Free-Motion Whole Cloth: Mini Quilt #8

February 20, 2015

Did you know that a whole cloth quilt used to be a sign of wealth?  If you could afford to purchase an entire piece of fabric for your quilt rather than piecing together scraps you must be rich!  I think this quilt is too small to demonstrate wealth (hah!), but it is the perfect size to help me work on my free motion quilting.Whole Cloth

One of my big goals for 2015 is to improve my free-motion quilting.  As we close in on the halfway point of the first quarter (yikes!), I decided to move forward with this goal by doing a free motion quilted whole cloth mini.  Wholecloth Detail B

I drew a 2″ grid on the upper layer of fabric and sketched in the “stems” of the feathers.  I started with the feathers and then began filling the surrounding areas with different quilting designs.  My goal was to get some more practice with a variety of patterns, so I used different designs in various areas of the quilt.  For this project I decided I would work with whatever happened- no ripping out stitches!Wholecloth Detail A

Since my free motion quilting skills are still a work in progress, I stuck with white thread on a white background, but I do hope to try contrasting stitching at some point.  For the first time, I used a double layer of batting.  The bottom layer is Warm and White and the top layer is Hobbs Heirloom Cotton batting.  I really like the feel and dimension that the double layer of batting provides.  The Warm and White feels very stable and the Hobbs cotton batting is lighter and “poof-ier” which really seems to help the design pop.

Quilt Stats

Title:  Whole Cloth Sampler One

Size:  19″x20″ after washing

Techniques:  Whole cloth quilting

Quilting:  Feathers, Pebbles, Double Pebbles, Circles, Angular Swirls, Waves

Fabrics:  Front, Back, and Binding of White Kona Cotton

Batting:  Warm and White Cotton Batting and Hobbs Heirloom Bleached Cotton Batting

Thread:  White Signature Cotton Machine Quilting Thread

Binding:  Continuous 2″ wide bias of white Kona Cotton, machine stitched to the front, hand stitched to the back

What was New:

Whole cloth quilting

Using a double layer of batting

Quilt 8 / 50

Quilt 8 / 50

Goal #7 is Finished!

Goal #7 is Finished!

I’m linking up with Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts, Whoop Whoop Friday at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and Show Off Saturday at Sew Can She.  Please stop by to see all of the wonderful work being created!

 


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7 Comments

  • Reply
    Mini Quilt Mania 2015 | The (not so) Dramatic Life
    February 20, 2015 at 12:42 am

    […] Free-Motion Whole Cloth: Mini Quilt #8 […]

  • Reply
    Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
    February 20, 2015 at 8:30 am

    I really like how you broke up the space in the quilt with your quilting and filled in with different designs. The feathers really stand out and look great, and it is fun to look at the details.

  • Reply
    Judy
    February 20, 2015 at 9:24 am

    Beautifully done, Cassandra!! Isn’t it fun to just sit down with a piece of fabric and play but have a specific end product in mind? This is a wonderful piece!

  • Reply
    Jasmine
    February 20, 2015 at 10:42 am

    Another great mini. My favorite part is the background quilting around the feathers. What are your ultimate plans for all the mini quilts?

  • Reply
    GeminiJen NZ
    February 21, 2015 at 2:45 am

    Nice work on the feathers! You are doing a great job.

  • Reply
    Leanne Parsons
    February 22, 2015 at 8:18 am

    It’s beautiful! And a great idea for fmq practice. I’ve always loved whole cloth quilts, but I never realized it was yet another sign that I have expensive tastes!

  • Reply
    Adrianne
    April 8, 2015 at 4:01 am

    This is stunning! I really want to try this idea!

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