Thursday, July 16, 2020

Butterfly Strings

Oh, the finishes are coming fast now. Strange how that happens. I'm excited to share this one: my second finish from my Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks from 2019. If you want to see the blocks as I made them, you can click on the RSC19 or Butterfly Quilt labels on the right sidebar or at the bottom of this post. 
This quilt was just so much fun. It's the third quilt I've made from the Dancing Butterflies Mini Pattern by Ellis and Higgs. The quilt in the pattern is just four butterflies and is 15 1/2 inches square. I've made the equivalent of 40 mini quilts (plus one butterfly) or 161 butterflies. So far. Because I wouldn't be surprised if I make another butterfly quilt someday. Or more. If you want to see my other butterfly quilts from this pattern, click on that Butterfly Quilt label. I've made slight variations in each. For this quilt, I made the wing parts with strings from my scraps, the upper wings from lighter scraps and the lower wings from darker. I made the brown bodies when brown came up as the color of the month. I know I messed around with the color of the month a bit throughout the year. I skipped red. When you take a closer look, you will see that the background has little yellow-green dots. The layout only took a few minutes. I knew that I wanted a rainbow progression diagonally across the quilt. 

We were under stay-at-home orders when it was time to pick out a background fabric. I often piece my background from what I have on-hand, but I didn't have enough big chunks to make that practical or fun, so I went online and found a fabulous Splotch Dropcloth (by Whistler Studios) wide back at Backside Fabrics. Their service was wonderful at a time when mail was usually turtle-slow. My only regret was that I didn't buy a whole lot more of this. I love it. I do have a little left, so it will sneak into another quilt someday.

Isn't it interesting how wholecloth pieces take on a different pattern when viewed from far away? Here's a close-up:

I love how it picks up almost all of the colors of the butterflies on the other side--and it's like a butterfly's view of a flower garden.

Let's go back to the front. Close up.
Yes, that's my signature "Piedmont" quilting--wavy lines across the quilt diagonally, and then perpendicular to that section across the rest of the quilt. It goes so fast, is easy on my shoulder, and makes such a luscious texture. For this quilt, I spaced the lines about 3/4 inch apart, extending my guide on my walking foot with a taped-on paper clip to try to keep the spacing even, but there are wobbles, and I don't care. Butterflies can fly however they want to.

Here's the edge. I used excess fabric from the backing for the binding. This narrow, it's kind of delicate looking, but I like it. It lets the butterflies take all the attention. 
This photo is after washing, so the light is different.

And it doesn't really show at all on the back.


While I was sewing the binding on, I looked up and noticed in the mirror behind my machine (I quilt in front of a dresser that holds my quilt) that my top matched the quilt, so of course I had to stop for a photo. Good quilting tip, right? For extreme happiness, match your outfit to your quilt.

Here's a view of my initials and the date before washing. I love using a washable marker that I can trace. So much easier than the tracing paper I used to sew through. 
After washing, I'll be the only one, probably, to know they are there. But it does serve as documentation of a sort, and a way to identify the quilt should it (perish the thought) get lost along the way. Sometimes my thread contrasts a little more, but I don't mind if the initials don't show.


Here's an indoor view:

Here are the stats:
PatternDancing Butterfly Mini by Ellis and Higgs times 14. I trimmed my blocks to 8 inches for a 7 1/2 inch finished block. There's ample leeway in this pattern to adjust size.
Fabrics:  Scraps from my supply going back more than 40 years. I don't know who makes the dotted background fabric. The backing as noted above is Splotch Dropcloth from Whistler Studios. 
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 
Thread: Superior-- Masterpiece in Granite for piecing; King Tut in Temple for quilting;Treasure in Old Lace for handstitching on binding. 
Binding: 2 1/2 inches cut, double layer, machine sewn to front and hand stitched on back.cut 
Finished Size: 53 inches by 60 1/2 inches pieced; 52 1/4 by 59 3/4 inches after quilting; 49 1/4 by 56 after washing. 
Machines: Singer Featherweight for piecing; Singer Treadle 115 for walking foot quilting.

And now, my favorite photos in the evening light after washing.





My link-ups this week:

I hope quilting is a bright spot in your week, and if you have RSC or scrap blocks lying around, I hope they are becoming quilts.

Let's close with one more photo, because you know, butterfly. This is from our bike ride this week--a brand new monarch strengthening its wings:

Take care and stay safe.

(Just a reminder: I'm not affiliated with any company, so when I mention products, services, or stores I'm just documenting what I used or liked.) 


36 comments:

Julie in GA said...

Your rainbow butterfly quilt is fantastic! I love that you used strings for the butterfly wings, the backing fabric is perfection, and your wavy quilting gives it all wonderful movement. Congratulations on a fabulous finish!

Joyce Carter said...

WOW! This quilt is sooo gorgeous! I love the butterflies. I would never have thought to use strings for the wings. Great job!

Bernie Kringel said...

This is lovely. The bright butterflies, flying whichever way they want!! The colors, pretty backing and binding fabric - it all works together so nicely. Are you keeping this one? Seems like you usually gift/donate your quilts. Love this one - you did such a nice job with it!!

Linda said...

This is one of the prettiest quilts I have ever seen. I still had that pattern in my Etsy cart, and your finish tipped me over to finally buy it! I love everything about this quilt and will shamelessly copy it when I make mine. I hope you're keeping it for yourself.
Love the top you wore while quilting. When I quilt, my T-shirt rarely matches the fabric. LOL!

Vicki in MN said...

So happy you finished another butterfly quilt for us to enjoy! Very pretty and those butterflies look like they are going to fly right off the quilt with those wavy paths!

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts said...

Your quilt is co cute! A butterfly quilt is on my bucket list! Thanks for the inspiration and pattern link.

Janice Holton said...

Now that is just one truly happy quilt. So colorful and bright and well, HAPPY! I love your quilting pattern and I think I'll have to try that sometime!

Jannette said...

That quilt is SO beautiful! Love the quilting - it gives such a sense of the butterflies actually in flight!
And the back - wow! So perfect!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

JanineMarie, your butterfly quilt is just gorgeous! I love the layout of the butterflies, your quilting, the backing and binding - all of it. You've made me want to go sew some butterflies! Congratulations on a wonderful finish!

Lin said...

Beautiful butterfly and I love that splotchy fabric. Your butterflies are so gorgeous! Just such a lovely quilt and I do like the way the rainbow crosses the quilt. Beautiful finish. xx

Lisa in Port Hope said...

Love love love! So wonderful how the scrappy strings, subtle background, and vibrant binding and backing come together have a great weekend

Mari said...

What a beautiful quilt! I love everything about it. The butterflies really look like they are flying every which way and enjoying it. I love the backing, and the quilting has given me a good idea for quilting my nephew's quilt. Yay, and thanks for the inspiration! Congratulations on a wonderful finish! Enjoy snuggling under it-- but not soon, because 98 degrees is the upper limit for covers of any kind. (At least at my house!)

Kat Scribner said...

Wow Wow. The butterflies are amazing ! and the backing is perfect too. Great finish!

LA Paylor said...

applause! applause!! I love everything about this down to a pretty floral binding! I was just telling Joy the other day, how much I love a floral binding! Such a great way to use scraps, and the quilting is so well done!
LeeAnna

Sherrie said...

Hi,
Stunning quilt...love the backing,
it's so pretty and goes perfectly
with the butterflies...have a great day!

Cathy said...

What a masterpiece. Such beautiful butterflies and quilting - and all done on vintage machines to boot!. Totally amazing! Enjoy your beautiful finish in good health!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Congrats on another fabulous RSC finish!!! (I think this one my be my favorite Butterfly quilt, yet.)

Mary said...

Beautiful quilt! I love the way you arranged them rainbow style. Great quilting design, too.

Margo Yang said...

What a fabulous quilt!! You’ve done a great job in every steps of the way in this quilt. It looks wonderful both front and back.

grammajudyb said...

I’m so glad you shared your finish. I watched as those butterflies unfurled their wings, month after month! Fabulous finish! Thanks too for all the details and the wonderful photos! Soooo pretty!

Jenny said...

Your butterfly quilt is just wonderful, well done on a great finish! I checked out your butterfly tab too and it was interesting to see how your butterflies progressed as the months rolled by.

Linda said...

What a beautiful quilt. I love how you used strings to make the butterflies. Your choice of backing is perfect.

gayle said...

Lovely butterflies dancing through the rainbow!

Louise said...

This quilt is an absolute delight, Janine! The scrappy rainbow wonderfulness of the butterflies, their flitting rainbow order, the curvy Piedmont (great name!) quilting, the lovely backing and binding...I love it all! I especially love how each piece of the puzzle looks different from near and far. Taken as a whole, the quilting suggests swirling winds and up close it looks like each butterfly's path. As a group, the 'flies look like a coordinated dance troupe, and alone each is truly unique and going its own way. I could peer at this one for hours, I think. Congrats on a beauty of a finish :)

QuiltGranma said...

Wow, beautiful finish!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

This quilt is amazing. I love everything about it. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

Deanna W said...

Awesome job on your butterfly quilt. The quilting is great, I might try that on one of my next quilts. Has the feeling of baptist fans without all the work.

KaHolly said...

It’s an absolute beauty! I think the quilting is the perfect compliment!

The Colorful Fabriholic said...

Beautiful butterfly quilt! I really like how you quilted it - wonderful texture but doesn't overwhelm the design. And your backing is perfect! I bought a remnant of that print too when it was sale recently, with a whole different purpose in mind. Great versatile print.

momto1 said...

What a delightful quilt. I love how you modified the pattern. It's just beautiful!

Quiltsmiles said...

What a fabulous quilt and kaleidoscope! Kudos

Angela Atkins said...

Such a beautiful quilt. I love how you worked your initials and date into the quilting--I fail to label so many of my quilts.

Katie Z. said...

Your quilt is stunning! The quilting is amazing, the butterflies are gorgeous, all the bits are just wonderful.

R's Rue said...

Beautiful

Marie said...

I am a bit late in my blogs reading... I love all your versions of the butterfly quilt. The strip piecing of tge wings is very subtle. It is like the butterfly really dance. It is magic.

PaintedThread said...

Love those butterflies! The way you quilted it is perfect!