Monday, September 12, 2016

Florida is a Top

With much consternation about an August 30 order place with Missouri Star Quilt Company for Moda Grunge in the color Ocean, and several other fabric pieces - that order still hasn't arrived! (Edited September 14 to add that the order arrived today... 16 days later. No apology; no "we're sorry" gift. I won't order from Missouri Star again.) - I phoned StitchCraft quilt shop in Boca Raton (where I'd purchased a half yard of fabric) and within four days received more Grunge Ocean - happily from the same bolt I'd first purchased it from! I appreciate StitchCraft's promptness.

The arrival of Grunge from StitchCraft allowed me to complete the piecing of my Florida quilt top. The Keys aren't exactly accurate, but given that they needed to be half-square triangles, just like the body of Florida, this is as close as I could get.
40" X 40"
Because all of the land is 1-1/2" X 1-1/2" (finished) half-square triangles, I thought it was important to the overall flatness of the quilt top to continue piecing into the water section. So, the water immediately adjacent to the land is 1-1/2" squares. Further out are 3" squares, and at the perimeter are 6" squares.

From the back, all that piecing really shows up. I pressed open every seam, thinking that will make quilting a little easier to accomplish.

The quilt sandwich is a layer of cotton Cream Rose with a layer of Quilter's Dream wool on top. I opted for double-batting because I want my quilting to show-up. By the way, the photo below is a truer representation of the color Ocean. The fabric reads more aqua than the blue in the above pictures.

Quilting has begun. With my Bernina walking foot I'm first cross-hatching the land using YLI 40-weight variegated yellow thread. It's one of the many cones of thread I won as a third place prize in a 2012 quilt show.

I'm using light blue 50-weight Aurifil in the bobbin for the totally appropriate backing fabric.

Next is the quilting design for the water... I'm spending more time on that, drawing it out, and quilting a sample since it will likely be a featured part of the quilt.

Two people on Instagram have asked for a pattern, but since I don't have software to create diagrams, I have to decline. I do think it would be fun if there was a pattern for every state though! Linda

15 comments:

  1. Linda - This is absolutely fabulous, truly one of my favorites; maybe because it is so unique and original. I will be anxious to see the completed version. You are an inspiration, just wish you had a way to inject me with some of your talent.

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    1. Thanks so very much for liking this! I am excited to get started with quilting, and should be able to do so soon as an Aurifil thread color I ordered should come in today's mail. As for "talent," I'm not so sure about that. Maybe in execution because I've been making quilts for more than 30 years, but not so much in "original." I saw a Texas state quilt first, and that's what gave me the idea to try doing Florida. Nothing original in that! :-) I appreciate your comments though! (You're a no-reply commenter, so that's why I'm answering you here.)

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  2. My MSQC order from Aug 26th still hasn't come in. I understand they got backed with the free shipping day (when I ordered), but I'm hoping there is something free tossed in there :)

    It looks lovely. How would Iowa work? A neutral for surrounding states? The The north and south borders would be nice easy squares. I have too many UFOs to start a new project. Stop thinking, Karen. Stop thinking!

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  3. Where did you find the great Florida fabric for the back? The quilt looks great and I can't wait to see your quilting on the blue area.

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  4. This is soooo creative!! What a neat idea! Just because seeing another quilt gave you the idea, doesn't mean you aren't creative with your execution! It looks fabulous!

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  5. I have to agree with Janice. You always put your personal spin and quilting talent to work on your pieces. This is going to be one of my favorites!

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  6. Очень интересная Флорида))

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  7. Be still my heart! I can't wait to see this in person, is it a QC East entry?

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  8. When I read that your triangles are 1 1/2" square I about had a heart attack for all the work in the ocean part, but was relieved to hear that you made them bigger as you moved away from the land--smart move (but then you are a clever quilter).
    This all looks so beautifully radiant--great job!

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  9. I had no idea the scale of your piecing until reading this. Amazing. Perfect backing too. I love the swirly waves I saw you quilting on IG. It's all so fun and juicy.

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  10. Wow! What a wonderful, creative quilt! First time reading your blog -- just signed up for your MQG webinar.
    (My personal experience -- probably thirty small purchases from MSQC -- is that everything has arrived quickly and as ordered. Sorry you had the bad experience.)

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  11. Wow! What a wonderful, creative quilt! First time reading your blog -- just signed up for your MQG webinar.
    (My personal experience -- probably thirty small purchases from MSQC -- is that everything has arrived quickly and as ordered. Sorry you had the bad experience.)

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    1. Hello Denise! Thanks for your comment! I am unable to reply directly to you because you're a no-reply commenter, but I wanted to say thanks for your compliment on my quilt, and for registering for the Webinar. I'm happy to say the quilt is done and I'm anticipating entering it in the Blogger's Quilt Festival. Even more, I'm very excited about the upcoming Webinar. I'm tickled to know you'll be "out there." Thank you!

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    2. Looking good! And thanks for the feedback on Missouri Star. It's hard to say negative things sometimes in quilt world.

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