This week's challenge was The First One. For me, that meant trying a new pattern or technique. I dug through and rejected several paper pieced patterns before I hit upon my Dresden plate ruler. I bought this at Swanson's more than two years ago, because who can pass up a $4 quilting ruler? It was brand new - still had the protective paper on it. Using it would be a first! Then I decided the quilt needed to be one color. I discarded all my blues and reds to pick brown (beige/cream is a brown, right?). I never know what fabric is going to speak up. Excellent. I've covered both the words first and one.
The plate came out bigger than I realized - about a foot in diameter - so it wasn't going to be another mug rug. Table topper? How about a pillow? I threw on some borders for a finished size of 16" square. I had intended to free motion quilt the pillow, but ended up with straight-line quilting echoing the edges. I'm pleased with the result.
I thought I had enough of the dark brown fabric to make an envelope back and binding, but after assembling the binding it was a half inch short. So close! I could not find a single scrap long enough to finish it off. Luckily I found a bit of espresso fabric long enough to bind the edge. I like it a lot better than my original choice. Happy accident!
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Project Quilting 14.1
My Quilt Infatuation - Needle & Thread Thursday
Wendy's Quilts and More - Peacock Party
i love making circles, and DP's. I put them in borders a lot. Your story was fun, the thoughts behind the making. Using a purchase ruler.... yep, I get it. I just used finally my Gyleen Fitzgerald pineapple ruler finally. It turned out to not be that satisfying but I used it! Your pillow is very pretty, the quilting is pretty, the whole piece is a nod to the tradition of quilt making the way it's sitting on the chair. Yea! a challenge met!
ReplyDeleteThat's really pretty in the browns, Sally! I did the same thing when I made my first Dresden Plate - just jumped right in without any tips on making the process go smoothly. But yours look great! Did you use a pillow form inside, or stuff it?
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! And I love the colors :)
ReplyDeleteIt seems the happy little accident of the espresso fabric is perfect! A fabulous pillow showcasing the dresden plate design Such a great buy the ruler was. Love the straight quilting, too.
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE it! I have dresden rulers but never made one either. This pillow is the perfect opportunity to try. Congratulations on your finish.
ReplyDeleteI love that you jumped right in and tried something new. It came together beautifully!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful pillow! And the quilting looks great.
ReplyDeleteGabi from TheQuiltingSpace
Yea foe week one done! I really want to participate, but being away from my “stuff” is hard. I’m going to note the prompts and try to do some when I get back home. Soon I hope. Anyway,I love your pretty pillow! I am a girl who likes brown….some people don’t!
ReplyDeleteMarvelous finish! I've not done a Dresden plate ever.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteLovely project for the challenge. Kudos for using that ruler for the FIRST time!!
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