Welcome to Day 2 of Quilters Newsletter’s Best Tradition with a Twist Quilts 2015 blog tour!
QN’s Best Tradition with a Twist Quilts special issue is now available at quilt shops, bookstores, newsstands, and on line at Quilt and Sew Shop. Inside you’ll find a great article by Victoria Findlay Wolfe, 6 helpful designer tips, and patterns for 21 beautiful projects. At the core, all of the quilts are traditional, but each has a twist that makes it unique, new, and surprisingly modern.
My quilt, Cornflower Crossing (p. 16), is a fast and fun project made using only one block. That block is based on a simple nine-patch block — so easy and one of the first blocks quilters learn to make — what could be more traditional?
And my twist? I’ve kept the block construction the same, still 9 patches, but I’ve changed the sizes of the patches to create an asymmetrical nine-patch block:
I also rotated the blocks to give the quilt interest and a sense of motion. As is often the case, rotating the blocks created an unexpected secondary pattern — if you step back and squint at the quilt, you can actually see cascading leaves:
Another twist: I chose to use only 2 colors for this quilt. There is a subtle linen texture in the French General “Le Bouquet Français” fabrics that I used, but they read as solids. I chose these fabrics rather than prints because I was concerned that prints would fight the design rather than showcase it and because I wanted to keep the quilt from becoming too busy.
Blue and white not your thing? I played around in EQ to give you a few more color options…
A buttery yellow would have been my second choice because I’ve always wanted to make a yellow and white quilt:
And here’s the yellow and white inverted, hmm…:
Here’s red and white, maybe for Christmas:
And here’s a 3 color version, that I’m kind of liking. It reminds me of plaid:
Choosing a quilting pattern for this quilt was tricky. With such a graphic, geometric design, my mind went immediately to linear quilting patterns that would echo the lines of the quilt. But instead of accentuating the design, the linear patterns seemed to muddy it. I had an aha moment when I decided to go in a completely different direction and try a curvy, meandering quilting pattern.
Anne Bright‘s “Wild Mouse” pattern dances across the quilt without detracting from the clean, simple design.
There’s one final, fun twist to my quilt. Look closely at the photo and check out the backing fabric:
Here, let me help:
It’s an oversized toile-inspired floral — totally traditional and definitely unexpected on the back of a modern, graphic quilt. But I love the juxtaposition of business in the front and party in the back (at least on a quilt!!) and I couldn’t help myself.
And now, patient reader, if you’d like a chance to win a bundle of P&B Textiles’ “True Blue!” fabric leave a comment on this post before 11:59 pm MDT tonight (1/28/2015) by clicking on the word “comments” below. You’ll be redirected to a “Post a Comment” window. Once there, either scroll to the bottom of the window or click “Jump to Comment Form” and follow the directions to leave your comment. I’ll draw one name at random, so please make sure I have your email address.
Good luck and happy quilting!
***This contest is now closed. Thank you for all of your comments and don’t forget to visit the QN blog today (1/29) and tomorrow (1/30) for links to other designers’ blogs and more chances to win! Good luck!***
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Love the quilt, the color choice and the backing! By changing the patch size it doesn't look like a nine patch at all. Very clever!
Msdevost@myfairpoint.net
Thanks for sharing your quilt and a chance to win
Love the idea of asymmetrical nine-patch blocks!
I would never have known that it started as a nine patch. Love your version but when I saw the yellow I knew I would need to make one for my niece as her all time favorite color is yellow and she would love the pattern. Thanks So Much!
Your quilt is simply stunning. Love the blues! The quilting is perfect as well. Thank you.
Love the asymmetrical 9 patch and the blues 🙂
That 3 color version is very cool!
I liked your fabric and colour choices for your quilt. It is lovely. Will keep these ideas in mind for those little twists from traditional to modern and back again.
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I think your backing goes well with your quilt ….love it…….happyness04431@yahoo.com
Absolutely love the swirls of the quilting design..gives me a great idea for a mystery quilt I just finished. Thanks for the ideas! Peggy in Idaho – robpeg@frontiernet.net
Have loved the nine patch and now another one to try. Thanks for illustrations, too. Barb Peters, mizippipete@comcast.net
HI,really like your project>Thanks so for shaaring!
msstitcher1214@gmail.com
I love your quilt, it's great with just two colors. I hadn't noticed that it is a 9 patch, how clever.
Like seeing the different color versions of the quilt. 24Tangent@gmail.com
This is my favorite kind of quilt design, a very simple traditional block with a variation that makes it so much more interesting. I love it!
I need to make a quilt, something fresh and young, but hadn't thought about something asymmetrical. Love what you've done. Thanks for the chance to win the bundle of blue.
Thank you for sharing, and thanks for the chance to win.
Have a great day!
dawnm1993(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for sharing
those are awesome color combos….the Christmas one is especially cool…
Only day 2 of the blog hop and I've gained loads of ideas already. Keep 'em coming!
Your quilt design has great movement! I love interesting quilt backs.
I love all those color combos you show – would love to take part in this give away! thanks for the chance
Love the quilt and color combinations
These haiku are here
so that I may be entered
for the giveaway.
A variation
could highlight the falling leaves
in their own color.
Well I love that this quilt is a pretty simple design but the many color options make it look crazy cool.
Your quilt is so simple but so beautiful. They are the best kind. Thanks for sharing and for the great giveaway. (debbie at wowilikethat dot com)
We all love those blues! Nice quilt patterns.
thanks!
Love the subtle blue as well as the pattern. Very soothing, snuggly looking quilt.
I really like this version of a nine patch. Just the inspiration I need
Nice twist.
Beautiful blue color. I like the yellow and white quilt
I love the blue and white combination. It is my favorite. In fact, I collect blue and white pottery pieces from our vacations. I have pottery from Mexico, Aruba, France, Italy and Northern Africa.
Kathy Davis
kdavis1@centurytel.net
I love those swirls in your quilting! Thanks for the opportunity!
Really nice variation on a nine patch! I like the colors you chose.
I love quilting you choose. I'll have to recommend it to my longarmquilter
I love the fabric….love the blue….always seem to be drawn to blue fabric….
Love the choice of quilting design. Love free fabrics, Thank You!!
Love using my EQ7 to play with color options. Now I'm wondering what Cornflower Crossing would look like using prints…
Beautiful quilt! I like how the nine-patch was transformed. It looks great! I think this block would look fun with scraps in place of the colors.
Jackiethompson323(at)gmail.com
What a beautiful quilt! I enjoyed your blog. I would love to win the fat quarters! Linda Smith (lkstexan@outlook.com).
I just love blue and white quilts.
d.ceray@gmail.com
Thank you for all of the colour combinations. Each one excites me in its own special way. The yellow with white is probably my favourite. Thanks for sharing and offering a giveaway.
I have wanted to make a quilt where the blocks aren't symmetrical, but I didn't know if I could do it. This quilt is one I just might have to try!
Sandy A
Love the asymmetrical 9-patch – thanks for sharing & thanks for the chance to win.
Hi there!
I'd love to win the blue FQs… Blue is my favourite colour 🙂
Fran Sancroft in Pickering, Ontario Canada
fransancroft@gmail.com
Congratulations Jen on having your beautiful, and easy quilt, published in Quilters Newsletter Twist magazine
Love the blue and white version. So simple but elegant.
Love the colors….
Super sharp blue and green.
You chose the perfect quilting pattern when you chose Wild Mouse! It really stands out, yet gives great definition to the fabrics and quilt design. It's lovely!
I love your twist on tradition! The pattern the fabric choices, and the quilting are all gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
I love the nine patch variation. The yellow and white makes me think of Spring
Beautiful quilt. Thanks for the giveaway! sarah@forrussia.org
Love the quilt and patterns. Also my favorite color is blue so thanks for the chance to win…. sonjasmith76@yahoo.com
I love the shade of blue you picked. Beautifully done.
I love the blue and white combination in Cornflower!
wlinda_ca(at)yahoo(dot)com
Love your quilt!
I love this pattern and the blue and white fabric you chose. I also enjoyed seeing it in various colors.
Thanks for the giveaways!I love the pattern including the fabrics. Please enter me for the blue fabrics.Thanks.Hoping to win.
I love blue version with the traditional backing, it gives it something extra and it is so beautiful! Thanks for a chance to win!
tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com
Love your quilt and the Blue FQ bundle. b.j.day68@gmail.com
I like the color,and the pattern used in the quilting really makes this quilt, thanks for a chance to win, always look forward to your newsletter in my inbox.