Thursday, March 15, 2018

Charming Postage Plus

Hi there! If you're visiting my blog today because of Cheryl (MeadowMistDesigns) and Paige's (QuiltedBlooms) blog hop, then thank you for stopping by! And to my long-time blog-reader/followers, thank you too! I'm always grateful for your comments.

Today's post is all about this new book, and the quilt I made after being invited to participate in the authors' blog hop.
Photo courtesy of C+T Publishing
Modern Plus Sign Quilts is written by Cheryl Brickey (MeadowMistDesigns) and Paige Alexander (QuiltedBlooms). Though I haven't met either of them in person, I feel that I know them both. Paige has become a special friend since we have followed each other's blogs for more than a year. All it takes is commenting a time or two, and suddenly you're swapping emails and chatting like old pals. Isn't that the best part of blogging? Commenting on blog posts, and receiving conversational replies?

The quilt I chose to make from their book is "Postage Plus." The plus part can be made with jelly roll strips.
Postage Plus photo courtesy of C + T Publications
Postage Plus photo courtesy of C+T Publications
Below is my quilt, photographed here in The Villages, Florida with the help of my good friend, Becky. We had fun taking pictures of several quilts.
Charming Postage Plus, 54" X 72"
I named my quilt "Charming Postage Plus" because I used 192 different 2-1/2" (unfinished) prints to make the plus part. It's probably no surprise to anyone who knows me that I pulled all these cut squares pieces from a bin of 2-1/2" X 2-1/2" prints that I've been accumulating for several years. 

When piecing the plus part, I used a Strip Stick to help press open each seam. The curve of the stick hyperextends the seam allowance so there's no chance of accidentally pressing a tuck.

I used my favorite homemade basting spray to make the quilt sandwich which is assembled with Quilter's Dream 100 percent poly batting. While I love the poly batting (it's so soft!), I learned that homemade spray doesn't adhere well to polyester. Still, I'll keep making and using the spray when I'm sandwiching with cotton batting.

I happily did most of the quilting during the Olympics, watching nearly all the curling competitions. Curling is such a fascinating sport. We were more than thrilled when the US men's team won gold!

Quilting was done on my Bernina Aurora QE440 with Sulky "invisible" nylon thread on top, and Aurifil 50-weight in the bobbin. I first used a walking foot to straight-line quilt the plus area on the diagonal. Then, continuing to use the walking foot, I established several sections in the background areas. Curves were also quilted with a walking foot. The rest of the sections were fill in with free motion quilting.


I enjoyed quilting this combo of swirls and bubbles.


Finishing the quilt meant using my favorite binding technique: No Tails Binding: Mitered Corners by Machine. This method lets me to change binding colors at the corners. The top and bottom are bound with Kona Turquoise, and the sides are bound with Painter's Palette Aluminum.

To bind a quilt like this, you'll find my blog tutorial here. Or, if you're a member of the Modern Quilt Guild, you can watch my 2016 webinar here.

It's always satisfying to relax with hand-sew binding.

Background solids are:
dark aqua: Kona Turquoise; medium aqua: Painter's Palette Aquarius; light aqua: Painter's Palette Azure
light gray: Painter's Palette Aluminum; white: Kona White


Since my 2018 goal is to sew only with fabrics from my stash, the backing is pieced too. Couldn't resist using a few more 2-1/2" squares to piece a little green plus.

Lots of quilters have been busily sewing quilts from Cheryl and Paige's book. I'd encourage you to visit these blogs to see what everyone else has been making. It's apparent that the book gives you lots of possibilities! 

Thursday, March 15th
Linda @ Flourishing Palms YOU ARE HERE!
Bernie @ Needle and Foot
Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

Friday, March 16th
Izzy @ Dizzy Quilts
Christa @ Christa Quilts

Monday, March 19th
Jessica @ Quilty Habit

Tuesday, March 20th
Katherine @ Sew Me Something Good

Wednesday, March 21st
Anja @ Anja Quilts

Thursday, March 22nd
Joanne @ Quilts by Joanne

Friday, March 23rd
Paige @ Quilted Blooms

This giveaway is closed.
GIVEAWAY
Comment to be entered in my giveaway!
For those of you who've read through this whole post, thank you! I am personally giving away a digital copy of Modern Plus Sign Quilts.

Why a digital book? Because it's the best way to make it available to everyone, no matter where you live in the world. Yep. Anyone can enter.

Just be sure I have a way to email you if your comment is chosen. Don't miss being a winner because you're a "no-reply commenter"!

This giveaway will remain open until Saturday afternoon, March 17.
That's 'cause Sunday the 18th is my 65th birthday. I plan to be celebrating! Yay for Medicare! 😁

If you already know you can't live without this book, go to these links to purchase your copy:

Linda

72 comments:

  1. Oh, looks like I’m the first to comment...! Your quilt is great Linda, from the rainbow + to the pieced back, the fabulous quilting all the way to the no tails binding! All very ‘Linda’!

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  2. Oh I really like your rainbow version of this design! It's perfect on the blues background.

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  3. I'm going to have to look up your binding tutorial--yay for "no tails"!
    Congrats on getting to join the Medicare generation--it's great!

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  4. How generous of you! Happy Birthday! I've been on Medicare for some time now, due to a disability, and I love it. I hope you do, too--I'm a big believer in Medicare for all.

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  5. I love your quilt. I am all in favor of rainbows. Happy Birthday.

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  6. This is a great version and I love the pieced back. Happy birthday! (Already have book - cheers)

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  7. What a beautiful quilt! I haven’t heard about pressing over a stick or you can make your own basting spray. I’m definitely going to check these out as well as your tutorial on No Tails Binding. I’m glad I stopped by!

    Thanks for sharing your gorgeous quilt !

    usairdoll (at) gmail (dot) com

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  8. the rainbow version is so much fun! thank you for the links too - i'm off to read about homemade spray baste next, and the binding after that!

    and happy birthday/congratulations on medicare! my partner has it due to disability, and it's pretty amazing!

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  9. Your quilt is amazing. I love the colours. The book looks great.

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  10. Linda, your rainbow version is awesome! How long did it take you to pick out and arrange each little square for the perfect transition. And, I love how you changed the background to make the center pop even more! Thank you so much for sharing all of your details and contributing to the book hop!

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  11. Linda, this book looks amazing. I love how you quilted your quilt

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  12. This is a fun take on this quilt. I love the playfulness of this colour palette.

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  13. Oh, LINDA! You’ve really raised the bar with this quilt! Not just because it’s beautiful, but because you stuck to your plan to only use fabrics from your stash, and with such success from front, to back! Well done, my friend! The quilting is extraordinary and truly brings this quilt to life. Happy early birthday to you!

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  14. I love that you used scraps and the rainbow effect on the graded background is very attractive. I am glad to have met yOu on this blog hop.

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  15. Beautiful quilting as well! Janice.snell@gmail.com

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  16. Your quilt is stunning and the FMQ is absolutely amazing.

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  17. I love your version of postage plus! The ombre background, rainbow plus sign, quilting, and super fun back are wonderful!! Thank you so much for being part of the hop!!

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  18. Linda, gorgeous quilt with an excellent blog post! You are so generous with details of your process. I couldn’t resist the link for a signed copy of the book!

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  19. Beautiful quilt, Linda. Love it! In case I win and not reachable, my email is: nancymenn05@gmail.com

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  20. I love your version of the quilt! I already have a hard copy of the book, so should you by some miracle draw my name, please re-draw for someone else; I just wanted to comment to let you know I think it's gorgeous.

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  21. Love all those bright rainbow prints that make up the plus! Thanks for the link to your binding tutorial, I can't wait to check it out. I am intrigued by how it works.

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  22. Great Plus quilt idea and wow on the detailed FMQing. Interesting recipe for spray baste. rozz01(at)cox(dot)net

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  23. Your FMQing is fabulous. Thanks for the details on how you approached it. Congratulations on a well-done finish!

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  24. Love your finished quilt, and you do fabulous quilting. Thank you for the chance to win. willowis4@hotmailcom

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  25. As usual, it looks fabulous. I watched some walking foot Craftsy classes a few weeks ago and I’m interested in trying it. And early Happy Birthday to you!

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  26. Gorgeous plus with a jelly roll. Found your binding tut also. Fascinating. I have pinned it to try. Thanks. nikki_moshier at hotmail.com

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  27. What a gorgeous version of the original! I love the rainbow plus and how it stands out! I'm going now to check out that binding method and your homemade starch! Thank you for sharing!

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  28. I love that colors of your plus sign. The fact that you are patiently collecting these 2 1/2" squares and waiting for just the right quilt to use them on fills me with admiration. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  29. I love your quilt. congratulations of your milestone birthday!

    sharongalli@gmail.com

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  30. Awesome, as always. I wish I had a pinch of your energy and an entire cup of your talent. To think this is made with your "stash" is amazing. I am glad I get emails from Quilted Bloom which led me to your name on this challenge. Sew much fabric - sew little time!!!!!!

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  31. This book looks very interesting with lots of inspiration. I love your plus quilt with the beautiful colors and quilting!

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  32. Linda, love your version of the quilt

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  33. Postage Plus is just amazing, I have lots of scraps to use. Amazing how all those little pieces of much loved fabric scraps turn into spendour Love this book of pluses.
    djcutting2(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. I love both versions you made with this pattern. Just gorgeous!! Thank you for the links to your binding trick. I am going to check those out now.

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  35. I am going to have to try your basting spray. I have so many ufo's to finish, it would cost a fortune just to buy the spray! ndfromsd(AT)gmail(dot)com

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  36. Looks like a fun book with lots of ideas!

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  37. What a great version of this quilt - I love that you had all the 21/2" squares in a bin!! I had never heard of the strip stick so thanks for sharing.

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  38. Beautiful interpretation of this quilt...thanks for sharing the giveaway too!

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  39. I love your quilt Linda! I see several possibilities for me in this book. Thanks for the reminder of the stripstick, I have one but don’t generally use it.

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  40. Love your finished quilt and your quilting swirls and bubbles! The strip stick, want one now lol and the basting spray, definitely making this, its so costly.Love seeing all the quilts, this looks like a great book. rhona45@hotmail.com

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  41. I love how vibrant and fun your quilt is. The plus plays beautifully off the blue background. And even the backing is fun.

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  42. Congratulations on the birthday and thank you for the chance of a giveaway

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  43. Love you showing us your rainbow scrap version. I've got a lot of 2-1/2" squares I need to use. Thanks for the chance to receive a digital copy.

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  44. Your quilt is just gorgeous! I haven't tried that Strip Stick for pressing but it looks handy. I'll be checking it out, thanks for sharing.

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  45. Just love how you have put your own spin on this quilt! I have been cutting my leftovers into 2 1/2" squares for a little while now, also. Thank you, peterstankovich@comcast.net

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  46. A wonderful scrappy rainbow of a plus, and it looks great on the shaded blue background. Happy Happy Birthday for the 18th, you share it with my grandson Cade, who will be 19.

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  47. I'm a sucker for a rainbow but that beautiful blues background is gorgeous!

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  48. Rainbows are always a winner in my book. Your rainbow plus with those gorgeous blues are wonderful! And yes, commenting and meeting other quilters is one of the great things about blogging!

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  49. Linda! It's beautiful! I started with the blogs at the bottom of the list today and saved yours for last. I love the flow of color through the plus that turns it into a big rainbow over, what looks to my eye, the water. It even looks to me like maybe the tide is both coming and and going out. I love it! Spectacular quilting, again! Now I'm off to go check out that pressing strip stick.

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  50. Wow! Absolutely gorgeous Linda, even if these are not your normal citrus-y colors!!

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  51. Your quilt is beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

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  52. Loving your rainbow version, such a happy quilt!

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  53. I love all those glorious colors!!!

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  54. This book looks fabulous! I can't wait to have a copy to utilize!

    (hj711 at yahoo dot com)

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  55. Linda I really like the stripes oi your background fabrics as well as the rainbow plus Great design choices for a beautiful design.

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  56. Great Plus quilt....the rainbow is great!
    Happy Birthday on Saturday.....yay for Medicare.

    ddavies143@aol.com

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  57. Your quilt is amazing. I love that you used squares that you have been saving. I have been working to save squares of fabric for a project like this. I liked reading about your quilting.

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  58. Your quilt is beautiful. I love the colours. In my mind, colour can be the first element of a quilt that draws in the viewer.

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  59. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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    1. You're welcome, Susan! However you're a "no-reply commenter," so I won't have any way to contact you, should you win. :-(

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  60. Beautiful. I also heard about this book on Pat Sloan’s podcast.

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  61. Just beautiful quilt! Love love the quilting you did and the back is 'da bomb'!!

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  62. Very nice contrast and quilting! One day I'll be able to FMQ half as beautifully as you do.

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  63. Very pretty quilt - aquas & turquoises are some of my favorite colors! Have a very Happy Birthday! Thank you for sharing, Susan

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  64. Gorgeous! As is everything you do! And a very Happy Birthday, my fellow Piscean! ������ ��

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  65. Another gorgeous quilt Linda - I really love the background too and the sweet little plus on the back too :) looks like a wonderful book !! daisyandjack@hotmail.com :)

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  66. I love your rainbow version of this cute quilt, and appreciate all the details you’ve described of your creative process. The finished quilt looks so cheery! I assume it goes without saying that the book is clearly written and the patterns easy to follow. Having missed the book signing session at Quiltcon because of flu I’d love the opportunity to win a digital copy of Modern Plus Sign Quilts.

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  67. Your version of this quilt is beautiful!! Love how you arranged the background stripes. Beautiful job!!

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  68. Love the colorful scrappy look! The quilting is awesome on this. I too love curling and was thrilled when the US Mens team won because they made such a miraculous come-back. Guess that's another reason never to give up!

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  69. I just LOVE this quilt Linda! I hope you decide to enter it into a quilt show this year1

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  70. I love a good rainbow, and this quilt is stunning! Your quilting is beautiful, too. I've noticed that basting spray in general doesn't play well with polyester batting. I'll have to try your recipe for myself - I love to spray baste!

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  71. your quilt looks so tropical, it also looks incredibly happy.

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