2014 Pantone “Challenge” Quilt it WAS !!!

My 2014 Pantone Challenge Quilt:  Radiant Orchid.  36″ x 50″.  You can see the others entries here and here.

My Pantone Challenge for the mini division is this 18″ pillow with a quilted back and zipper.

My Pantone Collection.  Yes, I did get a bit carried away.

A zippered purse using a pattern from Vintage Quilt Revival.  This could be a mini, but I think the pillow is fine for that category.

Below are more photos of my quilt followed by my process.  The backing and binding are from Mo Bedell’s Hothouse Flower collection.  I used Kona Silver for the background.  The stems and squares are machine appliqued onto the top.  I quilted it a bit diagonal with straight lines (five to the inch) using fuchsia thread.  The batting is Hobbs 80/20.

This was my process:  Using two different templates and several fabric combinations, I made 140 quarter circle blocks.  After sewing several together, I landed on one block worked.

After sewing six blocks, I took a group photo, printed it on paper and cut them out to find a pleasing layout.

Kevin suggested quilting straight lines at a bit of an angle, so I prepared the back and quilted away.

The quilt came out way crooked without my usual pinning to the leaders. 

My best option was to block it.  The first wash, I used Synthropol and there was bleeding.  The second, I used Retayne and it came out fine.  Running the de-humidifier throughout the night removed the moisture and I had a square quilt!

My neighbor and friend, Debby, was spot on with her comment, “- the quilt is gorgeous and the back story kind of reflects what we all have to do in life if we are lucky enough to have the skills and tools to pull off getting to the desired outcome.”