Sunday, May 24, 2020

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

8 comments:

  1. What a fun design, Linda!! You've incorporated a variety of elements that a beginner needs to know. If I was a new quilt with a modern flair, I would totally want to take your class!

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  2. What an ingenius idea for a teaching quilt, Linda, and irregular or not, I kind of just love it! I can even see how everyone's finish could be different and just as delightful!

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  3. I love the quilt, using those shapes would allow the more adventurous students to come up with some different designs if they desired. Walking foot quilting is sometimes all a quilt needs and for a beginner they will get a lovely result.

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  4. I can sure see that this will make a very good beginning quilt, Linda. And right down to the quilting. It looks very approachable. Hope your classes can be held... when the time is right!

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  5. What a lovely beginner's quilt. I'm sure this modern version is very appealing to lot of new quilters. And people can sew it together in their own way, if they don't want to follow your exact pattern. And your LindaNova looks amazing.

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  6. Great beginning quilt project. You've covered all the bases.

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  7. I love your quilting designs Linda. I too am making the Tula Nova quilt, but after looking at the way you have chosen your fabrics I am concerned mine is a little busy. Anyway great inspiration ...thank you. Your beginner quilts are great, but especially like your quilting...haven't I said that already??Haha!

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  8. Linda, I love your Linda Nova quilt so much. It is beautifully made, perfect very much Linda Nova

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