My plan this year for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge was to start fewer new projects and concentrate on finishing up the old ones. That has meant fewer blog posts, but this week I'm very happy to share the finished top for my Hearts Applique Quilt.
Hearts Applique quilt top
38.125" x 45.25"
The heart blocks were an on-again, off-again project for several years. They were started sometime in 2021 as part of the RSC. I used to do a lot more hand applique when I was working, getting most of my hand stitching time during my daily train commutes. Since my retirement in 2020, hand applique has mostly become my travel project that I take along when we are going to be away from home.
I had around 100 blocks finished earlier this year and tried out the above layout in February. I decided against it because there was too much background showing, plus it was going to be a rather awkward size. I also didn't have enough of the same background fabric to fill the empty spaces. The blocks went back into a box until last month.
I was inspired by a quilt design by Laundry Basket Quilts with columns that step down by half a block in alternate columns. This quilt has lots more blocks in it (248) than I had, but I knew I could use that layout in a smaller quilt. The other thing I liked about the LBQ quilt was how the hearts really fill the blocks, keeping the emphasis on the wash of colors.
My blocks were stitched on 5" squares of background, then trimmed them down to 4.5" after the applique was done. I ended up trimming them all again, this time to 4" unfinished. That made a big difference in the amount of background showing.
I pulled out a very old Daisy Kingdom stripe with hearts and flowers in it for the border. It finishes off the outer edges nicely, but isn't too dark and heavy.
Finishing this quilt top completes one more of the goals on my list for our guild's UFO Challenge. Maybe getting it quilted and finished will go on my list for next year.
Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge every Saturday and Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday.
Happy quilting everyone!
Julie in GA
Your hearts are making a beautiful quilt, Julie! I love the layout and that border is perfect to surround them, too. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great layout! I love seeing quilts starting to come together at the end of each year. The heart layout is a great idea, but it does end up with a lot of empty space. It would make a great wall hanging with miniature blocks. The offset rows adds just enough interest without taking away the colorwash effect.
ReplyDeleteOh yes - this is a wonderful layout for the hearts!! Great job!!
ReplyDeleteI love that layout too, Julie. And the border is absolutely perfect. A stripe with interest. LBQ is a great source of inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love that you're getting old RSC projects done, as I have managed that some this year, as well. It feels good. Now to finish up some RSC2025!
ReplyDeleteThe hearts are so dramatic yet simple - a beautiful quilt, Julie! Even the old Daisy Kingdom print as the border is perfection!
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