Row Addition in Ruby Star Society Fabrics

Have you ever made a quilt by picking out the backing fabric first?  That's what I did in this case.  I wanted to use this new print, Crescent in Soft Blue from the collection by the same name designed by Sarah Watts of Ruby Star Society for Moda Fabrics.

The substrate is a natural unbleached lighter weight quilting cotton which you can read about in this post on Moda's Cutting Table.  To me. it feels almost like a silky lawn fabric.

Now to pick out fabrics for the quilt top.  I decided to make Row Addition in two background fabrics rather than five like in the the original quilt made by Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs for the our book, Modern Plus Sign Quilts.

I chose Soda Pop in Tangerine Dream by Rashida Coleman Hale and Spark in Bright Blue by Melody Miller.  Hawthorne Supply has a great selection of Ruby Star Society fabrics.

For the plus signs and binding I chose Brushed in Peacock by Sarah Watts also from the Crescent collection.

I just love a striped binding and this print has a subtle striped feel.

Here's the quilt top on my design wall after it's all pieced.  It measures 40" x 45".

I was hoping to get by with using only one width of fabric for the backing but it wasn't quite wide enough so I ended up piecing a strip of the bright blue Spark along the edge.  I was surprised I was able to keep strip fairly even through the layering process and quilting.  The little strip finishes around 2".

I was super pleased with how it turned out.  I haven't had a chance to take a overall shot of the finished quilt.  For now, I'll show you the rendering in EQ8.  So, if you want to make Row Addition and not sure about picking out five different background fabrics, just pick out two.

If you can't find the book, Modern Plus Sign Quilts, in your local quilt shop, you can find it here:
(Some of the links are affiliate links where I will receive a small commission and does not change the price you pay.)

• Amazon
• C&T Publishing 
• Signed copy from the Quilted Blooms Designs Etsy Shop
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Blocking and Binding: July One Monthly Goal

Now that this version of the Modern Plus Sampler has been professionally quilted by Johellen, it's time to finally finish it.  You can see the quilt fresh off her frame here in this post.

Modern Plus Sampler in Fandangle

I have been procrastinating because I'm a little nervous about blocking the quilt since I don't have much experience using wool batting.  Before I block it, I plan to trim the edges, leaving about one inch all the way around.

I had so much fun using Christa Watson's fabric line, Fandangle, which was generously provided by Benartex.  I've decided to bind it in the green colorway of Paper Cuts which I found at a local quilt shop, Viking Sew'n Quilt.

The quilting for the most of the background was inspired by the Paper Cuts fabric design.  Johellen quilted several quilts for our book, Modern Plus Sign Quilts, (affiliate link) co-authored with Cheryl Brickey of Meadow Mist Designs. 

I hope to report back at the end of the month with a freshly bound Modern Plus Sampler.  And, it needs a title and label too.  Any ideas on a title?

You can see the July One Monthly Goals of others over at Elm Street Quilts hosted by Patty!  Good luck with you July goals.

South Rim + Pantone Quilt Entry

I've watched the Pantone Quilt Challenge from the sidelines for several years now and decided this year I would participate.

The 2019 Pantone Color of the Year is Living Coral.  I even purchased the swatch from Pantone.

I don't know how many 1/4 yd cuts of coral fabric I purchased from Stash Fabrics, just looking for the right matches.  Their interactive design wall was so helpful.

I mixed many prints and solids together.  I even cut many of the prints on an angle to match the tumblers.

Quilting took longer than I expected as I tried to match the thread with each fabric which meant burying endless thread tails.

Photographing was not easy.  I found this wall of coral and took my husband as protection.  He even held the quilt for the me, which is rare.

I'm entering South Rim in the Quilt category of the 2019 Pantone Quilt Challenge.

Quilt Stats

Title:  South Rim
Size: 56" x 64"
Category: Quilt
Country: USA

See the other Pantone Living Color entries at Bryan House Quilts and No Hats in the House.