Monday, March 23, 2015

A Thoroughly Modern Mini...


Remember how I just mentioned that I'm really not drawn to solids?  Perhaps that's the main reason why I've been dragging my feet on the most recent guild challenge that is due in May.  The Seacoast Modern Quilt Guild will be having an exhibit at The Gathering in November 2015 and (obviously) we will be trying to bring a taste of the modern quilting world to a show that is mostly traditional in theme.

To encourage everyone in the guild to participate, the guild asked us all to pick a traditional quilt block and re-imagine it into a modern mini.  No rules except to emphasize the modern interpretation.  Oh, and to ONLY USE SOLIDS.

*insert huffy, bratty breath here*


I selected the Bachelor's Puzzle block - and then I promptly left it in my tote bag and refused to look at it for two months.  But once I started seeing a couple members creating really beautiful minis, the guilt got the best of me and I plucked it from my bag with resolve.  After looking at my source material for more than 5 minutes at a time, I formed a plan of attack.  One of the reasons I picked this block from the list was that I thought all those geometric shapes would be fun to throw out of whack.  The block is called a puzzle after all.  So why not take those puzzle pieces apart and play around?


I literally redrew the block onto my larger graph paper with my trusty colored pencils, cut out all the shapes and started messing around.  It didn't take long to see that those two toned arrows were just itching to fly off that center square and break free.


It's truly a Bachelor's Puzzle that's been deconstructed!


I used a double layer of batting along with matchstick quilting to make my "original" block pieces pop off the mini.  And I quilted a few phantom diamonds to evoke the more traditional block image.  I think the effect looks pretty good - and thoroughly modern!  This mini finishes at 18" square.  The background is Kona Honeydew but I didn't label my blue or purple shades, so I'm clueless on those.  Sorry!


And while I'm still not sold on going completely solid, I can see why many modern quilters like the graphic and pop qualities that it lends to a quilt.

Linking up:
Fresh Poppy Design

Le Challenge
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16 comments:

  1. Amy FriendMarch 23, 2015 at 7:52 AM

    Thanks for playing along even though our no solids rule didn't sit well with you. I think your end result is very creative and a great interpretation! Now, go play with some prints :)

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  2. JenMarch 23, 2015 at 9:08 AM

    Love this Steph! It came out awesome. Sometimes I like stepping outside of my comfort zone, because after I'm done, I look at things differently. Other times I just feel the way you do.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ReneeMarch 23, 2015 at 12:12 PM

    Oh I think it turned out so well! You did a great job redesigning a tradition pattern into something modern (not that I'm an authority on the topic, haha). You chose some really nice solids to use too, the colors really draw the eyes around the quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  4. the zen quilterMarch 24, 2015 at 3:50 PM

    The quilting really makes the piece pop. It's very fun, solids or no.

    ReplyDelete
  5. the zen quilterMarch 24, 2015 at 3:50 PM

    The quilting really makes the piece pop. It's very fun, solids or no.

    ReplyDelete
  6. CherylMarch 24, 2015 at 4:45 PM

    Very nice! I love how the second layer of batting gives the unquilted areas real pop.

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  7. Terri Ann @ ChildlikeFascination.comMarch 31, 2015 at 9:58 AM

    Oh my goodness this is wonderful. Great idea cutting out the pieces to play with like a puzzle, I'll have to try that sometime - I'm really thankful you shared that process and I'll have to keep an eye out for that show since I'm in central Mass!

    ReplyDelete
  8. CassandraMarch 31, 2015 at 10:42 AM

    This is a fantastic mini! I love how you have re-interpreted the original block and the phantom quilted diamonds really help make this a very dynamic piece.

    ReplyDelete
  9. TheItinerantChemistApril 1, 2015 at 7:36 AM

    It looks great, very modern! Huge congrats for taking on your solid "demons" and beating them. :)

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  10. Shelley @ Cora's QuiltsApril 1, 2015 at 11:32 AM

    I think it turned out beautifully! I typically don't use more than one solid in any of my pieces, but I've been seeing some beautiful pieces lately - yours included - that really make me want to experiment with more.

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  11. KatApril 1, 2015 at 3:42 PM

    Awesome job re-jiggering a traditional block! I love it!!

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  12. VeraApril 15, 2015 at 5:07 PM

    Pretty cool mini. Well done!

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  13. Lucy | Charm About YouApril 16, 2015 at 4:13 AM

    I love your design! Very cool deconstruction and I like how they are flying! Thank you for linking to le challenge :)

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  14. charlotteApril 17, 2015 at 6:34 PM

    A wonderful interpretation. I love it!

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  15. Nat at Made in HomeApril 18, 2015 at 4:03 PM

    Love the design - how modern! Thanks for sharing on le challenge!

    ReplyDelete
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