This month’s challenge is to make a quilt that is juvenile inspired using the accuquilt die that we received in the July box. I recieved the Cleopatra’s Fan AccuQuilt die. (You can see the unboxing video HERE.) There was a lot of chatter on the private facebook page about Cleopatra’s Fan being “an old lady’s block.”
I laughed, but then I kept thinking about the “old lady’s block.” What to do?
In July, I had received a fat quarter bundle of “Primo” by Ebony Love!!! LUCKY ME!!! With the circles and dashes and the fun designs, it spoke to me and said, “I’m your fabric for the juvenile challenge.” SEW … that’s what I used. I choose the purples, pinks, and oranges for this project.
I started out making the blocks with the Cleopatra’s Fan Die. At first, I was NOT happy. This block has CURVED seams! That is almost a guarantee for swearing and cussing! However, I was able to cut out each block with one pass of the die. Each piece is cut perfectly. I certainly can’t complain about that!
Yes, I was grumbling as I pieced those curved seams. But you know what??? Because it was cut perfectly, they actually went together fairly easily. Yes, I had to take my time, but I managed to make 12 blocks without talking with my seam ripper very often! And, I don’t think I swore too often!
I put the blocks up on the design wall … and thought and thought and thought … what could I do to make these “old lady blocks” look more juvenile? A teddy bear, perhaps? No … that wouldn’t really fit and would sort of be baby-ish.
Then it hit me: A butterfly! A butterfly would be perfect. But I couldn’t find one that used squares and half-square triangles. Sew, I drew what I wanted. And figured out what I needed.
I cut the squares and triangles with the left-over fabric from the Cleopatra’s fan blocks. The Accuquilt Cube dies were perfect for cutting up scraps! I loved the perfectly cut half-square triangles and the squares. It made piecing the butterfly SEW easy!
The binding is scrappy and other than a couple of little squares of fabric. I don’t have any scraps left from the fat quarters I used.
Then, it was time for the photo-shoot! I dragged my hubby up the road to the park and he helped me arrange the quilt and so I could get some ‘juvenile’ inspired photos!
The quilt is on a climbing thing, cuddled up for a swing, going for a slide and hanging out on the multi-activity thing.
The quilt is quilted with Aurifil thread: purple #2581(Centre of butterfly and antenna), dark pink #2452 (top butterfly wings, Cleopatra’s fans), light orange #2205 (bottom of butterfly) and beige #2000 (the background swirls).
Batting is Hobbs Cotton batting with scrim.
Disclaimer: The products featured in this Blog post were given to me by Island Batik, and their program partners: Aurifil, Hobbs Batting & AccuQuilt!
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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That’s a great quilt, Gail. You are coming into your own as a designer, Congratulations! I actually really like those old lady blocks (perhaps because I am… No. Never).Wouldn’t one look fabulous as a head dress for an international princess like Preeti has been making?
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Thanks, Ann! A headdress – absolutely!
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I love this! Great use of the block, I love the fan in combination with the butterfly! And fun photo shoot at the playground!
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Thanks, Emily!
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Those Cleopatra’s fan blocks are very impressive. Great job on the piecing and the quilt design. Love the butterfly center!
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Thanks,Kate!
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Wonderful quilt a difficult BOB die to make a child’s quilt. I love the fabrics and really had to double check that the were batiks! You really rocked this challenge!
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Thanks, Kathleen!
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Awesome quilt!!
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That child’s play block is beautiful. A lot of pieces.
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks, Sandy!
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This is awesome. Great job! My September top is done but I don’t know how I’m going to quilt it.
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Thanks,Anja! Give your top a little time and it will tell you how it wants to be quilted! Happy Quilting! 😀
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Hi Gail! I can’t get past the first picture – OMG!!!!! That is just Gorgeous. Those fabrics in the corner designs look SO cool. Okay – reading now. And you drew out the butterfly – just fabulous. Your photoshoot is fun too – my favorite is the slide. ~smile~ Roseanne
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Thanks, Roseanne! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Happy Quilting! 😀
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beautiful fabrics, beautiful designs, amazing quilter!
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Thanks. You are too sweet, Cindy!
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Absolutely love it!!
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Thanks, Rhonda!
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Well done Gail …and SO creative. You are an inspiration. 🙂
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Thanks, Jacqueline!
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Clever use of the Cleopatra’s Fan block, and I like your photo shoot!
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Thanks, Wendy! The photo shoot was fun! 😀
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Gail — your quilt is beautiful — love the fabrics you used and the butterfly was the perfect design for the center!
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Thanks, Karla!
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This is just so darling!
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Thanks, Alison!
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You did an excellent job with this challenge. Beautiful.
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Thanks,Pamela!
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Wow…..your quilt is so creative. The balance of the Butterfly with the Cleopatra’s fan is PERFECT. Well done!! I would say you hit the bullseye on this challenge. Loved reading this post.
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Thanks,Susan!
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What a beautiful creation Gail!!
I dunno about that being an old lady block. I think it looks very modern. Actually “mod” is a better word.
And your butterfly is adorable!
Great job!
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Thanks, Terry!
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Super interpretation of a tricky theme and great use of the die. It’s probably not for a beginner, but that block is stunning. Love your butterfly quilt, well done!
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Thanks,Dione!
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