An Experiment in Minimalism.
Its the end of the month and time to join Sandra at mmmQuilts! for a DrEAMi project. To those not in the know, this is simply an excuse to celebrate a quilt that you Drop Everything And Make it (also known as chasing a squirrel). This project was made for the beginning of this month, but I didn’t blog about it as it was being entered for a publication. Sadly, it didn’t make it, so you get to hear about it now.
Curated Quilts put out a call for minimal half square triangle quilts. The colors had to include some of the ones appearing in the logo. I was in Maine, quarantined, and had limited stash. You know you might want to go and pick up all those colors in a great solids collection, but that was not an option.
I designed my quilt in Electric Quilt. The technique I used (and won’t share) was from a class I took with Cheryl Brickey at QuiltCon. Yup, this is a quilt influenced by my time there and what I learned. Now, the funny thing is, that for a few days I thought I could use the one I designed in class, but that was using flying geese. Flying geese are not half square triangles and I could have made it with that, but I don’t think it would have worked so well. A few days before the deadline I looked at the rules again and started over.
I continue to have mixed feelings about this quilt. Taking a risk and entering a quilt is always a difficult thing for me, but I am glad that I did. But, as I look at it now, it speaks to me of a time that is so unusual – this time of isolation and social distancing. I think the pink and orange are glimpses of hope. The blue is for the dark days and the black is for the darkness and death that the virus brought. I liked using the modern quilting technique of matchstick quilting and the faced edges (you can see my tutorial on that here). I am also pleased that this is my second QuiltCon influenced piece (my other is here).
Yes, there will be more experiments in minimalism. I will, for sure do the one I designed in class and continue to work on a few others. I have a few small deadlines this coming month, but maybe after that I can sneak another one in!
Coming Up on the Blog:
ProStitcher Retreat
OMG….will it be done?
2020 Monthly Color Block for May
Tips & Tutorials (5/22)
Linking Up:
DrEAMi #43
Favorite Finish Monthly Linkup
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop
Friday Foto Fun #123
UFO Busting #104
You did great with the minimalist challenge. I love the movement in this quilt, each HST seem to be going their separate ways. Matchstick quilting really adds a great textural touch to your quilt. I hope it’s accepted by Curated Quilts.
Rejected! But it is totally OK and thanks for commenting. The matchstick is really fun on the longarm, even on a small piece. It does look like you were one busy bee last night!
I think this is a great mini quilt. It never hurts to give it a go and submit it, right? I’ve submitted two and both have been rejected. I considered this one, but decided against it because I had too many deadlines looming. I like the colors in your quilt, the quilting too. Plus, you made it from inspiration and a class at QuiltCon, so that’s a big deal in my book!
You are so right…it never hurts to try and in fact, you get something done and this one was a win, using a new technique. And, thank you, it is a big deal.
Great quilt – I love minimal minis!
Thank you, Allison!
Isn’t it fun to turn something negative(the virus) into something positive( your mini). I am a big chicken when it comes to entering those kind of contests, so kudos to you for entering! Love the texture matchstick quilting gives a quilt.
It is, to make a quilt I like and that the message is subtle. I have rarely done well in contests, but I keep trying little things that I don’t feel invested in to make the rejection go easier
I really like the movement in this simple, beautiful quilt! Great job!
It was fun to try and fun to see what came of it. I like some of the others I have in waiting in EQ8 more, so one day I hope to get to them.
Great job applying what you learned at Quilt Con, Kathleen! Awesome work on the matchsticking!
Thanks, Nancy. I sure did enjoy the process, once I got over that it was HSTs!
I think that your choice to face the mini and not bind it really adds to the piece, Kathleen. I love that you were able to apply what you learned from Cheryl and look forward to seeing more. 🙂
It was fun to try and I am glad that I took the risk to submit it, which meant getting it done. Cheryl’s class was awesome and it is a really fun technique and fun quilts will come from it.
I love the mini quilt and your matchstick quilting is awesome!
Thank you! It was the first time I did matchstick on my longarm; I enjoyed doing it!
Hi Kathleen! I think you did a fabulous job. I am drawn to minimal-type quilts and your matchstick quilting looks marvelous. I always look at your fabulous quilt – especially before you’ve quilted it – and wonder how the heck am I going to fill ALL of that white/open space. My hat is off to you. It is scary putting yourself and your pieced out there for judging, but you did it! Yay you. {{Hugs}} I’m looking forward to hearing about the Pro-Stitcher class. ~smile~ Roseanne
It is scary, but sometimes you just got to do it. I will “schedule” that post so I do it; put it off for too long! The matchstick is fun on the long arm, I have to say, even on a tiny quilt I used it. Thanks for your encouragement!
I honestly think that it is easier to make four HSTs than two flying geese. I seriously do not get the fuss about making them. Just put two HSTs and you have a flying goose.
Now that I have that outta my system, I like your minimalist quilt. Wishing you continued creativity as you take on the next challenge 🙂 because a little disappointment is not going to slow you down. Bug Hugs to you 🙂
You are so right! I just struggle writing a pattern that requires some irregular cutting sizes (thank you Electric quilt) but rewrote to sew and cut the easier way… not fun. I won’t be slowed down and do look forward to doing some more pieces with this technique.
Kathleen it turned out beautifully. I applaud you, I usually get the book spend time reading and studying. Then make plans, then it gets pushed aside and forgotten. Great decisions for the minimalist quilt. The quilting is beautiful. Congratulation on submitting it, that to me is the biggest hurdle.
Thank you, Jan. I love it and am pleased at the effort. Submitting is a big step, and I don’t love doing it but sometimes I like to push myself a little to do something I want to do.
I am impressed that you made this quilt with what you had on hand when you said you didn’t have much. I just might have to try my hand at minimalism, if I spelled that right?
You should try it, it was a fun exercise, although they didn’t take my quilt. Trying is worth everything right now in my book.
Keep on trying! I usually learn something from challenges I can take away and apply to something in the future. I struggled with this color palette! Great job!
You are so right, Paige. I did not like the palette and did not have a lot to choose from – all good lessons. I will try again, when it suits me, and see what happens.
I really like the finish! I am sorry it did not get accepted, I would have accepted it! I wait to see what you create next with the technique. Thanks for linking up to the Favorite Finishes Monthly Party!
I really liked it. The colors were hard and I didn’t have much on hand. Maybe another way of quilting it, but it was fun and I can’t wait to do the ones I designed in class, oh and another I did while playing around! I love the technique!
Well, you got a lovely mini, some practice and some new skills. That makes you a winner, even though in my books you always are anyway. 🙂 Great Dreami project, awesome display of courage, and thanks for sharing at the Chameleon’s Colour party.
It felt good using those new skills and submitting it. I don’t do it often, but it was totally ok. Always fun to share with my favorite chameleon!