Mod Beginner Finish

While I'm currently continuing to quilt on my Bernina 770QE using the walking foot, rulers, and free motion quilting foot to quilt my EPPed LindaNova quilt (TulaNova pattern)...

...last week I quilted and finished this 36" X 47" quilt that I plan to use to teach beginner quiltmaking.

36" X 47"

The reason for designing and making this unusual-looking quilt is that I needed to come up with a more modern quilt pattern, in addition to these traditional patterns I offer when teaching beginners.

Basic is important when teaching. It's not as much about the design, but techniques. These are all "formula" quilts because each uses fabrics cut into: 6-1/2" squares; and/or 3-1/2" squares; and/or 3-1/2" X 6-1/2" squares. Knowing that some students may come to classes with a little quiltmaking experience, I used EQ8 and feedback from my valued modern quiltmaking friend, Karen E., to come up with this design that also includes half-square triangle squares.

As a stand-alone quilt it's unremarkable, but as a teaching tool it's perfect. Students will learn to: cut squares; piece strips and subcut into rectangle blocks; measure and piece half-square triangle squares;  use the web method to join blocks; and measure, cut and sew borders. It's all there in one quilt.

When it came to quilting, I wanted to make it do-able for beginners. So, it was walking foot quilting all the way, with a section of the quilt using the serpentine stitch - #4 on a Bernina machine. 

Thread is 50-weight aqua-colored Aurifil on top and in the bobbin.

I used a long-stashed tropical print for the back. Binding is a stripe that I cut on the bias for the diagonal design, but would look just as good cut on the cross-grain.

I was scheduled to teach the first beginner quiltmaking class April 15, and continue monthly for five lessons. (See "Programs and Workshops" tab above.) COVID-19 changed all that. The class has been indefinitely tabled.  

But yay for another quarantine-finish, ready-to-go when it's needed!

Linda