed out. All the little slivers of color that pop through still makes me smile and squeal a little!
The back, well, it's just a big ole sheet! Which worked out perfectly.
If you haven't checked out the Modern Quilt Guild, you should! If you're local I'd love to meet you at a Portland Modern Quilt Guild meeting!
Very nice quilt! It is funny that I already follow your blog and then today there you are on the Modern Quilt site that I am also a member of! Small world.
ReplyDeleteReally nice work!
Jen, this is incredible. I love it! Well done :D
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful! Love it!
ReplyDeleteLove the "back as the front" quilt! The quilting is fantastic and the solids really highlight it. It's funny but I just backed my latest quilt with a sheet for the first time. What a relief! I was getting so burnt out on piecing backs.
ReplyDeleteLove the colors and that big ole fly is great! :0)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. I've been having similar back-of-the-quilt thoughts lately. I often like mine better...I guess I have more fun with them. Your experiment turned out great!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty!!
ReplyDeleteGreat story and a great quilt! I often like the quilt backs better too. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWell done! So rich and fun. So you.
ReplyDeleteI totally love it. I am the same way about quilt backs. I love making them, and the first quilt back I made, I loved it just as much as the front. I love it, Jen!
ReplyDeleteAmazing quilt! I have been sewing for about the same time as well, and am interested in making a few quilts here and there. I'm in the ever slow process of making an hourglass block quilt (as my first), and boy..do I wish I chose something easier and more prettier! I'll make the back with big chunks of leftover fabric :)
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt and I love the quilting!
Your quilt is stunning! Fantastically stunning. I will have to put a "find your voice" quilt to my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog and am so glad that I did; the quilt is amazing! :)
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