2015 Mini Quilt

As I began preparing posts for the upcoming year, I realized that there would be occasions I would need a general graphic or background image.  I considered creating a graphic from scratch in a photo editing program, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to create a quilt to use as a background image.  This is the quilt I designed.

As I began sketching, the only major requirement I had of this design was a large area of negative space.  I knew that I would want to be able to easily place text over the image.  Ultimately I landed on a classic “Flying Geese” border design with separate corner blocks.

When choosing colors, I had a few requirements:

• The palette must be eye-catching even in a thumbnail scale
• Text placed over the finished quilt image should be easy to read
• I must like the colors
• All fabrics must be readily available in my stash

White with shots of bright pink, red, violet, and orange fulfilled all of these requirements

I paper pieced each corner block and border for the quilt top and then chose a bright red and orange dot for the back of this little quilt.

I quilted the piece using diagonal lines approximately 1/2″ apart.  I am happy with the finished quilt, and I think I will be able to use it in a lot of different configurations.

1. A corner border where text can be placed in the opposite corner
2. A side border with text along the opposite side
3. A center only version that supplies texture, but no bright colors
4. And of course, the full quilt image

I am very happy with the cheerful color scheme, and I’m certain that this image will be making an appearance frequently in the coming year.

Quilt Stats

Title:  2015

Size: 8″x8″

Techniques:  Paper Piecing

Quilting:  Diagonal lines using a walking foot on a Bernina 1008

Fabrics:  Background- White Kona Cotton, Triangles- 100% cotton prints

Batting:  Warm and White cotton batting

Thread:  Pieced with Gutermann Mara 100 in white, Quilted with cotton machine quilting thread in white

Binding:  White Kona Cotton bias cut at 2″ wide, machine stitched to the quilt front, and hand stitched on the back

I am linking this post up with Let’s Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts, Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts, and Whoop Whoop Friday at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  I hope you all have a wonderful New Year!