Pattern: Marti Michelle and Homestead Hearth Quilt Shop
Size: 83 x 83
Methods of Construction: Machine Applique, Machine Piecing, Machine Quilting.
Fabrics used: Prairie Paisley by Minick & Simpson for Moda Fabrics
Completed May 2013
One of my favorite types of quilts to make are sampler quilts presented in a block of the month format. I also particularly like challenging blocks.
This quilt was presented as an internet shop hop “party” (this is where you buy a kit for a different block from 12 different stores selling the individual Marti Michelle blocks and then each store has its own finishing kit for the quilt designed by that shop). I had participated in a couple of these “parties” previously and had never liked any of the finishing kits. Until this one came along in 2007.
The setting for this quilt was designed by Homestead Hearth quilt shop.
I completed the blocks fairly early – probably in 2009. There it sat until May 2011 when I finally was challenged to make the top. At the time, I was still having anxiety attacks over hand applique and I really was not fond of fusible machine applique. I decided to try a new product, “Charlotte’s Fusible Web” thread. The product does not act as stiff as traditional fusible applique, which is one of the reasons I really don’t like machine applique.
Typically for me, quilt tops have to “marinate” for a while to either have a purpose or until I feel comfortable with how I want to quilt the project. This one was the former. The purpose of finishing the quilt was when I was asked to be the featured artist for the annual Quilt Show. I thought it would look awesome on the staircase wall – so it was completed just for the show! Unfortunately, I was not able to hang it on the staircase wall, it was too big! It is residing above the piano, and looks like it was made for that wall.
