Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Pickledish Mini

I am so excited to finally share with you the mini I made for a swap with Jessie of Inside The Paper Box.  Advance warning:  there are A LOT of pics in this post. 
I've been wanting to participate in some swaps on Flickr, but they all require prior swap experience and I had none.  I posted a message on instagram and Jessie so kindly volunteered to do a private swap with me to help build up my swappy street cred.  We posted inspiration collages and went from there.  I was so happy to see that one of her picks was Aneela's Pickledish block.  I've had this block bookmarked for a long time but never a reason or the time to actually make it.  And so here was my chance!  Jessie's only direction was that she liked scrappy. 
 
I have a very modest stash so everything I pulled was a favorite.
fabric selection
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The first few arcs were a bit tricky but then I got the hang of it.
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I included all of my favorite text prints for the cornerstones.
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Planning the layout.
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Pinning is crucial with these, but sewing the curves was no problem at all.  I found it very relaxing.
pinning the curves
Before I started any quilting, I sketched the block out and planned how I wanted each space to look.  My quilting was definitely inspired by Angela Walters.  I turned to both of her books and her Craftsy class for guidance.  I had planned to include swirls and circles in the background, but my skills aren't up to par yet.  I kept with the pebbles which was fun and not too difficult for my first time trying them.
quilt doodle
The only lines I actually marked were for the center quilting.
marking my quilting lines
At first I was having major tension issues and getting these weird knotty spots on the back.  Then I posted a pic on instagram asking for tips.  Within minutes I had some great suggestions and after a quick cleaning, needle change, and putting my feed dogs UP, it was smooth sailing!  I love instagram!
tension issues
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Pickledish mini
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Machine stitched binding.
pebbles
A view of the back.
backside view
I really had a great time making this mini.  I hope it is enjoyed in its new home.  Thanks to Jessie for the opportunity.  And thank you for reading!  :^)
Melissa

Linking up to Finish It Up Friday over at Crazy Mom Quilts.

16 comments:

  1. Very cool. Great variety of quilting really makes the quilt

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    1. Thank you! I really tried to push myself on the quilting with this one.

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  2. Wow! Your quilting is gorgeous, Melissa! And the fabrics you chose look great. Well done!

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    1. Thank you! I really liked using the steel gray Kona. I've been on a gray kick lately.

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  3. This is awesome. Love the colors & the text prints. And the QUILTING is AMAZING! Beautiful work.

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    1. Thank you! I got to use just enough text prints with out repeating any. It worked out perfectly.

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  4. All of it is gorgeous! What a wonderful finish!

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    1. Thank you Beth! As much as I loved looking at it, I'm happy to know someone else gets to appreciate it too.

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  5. Very nicely done! I'm not usually a fan of gray (I know that makes me an oddity in the quilting world) but I am really liking this dark gray with all the bright fabrics! And congrats for working out you FMQ issues. Everytime I attempt it I still cross my fingers that everything will work like its supposed to.

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  6. Great job Melissa! Your FMQ looks super to me :)

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  7. Check out the Richmond Modern Quilt Guild site (www.rmqg.net).
    I highlighted your blog!

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  8. feed dogs up - interesting. Love everything about it.

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  9. I don't think you will have any problems getting into swaps now - absolutely stunning mini!

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