You guys are going to kill me for doing this but I don’t want to show the front of the quilt until I have the free pattern up on the website ready for download. I sailed through the quilting and binding today, even got in a photo shoot before the coming storm. I actually have most of the instructions done, just need to pretty them up a bit for prime time usage.
I do want to talk about the back. The Denyse Schmidt Quilts book forever changed my approach to making backs for my quilts. When I first started quilting I wanted one perfect fabric for the back. DSQ opened my eyes to the possibilities of making the back just as exciting as the front. A little surprise. I also like being able to use up fabrics from my stash which is what I did for this quilt.
All of the Denyse Schmidt quilting weight cottons got pulled off the shelf. The solids are all Kona Cottons. I started arranging, sewing together, laying them out on the floor. This is where I started. I decided it was too busy. Tim Gunn whispering in my ear “look for opportunities to simplify”.
Backing off to an all blue palette.
Adding a little spice back in:
I’m not too keen on the two different shades of Kona cottons. I really wanted to challenge myself to make the back from fabrics on my shelves vs. the shop’s shelves. If I had a mulligan I would use just Robin’s Egg Blue (the color of the larger piece of solid blue) for the solid piece.
The quilt measures 66″ x 75″. The largest quilt I’ve ever quilted on my sewing machine. Accomplishing something new feels good. I love quilting for just that reason.
it’s lovely! I’m a big fan of this approach to quilt backs as well, especially since there always seem to be so many big scrap pieces lying around my studio. It’s like two quilts in one!
Love the actual quilting pattern – nice and simple, but so pretty.
WOW! If that’s the BACK…can’t wait to see the front! What a gorgeous quilt!
It looks fabulous! I’d lay it on my bed just like that. Perfect.
I’ve only just started experimenting with quilting when I stumbled on this today, the color combination is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations, I’m looking forward to seeing the front half pop up soon!
Hi Kathy,
I love the way that you quilted this in the cursive L design, this is what I wanted to do for my last quilt and just had too much trouble with my free motion skills and ended up doing square designs with my walking foot. I can’t wait to see the front of the quilt!!
I get all hung up on the back of my quilts, too. I used to hand piece everything, and just the thought of wrestling with those huge pieces of fabric was enough to make me shelve the quilt top indefinitely. Now I realize the back can be just as pieced as the front, if I want it to be, and I also got a tip somewhere (sorry, I’ve forgotten where) about using leftovers of the same fabrics for the back as you did for the top. Because you probably won’t ever make another quilt with the same exact fabrics all together again, right?
Can’t wait to see the front, you big tease, you!
oh i like the back with the two colors next to each other. it looks so FAB! Please show us the front tomorrow b/c I want to place an order from your shop & can’t wait!!! and now I will have to learn how to quilt on my machine (i mean something big). oh dear…
OH I love it… My first quilt (that isn’t done yet) is a twin size … I have a very basic Janome, like 1229 or something? Anyways … is there a certain machine required to do machine quilting? I didn’t know if my machine would handle it or not….
I am in LOVE with the back and cannot wait to see the front, it is inspiring.
I love scrappy backs. Unless I absolutely, to die for, love the fabric and want to see a whole lot of it… the scrappy backs get me every time. Plus it feels good to see the stash pile shrinking.
I just made my first piece quilt back! it’s just crib size, but I do love it. yours is fantastic! I love the two blues next to each other–it’s perfect.
I too love love love a pieced back but I need to branch out and be more experimental with by backs. This is really so beautiful. I love your design choices – truly wonderful.
You’re such a tease! love the back, can’t wait to see the front!
You’re right I was slightly frustrated by not being able to see the front, but the back is so lovely that I can forgive you!
It looks stunning Kathy, the backing, the quilting. You’re so right about Denyse Schmidt, I love to patch the backings of my quilts and have reversable ones.
Can’t wait to see the front of the quilt!
Good old Tim Gunn, we love to watch Project Runway and we often say: carry on, carry on!
Amazing! God, how much I want to see that front!, lol…
I love a pieced back…and as usual Tim Gunn as right!
Although I have to disagree with you aout one thing — I love the two different colors of Kona together — it adds such interest without being overt!
The back looks awesome! … can’t wait for the front…
I love the colors on the back, and I can’t wait to see the front.
I love the little bit of the dots on white. It looks great and I cannot wait to see the front.
That looks really great! I didn’t realize that you didn’t normally quilt that size. My daughter’s “baby” quilt (slightly smaller than yours) has been sitting around for SIX YEARS because I’m too intimidated to quilt it (I did baste it for her second birthday, but I don’t think that’s progress). I think it needs to be my before-the-end-of-the-year resolution!
Awesome quilt! The colors are spectacular. I am planning my first quilt for this Fall! *I am scared!*
that is a big quilt!
can’t wait for the pattern – i love the back.
It looks fabulous! I’m just about to start piecing the back for my current quilt using the same process.
All my quilt backs are pieced these days too. I love almost having 2 quilts when I do this.
Oh I do love the back of the quilt. It is so beautiful. I look forward to the day I have a good sewing machine that I can do that with. Thanks for sharing all the valuable information you have.
so gorgeous- can’t wait to see the front!
I can’t believe you managed to quilt this on your sewing machine! And I realy love your sharing of the process of choosing the backing fabrics – thank you.
Can’t wait to see the front! It’s nice!!
VERY nice back! I love your final selections and am a big fan of this kind of pieced back. Sadly, I r usually 2 lazy 2 do it. You’re an inspiration. Especially since I am, at the moment, piecing a quilt top involving snowflakes and lots of blue. Under duress…
I really like the two shades of blue. I think they’re different enough to seem intentional but similar enough to add subtle interest. I think you’re nutty!
Love how the back came out! Thanks for showing how you planned that. I need to start using the stash for backings.
Beautiful already! Can’t wait to see the front!
Denyse Schmidt is who completely changed my ideas about what a quilt can be! Not just her quilt backs but her quilt fronts made me want to be a quilter. But her quilt backs…wow! What an eye-opener!
i do this too to my backs!!! i love the looks.
love the back and looking forward to seeing the front.
lisa x
Love love love the country fair quilt. Good to see your work, my friend.
See ya. Gina
That looks really great! I had to comment cause I too love the different backs! I haven’t tried making one that way but they look great.
I like the idea of an old sheet, like my Grandma used to do.
I love the back. I always love scrappy backs, they are so great looking, but the front is fabulous too. I have to order the kit tonight. I just have to figure out which fabrics to get for the back. Love them all!