The Whole is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

January 4, 2016

I want to start 2016 off on a high note, so I decided the perfect first post of the year would be to share the quilt that will be heading to QuiltCon.Whole is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

“The Whole is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts” is based on a Mini Quilt that I designed last summer, and is constructed in a similar manner.

Violet Calm

Violet Calm Mini Quilt

The central circle is created by assembling rectangles with strips of the white background fabric between the pieces.  Once this initial construction is complete, I cut the circle out of the assembled fabrics.  I used extra wide backing fabric for both the front and back of the quilt.  A circle with a 1/2″ smaller radius is cut from the quilt front, allowing for the seam allowance required to machine piece the circle in the quilt top.Whole is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts detail C

Whole is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts detail B

I used matchstick quilting in colors matching the fabrics the stitching passes through to draw the centralized design out to the edges of the quilt.  Most of the quilting is horizontal, but one section of vertical quilting add energy to the piece.Whole is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts detail A

 

I really love the way the quilting looks, but this technique did result in thousands of thread tails to bury- I’m pretty sure that took longer than the actual quilting!Whole is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts detail D

The binding is made of bias strips comprised of violet fabrics that are used in the central circle.  In the next couple of days I will be adding a hanging sleeve and label so it can head off to Pasadena!

I’m linking up with Sew Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts.  Please stop by to see all of the lovely work being shared!

Quilt Stats

Title:  The Whole is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

Size:  63.25″ x 66″

Techniques:  Machine Piecing

Quilting:  Matchstick quilting done with a walking foot on a domestic Bernina 1008

Fabric:  Quilt shop quality prints in shades of violet and magenta, extra wide white cotton

Batting: Warm and White Cotton batting

Thread:  Pieced with white Gutermann Mara 100.  Quilted with 50wt cotton Aurifil in colors to coordinate with the fabrics they are stitching through

Binding:  Scrappy Violet fabrics, cut on the bias in 2″ wide strips, machine stitched to the front, hand stitched to the back

Goal #24 is finished!

Goal #24 is finished!

11 Comments

  • Reply
    Judy
    January 4, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    Congratulations, Cassandra! It is a gorgeous quilt! Did you submit any for AQS Phoenix?? I’m going and I would LOVE to see one of your quilts in person!! 😀

  • Reply
    Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
    January 4, 2016 at 2:49 pm

    It looks fantastic, and congratulations on having it accepted to QuiltCon. I just got back from shipping off Triangle Transparency myself. It will be so exciting to see them hanging there. 🙂

  • Reply
    Jenny
    January 4, 2016 at 3:13 pm

    Stunning quilt. Love the way you explain everything. And what a good idea to use extra wide fabric to ensure there is no additional piecing to distract the eye. I’m going to pinch that idea!!!!

  • Reply
    Brianna Robertson
    January 4, 2016 at 6:55 pm

    Your design is stunning, Cassandra! Congratulations.

  • Reply
    Kate Chiconi
    January 5, 2016 at 1:02 am

    A beautiful quilt, made more beautiful by the fact that you’ve explained your process instead of simply going “Ta-daaa! Finished quilt!”. I find process infinitely fascinating, because it deepens my appreciation of the quilt. Thank you!

  • Reply
    Cathy Melancon
    January 5, 2016 at 7:49 am

    WOW!! This quilt is fantastic!!! So striking and fun too! The matchstick quilting is perfect!! Congrats on a wonderful quilt and good luck at QuiltCon!!

  • Reply
    Jayne
    January 5, 2016 at 9:19 am

    One of my favorites! It’s really a beautiful quilt and the quilting sets it apart! Beautiful!

  • Reply
    Vera
    January 6, 2016 at 3:39 pm

    Beautiful! Love the pattern and colors and quilting!

  • Reply
    Laura
    January 6, 2016 at 4:55 pm

    I love it, and while I cringe at the thought of weaving in all those thread tails the movement created by the quilting is totally worth it.

  • Reply
    Rochelle
    January 13, 2016 at 1:21 am

    Fantastic quilt and the fabric is so yummy. Congratulations on having it accepted into QuiltCon.

  • Reply
    HappyBekySewHappy
    November 16, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    wow..look really calm & serenity in style, is that possible can i buy your pattern of this quilt? Wanna make one too…thanks!

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