The Collection Quilt

November 8, 2015

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 Collection Quilt

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.

My original fabric pull with the pattern and a colored sketch to help with fabric placement

My original fabric pull with the pattern and a colored sketch to help with fabric placement

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.

Collection Quilt Section 1

Section 1

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

Collection Quilt Section 2

Section 2

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

Collection Quilt Section 3

Section 3

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.

Collection Quilt Section 4

Section 4

Corners are added in section five.

Collection Quilt Section 5

Section 5

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

Collection Quilt Section 6

Section 6

In section seven you will experience overlapping pieces.

Collection Quilt Section 7

Section 7

Section eight includes several acute angles

Collection Quilt Section 8

Section 8

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.

Section 9

Section 9

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.Collection Quilt Top

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!Collection Quilt Detail

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.

Goal #21 is finished!

Goal #21 is finished!


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6 Comments

  • Reply
    Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
    November 8, 2015 at 10:11 am

    I think that this quilt sounds like a great project for a class. I hope you share all the different versions your students make at the end of next year. 🙂

  • Reply
    Claire
    November 8, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    Sounds like a great series of classes and techniques. And it is a great looking quilt!

  • Reply
    Cheryl
    November 12, 2015 at 9:08 am

    Great finish! Thanks for the explanation of the quilt pattern and how it progresses block to block, it really makes it seem more doable!

  • Reply
    Carolyn
    November 23, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    This looks amazing!! Beautifully done!

  • Reply
    Nicky
    January 7, 2016 at 1:23 pm

    Looks like your students will learn an amazing amount of skills! Lucky them and how could they fail to be tempted by this sample quilt. Thank you for participating in the FAL, on behalf of the 2016 global FAL hosts.

  • Reply
    The Collection Quilt (Round 2!) | The (not so) Dramatic Life
    January 3, 2017 at 4:35 pm

    […] teach Carolyn Friedlander‘s Collection Quilt through a local quilt shop, Sew to Speak.  The first version I made as a class sample is similar to the overall aesthetic that was used in the original design, […]

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