Modern Quilting
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This post is part of the Totally Groovy Quilt Along. Click here to see all of the posts and learn more about the Quilt Along.
This is week eight of the Totally Groovy QAL and let me tell you it is going by fast! Now that I am back in town I have been working on getting organized and back into my routine.
Last night I finished piecing my Groove quilt top. I followed the directions of the pattern using 3 1/2" strips and I am not going to lie it can be a bit tiring. Trying to get all of those seams to line up and dealing with puckering is craziness. I stayed up pretty late hence the reason I am really tired today, but as usual once I finished it I was feeling so good. I can definitely see how piecing the quilt in block sections or the "log cabin" method as Amanda had discussed would be a HUGE time saver.
A few weeks ago I started to ponder ideas for the back of the quilt. I personally really love to have a pieced back as well as front. I love the idea of having two quilts in one. This is one of the reasons why I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Hartman's quilts.
I just finished taking her free online class at Craftsy, Creative Quilt Backs. The class was so incredibly helpful for me. In fact I am putting all the things I was taught to use for my Groove Quilt back. Whether you are planning on using one solid print for your backing or piecing a design her class can help you.
I started thinking through ideas, did some window shopping online for fabrics. I stumbled across Metro Living by Robert Kaufman at Marmalade Fabrics and the wheels started turning. I have seen this fabric many times, but for some reason it just felt like the perfect fit for this quilt. I also figure since I am using Kona Cotton for the front it was just perfect to have more Robert Kaufman on the back!
I am currently tossing around two ideas for the back. I love the Metro Living Circles so much I am considering just using the print alone. I would use Elizabeth's technique from the class to piece the back print so that the pattern is completely seamless. In the class she talks about how to properly piece a large print for the back of a quilt so you cannot see the seam at all after the quilt has been quilted. This is something I have thought about before and her method is so awesome!
My second idea is to pull some of the curves from the front to the back. Again using techniques from the class I drew out my quilt back to play with the idea. I would incorporate all 5 colors from the front. The only thing that bugs me a little about this idea is that my print will most likely not match up on the sections where they touch, unless I do some serious hacking to make it work. I am really not sure how I will like that.
So I will continue to ponder these ideas, I would surely love your opinion!
When we get to quilting our Groove Quilts we will talk about thread a bit more, but I wanted to introduce it because today's giveaway is thread!
Thread used to be the last thing on my mind. I did not consider the cost or color or type when working on a project. I just got whatever was on sale at Joann's usually Gutterman. But, then one fine day I won a sample pack of Aurifil thread over at Sweet Diesel and I have been a converted Aurifil fan since. In fact about a month ago I wrote a review on Aurifil thread which goes into depth about the different weight threads, colors, and everything you would wan't to know about Aurifil.
So now when I start a project and I am budgeting for the fabric I have a thread budget as well. For my Groove Quilt I am currently debating whether to use matching threads for each color or to use a cream color for all the quilting. I went ahead and got my handy dandy Aurifil Thread Color Chart out to figure out which threads would match my colors the best. If I do decide to go the matching route I would need Lime(2888), Light Beige(2310), Autumn Gold(2140), Dark Texas Orange(2255), and Dusty Moss(2845). I really like the look of a heaver thick thread so I would probably get a 28wt in those colors and then use a 50wt Light Beige for the backing in the bobbin.
So speaking of Aurifil please welcome today's sponsor!
Aurifil is a market-oriented company dedicated to developing new products based on their quality and threads solutions. Established in 1983, Aurifil is an accomplished Italian company based near Milano, with a full-grown experience in producing superior quality cotton threads for professional and domestic quilters.
The fastest and most sophisticated technology is the strength to aesthetically manufacture all their products and supplies that allows the company to be popular in the market. Their team provides assistance to all the embroidery needs through a wide range of threads in several weights. Their success is based on developing projects carefully looking for high quality and style.
Aurifil is made with Egyptian Mako Cotton, which is grown much like wine grapes in climate that nurtures the quality and makes for great sewing thread. This ensures very little breakage, and makes it virtually lint free. Which in turn can leave you with a very happy machine, less broken needles, and tension issues.
Alex at Aurifil is giving away two 5 spool sampler packs to 6 people. So each winner will receive 10 spools of different color and weight Aurifil threads to play with and we will have 6 winners!
Here's how, using the Rafflecopter widget below, follow the step by step instructions. First step is to add a comment tell me what type of thread you use and why.
This giveaway will end Thursday, September 27th, at 12 a.m. EST. Mr. Random will choose a winner and I will announce their name on the Giveaway Winners page, later that Thursday. * Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE near and far! If you're a "no reply" or an anonymous commenter, remember to include your email address in your comment so that if you win I can contact you!
Looking forward to seeing your progress. I would love to hear your opinion on my backing and thread choices!
My name is Alyssa Williams, I live in sunny Prescott Valley, AZ. I am a front end developer and avid sewist. I write modern quilting tutorials and share techniques and inspiration here at Pile O’ Fabric. Learn more…
Alyssa Williams
Creator of Pile O' Fabric
Alyssa Lichner is a graphic designer turned avid sewist. She writes modern quilting tutorials and shares techniques and inspiration on her blog, Pile O’ Fabric. Alyssa has a passion for exploring different techniques and applying them to modern designs. She is thankful to have the opportunity to share these techniques, through her tutorials, patterns, and classes with quilters around the world. She always encourages her readers and students to challenge themselves to try new things and to approach quilting with a fearless attitude.