No. 21

No. 21

32" x 23"

What is it about a simple repeating pattern that is just so intrinsically appealing? I also love the organic nature of the little arches. I wanted them to look like individuals and not carbon copies of each other. I think it does that.

I started with making some blocks. Although this is a photo of the blocks for the background, I started with smaller ones to make the pieced HST arches. I wanted to see if I could make them into an arch shape by varying the width of the seam when joining them. It worked! Which meant that I could proceed with the rest of the quilt. I love looking at the blocks when they are chain stitched together!

I worked simultaneously on creating the background.....and....

Making all the arches: The black ones were hand drawn onto freezer paper, cut out (with a seam allowance), and then edges turned under and hand basted. The black ones were significantly easier to make than the orange and pink ones! All those seams of the HST blocks had to be turned under to prepare for appliqueing. 

Once I had all the arches ready for applique, I finished piecing the background, and prepared it for quilting. I remembered some old fabric I had that I thought would be perfect for the backing! It is from my brief stint as a fabric designer.

I love the simplicity of the straight line quilting. Here is my first arch after it has been hand appliqued in place, and the basting stitches have been removed. Ahhh! Satisfying! Now repeat 15 more times!

A view from the side of the finished quilt. 

Great texture! I love how the arch shapes sit on top of the fabric. I did not want to quilt them because that would flatten them. 

The last part was choosing to use a facing instead of a binding. This allowed the design to flow to the edge of the work. It was a good choice for this piece. 

Thanks for stopping by!