Courthouse Steps is finally a finish. This quilt has been at least a year in the making. I started out strong, then put the project away, and only brought it back out in the New Year. This is my year to Use It Up, so the quilt is made entirely of scraps from my stash of reproduction fabrics. There is a lot of Jo Morton represented in the fabrics, as well as Rene Nanneman, Pam Buda, Paula Barnes, Barbara Brackman, Judy Rothermel. All my favorite designers of Civil War reproduction fabrics over the years. True confessions: this barely made a dent in my stash. Sigh.
Even though my fabric choices are all repros, don't you agree that the quilt has a modern feel to it?
The quilt has 81 8 1/2 inch blocks, set nine across and nine down. 1377 pieces. The measurement is 72 x 72, a good size for a quilt. Believe me, I could have kept going, and made this as big as a circus tent. I have three gallon size zip lock bags of strips left over!
I used Creative Grids 6 inch Log Cabin Trim Tool to make the blocks, and used an 8 1/2 inch ruler to trim the final round of strips. Each block took quite awhile, since I was very particular about what colors to put in each block and how the blocks played with each other. It took as long to pick the five fabrics for each block as it did to sew them I think! I also ended up replacing the outside strip on about a dozen blocks to achieve the more overall gold look I wanted. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can see the fabrics I used more clearly.
How do you think I should have this quilted? I am not real good at picking out quilting designs, but I have a new quilter and need to give her some suggestions as to what I like. I've been choosing a design called Baptist Clams (silly name), which is kind of a cross between Clam Shell and Baptist Fans. I am thinking an allover design that has some curve to it would compliment the angularity of the blocks. All suggestions welcome.
60 responses to “Courthouse Steps is Finish”
Nice finish Nicole and now you can do the “happy” dance….did you feel it made a dent in your stash??? ;))
Nice finish Nicole and now you can do the “happy” dance….did you feel it made a dent in your stash??? ;))
Nice finish Nicole and now you can do the “happy” dance….did you feel it made a dent in your stash??? ;))
What a beautiful quilt! Your fabric and placement of each is perfect! A lot of time and thought went into this project.
What a beautiful quilt! Your fabric and placement of each is perfect! A lot of time and thought went into this project.
What a beautiful quilt! Your fabric and placement of each is perfect! A lot of time and thought went into this project.
IT looks great! I think some Curves in the quilting will serve it well. Wonderful job Nicole.
Mary
IT looks great! I think some Curves in the quilting will serve it well. Wonderful job Nicole.
Mary
IT looks great! I think some Curves in the quilting will serve it well. Wonderful job Nicole.
Mary
An allover curvy design will work well. Since the quilt is fairly busy anything custom would not show up. Nice job!
An allover curvy design will work well. Since the quilt is fairly busy anything custom would not show up. Nice job!
An allover curvy design will work well. Since the quilt is fairly busy anything custom would not show up. Nice job!
My first thought was Baptist Fan since the curves will complement the straight lines of the blocks.
It looks wonderful.
My first thought was Baptist Fan since the curves will complement the straight lines of the blocks.
It looks wonderful.
My first thought was Baptist Fan since the curves will complement the straight lines of the blocks.
It looks wonderful.
Well done!! Yes, it has a modern feel with the colors and layout. Will you add borders?
I like the curved idea for a quiltiing pattern and suggest you look at a pantograph called Double Bubble if you want the modern look to continue.
Hugs!
Well done!! Yes, it has a modern feel with the colors and layout. Will you add borders?
I like the curved idea for a quiltiing pattern and suggest you look at a pantograph called Double Bubble if you want the modern look to continue.
Hugs!
Well done!! Yes, it has a modern feel with the colors and layout. Will you add borders?
I like the curved idea for a quiltiing pattern and suggest you look at a pantograph called Double Bubble if you want the modern look to continue.
Hugs!
What a great finish. They’ll never be any way to use of all those scraps we have in our stash. But you must have made a little dent
What a great finish. They’ll never be any way to use of all those scraps we have in our stash. But you must have made a little dent
What a great finish. They’ll never be any way to use of all those scraps we have in our stash. But you must have made a little dent
This quilt is even more gorgeous when I zoom in for a close-up of the fabrics, Nicole! Love it!! Ok, so if you’re wanting to soften the look of the quilt, go with an all over flowy curve panto…but if you’re wanting to keep with the more modern edge, an all over, thru the centre of the squares, diagonal cross hatch lines at each corner where your logs meet. That’s a lot of straight lines tho and your quilter might tell you not to come back! Haha!! Or 2: divide the quilt into 4 equal triangles thru the centre and then do straight line V echo quilting in each of the triangles. So the Vs spread out from the centre of your quilt. Hope that makes some sorta sense to you!!
I’m now working on my 4th scrappy stash quilt and I can’t see a dent in my stash either. :-0
This quilt is even more gorgeous when I zoom in for a close-up of the fabrics, Nicole! Love it!! Ok, so if you’re wanting to soften the look of the quilt, go with an all over flowy curve panto…but if you’re wanting to keep with the more modern edge, an all over, thru the centre of the squares, diagonal cross hatch lines at each corner where your logs meet. That’s a lot of straight lines tho and your quilter might tell you not to come back! Haha!! Or 2: divide the quilt into 4 equal triangles thru the centre and then do straight line V echo quilting in each of the triangles. So the Vs spread out from the centre of your quilt. Hope that makes some sorta sense to you!!
I’m now working on my 4th scrappy stash quilt and I can’t see a dent in my stash either. :-0
This quilt is even more gorgeous when I zoom in for a close-up of the fabrics, Nicole! Love it!! Ok, so if you’re wanting to soften the look of the quilt, go with an all over flowy curve panto…but if you’re wanting to keep with the more modern edge, an all over, thru the centre of the squares, diagonal cross hatch lines at each corner where your logs meet. That’s a lot of straight lines tho and your quilter might tell you not to come back! Haha!! Or 2: divide the quilt into 4 equal triangles thru the centre and then do straight line V echo quilting in each of the triangles. So the Vs spread out from the centre of your quilt. Hope that makes some sorta sense to you!!
I’m now working on my 4th scrappy stash quilt and I can’t see a dent in my stash either. :-0
I love your Courthouse Steps Quilt! Great job, beautiful fabrics and a wonderful quilt design.
Now I want to make a Courthouse Steps quilt too.
Thanks for sharing your Quilts projects.
I love your Courthouse Steps Quilt! Great job, beautiful fabrics and a wonderful quilt design.
Now I want to make a Courthouse Steps quilt too.
Thanks for sharing your Quilts projects.
I love your Courthouse Steps Quilt! Great job, beautiful fabrics and a wonderful quilt design.
Now I want to make a Courthouse Steps quilt too.
Thanks for sharing your Quilts projects.
Congratulations on finishing this beauty Nicole! However you quilt it, it will still be amazing but a curved design of some kind will be really wonderful.
I, too, have been trying to work from my stash and have been barely making a dent. I am really trying to hold off making any purchases, although have had to buy some backings because I didn’t have yardage or didn’t want to be piecing a backing multiple times. Do you or any of your readers have any ideas where to donate some of my stash? I know local guilds have frequently been suggestions but our local guild does not specify accepting donations. I am willing to box it up and put it in the mail…
Congratulations on finishing this beauty Nicole! However you quilt it, it will still be amazing but a curved design of some kind will be really wonderful.
I, too, have been trying to work from my stash and have been barely making a dent. I am really trying to hold off making any purchases, although have had to buy some backings because I didn’t have yardage or didn’t want to be piecing a backing multiple times. Do you or any of your readers have any ideas where to donate some of my stash? I know local guilds have frequently been suggestions but our local guild does not specify accepting donations. I am willing to box it up and put it in the mail…
Congratulations on finishing this beauty Nicole! However you quilt it, it will still be amazing but a curved design of some kind will be really wonderful.
I, too, have been trying to work from my stash and have been barely making a dent. I am really trying to hold off making any purchases, although have had to buy some backings because I didn’t have yardage or didn’t want to be piecing a backing multiple times. Do you or any of your readers have any ideas where to donate some of my stash? I know local guilds have frequently been suggestions but our local guild does not specify accepting donations. I am willing to box it up and put it in the mail…
My machine quilter has definitely mastered the straight line technique. Although it’s not her favorite she is willing to do it for me. I just got a quilt back that’s all squares with straight line quilting & I love it! It’s a modern look for a wedding gift later this year.
My machine quilter has definitely mastered the straight line technique. Although it’s not her favorite she is willing to do it for me. I just got a quilt back that’s all squares with straight line quilting & I love it! It’s a modern look for a wedding gift later this year.
My machine quilter has definitely mastered the straight line technique. Although it’s not her favorite she is willing to do it for me. I just got a quilt back that’s all squares with straight line quilting & I love it! It’s a modern look for a wedding gift later this year.
Beautiful quilt! I, too, would go for quilting with curves to soften all the lines/squares. Can’t wait to see it quilted.
Beautiful quilt! I, too, would go for quilting with curves to soften all the lines/squares. Can’t wait to see it quilted.
Beautiful quilt! I, too, would go for quilting with curves to soften all the lines/squares. Can’t wait to see it quilted.
Beautiful quilt and have enjoyed following the process of you making it. To me, with the repro Civil War fabrics, the Baptist Fan would really enhance the quilt nicely.
Beautiful quilt and have enjoyed following the process of you making it. To me, with the repro Civil War fabrics, the Baptist Fan would really enhance the quilt nicely.
Beautiful quilt and have enjoyed following the process of you making it. To me, with the repro Civil War fabrics, the Baptist Fan would really enhance the quilt nicely.
I think it is very modern looking. I really love it. For the quilting? I would ask to see patterns she has available and look for something that isn’t as repetitive looking as fans. I would look for something that is freer in form like circular motion of the wind. Doesn’t help? do a google search for quilting designs. You might get inspired. ;p
I think it is very modern looking. I really love it. For the quilting? I would ask to see patterns she has available and look for something that isn’t as repetitive looking as fans. I would look for something that is freer in form like circular motion of the wind. Doesn’t help? do a google search for quilting designs. You might get inspired. ;p
I think it is very modern looking. I really love it. For the quilting? I would ask to see patterns she has available and look for something that isn’t as repetitive looking as fans. I would look for something that is freer in form like circular motion of the wind. Doesn’t help? do a google search for quilting designs. You might get inspired. ;p
What a great quilt. Baptist fans would be my choice.
What a great quilt. Baptist fans would be my choice.
What a great quilt. Baptist fans would be my choice.
I love the Civil War fabrics. They make quilts look good no matter the pattern. I guess that’s why they are still around so timeless!
I love the Civil War fabrics. They make quilts look good no matter the pattern. I guess that’s why they are still around so timeless!
I love the Civil War fabrics. They make quilts look good no matter the pattern. I guess that’s why they are still around so timeless!
Very pretty, great mix of colors. Sorry it did not diminish your stash as much as you would have liked, lol! I know the feeling well! I like the sounds of Baptist Clam for the quilting.
Very pretty, great mix of colors. Sorry it did not diminish your stash as much as you would have liked, lol! I know the feeling well! I like the sounds of Baptist Clam for the quilting.
Very pretty, great mix of colors. Sorry it did not diminish your stash as much as you would have liked, lol! I know the feeling well! I like the sounds of Baptist Clam for the quilting.
Congratulations on finishing this amazing scrap buster quilt. I too think a quilt pattern with curves would look great
Congratulations on finishing this amazing scrap buster quilt. I too think a quilt pattern with curves would look great
Congratulations on finishing this amazing scrap buster quilt. I too think a quilt pattern with curves would look great
Congrats your finished top is beautiful! I’m not good at giving quilting advice but I’m sure you can agree with your new quilter on a great design.
Congrats your finished top is beautiful! I’m not good at giving quilting advice but I’m sure you can agree with your new quilter on a great design.
Congrats your finished top is beautiful! I’m not good at giving quilting advice but I’m sure you can agree with your new quilter on a great design.
The top looks great and glad you had some fun in your stash! I agree that a quilting design with some curves will complement this quilt.
The top looks great and glad you had some fun in your stash! I agree that a quilting design with some curves will complement this quilt.
The top looks great and glad you had some fun in your stash! I agree that a quilting design with some curves will complement this quilt.