Diatom Quilt Along Journey: From Fabric Selection to Quilting

Quilt-Alongs (QALs) are fun and I always enjoy the process of sewing with others. Diatom is designed by Yvonne Fuchs of Quilting Jetgirl; you can see the information about the QAL beginnings/endings above. I kept up with this one through 2023 and finished to get the top in the parade of quilts, but failed miserably on quilting it before the end of the year. I haven’t stopped a project at the quilting in a very long time, but this one kept getting placed at the bottom of the heap. Finally, I could delay no more and over year from when I finished the top, I have finally quilted it.

Making the Diatom Quilt

This quilt began its life in January 2023 and I blogged about making the quilt here and here. The Island Batik fabrics, a collection called Jewel Box (2019) were great to use. I used an Island Batik plain white and purple batik from another group. The drunkard’s path blocks went together pretty well using Betty Crockerass’ templates, Make It Curvy. They aren’t perfect, but I decided it was better to move along than get stuck.

Another thing to note is that almost any fabric collection will cause you to run into the “muddy” problem…where there are a few blocks you won’t get the contrast you would if hand picked them for the quilt as designed. I have learned to live with it and always know that a bundle of FQs will get me into this predicament nearly every time. Sometimes I add others in and take some fabric out. On this quilt, I lived with the results and am happy with it.

When last we left off, it was July 2023 and here is the post on the top. One of the things I love about the design is how visually striking it is to place blocks in this kind of setting. The circles do look much better from a distance and I look forward to seeing how this all looks when it is washed.

A Pieced Backing

And, since the quilt was too big for my frame, you know what that was going to mean, a larger backing! The good news was that there was some fabric I liked and I looked at Perfectly Pieced Quilt Backs by Kelly Young for some inspiration. My back is modeled on her Coin Strip version, page 14 in her book. I am pleased that I used up some of the leftover bits from the collection. I didn’t plan that the light blue would almost line up in with the ombré backing, but it did. I love the serendipity in this and that the back nearly glows.

Quilting the Quilt

Well, this was the reason I put this quilt on to the back burner for so long. I knew it would take time as I would have to hoop and move the quilt on my frame. I also decided to place designs in each part of the quilt…so it was time consuming.

Here is a block with the quilting pattern “Haven Block” placed in it it is a little “blendy”.

The Drunkard’s Path blocks in its 3 forms, single (corners), double (half circle edges) or full circle each had a special treatment. I didn’t want to emphasize the circle and making even a group placement was tricky so each one was placed individually!

With all this quilting precision, this becomes a custom quilt, so it takes time. For the nerdy ones in the group, here is some math on how many stops and starts it took and an estimate of the time. On this small quilt, there were 12 blocks and that was one placement for the design and one tracing for the outline of each block; 24 starts and stops at 5-10 minutes each if it all went well, about 4 hours. The following groups were a one time placement – the 4 corner pieces, the 38 edge pieces and the 40 whole circles – about 6 1/2 hours. While that doesn’t seem like a lot, the intensity of it meant I only did about 2 hours a day if all went well. There were no major hiccups with the quilting program, so it was all my energy.

The designs for the circles and its parts were created by me in Prostitcher Designer. There were others I could have used, but I liked making them (of course, it delayed the quilt a little bit, too). The block pattern is callled Ha

I had quilty friends here for a few days, but finally put the binding on Friday. It had been lying in wait and all went really well putting it on. I was smart enough to make it when I prepped the quilt so I wouldn’t use the fabric on anything else. It took me almost another week to get pictures…gheez.

The Finished Quilt

I really love the way it turned out, and, of course, I learned something in the process. If I want to quilt along, and the quilt has no specific deadline, be sure it is is a size I can quilt on my frame or have a plan for quilting that is a bit simpler! I named it PPSQ: Purple Postage Stamp Quilt. I love this setting and really wanted to honor it in the name.

Electric Quilt – A Question

I am going to put in a word here on using Electric Quilt for planning. I do upload my fabrics, some are easier than others to do, and redraw a designer’s pattern so I can get a good idea of my results before I commit to fabric.

There are great savings (25%) on EQ8* (upgrades too!) at ElectricQuilt.com*! Use code EQ8SALE August 2-5, 2024. Also, there is a new book on using panels and how to make images, photos or fabric work correctly in the program called Fabric, Panels and Photos* (the sale does not include this book).

Here’s my question: Would you like EQ8 files for quilts or blocks that I use? I haven’t done this, but it might be a fun option. Let me know in your comments.

Quilt Stats

“PPSQ: Purple Postage Stamp Quilt”
Before Quilting: 54″ x 72″
After Quilting: 53 1/2″ x 72″
After Washing: 52″ x 70.5″ (about 3.5-4% total shrinkage)
Batting: Quilter’s Dream Poly
Piecing Thread: Aurifil Dove 50 wt
Quilting Thread: Superior Sew Fine #471 Glacier and #473 Brooke
Quilting Designs: Haven Block by Prostitcher

Coming Up on the Blog

Pinked
Finish 6 more ferry pillows & 2 Casco Bay pillow
2 Tops to Quilt (Maid Marian, Yoga 2)
2 Small Projects – ice cream bucket & zip

Linking Up

TGIFF
Finished or Not Friday
Wait Loss Wednesdays
Free Motion Mavericks
Brag About Your Beauties
Monday Musings
Sew and Tell

Fabric Stash

I counted this in my July stats, as I did finish it except for the posting in July! There was some fabric added for pillow backings and 4 yards for baby quilt backs or borders.
YTD Fabric Used: -63 yards
YTD Fabric Purchased: 17 yards
Fabric Purchased July: 12 yards
Fabric Used July: -15.5 yards
Grand total: -49.5 yards

Disclaimer: *Links with asterisk indicate an affiliate link and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your price is not any different, but a small percentage of the sale will go to supporting my blog.