Tag Archives: Quilts

Ink and Spindle Landscape Quilt

I have the great pleasure of having Cloud9 Fabrics as a design client of mine (a favorite, in fact). I work on various projects with them throughout the year (books, catalogs, project sheets, patterns, post cards, and the like). I also am lucky to sew up samples for them occasionally using their lovely fabrics…the benefits of being a designer that can quilt, too. 🙂

Ink and Spindle designed a collection for Cloud9 called Landscape. I love the graphic yet organic designs.

Here is a quilt designed by Ink and Spindle that I pieced and quilted using one of the colorways. There are a couple of Cirrus Solids used as well.

photo by Cloud9 Fabrics

After a quilt top is made, I take into consideration its design and feel so I can figure out how to quilt it. I went with horizontal wavy organic lines to compliment the rectangular, graphic nature of the quilt design and to mimic the lines in the darker orange fabric. I also added matchstick quilting in some areas for added texture.

photo by Cloud9 Fabrics

Black White Red and Grey Improv Pillow

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Another improv pillow! This pillow and needle book were gifts for a talented quilter and artist for the birthday swap we participate in on Instagram. She appreciates improv work and loves polka dots, red, black and grey. Linen, too. Metallic, even!

I pulled inspiration by exploring various art pieces such as abstract paintings, collages, and typography posters. I also used graphic design principles to embrace negative space and to incorporate line-work and balance, while maintaining spontaneity and fun.

I gladly dove into my linen stash: grey, white, cream, metallic (all Robert Kaufman except the metallic). I also used some Cloud9 Fabrics Cirrus Solids in Lava and Midnight.

The pillow is matchstick quilted, because sometimes, is there any other way?

I love how the palette made the overall design of the piece feel even more graphic.

– Daniela

Cotton + Steel Mini Quilt Swap

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I recently participated in the Cotton + Steel Mini Quilt Swap held on Instagram. Each participant is matched with a partner and makes a mini quilt using Cotton + Steel fabrics. Other fabrics are allowed as long as the Cotton + Steel fabrics remain the focal point.

For this piece, I referenced my partner’s color and style preferences and I used selections from the Cotton + Steel Basics line. One of the teal fabrics is from the Mochi collection. For the background, I used a beautiful linen. I had to add linen to the mix somehow!

I was not sure if my partner would like an improvisational piece so I paper pieced instead. I used the Fractal Block pattern. I have been paper piecing a few different blocks for my bee-mates this year and have discovered that I really enjoy it. Who knew?

I could not let this mini go out into the world without a little bit of improv so I added a small block on the back and quilted it with angled straight line quilting.

I added sashing to the sides using the measurements here. This mini measures about 20 inches square.

-Daniela

Lucky, the Improv Quilt

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Recently, The Modern Quilt Guild had a fabric challenge using Michael Miller fabrics. “Lucky” is the quilt that I entered in the challenge.

I let the fabric sit for a long time…until the week of the deadline. I finally decided to take the plunge and enjoy the process. I used the tradition of quilting and abstract expressionism as inspiration to create an improvisational piece with a contemporary aesthetic while exploring how it affects my identity and my journey.

Why, yes, that is my design wall on the floor. When working improv, for me, it is sometimes easier that way.

I used various Petal Pinwheels prints and a mixture of cotton couture solids including white and soft white. I love the subtle quality these two whites add to a quilt when paired together. A bit of hot pink was added (one of my favorite colors) along with shades of orange, aqua and gray to compliment the challenge fabrics.

For the quilting, there was no predetermined plan. I went with what felt “right” while quilting.

I used larger scale pieces for the back of the quilt.

I should add that I basically did not eat much and ~~ignored~~ put many things on the back-burner while making the quilt so it could be completed on time. Ever get like that? So focused on something there is nothing else you could possibly do until it was completed? Yep, guilty. But, I enjoyed every minute of creating this quilt!

I plan on entering “Lucky” into the quilt show at QuiltCon. Should I enter it for exhibition only or to be judged? What do you think?

“Lucky” measures 47” x 58”. I named it “Lucky” because I was lucky enough to finish it in the nick of time to enter it into the challenge. No, actually, I named it “Lucky” because I feel that I am lucky to have discovered quilting as a means of my artistic expression and also to be part of this awesome quilting community. xo

– Daniela