Thursday, November 5, 2020

Jelly Roll Stroll

You know how people make those quilts from pre-cut strips and call them Jelly Roll Race? Those quilts that they make in a day or maybe a few hours? Yeah, well this is a post about one of those quilts. Except that this was a Jelly Roll Stroll, not a race. I started this quilt by playing with strips on September 19, then picked away at it little by little, and finished it on Election night (November 3) around midnight or maybe a bit after while nervously watching the returns on TV. As of this writing I have no idea who won our presidential election, and that's okay, as I will probably be too emotional to write at all by then, either celebrating or crying in my soup, and either way still very concerned for my country. So...here's a nice little story in the meantime.


This quilt started with a blog hop honoring the late Paula Budinger. who passed away in February. She was a delightful quilter/blogger who loved bright colors, learning new quilting techniques/styles, and donating quilts. Quilter friends Janice of Color, Creating and Quilting and Kate from Smiles from Kate quickly organized a Blog Hop to honor Paula's quilting legacy. Quilters who participated made quilts for their favorite charities.The hop happened from May 6 (Paula's birthday) to May 8. (I don't have a link to the actual hop here, but you can check their websites if you would like to see the quilts and posts of the quilters who participated.) I was not able to participate in the hop, but one of the quilters who did was Louise from My Quilt Odyssey. She made a fun Jelly Roll Race Quilt, and as part of her participation, she had a Boundless Fabrics Ombre Sunset Jelly Roll to give away. I was the giftee!!
Beautiful sunshine, persistent breeze

I have to admit these are not colors I usually gravitate to. Also, I have not worked with ombres before, and I was really uncertain how they would look in strip form for a quilt. But, remembering that Paula liked to learn new things, I jumped in to see what would happen. 

First I searched the internet for quilts that others have made using pre-cut strips. One that caught my eye was a pattern designed by Doris Rice for Moda a few years ago. She called it Nines in the Middle. The pattern makes a twin sized quilt and is really detailed, showing how long to cut strips and place them. I did not want to make a quilt that large, so I decided to wing it, using the general idea of the pattern but cutting my strips randomly and placing them for maximum use of my strips. 

I especially liked the nine-patches to break up the strips, and because I was just a bit intimidated by the bright colors, I decided to find a color from the opposite side of the color wheel to calm things down just a bit. I masked up and purchased a bit of turquoise fabric at my little local fabric store. It had a mottled look to it that I thought fit nicely with the ombres. I also purchased the remaining Kona Snow on a bolt for the nine-patches and "borders." The sales associate told me that they had been having a really hard time getting some basic solids (specifically, black, navy and white) in stock because everyone was using them for masks, so I was fortunate to get that bolt remainder (plus the bolt-end discount).

I was so happy with my purchases that I made my nine-patches first. Here's where following the pattern might have helped. After randomly cutting lengths of the strips and fitting them around the nine-patches, I realized that by not sewing the nine-patches into the quilt as part of the strips, I had to do partial seams throughout the construction. I don't have photos of the process. I was too into sewing for that. It took a lot of planning as I went, making sections of strips, partially joining them and then completing the seam after adding more strips or joining to a nine-patch. The great thing about this is that I think I would have quickly grown bored just sewing long strips together over and over. This took a lot of thought, which was a fun challenge and kept me interested. 

After I finished the top, I had a lot of strips left over. I did not want to make another quilt and there were more than I could use in a scrappy binding, so I decided to make a pieced back to complement the front. I first made some strip sets with the turquoise and white leftovers, making just the middle row of nine-patches. Then I laid all the leftover strips around and made as big a section as I could to cover a portion of the quilt. When I was finished, I found that if I bought one length of fabric the same measurement of width of the quilt, I could split it to cover the top and bottom of the back. This time, masking up and going to the store took a little more courage, as by that time the number of Covid cases was beginning to rise again. I chose to go to a larger quilt store, ensuring a wide selection of fabric. I also had about 30 dollars on a rewards card that I had earned just before the lockdown that I wanted to use up. I am usually a very slow fabric shopper, but I challenged myself to find a fabric as quickly as possible. I wasn't seeing what I had envisioned, but did find this watery fabric. I wasn't convinced, but grabbed it along with some basics, a pack of needles, and a few fat quarters to use up my rewards and was out of there in about 15 or 20 minutes. My, how this virus has changed my shopping habits!! And you know what? That watery fabric grew on me, and now I think it is just right for the backing.

Long before the quilt was finished I had an idea for a quilting pattern. 

I quickly sketched it, and after basting the quilt, drew the main lines with a flexible curve. (That is a scary tool for me, because I think there is lead inside of it. It stinks!! I store it in a heavy plastic bag deep in a drawer so I don't need to be near it. Weird, I know, but it does come in handy occasionally.) Then I used my walking foot to quilt each of the four sections. The result was nothing like my sketch. I tried following each line 3/4 inch away, but instead of graceful curves flowing across each section I ended up with (wonky, but that's a given for me) lines that flattened as I went. Luckily, it happened pretty much the same in each quarter of the quilt, so it looks like maybe I planned it that way? I'm sure it has something to do with the geometry of using a pattern like this in a not quite square shape. Plus user inexactness. Who knows? Luckily, I don't mind. I am a weird mix of precision-ish piecer and lackadaisical quilter. And, yes, finished is better than perfect, and all that.
initials/date with washable marker guide

initials/date after washing

I am thrilled with how the top turned out. The ombre created a lot of movement, and the bright colors are, as my husband described the quilt, joyful. And one other thing I have to note: I have not worked with pinked fabric strips before, and I had heard that sometimes widths are varied and difficult to work with. I did not find that to be the case with these strips. They measured 2 1/2 inches wide at the points and as long as I aligned those with my seam guide, everything fit together well. 
Selfie!
 
This quilt has been a blast, and a very good occupation during a challenging year and stressful time in my country for so many reasons.This was me on election night. 

I'm not sure I've ever completed binding on a lap quilt in one evening before. I was hoping that it would relieve stress. I'm not sure it did, but the quilt finish did result in happiness and satisfaction. I think Paula would approve of the result. I sewed with bright colors, tried a new technique, and I intend to donate this quilt (to be determined after I have a small batch of quilts finished). There was some talk after the blog hop in May that there would be another on Paula's birthday next year. If so, I think I might link this post up as this is my quilt to honor her legacy. I could not have done it without all the people who I mentioned at the beginning of this post, so many thanks to all of you. 

Here are the stats: 
Pattern: Variation of Nines in the Middle by Doris Rice for Moda. (Interestingly, the pattern had pink in the nine-patches in the photo, but I have since found a version of it with turquoise, so my quilt is definitely not unique even though I did not strictly follow the pattern.
Fabrics:  Boundless Fabrics Ombre Sunset Jelly Roll (Gift from Louise); Shabby by Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet for Riley Blake Designs (not sure of the color name); Robert Kaufman Kona Snow. Backing is a digitally printed fabric, Horizon in Dawn by Grant Haffner for Windham Fabrics.
Batting: Hobbs Premium 80/20
Thread: Superior Masterpiece in Granite for piecing; Superior King Tut in Temple for quilting; Superior Treasure Hand Quilting thread in Little Prince (variegated blue) to sew down binding.
Binding: 2 1/2 inches cut, double layer, machine sewn to front and hand stitched on back. 
Size: 53 1/2 by 61 inches before quilting; 52 1/2 by 60 1/4 after quilting; 49 1/2 by 56 5/8 after washing on cold and machine drying on low.
Machines: Singer Featherweight for piecing; Singer Treadle 115 for  quilting and the machine work on the binding.


Have a lovely weekend, and if you live in my country, take a deep breath, with patience and  hope for the future.

(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.) 






29 comments:

The Joyful Quilter said...

Cool pattern, awesome quilting, and congratulations on making use of your big win!!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

That is such a neat pattern, and worked so well for your fabric choices! I love the quilting design, too. Great finish, Janine Marie! Sewing has been a good refuge for me this year, too - such insane times!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I think it is beautiful - the pattern and the quilting - I'm with you on the election stuff - I have a stress headache tonight just thinking of it and some of the things that I saw posted on line - the US is a crazy place right - we need a change and peace

Cathy said...

Your quilt is beautiful and the colors are so fresh. You did a super job on this unique quilt. Congratulations!

Vicki in MN said...

A great use of a jelly roll, but doesn't look like a jelly roll. I love the nine patches to break it up. Fun quilting on it too.

Jannette said...

That's such a gorgeous quilt! The curvy quilting is perfect to balance the lines.

Bernie Kringel said...

Wow - Janine, this is gorgeous. I love hombres but haven't used them. What a great way to have tons of color and not look too chaotic. Plus the modern look of the hombre strips with a simple nine patch block is genius. Beautiful work.

Bernie Kringel said...

One more thing - that backing!! So pretty. Really well done through and through.

The Colorful Fabriholic said...

Very clever and impactful use of strips - I love it! I really like your quilting, too. Thanks for sharing the diagram of how you planned it. It really complements the piecing nicely and keeps the total effect modern.

Louise said...

You were clearly the perfect person to win the jelly roll, because what you made is amazing! Knowing you used partial seams makes it even more impressive. I love that quilting design, even if wasn't quite what you envisioned. It has super movement and texture. And to top it all off, I think that finishing a donation quilt on election night is proof that there is Much Good in the world. We make it so, each of us, one charity quilt at a time. Congratulations on a beautiful and meaningful finish :)

Michele said...

I really, really like it. The color choice for the 9 patch blocks was perfect. Congrats on a beautiful finish.

Carla Fiedler said...

I. Love. This. Quilt! May its recipient be as generous and kind as you are!

Rochelle aka Bella Quilts said...

I love the bright colors and the way you reached into yourself to try something new. The nine patch squares really offer a wonderful way to make this quilt more eye catching. I've sewn those long seams and totally agree that it is boring. So congratulations on 1) trying something new; 2) venturing into a store during Covid (not once but twice); and 3) sharing such an amazing story.

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty said...

This pattern is new to me, and I love it. I wouldn't have thought to use an ombre jelly roll like this, but the project is brilliant. Well done!

Lynn said...

So stunning. Great use of The jelly roll and the backing is perfect. The quilting really enhances the whole. A wonderful way to honour a friend.

Kathleen said...

This is a terrific quilt and it seems to have checked all the boxes: bright colors, new technique, and a donation. I love the back and the quilting too! I am sure Paula is smiling.

maggie fellow said...

ooo - wonderful quilt - love the colors

Linda said...

Love, love, love this quilt! I think it's one of the prettiest quilts I've ever seen. I'm nervous about bright colors myself, but this one is just so attractive, and your color choices are wonderful. I had never heard of a flexible curve before!

Linda said...

I forgot to mention that I had to do a y-seam on a Farm Girl Vintage tractor a few years ago, and it freaked me out so much I haven't tried another - lol!

KaHolly said...

This quilt tickles my fancy!

Mari said...

I love this quilt! It turned out so pretty and looks really complicated but is actually pretty straightforward. All the hallmarks of great design! The quilting is lovely and I really like how it turned out, even if it isn't what you planned to begin with. Congratualtions on a beautiful finish!

QuiltGranma said...

Absolutely stunning! And I too am not a bright person for colors. What a delightful quilt for some lucky recipient!

Jenny said...

So interesting to read the story behind your gorgeous quilt, it all came together so well, partial seams and all! It will certainly be a treasured donation quilt.

PaintedThread said...

What a cool quilt! Love the color and the design. And the quilting! Fun!

Preeti said...

Thrilled is correct!!! I feel so energized and filled with positive energy on seeing this quilt. I see why you'd need partial seams to make the design work but it was so worth it. Just between you and me, love the back even more than the front. Exquisitely quilted. Also agree with KaHolly :-)

Ellie said...

Thank you for sharing this quilt adventure! I LOVE the outcome. I have ombré fabric waiting for inspiration and now I have it. Thank you. And yes, I live in the USA and I’m taking that deep breath that you mentioned.

Anonymous said...

I love EVERYTHING about this quilt. The fabrics and colors are gorgeous and the quilting is WONDERFUL! I would love to try this on something!

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi JanineMarie! I am so drawn to this quilt. I guess I take after Paula and her love of bright colors because I want to replicate this quilt right.this.minute. And the quilting!! Simple yet so very perfect for this piece. But most of all, I enjoyed hearing about your process and how it all came together for you in the end. You love it, I love it, we ALL love it. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
P.S. I did PIN it so I remember exactly where my inspiration came from when I make it sooner than later.

Andree G. Faubert said...

Hi JanineMarie, what a lovely quilt. I really love the fabric and the quilting. It looks amazing. It sounds like it's a fitting tribute to Paula Budinger with the colour and everything you've learned. It really is stunning :-) Take care.