Hello,
I hope all is well with you!! I was doing so good at catching up on blogging quilts, and then our summer just got busy. I’m back, and ready to share Dot’s amazing quilt with you!! I hope you enjoy all the pictures…there are a lot of them. As I share this quilt with you, I am going to talk about some of the things that I quilted, and some pointers on how to quilt such a detailed sampler quilt…lets get started!!

The pattern is called Summertime Picnic, and it’s by Fig Tree & Co. It’s a block of the month. Dot also used Fig Tree & Co.’s Catalina fabric line. For more info on the pattern, check the link above.

Dot did an incredible job piecing this quilt!! It was so fun to quilt! We did a double batting, which helps the quilting pop so much more. A 8020 cotton poly blend on the bottom with Hobbs wool on top! My favorite double batt combo, can you see why???

I used Omni natural white thread from Superior Threads, and I think it blends beautifully with all of these lovely colors.

Quilting a quilt like this requires a lot of detail, and it took nearly 12 hours. It was so much fun to quilt!!!

When I quilt a quilt like this, I quilt similar designs throughout to have the quilting harmonize from top to bottom. I also like to highlight the shapes within the blocks.

Orange peel petals in a variety of sizes, circles and swirls, ribbon candy, arcs, a variety of different lines, and so on. If you look at the quilt, that’s really all it is. The variety of those designs really play well with the shapes in the quilt blocks, and adds such an incredible amount of texture. This is my favorite way to quilt a sampler quilt. I also want to point out there isn’t a lot of background filler…stippling, pebbles or swirls, grassy texture…and so on. The only background filler is my overlapping circles in three of the blocks. A couple of wagon wheel blocks and the sail boat block. By simplifying the backgrounds, the quilt blocks shine and the quilt isn’t over quilted. I like to use the “background” of a quilt block to enhance the quilting within the block. It adds so much to the block itself, making it unique because of the shapes, yet keeping that design harmony. My quilting philosophy is to keep my quilting clean. It just looks so much better! If you machine quilt, I challenge you to try something custom on the next sampler that you quilt. Don’t be afraid of rulers, if you haven’t tried them. They are an incredible asset to your quilting, and can help you achieve some pretty amazing designs!!

Now that you know my quilting approach for this quilt, let’s enjoy all the details.

The star above has a variety of different lines, and then swirls in the red floral. I wish the pictures picked up those swirls. They were a fun addition to all those hard lines.

Speaking of hard lines…look at the mixture of lines, in these pictures. Now look at the curves. Intermixing them adds just the right texture and softness at the same time. A quilting balance. I love that sooo much.

I look at the above picture and see 6 different sizes of orange peel petals…and that is just in the bottom more detailed part of the picture. The top portion has some as well. Because I have a variety of different sizes of orange peel petals, it requires me to have different sizes of rulers to create those lovely petals. I love my Circle2™ machine quilting ruler set!! I am able to quilt all those different sizes of petals with the right curve to fit the shape so nicely. I actually used my 2”, 3”, 4”, 5“, 6”, and 8” rulers. That is actually 5 out of the 6 rulers in my Circle2™ set. The 2” and 8” circles are on the same ruler. If you aren’t familiar with my Circle2 rulers, the circles come in 12 different sizes 2”-13”. They are made in the USA with 1/4” high quality acrylic, and the width of the ruler is 2.5” from the outer circle to the inner circle. I designed them with the 1/4” hopper foot in mind. If you use the 2” circle, you’ll get a 2” circle. The other sets I’ve seen give you circles at 2.5”, or 3.5”…and so on. For more info head to this blog post: Circle2 Rulers™. There are clear and green sets available in my shop! Below is the 2”/8“ clear ruler. More pictures are available at the bottom of this post, as well as in my shop. There are also pictures of other quilts in the ruler listings…its fun to see what they can create. I’m also loving the quilting I’m seeing on instagram under the hashtag #circle2rulers

You may wonder why I’m not telling you which curve I used where. The smallest orange peels were created with the 2”, and then I worked my way up from there. I actually lay the rulers next to the shapes from point to point and see which ruler is going to give me the curve that I would like. I do it the same with all of the curves I quilt.

- Design Patent D875,574 -

I also have a mix of freehand quilting in there, too. The circles and swirls, petals and loops, with the occasional feather. I just love the mix of textures so so much.

Below is one of the three that I mentioned before, that has a background filler…this is one of the wagon wheel block, the other one is a lot smaller. I loved adding the overlapping circles in the background because with that much negative space its noticeable, plus it softens up the hard lines. I love it with the mix of curves in the other parts of the block. Also, notice the checkered squares down the right…I love love those petals that are diagonally from one another and the x’s that are diagonally in the other direction. Along the left side, my favorite way to quilt a string of pearls or pebbles, with a swirl inside every other circle. It’s the little details that add such a fun touch. The string of pearls or pebbles is also a great way to fill a strip of fabric used as a spacer or filler.

The orange and green block below is a great example of trying to highlight the shape of a block. After quilting the lines in the green and center and the feathers in the orange, I had a hard time trying to figure out what to quilt in the background. Because of the odd shape, nothing was coming to me. Then, I grabbed one of my Circle2™ rulers, probably the 5” or 6” ruler, and quilted these lovely curves. Its amazing what one simple curve can do to a quilt block. It frames this quilt block perfectly, enhancing the overall shape. Next time your stumped with a background, try adding some curves from point to point! I know I need to remember this.

Check out all the other fun little details!!

These angled pictures show the details in a totally different way.

More details!! Those churndash blocks were so fun to quilt…simple and cute, you can see the curves and lines behind, what you cant see very well is a 1/4” pinstripe line inside the churndash itself. Also, this three larger block are certainly fun. That vertical row of orange peels and ribbon candy are such sweet touches. With the variety of different designs, you may wonder how does everything work together so well together…its all about scale! Different sizes of some of the same curves and lines. Also, it’s great to look at the size of the block as well as the fabric prints, and quilt designs accordingly. Keep scrolling down to see more detailed pictures of the three bigger blocks.

I love to use Linda from the Quilted Pineapple’s Edge rulers to create all of the lines that I quilt!

Now, I want to share with you some quilting in individual blocks. It’s all in the details.

Another…a closer look…

Then a look at three of them together. ….also, while we are right here, look at the flying geese at the top of the picture below. I love the mini 9 patch that was created with the 3 simple 1/4” lines going in both directions. There are some fun designs to quilt in flying geese blocks.

Some more blocks…and more details. I love how those soft curves make a difference with all of those hard lines.

The twisted loop design is also a great strip quilting design. I also love these blocks side by side.

Another great angled picture. As you can see the repeated shapes throughout, really work beautifully together.

This is one of my favorite blocks. The quilting actually links together so nicely. I love it sooo much!

How cute is that navy block in the flag?!?!?! I quilted the blue blocks below the flag nearly identical to the navy one. The center square is just a little different. I also love the simple pinstripe behind the 2020.

Another block close up!

Another…

And, another. These are the trio of blocks pictured above.

Here is the sail block, with more of that overlapping circle design. While we have this close up, look at the 1/2” lines at a variety of different angles. I love the dimension that it gives the stripes of fabric in the sails. The boat itself has a 1/4” plaid with a 1/2” center of the plaid. Simply changing the spacing adds some variety to the quilt overall. If I only quilted vertical 1/2” lines throughout the quilt, it wouldn’t look diverse. Just like each of us…diverse in our likes, abilities, beliefs, humor, and so on. Quilts need diversity in the quilting as well.

Can you tell that the next block is directly below the sail boat…haha!! Those lovely flying geese and orange peels should tip it off. Just another closeup of a beautiful block.

So much good about this block…scroll down one more picture.

Above you see a close up on one of the three blocks, that you see below.

Lets talk about details. First up, the sashing. With the curves in the block, I wanted to highlight the blocks with a fun diamond design that frames them beautifully. Those corners…like I mentioned above…are diagonal petals and then diagonal x’s, and with the corners being opposite directions, it add some fun shapes to the overall design. The center loop design, in the cream fabric, which goes around the squares is a fun. One of my favorite parts of an overall favorite block, is the orange peel petals with a line down the middle. Lines are actually an easier way to help find a center…when quilting an x…or just a simple way to add dimension to a simple petal. You can see it a little bit, in the block on the upper left of the bottom picture, as well. I think the simple x’s in the chained blocks are just the right amount of quilting. Simple and perfect for the overall design. Also, I should note that the squares in the sashing have a little swirl circle.

The bunting blocks are such a fun touch. They are also along the top edge as well. That light blue block with the simple x’s adds some fun depth to that block.

I mentioned…texture…dimension…variety…scale…diversity…which are all important aspects in custom quilting. I hope you enjoyed reading about my thought process.

If you made it this far, thank you!!! I wanted to share lots and pictures and thoughts about this quilt. You can see why I’m behind on getting this quilt blogged, too many details to share. I also wanted the time to share my approach to quilting a sampler quilt. They may seem daunting with the variety of blocks and block sizes, however as you use similar designs throughout…you can quilt something beautiful.

Here are a few more pictures of my Circle2™ rulers. Above is the green 3”/9” and below is the entire green set stacked up, which is how I ship them, with a piece of cute tape across the center to keep the together.

- Design Patent D875,574 -

Below is the 4”/10” clear ruler. To see all 6 rulers, head on over to my shop and check out the pictures in the ruler listings.

- Design Patent D875,574 -

Below you can see an angled look at the clear set stacked up, and see the measurements along the straight edge. Notice the 1/4” lines from the inside of the ruler to the outside, which help tremendously with quilting. If needed reference the picture above to see the lines as well. So, the question I get asked a lot, clear vs. green, which is better and why so you offer both. The clear are cheaper to make, and some quilters are used to working with clear rulers. The green ones are actually not much more in price, but add a great depth especially when placed on lighter fabrics. It’s easier to see the lines better, which some quilters prefer. Truly it is a matter of preference.

You may be wondering about what this means… - Design Patent D875,574 - …My design patent was approved, and it is recommended that I share the number with images of my rulers, to protect them. I’m so proud of these rulers. I’ve wanted a great set of circle rulers for years, and these actually turned out better than I could have dreamed. I’m so grateful for the wonderful people who help me manufacture them. I couldn’t do it without them!!

In honor of all of the orange peels, the next design deal is Woven Orange Peel, and will be 20% off until my next blog post. No code necessary. Thank you for using my designs…it’s such a joy to see something I create used on your quilts.