The Collection Quilt

This week I finished sewing The Collection Quilt by Carolyn Friedlander.  This quilt is created as a “Block of the Month” style quilt embracing the slow sewing movement- most of the design is hand sewn using needle turn appliqué.  I am really excited about this quilt, and I am even more excited to be teaching this project next year at one of my very favorite local quilt shops, Sew to Speak, in Columbus, Ohio.

The class will be held once a month for ten months.  Prior to the first class, we are scheduling a day that I will be in the shop if you would like to discuss the project and fabric selection.

The pattern includes a line drawing of the quilt that can be colored in to help with color and fabric choices.  We will have a few color schemes to look at, or you can create your own- this quilt has almost endless possibilities!  (I’m thinking about doing one with a lot of pink the next time around!)

The first nine classes will focus on one section each.  The tenth class will cover final quilt top assembly, discussion of quilting options/techniques, and binding.  Carolyn Friedlander has written this pattern to be very friendly to anyone just starting hand appliqué by gradually introducing new variations in each block.

Section one focuses on learning basting and the appliqué stitch on straight lines.

Section two introduces convex curves and allows for a lot of creativity in fabric choices.

In section three you will learn reverse appliqué along concave curves.

Section four teaches you to stitch to an interior point.  You also have the opportunity to experiment with additional fabric substrates.  In the sample I used a lightweight denim and a cotton/silk blend.

Corners are added in section five.

Section six combines straight lines, corners, and curves in reverse appliqué.

In section seven you will experience overlapping pieces.

Section eight includes several acute angles

Finally, in section nine, you will create the design with narrow strips of fabric, and reverse appliqué created from cutting slits into the upper layer of fabric.

By adding new skills with each section, you will be able to make the quilt without becoming overwhelmed.  With the block completed, the final quilt top goes together quickly.

I quilted this project on my longarm using an edge to edge computerized design that I created.  I thought that the linear aesthetic complemented the graphic quality of the pattern.  This quilt (like most 🙂 ) looks even better in person, so if you are in central Ohio, I hope you will stop by Sew to Speak to have a look at it.  Maybe you will even sign up for the class!

Quilt Stats

Title:  The Collection Quilt (Designed by Carolyn Friedlander)

Size: 40.5″ x 51.5″

Techniques:  Needle turn appliqué, machine piecing

Quilting:  Computerized linear edge to edge pattern (my original design) done on an A-1 Elite longarm

Fabric:  High quality quilting cotton, including many prints designed by Carolyn Friedlander, lightweight cotton denim, a cotton/silk blend satin.

Batting:  Warm and White cotton batting

Thread:  Appliqué and final machine piecing done using Gutermann Mara 100 in grey, quilted with 50wt Cotton WonderFil in white

Binding:  Grey Carolyn Friedlander and Cotton and Steel Prints, cut on the bias in 2″ wide strips, machine stitched to the front, hand stitched to the back.