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Sunday, July 3, 2011

One quilt top done, and indecision as another begins.

Modern Crosses - Top is done

I have finished the Modern Crosses Quilt top! It has 59 crosses - each is made of 4 log cabin blocks, so a total of 236 log cabin blocks - which makes it a twin size quilt. This pattern is from Modern Log Cabin Quilting by Susan Beal. I love the way she turned a group of 4 log cabin blocks into a cross.

I used a nice big pile of different bold and brightly coloured fabrics which seem to play well together because of the crazy brightness and all that white. I am using the same pile for the Farmer's Wife QAL, it is great fun to work with all this colour.

Modern Crosses - closeup

In the close up you can see how the juxtaposition of the 4 log cabins works and creates a sort of swirl of the fabric colours.  Linda, an internet friend, pointed out that for my next version of this quilt, I could save time, trimming and pressing if I used 1/2 log cabins (the coloured side) and then just sashed the remainder once the cross was formed. I am already planning another one of these quilts, so I am going to use this idea for sure.

Modern Crosses - basted

Here is it pin basted in my living room. I have to push all the furniture to the walls and take care not to jab the hardwood, but it works.

Modern Crosses - basted

Look at how lovely it looks all pressed and pinned. Now I am going start the quilting. I am planning straight lines through the centre of the crosses, on either side of the seam that runs both vertically and horizontally through the cross. I am thinking one or two lines on each side of the seams in each direction for each cross, assuming I do not run out of steam.

Here is another project, the start of the Kaleidoscope QAL. I am sewing the small triangles onto the large triangles of the aqua and chartreuse pieces, and that will get me caught up to the QAL. However I cannot decide on a layout.

Layout #1 has one colour for each of the "stars". This brings out the circle that the background makes for the stars.

Kaleidoscope Layout #1

Layout #2 seems to be more like what most people are doing, although most are also using a solid and I am, instead, using a third grouping of grey-black prints. This layout de-emphasizes the stars and emphasizes the larger circles around the 8 piece "fans".

Kaleidoscope Layout #2

Kaleidoscope quilts are so interesting - different uses of colour can make the overall look of the design appear so different.

I welcome any advice on the layout. I have also asked the QAL group on flickr for their thoughts. This quilt will end up being about 60 x 72 inches with 30 of the 8 piece fan blocks in total.

I will show you some other QAL and Quilting Bee progress later this week, I have some more nice blocks to share.

Best,

Leanne

16 comments:

  1. Love both the quilts you are working on at the moment. Slightly prefer the first layout for the kaleidoscope quilt if that helps!

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  2. Love the modern crosses....looks beautiful. You've been busy.

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  3. Modern crosses quilt looks great! Kaleidoscope quilt... Not sure which I prefer they both look great. I guess it depends which look your going for, to be the 2nd layout seems a bit subtler?

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  4. The modern crosses look great - and I love the colours in your kaleidoscope! I like the first layout a teensy bit more for some reason maybe its familiarity, as I've seen this layout in blogland before), but of course both would look fabulous!

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  5. Your Modern Crosses quilt is absolutely stunning L, you've really inspired me to have a go at this pattern (which was the reason I bought the book in the first place!). I think your idea for quilting it is perfect too. I love the fabrics you're using for your Kaliedoscope quilt, and my preference is seeing the windmills rather than the stars, but both are fab. I'm dreadly behind in mine - must get my skates on! Jxo

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  6. Your crosses quilt is beautiful! I love your Kaleidoscope quilt. I think that has to go on my 'One day' quilt list. I love both layouts but think I slightly prefer the 1st one

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  7. Your Crosses quilt really is gorgeous. I have the book and will make one eventually. I like the idea that Linda had, it seems much more simple.
    The kaleidoscope quilt is really lovely, I love your choice of colours and the grey-black prints.

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  8. It took me ages of looking closely to see the stars, and then the difference (duh!) but once I got it, I like the first better!

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  9. beautiful job on that cross quilt; it is just lovely. The second is really coming together also. nice work there.

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  10. Hi Leanne, I love your quilt, it is fab. I think layout 1 is great, very different looking :)

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  11. YOur modern crosses looks wonderful!! SO beautiful! I look forward to seeing it all quilted!

    I really like the fan layout, but of course, both look great and it comes down to what you like best! Good luck!

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  12. I'm hoping to start on the modern crosses after I finish the Kaleidoscope QAL. Looking forward to seeing yours all quilted. As for you Kaleido quilt layout, I do like both, #2 is subtle and #1 colours just pop out for me (looking at the thumbnail picture). I think either way, you won't be disappointed. Your fabric choices are excellent.

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  13. Some great work! I'm loving all your bright colours, the modern crosses is going to be an awesome quilt. I really like the fabric combination you've used for Kaliedoscope too, I think I like layout 1 best, I love the small circles that the greys make :-)

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  14. I like your choice of colours for the Kaleidoscope quilt very much. Both layouts are great but I like the first just a bit more.

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  15. Gorgeous all around! I can't wait to see the crosses in person!
    As for your layout question, I really like the first one. The designs pop. Great colour choices!

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  16. Leanne I honestly like #1 the best, but I'm not sure why....lol. Modern crosses turned out beautiful!

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