Novelty String Quilt

This string quilt has improv elements (the string piecing), but it's also organized into a grid and the design is symmetrical and balanced. There are lots of retro-style novelty prints sprinkled around in this quilt which makes it fun to explore as you fall asleep under it. See more details on the Etsy listing, but this is the place to see lots of close-up photos.

Summer Paths Quilt

  Yes, there were enough rectangles left over from the Tracks quilt to make another. And here it is, the Summer Paths quilt. Instead of focusing on darks and lights, this quilt is made from lights and mediums, all colorful summery prints. Only the narrow floral sashing has a black background. I like how it adds some sparkle to the quilt. Those stripes were cut 1" wide, and are 1/2" wide in the finished quilt top

I just couldn't resist showing some more close up photos of the novelty prints. I like those jelly beans above, and the goldfish below (although he looks a little tired).

 I like the overall effect with the bits of black in this quilt. I've always loved black paired with bright colors. I think that comes from spending time with my Lithuanian grandmother when I was little. She had some dresses or scarves with that combination, and she had a beautiful flower garden too.

Tracks Quilt

 Dark and light fabrics were chosen and cut into (approx.) 3.5" x 2.25" rectangles and laid out near my sewing machine. They were sewn together into long strips then trimmed to 3" wide. Yeah, lots of cutting!

 The best part of the process was inserting novelty fabrics to add surprises for the viewer.

 See the big blue fish? Haha. There's toile in this quilt, and batiks, dots, black and whites, everything but the kitchen sink, and if I had one of those it would certainly be in this quilt.

I love the overall effect of arranging darks and lights in this way.