Urban Trek is a quilt pattern by Heather Black (Quiltachusetts) published in the March/April issue of Modern Patchwork magazine. I started it in April. It's pieced entirely from Kona solids. Colors are: Iron, Cerise, Glacier, Pond, and Sunflower. I began quilting while on a September retreat with friends. In the past week I completed the quilting, and today spent several hours hand sewing down binding.
I'd love to show you an outdoor photo of Urban Trek in a pretty setting, but we haven't seen sunshine here for several days. My indoor photo of the quilt on my design wall will have to do.
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| Urban Trek, 60" X 72" |
With such big expanses of negative space, I had a chance to have a little bit of quilting play. But I was very cognizant of not wanting to over-quilt. The simplicity of the design is what appeals to me, so I tried to keep the quilting simple too.
All the straight line quilting was done with a ruler and ruler work foot on my Janome 1600P.
In several places I added big stitch hand quilting. Not only do I like the extra interest it adds, but on an episode of Fresh Quilting (Season 2), Riane Menardi (VesselQuilts) talked about combining machine quilting with large hand quilting stitches for a modern look.
All the hand quilting is done with six-strand DMC embroidery floss. Before stitching, I separated the six strands and put them back together again, so the stitches would be distinctive.
I got really good at machine quilting ribbon candy!
This is the backing fabric.
What a fun quilt! I love the combination of machine and hand quilting! And no, you're definitely not the only one with that big backlog of ufo's. Happy new year!
ReplyDeletecongratulation on this quilt! it reminds me of a quilt a friend of mine made for color improvisation2. Her name is Ruth Bosshart-Rohrbach
ReplyDeleteLinda, this is just beautiful. Your quilting choices are superb. I have several quilt tops that have been hanging in a closet for going on 2 years now. I really need to pick up my quilting game and this is inspiring me to do so. I also have a tray of DMC floss from my cross-stitch days now decades ago. How big a needle to you use with the 6 strands? (Or how small a needle can you still thread might be the better question!) Again, very inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is SO inspiring! I am trying to select fabrics for a quilt that is kind of a mix of modern and traditional design while at the same time trying to decide how it should be quilted. You have such a fun mix of things going on here! BEAUTIFUL!!
ReplyDeleteLinda, this is so striking and very modern indeed. I love that you combined hand quilting with machine too. No, you are NOT the only one that has UFOs going from a 2017 folder to 2018. I have more than 10 people combined, I'm sure. If only I would NOT start new projects, maybe I could get these down to a manageable number (70+) down from 160 when I started counting years ago. I'm impressed with how many you finished this year.
ReplyDeleteLove your quilting and the mixing of styles! So fun!
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt!
ReplyDeleteIn reading the comments, I'm wowed by the reading who has 70 UFOs going forward. There's no way I want to count all mine and find out!
When I was in France, I purchased some perle cotton made specifically for quilting, which I think is finer than what we have here, and will replicate the look of your clever technique for helping the embroidery floss to stand out. Beautifully done!
As always, your quilting is stunning! I like the addition of the big stitch hand quilting! Inspired! I need to make a Photo Folder for quilts.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this! I really admire Heather's work and really like your version of her pattern. What a nice job on the quilting!! The combo of machine and hand quilting is really striking!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I have a few wips hanging over my head! AND a family gift or two that needs to be started AND finished pronto!
Nope!! You are NOT the only one with a never-ending flow of projects.
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