Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Blended Challenge Finale

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This Blended Quilt Challenge has just been the most fun.  In fact, I became a bit obsessed with the possibilities that were out there for making any number of exquisite quilts using the blended fabrics method.  I picked an easy one to begin with:  a medallion style quilt top.  With a medallion quilt, you begin with a center panel or print and continue building rows around it, adding borders until it is the size you want in the end.  These quilts can be quite large, and actually go together fairly quickly because not a lot of piecing is involved.  This pattern is called "Memories of Versailles" and is from the Blended II book by Marsha McCloskey.

While I was waiting for the fabrics pictured above to arrive in the mail, I started playing around with some lovely florals from the Dominique line by Moda.  I chose a pattern called "Burgundy Star", also from the Blended II book.  My idea was to make a black, rose and green quilt.  Here are some of the blocks I made:

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I made a couple dozen blocks and laid them out on my "design bed" in the guest room, and made an interesting discovery.  Some of the blocks just did not work with the others.  I pulled those odd ball blocks out and guess what?  I thought they were stunning set apart by themselves and may be even more interesting than the "good" blocks.  So, I went back to the Bernina and made a couple dozen more blocks along the theme of the "odd ball" blocks.  And this is what happened:

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Sometimes the blocks you think aren’t working can turn into a great creative idea when left to shine on their own.  I think my quilt has kind of a British Colonial feel to it, in those wonderful neutral toiles and paisleys, with just a touch of black and sage to catch your eye.  I ended up changing the Burgundy Star pattern by making more blocks and putting on two additional borders.

Of course I still have all my pretty black, rose and green blocks from the original blended quilt concept I had, and someday will turn them into a quilt as well.  Some of you may recall I was playing around with a blended blue log cabin idea as well, and I know that one will get finished one day too!  So many quilts to make…..

It has been incredibly enjoyable to work along with my very talented blogging friends, Perry, Cindy, and Lisa on this Challenge project.  What a terrific way to get to know like-minded people and to share the passion for quilting.  Not to mention, how the imposed Challenge Deadline forces you to keep up your sewing and get the quilt top finished!  It has been a blast girls, let’s do another one soon!

Please go check out Perry, Cindy, and Lisa’s blog posts today to see what amazing and beautiful quilts they have made!

44 responses to “Blended Challenge Finale”

  1. What absolutely beautiful quilts, Nicole! I LOVE both of them! You did a wonderful job on them. I am looking forward to seeing the “Burgundy Star” blocks sewn together, too.

  2. What absolutely beautiful quilts, Nicole! I LOVE both of them! You did a wonderful job on them. I am looking forward to seeing the “Burgundy Star” blocks sewn together, too.

  3. Nicole, they are just gorgeous! I thik the neutral one belongs in my home! Like you I love it when something comes together. We had a good time doing this together, and I have posted a new clock for the Web Sampler. Love these quilts!!!

  4. Nicole, they are just gorgeous! I thik the neutral one belongs in my home! Like you I love it when something comes together. We had a good time doing this together, and I have posted a new clock for the Web Sampler. Love these quilts!!!

  7. The blended quilts (I have been looking at all the quilts in your challenge) are really beautiful. I have GOT to get my hands on that book!

  8. The blended quilts (I have been looking at all the quilts in your challenge) are really beautiful. I have GOT to get my hands on that book!

  15. Wow Nicole you are totally amazing. You made 2 quilts in the time we alotted to make 1. Talk about overachiever. LOL. You did such a good job. I love them both.

  16. Wow Nicole you are totally amazing. You made 2 quilts in the time we alotted to make 1. Talk about overachiever. LOL. You did such a good job. I love them both.

  21. I’m jazzed about what you’re sharing. Quilts are beyond words but somehow you find a way.
    What a lovely story about the magic of the creative process. With pictures you really “get it.”

  22. I’m jazzed about what you’re sharing. Quilts are beyond words but somehow you find a way.
    What a lovely story about the magic of the creative process. With pictures you really “get it.”

  25. They both turned out beautifully. Do you think I could do the first one? Or do the many borders get tricky? I can see it going wonkly on me in no time.
    I would love to do it in a “Paris Flea Market” palette and use it on our bed in the Spring. Maybe it could be my Quilting Retreat project. There would be plenty of experts on hand to rescue me if I get in over my head!

  26. They both turned out beautifully. Do you think I could do the first one? Or do the many borders get tricky? I can see it going wonkly on me in no time.
    I would love to do it in a “Paris Flea Market” palette and use it on our bed in the Spring. Maybe it could be my Quilting Retreat project. There would be plenty of experts on hand to rescue me if I get in over my head!

  33. Both quilts are amazing, but I have to say my personal favorite is the neutral/sage/black combo. It just sings to me for some reason!

  34. Both quilts are amazing, but I have to say my personal favorite is the neutral/sage/black combo. It just sings to me for some reason!

  41. Had to check out your blended quilt. The neutral palette was a good choice.

  42. Had to check out your blended quilt. The neutral palette was a good choice.

  43. Your medallion quilt is absolutely the BEST! I love the colors and choice of fabrics. I have been collecting fabrics for blended quilts. Yours are very inspirational, thank you for sharing.
    Colleen

  44. Your medallion quilt is absolutely the BEST! I love the colors and choice of fabrics. I have been collecting fabrics for blended quilts. Yours are very inspirational, thank you for sharing.
    Colleen