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.
Linking up with:
Rainbow Scrap Challenge at So Scrappy
Oh Scrap! at Quilting is more fun than Housework
Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
Monday Musings at Songbird Designs
Wednesday Wait Loss at Inquiring Quilter
Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation
Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts
Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty
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!
ReplyDeleteYour hearts are GORGEOUS! ...and you know just how much I love Laundry Basket Quilts! Love the border. Nicely done, Julie!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, sweet quilt.
ReplyDeleteA very effective setting, the color wash works really well with those blocks. Congrats on getting another RSC project to the finished quilt top stage.
ReplyDeleteYour hearts made a beautiful top! Way to go to have a UFO closer to a finish. I think your plan to finish it next year is perfect!--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely layout for your heart blocks. I agree that the wash of color across the top is what makes it so pretty. Kudos on getting a wip done! Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss. https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2025/10/14/wednesday-wait-loss-454
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty, cheerful quilt!
ReplyDelete