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09 February 2015

Layers of Charm with FQS!

Layers of Charm
All rolled up on the docks. 

Late last year I was contacted by the Fat Quarter Shop to participate in the release of one of their shortcut quilt patterns. It's called Layers of Charm, and is layer cake and charm pack friendly (see what they did there?) To make things even easier, they've got a video tutorial!

This was actually my first time using precuts. Can you believe it? I've just always bought yardage. I ended up getting August by Sarah Watts for Cotton and Steel, and I cut up a bunch of 5" squares from coordinating solids (lost the details on those). I chose August because after a quick look at the pattern I saw that each block was going to be large and fairly simple, so I wanted to highlight a larger-scale print that might otherwise get chopped up. I felt like this collection had a lot of great focus fabrics.

Layers of Charm
Fabric selection. I was suckered in by those lions!

The top came together super fast, for me. I think I had it done in about 2 hours, and that included arranging the fabrics; sewing, trimming, and pressing; sewing rows together; realizing I didn't like the arrangement; and tearing out some blocks to better obtain the look I was going for.

Layers of Charm
Quilt top. 

I was aiming for a colorwash effect with the larger squares, and a faceted look on the interior 'diamonds'. It kind of worked, but there's still a few things I would change. Since it's so quick to whip one up, maybe I'll actually try again!

Layers of Charm
Quilt back. 

I used more Cotton and Steel for the back, and the left over HSTs that I trimmed off from the front. I made them at the same time, just took one extra pass through the machine. 

Layers of Charm
Binding. And lions!

I bound the quit in Forest Trail by Sarah Watson. I liked how it played with the colors in August, and acted as a nice border.

Layers of Charm
Quilting detail. 

My favorite part is the quilting. It's kind of hard to see in these pictures, since there wasn't much contrast that day, and the fabric was rather busy. I did diagonal lines that radiated out from the center in a couple of ways. This is the first time I marked every single line (with painters tape), and I used gardening gloves for grip. I think it really helped with my stitch regulation, and my desire for straighter lines. Double win!

Layers of Charm
Just another day at the Ikea park. 

This was also my first time following a pattern for an entire quilt. Lots of firsts here, apparently! Usually I like to sketch and then play around with proportions and maths. Then I choose fabrics, and inevitably have too much or too little of something, which I like because it adds in another challenge. Following along with this pattern was a nice change. No surprises! All in all, I'd highly recommend it. Super straightforward, and really allows you to play with your fabric choices. If you don't feel like arranging fabrics, it also makes for a great scrappy quilt. Check out the other talented quilter's versions at the FQS's Jolly Jabber

p.s. I'm also checking it off my list for my 2015 Q1 Finish Along.

18 comments:

  1. the fabrics you've chosen really shine, especially the orange corners!

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  2. Lovely finish, Liz - I really like how you arranged the fabrics in the quilt top! The touch of orange on the backing with the leftover HSTs is really nice, too. I don't tend to buy anything but fat quarters, so it is nice to know that there are great patterns to use for things like layer cakes and charms if I ever need it.

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  3. I love your use of multiple colors in your corners. I also love the "leftover" triangles on the back. What a lovely quilt

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  4. aha! We chose the same Layer Cake! Don't you just love it!? I chose it for the same reasons too! I had wanted to do more with Cotton + Steel plus I wanted larger print as that's what i felt it called for mostly. I really love your quilting and the different shades for the diamonds!

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  5. Loving what you did with those corner blocks! And adding the additional HST into the backing is just genius! Congrats on another great finish.

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  6. I like the variety you added in the corner blocks. Congrats on your first followed pattern.

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  7. Love your quilt! I have the same fabrics at home and may have to do the same thing.

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  8. I like the variety of solid charms you used in your blocks. Very pretty.

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  9. I love the oranges for your charms! They look so happy!

    Your quilting looks really interesting, I wish I could see it in person. I hate it when my camera doesn't properly capture everything properly.

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  10. I love the color wash and pops of orange. This quilt made me smile. Lovely quilt and it will be so much fun to use.

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  11. Great colorplay in the quilt. This is the first one I've seen that hasn't been so random, and I do like it!

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  12. Beautiful, I love how your diamonds are all different colors, it adds great interest to the quilt.

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  13. Your Quilt is Amazing! the Diamonds absolutely Pop!! Love it!

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  14. I love your small diamond coloring! Brilliant idea and adds a whole new dimension to the top. Love it!

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  15. Love how you used different solids for the diamonds! Gorgeous quilt and pix

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  16. May I say WOW and DOUBLE WOW! I love your style, color sense, freedom, fabric, and patterns. Is there anyway I can get the pattern for Night Music in the Desert? Is it for sale? DO you ever sale your scraps? I am ill with some very painful diseases, and getting old, too. But I love quilting. Before I became too ill I made over 200 quilts for the homeless by tearing apart thrift store clothing. Now, I live in nowhere Utah where every mile you drive is worthy of a national park. I soak in the beauty, even though I can no longer drive, and feel extremely blessed to live here with the love of my life and husband of fifty years. Whew! that tells you how old I am. Seeing your fabric, color, and pattern talent has brought me much pleasure and I thank you for you for that. Keep going. You are super talented.
    Connie

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