Finished 2011: Origami Quilt

I have great news!

My Origami Quilt is back from my long arm quilter aka my momma.



I gave my momma free-reign when it came to quilting the top. So I had no idea what the finished product would be until she shipped it back to me.

As soon as I got it, I called her to tell her how much I love the work she did.



I love the pale pink thread she used.

I love the simplicity of the cross-hatching she decided to do.

During our phone conversation -- okay after I finished squee-ing about the finished product -- I asked her why she did what she did. She told me simply, "I did exactly what I knew you would want. Something unexpected (the pale pink thread) and something simple (the cross-hatch); as well as wanting to highlight the pinwheels."

Wow. I mean, she will always be my favourite long-arm quilter but I have a feeling she will be my only long-arm quilter :)

Anyway...

Many of you asked me about quilting this fabric heavy block and here are choices my momma made:

1. The lightest batting she could find; to ensure that the weight of the quilt wasn't oppressive. I have to agree with her on that. The quilt she sent me is surprisingly light weight that even younger children adore it.

2. She elected not to quilt the pinwheels after seeing the final product; though she had been thinking that since first seeing the blocks during the construction of this quilt...



Ultimately, her decision was based on how much fabric is actually involved in the quilt at certain corners. At the middle of each pinwheel you are looking at 6-12 layers of fabric and batting and the backing.

That being said we both think it is possible to quilt the pinwheels but it may take several jeans-rated needles to do so and you would want to stay way from some of the seams.

On top of that, she said she didn't want to take away from all the hand-work I did to create the curves.

If you do decided to quilt the pinwheels, please let me know, I would love to hear about your experience with it.

3. If you decided to hand-quilt, I have learned that a large frame is the only way to go. The construction of lap frames can't always take the amount of fabric in the pinwheels. I'm constructing an old fashion frame that I can easily move around since my huge standing frame is occupied at the moment. When I get the Florida Version on the frame, I'll be sure to share pictures of my frame.

Last but not least, if you are in the DFW area, I will be teaching this block at the September Meeting of Sew Fresh at Cabbage Rose Quilting & Fabrics on Thursday, September 8.

This will be a hands-on tutorial. And though, we won't be able to sew the seams, you will leave with the confidence to get through the hard part of the block which is the folding! As well as see the quilt above, the Florida Quilt, the Polly Goes to Paris Quilt and one or two more quilt tops featuring this block.

The live-tutorial will feature how to make the Florida Quilt version. To do this you will need the following materials:

*straight pins
*at least 4-6" squares (this will be your back ground fabric)
*at least 4-5" squares (this will be your pinwheel fabric) -- Prior to arriving, please iron these squares using starch. It will make the folds easier but it is not a requirement :)

And that's it.

For everyone else, the hubby has promised to help me make videos of this tutorial in English and Spanish and possibly French. MGO and I have both started back with school but I'm hoping we can get these up by November.

I am also working on writing up patterns for the various quilts I make with this block for everyone's enjoyment. So please check back!