Trace, a Little Bites pattern by Miss Rosies' Quilt Company. I used High Street, a fabric collection by Lily Ashbury for Moda. It went together fast, and I love the bright cheerful colors for summer.
The quilt measures about 22 1/2" square. I am probably sewing the binding on it as you read this! I love the small size for a table topper, but wouldn't a full size be amazing as well? Larger blocks of course. Carrie, how about a Little Bites Times Two book?
I got the blocks sewn together yesterday, and even quilted it myself. All I have to say about that is--I suck at free motion quilting. I practiced first, and am fairly good at straight line quilting, but when it comes to stippling or loops...Oh dear. Not pretty. But seriously, who would send out a 22 1/2 inch top for quilting? Most quilters have a minimum charge of at least $45 for a job, so that is way pricey for an itty bitty top the size of a placemat. I guess practice is the answer,and getting better at doing these small projects myself. There is a gal named Leah Day who has a whole big series of YouTube videos instructing bone heads like me (or probably not as bone headed as me) how to free motion quilt. She is amazing, you really need to check her out. I want to start at Video #1 and go step by step all the way to the end!
Just keep practicing! You'll keep improving. Just think, what you saved in paying a quilter can be put to use buying more fabric!
Posted by: Diane Linford | May 30, 2014 at 05:30 AM
Well, isn't Trace just the cutest little table topper or summer doll quilt?! Applause, applause as Nicole the Wonder Piecer has done it again. Did you her the wind whistling past your ears as you flew thru this process? :)
My very humble machine quilting usually involves me meandering around a central fabric design, then straight line quilting not quite in the ditch around the block parts as needed, then around both sides of some borders, and sometimes I use that Bernina wavy stitch in the outer border.
I cannot easily do loops and swoops because I cannot seem to move the quilt top well enough. I will have to check out those tutorials. I've bought Angela Walter's book about machine quilting but she has a long arm quilting machine. Lucky duck!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | May 30, 2014 at 05:54 AM
The little quilt turned out beautifully Nicole. I do love those fabrics.
FMQ is NOT my thing so my small quilts are stitched in the ditch or straight line stitched. My husband's golf buddy owns a window treatment business and somehow came across a long-arm quilting machine. He has it in his shop and said I can use it any time I want. I have NO clue how to even turn one of those things on much less load a quilt.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend...would love to see where you place your new table topper.
Posted by: Jeanna | May 30, 2014 at 06:23 AM
Your topper turned out lovely!
The colors remind me of Italian Ice (or sherbet). Definitely a good choice for the warmer weather that is coming.
Posted by: Sherry V. | May 30, 2014 at 07:07 AM
This is the CUTEST quilt ! I have a basket of unfinished small quilts because I refuse to pay $50.00 to have them quilted . I wish I was as brave as you to quilt my own . Your quilting looks great :-D
Have a great weekend !
Posted by: Sue Babich | May 30, 2014 at 09:01 AM
SID is the perfect quilting for this piece. Many times keeping it simple really is the best choice when it comes to quilting. But I do a lot of SID on my long arm because it really sets off applique and piecing.
Posted by: Sharon | May 30, 2014 at 09:35 AM
Your topper turne out cute! I think Leah Day has a Craftsy class too, you may want to check it out. I keep wanting to do free motion but don't want to mess my tops up. I think I will do what you're doing and start at video one and woke my way through. Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Anita | May 30, 2014 at 10:11 AM
Your table topper is perfect for summer.
Small projects have a definite appeal.
Posted by: pam hansen | May 30, 2014 at 12:30 PM
Your quilt colors are so soft & soothing! It will look very pretty where ever you put it this summer! Well done!
Posted by: Jan | May 30, 2014 at 03:43 PM
Oh, I just love it! Practice is sooooo important in free motion quilting, but who has the time with all these amazing tops to quilt???
Posted by: Michele | May 31, 2014 at 04:30 PM
Love those colors! Now, now, you're not a bone head! You are a talented quilter! And I'll bet you learn something with every quilt!
Yes, I love that Leah Day too! Very helpful!
But I will say that I want my computer and my sewing machine side by side sometimes! LOL
Posted by: Liz S. | May 31, 2014 at 08:08 PM
I use Moda's Bella Solid white. Its about as white as you can get! Whiter than white.
Posted by: Mary B | June 02, 2014 at 09:42 AM
Love you little topper. Keep practicing with the free motion. I usually do a scrap piece of fabric layered and practice for about 10 minutes before I start, it helps get the the rhythm down. I usually wash my quilt after I'm done, it hides all my mistakes!
Posted by: Denise | June 10, 2014 at 07:45 AM