2/16/2018

Modified Open Heart

I finished my first Valentine's quilt a few days ago!


The pattern is Open Heart by Lella Boutique. I modified the cutting instructions to end up with enough for two strips, to add to two side of the blocks. I dislike doing borders, so this added a bit more color to the quilt.



I also did a smaller 4 x5 layout. The fabric is a fat eighth bundle of First Crush by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics. I'm ready to use up my much too long hoarded Sweetwater stash.


I have several factory cut fat eighth bundles and this is the first one I have opened! I'm wondering the opinion of others on these bundles. I was a bit disappointed in how wonky the pieces were cut. If I had needed the full 9" width, it would not of happened. I probably won't buy any more of these precuts unless I have a pattern picked already that I know will work with less than 9". Has anyone else experienced this problem? I really liked buying these bundles because it's less costly than a fat quarter bundle. 


I intended to do my usual crosshatch but wanted something different and quicker so I used the scallop stitch on my machine. It is spaced about 1.5" apart and I wish I'd made it a bit closer, but it's ok and it's finished! 


I didn't have a quilt holder /helper and it's been cold and windy so I got the best pictures I could inside. The white solid is from Connecting Threads. I get all of my Sweetwater fabrics from Stitches and Giggles, Lori has one of the first shops I ever found and she's amazing, and a good friend :)


It's quilted with Gutermann light gray cotton thread. I buy cones at JoAnn's when it's half off. It's thin like Aurifil and I really like it. It's also on sale right now for 11.49 for 3,281 yards if you're interested! It is only available online. It would be nice if they would make more colors available on these cones, it really helps cut thread costs. I use it for most all my piecing.


For the back I added some of the leftover fat eighth's that had less contrast that I didn't want on the front. I really like how it turned out! I despise piecing backs but they really are so much more pleasing when finished.



The batting is from the giant rolls of cotton I still need to use up before I switch to Hobbs.
It is bound with Aurifil 2255 thread. It finshed at 53 x 66.


I'm really happy to have a finish, and one that was on time! Have a great weekend everyone!


Linking up with Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation, Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts and Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts

11 comments:

  1. Such a sweet little quilt. Love the scrappy backing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like the way you added edges to two sides of the block; it adds a nice movement along the quilt in the way sashing doesn't. I have had that issue even with fat quarters in the past, so I quickly gravitated to buy yardage and not bundles, haha. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sweetwater is one of my favorites and I really love that open heart design. I've also been saving a few fat eighth bundles and other pre-cuts, being reluctant to open them until I have a pretty good idea what to do with them. Only a quilter would understand.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have not purchased fat 8th bundles, but have had an issue with fat quarters. Man, that made me mad!. I was making a plus quilt using the Arithmetic pattern from Jeni Baker. I needed 4 matching squares cut at 4.5 in. Some of the fat quarters were cut to skimpily to get 4 across the 18 inches. I had to piece some of the squares. It worked out, not too noticeable, but come on!. I expected them to be 18 X 22!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love your quilt!! I like what you did on the back too :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a beautiful Valentine quilt. I like how the scalloped quilting softens the straight piecing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. That is sooo pretty Chris! The scalloped quilting is the perfect touch and I love the way you pieced the back too. This pattern and the way you modified it is perfect for your "hoarded" Sweetwater stash. (LOL i have hoarded favorites too)
    I like buying fat quarter and fat eighth bundles as well. How disturbing that they are not cut with precision. As a person who prewashes this size cut, I've only ever used them for 8" cuts, because they always prewash wonky.
    Congratulations on your Valentine finish Chris!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is a beautiful quilt, Christine. That is my favorite type of quilting :-) This design would be perfect for a wedding quilt, where the guests could write messages inside the heart block.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am not a heart fan but these are darn cute! I really love them on the back as well. I love seeing the blocks in the backs.

    ReplyDelete
  10. WOW. I love this types of fabric. I found another Quality Fabric Store here. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! Comments are encouraged and appreciated!