I would love to show you Mikado today, my QuiltCon entry for the APQ 2-Color Challenge category.
The quilt is made with the Smoosh block which I designed for the Modern Quilt Guild (MQG)for their October Block of the Month. The Smoosh block is foundation paper pieced and is available for free for all MQG members. You can find instructions for the block and a quilt here.
For the Mikado quilt, I set the Smoosh blocks on point and then randomly substituted in some black and white striped fabric for some of the fabric pieces. I took care to make sure that all of the stripes in all of the striped fabrics go in the same direction (which was a little difficult due to a few piecing oopsies).
The quilt got its name because I thought it looked a little like a bunch of sticks from the game Pick Up Sticks. It turns out that Pick Up Sticks is based on the European game Mikado :)
I do not love to do straight line quilting, but each time I started to plan out the quilting, I came back to a dense, randomly spaced cross-hatch pattern echoing the seam lines of the on-point blocks. Luckily, the quilt is pretty small (about 41" x 50") that the dense quilting did not take too long.
I used 50 wt white Aurifil thread which blended well with the background and did not stand out too much on the black or striped fabrics. A fun geometry themed fabric from Moda called Modern Background Paper by Zen Chic became the backing.
For batting, I used my favorite batting Warm & White from the Warm Company. The white color made sure there was no shadowing or color coming through the mostly white quilt top, and once blocked (see how I block a quilt here), the batting gives the quilt such a crisp and flat look.
I finished the quilt off using a really thick binding using 5" binding strips. I think that the quilt top really needed a strong frame with all of the negative space. I made and attached the binding the same as I normally would (I had tested the larger binding on my last charity quilt).
I will let you know if it gets into QuiltCon :)
Quilt Stats
Size: 41" x 50"
Design: Smoosh blocks set on point (designed by me for the MQG)
Fabrics: Moda Bella white, Kona black, Robert Kaufman stripe
Quilting: 50 wt white Aurifil thread in a dense cross-hatch
The quilt got its name because I thought it looked a little like a bunch of sticks from the game Pick Up Sticks. It turns out that Pick Up Sticks is based on the European game Mikado :)
I do not love to do straight line quilting, but each time I started to plan out the quilting, I came back to a dense, randomly spaced cross-hatch pattern echoing the seam lines of the on-point blocks. Luckily, the quilt is pretty small (about 41" x 50") that the dense quilting did not take too long.
I used 50 wt white Aurifil thread which blended well with the background and did not stand out too much on the black or striped fabrics. A fun geometry themed fabric from Moda called Modern Background Paper by Zen Chic became the backing.
For batting, I used my favorite batting Warm & White from the Warm Company. The white color made sure there was no shadowing or color coming through the mostly white quilt top, and once blocked (see how I block a quilt here), the batting gives the quilt such a crisp and flat look.
I finished the quilt off using a really thick binding using 5" binding strips. I think that the quilt top really needed a strong frame with all of the negative space. I made and attached the binding the same as I normally would (I had tested the larger binding on my last charity quilt).
I will let you know if it gets into QuiltCon :)
Quilt Stats
Size: 41" x 50"
Design: Smoosh blocks set on point (designed by me for the MQG)
Fabrics: Moda Bella white, Kona black, Robert Kaufman stripe
Quilting: 50 wt white Aurifil thread in a dense cross-hatch
I love your attention to the detail of keeping the stripes running the same direction. The wide binding sets it off really well, and I really love the backing print. What an awesome finish and I hope to see it in Nashville in February!!
ReplyDeleteTotally love this layout and two color selection.....L-O-V-E-L-Y!
ReplyDeleteJust wow! What an eye-catching design. Sure to be a winner!!!
ReplyDeleteCheryl - This is a stunning quilt. I absolutely love it. Good luck in Nashville.
ReplyDeleteYou did a beautiful job with this quilt, Cheryl! I love the contrast of white and black, though I wasn't able to do that with my own QC challenge entry. I'm not buying fabric in 2018, so didn't have black to work with! :-) Most of the entries I've seen in this category seem pretty small, so we'll all happily be pitted against one another. Haha. Is this your only entry? I hope it's accepted! I entered quite a few more, hoping to have one accepted. The competition is SO stiff, as you've just proved by this gorgeous design! Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteCheryl, this is a fabulous quilt!! I really love what you designed and the colors are perfect!! Your quilt is a winner!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Cathy!
DeleteI love this design! It really kind of plays with your mind. I will be floored if this one isn't chosen to hang at Quilt Con.
ReplyDeleteOh, Cheryl, I love, love, LOVE it! The quilting is perfect for it. Good luck with this entry!
ReplyDeleteStunning, Cheryl! It looks so complicated too. The crosshatch is perfect! It was probably perfectly boring to do, but it looks great. Good luck with your entry!
ReplyDeleteWow! Absolutely beautiful! I love the wide binding. How does it get applied versus a standard binding?
ReplyDeleteA very startling and eye grabbing quilt. I love the black and white. Did not know Mikado was pick up sticks in Europe. I was thinking something Japanese. I hope this is accepted to Quilt Con because it certainly is worthy of it.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is awesome and the fabric placement is just perfect. I look forward to seeing the quilt in the show. I am trying to learn how to take good pictures for the entry. Did you use your quilt rack in yours? Yvonne shared how she tapes the to a wall for her photo on her blog today.
ReplyDeleteAll the angles and lines interact so well together and the straight line quilting does emphasize all the angles. Looking forward to seeing it Nashville.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love your quilt!!! Amazing use of fabric in a fabulous quilt pattern!! I want to make it! Fingers crossed for acceptance!!
ReplyDeleteI love the design. You always have such inspiring modern layouts. I can totally believe that keeping the direction of the stripes intact was exhausting. But it was worth the effort! Beautiful quilt! Good luck with the challenge. xo
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is just stunning Cheryl! I really like the wide binding and am curious to know how much of a seam allowance you use to sew it onto the quilt. I really hope this gets accepted!
ReplyDeleteThis one must make it in to QC! It's gorgeous! I especially love the extra wide binding. It's a stunning quilt Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteI'm struck by the sense of movement in this quilt. What a clever block and beautiful finish -- I hope to see it in Nashville!
ReplyDeleteAn amazing modern quilt design and the quilting could not be more perfect!! Well Done, Cheryl!
ReplyDelete-Soma
Nice job Cheryl. The wider binding really works on this one!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful Cheryl. I had an idea something along these lines with black and white fabrics as well. This looks so good. I think it should get in to Quilt Con.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing. The quilting suits it well. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning! Good luck with the entry to Quilt Con - always nerve wracking.
ReplyDeleteI only have one word - stunning! Good luck!
ReplyDelete