Friday, May 13, 2011

Bloggers' Quilt Festival - Summer Romance

Summer Romance, 2009-2010

Making Summer Romance was a big departure for me because it required sewing with abandon.  It was string pieced on paper foundations, using stash fabrics cut in random widths, from 1.25 to 2.5 inches wide.  There was nothing to measure, no fiddly little pieces to match up in each block, no concerns about nipping off points.  Just make the blocks, use a ruler to trim them to size, then sew together.



Here's a little of the process.  I put a strip of solid white down the diagonal center of each bloc for some uniformity. 

More strips added to one side of the center strip.  Use the longest strips first and save small pieces for the corners.


Strips added to both sides of the center.


Trimmed to size with square ruler and rotary cutter.

Four blocks together


The finished top

Quilted, bound, and on the bed!

To see more entries in the Bloggers' Quilt Festival, click on the button below to go to the list of participants on Amy's site.

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36 comments:

  1. LonciMay 13, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    It is beautiful:)

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  2. Kathy SchwartzMay 13, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    That is a very pretty quilt. Lots of sewing but well worth it!

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  3. JanMay 13, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    Super pretty, and so soft looking!

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  4. Kendra (missknitta)May 13, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    I love this! And thank you for the tutorial about foundation piecing -- it is on my "to learn" list for 2011 :)

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  5. stitchinpennyMay 13, 2011 at 6:19 PM

    Gotta love the string quilts. They are so beautiful.

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  6. JanetMay 13, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    This is so pretty. I'm making a string piece quilt but I am using a muslin foundation. I hope I don't regret that.

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  7. Laurel H.May 13, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    I like your pastel string quilt. Actually, you have a quite a few really nice quilts!

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  8. Linda at Roscoe's MaMay 13, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    This quilt is gorgeous! Thanks you for telling us how you made the blocks. It's really a great quilt!

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  9. EileenMay 13, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Lovely colors and fabrics. Have done strip quilting in a couple ways both with material as the foundation and paper. Prefer the fabric way butveither usually lends itself to fabulous results. Thanks for sharing and have a great day

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  10. Dee J.May 13, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    When I first learned foundation quilting, I thought I'd died and gone to Heaven, because the results were so squeaky neat. Now I find, it leads to all kinds of wonderful and new ventures. So freeing. String quilts are some of my favorites.

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  11. AllieMay 13, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    How gorgeous - so dreamy and romantic, I love it!

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  12. KelliMay 14, 2011 at 1:18 AM

    I love string quilts. This is very pretty in these colours. Love it!

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  13. JolandaMay 14, 2011 at 4:45 AM

    Lovely quilt. I like the soft colors of your fabrics. My favorite kind.

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  14. KarenMay 14, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    I love the way these quilts come together. Your quilt looks great. Lovely colours!

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  15. Amanda DicksonMay 14, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    Love the quilt...so fun and yet delicate!

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  16. AnonymousMay 14, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Beautiful quilt! I'll have to try this one ... love the shabby chic look. Thanks for sharing the instructions!

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  17. AmyMay 14, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    beautiful quilt.

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  18. Martine KucielMay 14, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    ces sont couleurs très douces joli réalisation

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  19. TeresaMay 14, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    Oh i love string quilts! and this one is SO pretty! Looks super cozy!

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  20. MarikaMay 14, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Very beautiful cheerful darling, Quilt work

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  21. SunnybecMay 15, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    Lovely quilt. Have never made a string quilt thanks for the tutorial on how you did yours.

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  22. Sarcastic QuilterMay 15, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    This is very pretty and thanks for posting the way you did this. I think I'm going to have to gove it a try.

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  23. quilthexleMay 15, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    What a wonderful quilt - thanks for sharing your process! It looks really feminine ... beautiful.

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  24. VickiMay 15, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    love those pastels... great job!

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  25. Rose MarieMay 16, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    I have a string quilt on my 'to do' list and one of these days, it will get done.

    Your quilt is delightful and made from your stash ... priceless!

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  26. MandaMay 16, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    Very pretty. I need to get a string quilt made I've been wanting one for ages!

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  27. UnknownMay 16, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    Great name for such a romantic quilt!

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  28. KateMay 16, 2011 at 11:19 PM

    Love the soft colors you used. Very pretty quilt.

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  29. Carol GMay 17, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    What a soft, wonderful color palette. I also see you have made a Winner's Bouquet (Cider Mill). I just finished one. Did you see the lovely one in this Festival?

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  30. grendelskinMay 17, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    That's one of the loveliest string quilts I've ever seen! They really do *eat* strings, don't they?!? Thanks for sharing it; took a peek around and your work is just wonderful.

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  31. quiltmom annaMay 17, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    Such beautiful soft colors and I love the butterfly applique- I have never made a string quilt but perhaps someday- They always turn out so pretty.
    Regards from Western Canada,
    Anna

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  32. DesleyMay 18, 2011 at 5:10 AM

    Very pretty. I like the method you used to piece it.

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  33. JessicaMay 19, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    This quilt is gorgeous. Although brightly colored quilts can be interesting, romantic ones in pastel colors like this are the kinds of quilts I actually want in my bedroom. I've really been interested in string quilting lately (I added these 2 projects to my website recently: http://www.favequilts.com/Quilted-Pillows/String-Block-Pillow and http://www.favequilts.com/Block-Patterns/Sun-Rays-Quilt-Block), but I haven't made one myself yet. You convinced me this should be my next project!

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  34. KarenMay 20, 2011 at 1:03 AM

    I have never made a paper pieced quilt--yours is gorgeous. I love all the pinks--it makes for a very feminine quilt.

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  35. RachelMay 20, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    Awesome job!! I love this technique, I usually do it as a quilt-as-you-go pattern. Basically instead of the paper as foundation, you using backing fabric and batting as foundation. Then you just join them with sashing and when you are done, your quilt is already quilted!!

    Cheers!
    Rachel
    http://www.dewberrylane.com

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  36. Apple Avenue QuiltsMay 22, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    Your quilt is lovely! I love soft colors

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