Friday 16 May 2014

Bloggers' Quilt Festival

I finished my Hand Drawn Garden Plus quilt a couple of weeks ago but have been saving its reveal for the Bloggers Quilt Festival over at Amy's Creative Side - one of my favourite online events which happens twice a year.


I am a huge fan of anything Anna Maria Horner and unlike many people I have no problem taking my rotary cutter to my favourite fabrics! So a few weeks ago, I decided to make a simple patchwork quilt from my FQs of her Hand Drawn Garden line.


But when I laid out the 5 1/2" squares it didn't look quite how I had seen it in my head. So I decided to try a plus block layout and liked it. I've made a plus quilt before and don't normally repeat blocks but I broke a personal rule and I'm glad I did.


The plus design isn't always immediately obvious due to the eclectic designs and colours in this line but I quite like that!


After finishing the main panel, I decided to add a border of low volume fabrics in varying sized squares and rectangles. Then I added a second border of 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles of Hand Drawn Garden.


I backed and bound it using fabrics from Anna Maria Horner's True Colors line - so pretty and they work perfectly together. The batting is my favourite -  Dream Orient (a mix of silk, bamboo and cotton), which is beautifully soft and has the perfect drape.

I quilted it in straight lines, vertically and horizontally echoing the squares. This is the largest quilt that I have made, measuring 75" x 85" and will be perfect for snuggling under in the cooler months.





Oh and it seems my hubby is finally becoming more comfortable with quilts these days.  Here's a shot of him walking us back to the car after bundling up the quilt in his arms.  Happy Days!


Quilt Stats
Quilt Size: 75" x 85"
Quilt design - Plus blocks using 5 1/2" squares
Fabrics for Quilt Top - Anna Maria Horner's Hand Drawn Garden and various low volume fabrics
Fabric for quilt back -  Medallion in Aquamarine from Anna Maria Horner's True Colors
Binding Fabric - Sealing Wax in Amethyst from Anna Maria Haorner's True Colors.
Batting: Oriental Dream

Thank you so much to Amy for hosting this fun event. Now to hop over there myself and get me some inspiration!


43 comments:

QuiltCandy said...

Oh I just love everything about it! Such gorgeous fabrics, colours, a fab design and I love the added touch of the low volume border. How nice that your husband has it tucked under his arm like that too, I think you've converted him ;-)

Judith, Belfast said...

It's a beauty A! And it looks right at home there in those beautiful surroundings! Jxo

dutchcomfort said...

Love the quilt and the bold and colourful crosses, that aren’t too obvious! Great entry for the festival!
You have taken some breathtaking pictures!

Cille said...

Beautiful colors and the cross block is just perfect. I really like your light border too. Wonderful quilt....

Catherine said...

Absolutely beautiful. The low volume border makes it just perfect.

stitchinpenny said...

I love your quilt. I love plus quilts and I love Anna Maria Horner and the execution is amazing.

Cindy said...

How cute is your hubby? That's such a fab photo that must make your heart flutter.
I'm SO GLAD you broke your personal rule and created another plus quilt. It's so interesting to the eye with these fabrics. Fab finish/entry!

sonia said...

Wow! Love the look of this quilt and the fabrics play beautifully together. The borders are an amazing add on to the whole pattern. Love your photos too!

Tamie said...

Wow. Love this one and the subtleness of the plus is cool.

Kate said...

Beautifully done! The crosses are a great way to put the focus on the fabrics. Gorgeous photos!

Pattilou said...

My goodness what color and the fabrics are gorgeous! Photography is superb.

Jessamie said...

I really like how the fabric distorts the plus so much it makes it a very interesting quilt to look at!

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

I am not usually a big fan of plus quilts, but I really like this one! I love how the colours blend and flow. Beautiful!

tirane93 said...

excellent use of color! i don't think i've ever seen this pattern done so well before.

Unknown said...

LOVE your quilt! Your use of AMH fabric and the plus quilt design is perfect!

genevievegraves said...

This fabric line is so luscious, and the plus design sets them off perfectly. Sometimes a quilt just tells you what it wants to be while you're making. I'm so glad you listened! The result is gorgeous.

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I don't know if it was AMH intention but these fabrics just scream Morocco to me. The colors and your design have combined to make a beautifully rich and gorgeous quilt.

Heather @ Winding Bobbins said...

SO gorgeous!! Awesome that you got it finished for the festival. I always think it would be great to have a new finish to reveal, but alas I tend to have to go back in the archives!

Cloud CouCou said...

Such a beautiful quilt and surroundings to match. I love the fabric combination and that backing fabric is.just.gorgeous!

Carla said...

FABULOUS! I love everything about this

Katherine said...

You totally rock AMH fabrics, Annabella. Love this latest finish. A perfect marriage of design with the right fabrics. Looks so luscious in the Moroccan sunshine. Yum!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

I love this quilt!

DeborahGun said...

so pretty. I just love this.

Catskill Quilter said...

Gorgeous quilt - you should be proud of this beauty! I love your fabric choices.

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Oh lovely!!! xxx

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Oh lovely!!! xxx

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

Gorgeous! And wonderful photos :)

CitricSugar said...

Annabella - it is absolutely gorgeous! Of course, those fabrics are perfect in a moroccan setting, too. :-)

Nicky said...

I love the quilt, the glorious setting and hubby's shirt - great colour for a quilt someday !

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Wow, I love the wonderful rich colours and warm orange undertones which work so well with your photo shoot scenes. Beautiful quilt - and surrounds!

Pam said...

i love amh too ! your quilt is gorgeous xo

Nat at Made in Home said...

A stunning quilt! Love the last picture - the colours fit so well in Morocco!

Anonymous said...

Yum! I love this pattern when done in the fabrics you chose. Sometimes I see this pattern and am not thrilled, yours is perfect. It works!

Rebekah said...

Absolutely beautiful! The colors are so vibrant and cheerful!

Chez Roo said...

It's stunning! It is a perfect combo of colour and pattern. I love the gorgeous backdrop too. It's true, these fabrics really scream "Morrocoo!"

Chez Roo said...

Morrocoo? Morocco! Lol.

Katelyn @ Sing While Crafting said...

wow! beautiful!

Indianna said...

Beautiful quilt in rich colours and great photos too.

Martha said...

Beautiful quilt. I love the rich bold colors and the plus pattern complements the bold fabrics beautifully.
Good luck it is a gorgeous quilt.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Your quilt really is lovely! and am enjoying looking at all your pics, have gone back thur' older posts! Linda, NZ

Ashley @ WasntQuiltInADay said...

love love love this quilt.

Terri Ann @ ChildlikeFascination.com said...

Beautiful job. I love that it's plus sign but you're right with the fabric design it's not completely obvious that it's plus signs. Your stunning surroundings really add to these photos. I'm quite jealous :) Visiting from BQF!

Jacqueline said...

This is absolutely gorgeous! I have a bundle of AMH hand drawn garden that I have yet to use. I am glad to see how wonderful these fabric comes together and also it has inspired me to use instead of hoarding lovely fabric bundles xx