November 19, 2011

Habitat Challenge Quilt


When I joined the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild one and a half years ago I thought to myself... "Why am I joining a modern quilt guild? My style is far from modern!" After the first meeting, I realized that anything can be modern. My favourite explanations of modern were the following: Modern can encompass the self-taught/just wing-it approach to quilting. It can also describe technology used in this modern age such as blog, flickr & facebook. OH! That's totally me! I guess I'm a modern quilter!

It was definitely a challenge to work with the Habitat fabric line by Jay McCarroll. The Vancouver branch of the Modern Quilt Guild decided that any quilt or quilted object could be made as long as only more Habitat fabric or solids were added to the fat eighth packs donated by Free Sprirt. Read more about the Habitat Challenge here. These were definitely not colours or patterns that I would choose... ever! However, I did like the light blue polkadot since my usual style is Country Chic and how can you not love polkadots!


I managed to scrounge a few extra fat eighths from unclaimed packs for my quilt as I needed more of the polkadot fabric for my border. I also can't make anything lately without throwing in some natural linen! I liked how the neutral linen toned down the busy patterns and added a warm feel to the otherwise cool colours.



I decided to continue the leaf silhouettes from the fabric by free-motion quilting them into the linen background. It was a daunting task but once I got going it was pretty easy! My stitches are by no means consistent but no one will be looking at it that closely... This is definitely not something I would have tried before meeting Janet!

I hand-appliqued the tree, apples, and circles on the back of the quilt. I also stuffed the trapunto apples to give the quilt some dimension.


I used my extra fabric to make an interesting backing totally inspired by Paul's many fabulous quilt and equally fabulous backings.


I am very pleased with how this quilt turned out. It's probably the most modern quilt I will ever make!

Enjoy your afternoon tea & quilted crafts :o)

21 comments :

  1. Ciao è veramente un capolavoro!!! Valeria

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  2. Dear Lorraine,
    don't worry, you are a very modern quilter! And your creations are really nice.

    Hugs

    Marta

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  3. привет! очень понравился ваш блог так красочно и качественно сделано!!!восхищаюсь!!!!

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  4. You are more than modern!! All Russia's handmade society talks about you! You're the best quilter

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  5. To make the comments more international, I will say in my language that to jest piękna praca, dużo w niej wyczucia i dbałości o szczegóły. bardzo podoba mi się pomysł kontynuacji wzoru z tkaniny w pikowaniu :)))
    You certainly are a modern quilter :)

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  6. Sou tua fã !!! Parabéns!
    Um beijo Necca

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  7. Great job, Laurraine. It's incredible to see that ugly fabric look so great in your tree quilt!

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  8. Laurraine,

    So cute!-

    Kisses from Sapain.

    Olga

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  9. I visited you blog for the first time today and I'm really fascinated!!
    You are a wonderfull quilter and I could spend the whole afternoon (and even more!) looking at your quilts!
    I'm a patchwork lover from Brazil and I will sure visit your blog for more and more inspiration!
    Congratulations!
    Hugs,
    Patrícia

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  10. Again you've rendered me speechless. How you managed to make such a beautiful thing from that weird combo of fabrics I'll never know!

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  11. Your free motion quilting is AMAZING!!! I wish I had some talent in that regard! I dearly want to get better at it. I'm having a festive tutorial and giveaway tomorrow - I hope you will be able to join in.

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  12. What a great blog!! i'd like to follow you! to read & see all the time all these beautifull creations... is it possible?
    P.S excuse my poor english...
    Denise, Argentina.

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  13. Wow. You made that ugly fabric into a really great quilt. I love that touch of extending the leaves from the one fabric into the linen background with the quilting. That gives the quilt a whole extra dimension.
    Paul, Vancouver

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  14. Love this quilt and have had a wee look around your blog - your work is lovely. Look forward to seeing more of it :-)

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  15. Nice quilt you have made :-)

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  16. I have just found your blog and am in love with your work. I first found your flicker group and looked and looked to see if you had a shop where you might sell your items. They are all BEAUTIFUL and you do such great work. Do you sell them at craft fairs or boutiques? I love everything. I am just starting out sewing having been a paper crafter for years. I just have to say how much I admire your creations. Have a merry Christmas!

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  17. Le tue creazioni sono assolutamente meravigliose.....penso sia pensiero comune volerle realizzare tutte...perchè scegliere è difficile!!! Complimenti

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  18. Oi

    estava passeando pela net e encontrei seu blog, amei tudo o que vi nele... adoro trabalhar com tecidos e te convido a me visitar e conhecer meus trabalhos.
    abraços do Brasil

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  19. It's beautiful and... Timeless!

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