Sunday, June 19, 2011

Helen Keller Wisdom (My Kona Solids Challenge Quilt)

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow."

Isn't that a terrifically positive message? Whenever I am asked what my favourite quote is, I always share this one. I love Keller's turn of phrase as well as the very important message, so I never miss an opportunity to share it with others.

When the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild got its hands on some Kona Solids Charm Packs in the dark colourway, the challenge was issued to make a quilt that featured them. I initially thought of a stacked coin layout, but then this idea just popped into my head, and I'm so glad I followed my gut. Because I. Love. This. Quilt.

HK Wisdom front.1

I started by separating the yellow/orange charms and the dark grey/black charms to use for the letters in the words "sunshine" and "shadow", then just cut the other charms in the order in which they came, mostly using one charm per letter. All the charms were used on the front of the quilt, and the background is Kona Medium Grey. This quilt measures 46" x 41".

I free-pieced the letters, using a few Flickr favourites as inspiration. You'll see that not many letters got done the same way twice (I think there are 5 different "e" variations), but I like that about this quilt. Everything was pretty outside the box, for me at least.

HK Wisdom back

I quilted it in concentric circles beginning around the first letters in the word "sunshine" - I felt like that part of that word was really key to the whole thing, which is why that word is placed on its own. The first three circles are quilted in yellow rayon thread, and the rest were done in a dark grey 50 wt thread to give texture without distracting from the charms.

I did pretty well with positioning that little pieced bit so that the circles surrounded it, didn't I? Kind of pleased with myself on that one. True confession: I had four rows of stitching done before I realized I'd started in the wrong spot (a little farther to the right). I debated about ripping it out, but I decided it meant a lot to me to try to get it positioned exactly right, so I unquilted those bits, and I'm glad I did. It would've bugged me forever.

I used the no-show binding again and I must say I really do love how it looks. So tidy and neat. And it seems to get done more quickly than regular binding.

I was choked that a work function conflicted with the VMQG meeting where the guild's challenge quilts were shared, but I will bring it to next month's meeting anyway.

HK Wisdom front

I've a friend who's going through a difficult time, so I will be gifting this to her. It was so fun to make, and while the free-pieced letters were time-consuming, they were a LOT of fun. You should try it!

Linking this up to {Sew} Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations and Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story! 
{Sew} Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge CreationsFresh Poppy Design

43 comments:

  1. I love love love this, its absolutely stunning. What a lucky friend, it is bound to make her smile. The quilting on it is perfect too

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  2. Absolutely incredible... everything about this quilt is stunning... the fabrics, the letters, the quilting...truly a work of art!

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  3. Fab quilt and v.inspiring quote. Well done! Jxo

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  4. You did a lovely job and it's a stunning quilt! Bravo!

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  5. Wow that is fabulous - I also love the no-show binding. I loved Krista's charm pack quilt and I love this one to - they feel a bit like a pair to me - wonderful.

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  6. This is just stunning! What a beautiful job!
    And I LOVE how you did the circle quilting, starting at the "sun"! You must be so happy with this!

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  7. Great, fabulous, awesome, etc. ... :-)

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  9. Oh my gosh, Felicity, it was totally worth the wait - this is stunning!!! Just amazing!!! I love the circle quilting, looks amazing, and this will be an amazing gift for your friend :)

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  10. I love this Felicity - the quilting just makes it!

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  11. It's fantastic Felicity! You should be very proud of it!

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  12. My mouth is hanging open. This quilt is super amazing! The colors, the letters and the message are all just fantastic.

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  13. Very nice and so creative! Your quilting really adds to the overall effect.

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  14. This quilt is glorious! It is just...

    absolutely.

    awesome.

    (How big is it?)

    My favorite part is the yellow dot over the i in sunshine.

    I can't stop looking at this quilt.

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  15. This is so very awesome and creative! Nice work Felicity!

    I love it!

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  16. This turned out just great! It's really stunning to look at.

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  17. Wow! Amazing! It's beautiful, and very inspiring. : )

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  18. This quilt is WONDERFUL Felicity! So moving. I love everything about it--the quote, the pieced letters, the quilting! Thanks for linking up to {Sew} Modern Monday and have a great week.

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  19. Fabulous!! I love it. The quilting is perfect too.

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  20. So... are you going to laugh at me if I say this quilt makes me want to cry a little? Sure, I may be pregnant and all... but it's not often that a quilt is moving! This one is!

    Beautiful Felicity. It's so original and beautiful... I feel like I should say Congratulations!

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  21. Oh Felicity! This is absolutely gorgeous! I love the quote, and I love your free pieced letters and the quilting and absolutely everything about it! I do hope I'm back in time to see this at the next VMQG meeting.

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  22. WOW! You have really outdone yourself with this challenge--it's lovely!

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  23. This quilt is an achievement, Felicity! Your letters are so much fun and really show your personality (to me, at least). I was thinking about you several times during the VMQG meeting and wishing you could be there, because I knew everyone would just LOVE this quilt. You'll have your oooh's and aaaah's at the July meeting, sister, and they will be well deserved. I didn't realize you were giving it away - I hope it will bring much comfort to your friend.

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  24. amazing! the quilting is perfect!!! did you draw the circles first? (with a disappearing marker or something?)

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  25. That is definitely a work of art. I love the way you used the colors and the circle quilting just really makes it! Fantastic!

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  26. Holy crap this is my favorite quilt EVER!! So love it. Did I mention I love it? I love-ity love love love it. I really do.

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  27. Wow! I love it! :) Love the idea, the layout, the quilting, all of it!

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  28. It is gorgeous Felicity. I absolutely love it.

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  29. This quilt is just stunning, Felicity! I love the quote and the thought you put into the placement of the sunny and shadowy colours. Looking forward to seeing it in person at the July Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild meeting!

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  30. Oh wow, that is soo cool! What a great idea, I haven't seen a quilt with lettering, and I love the saying too!

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  31. This really is beautiful - and a level of complexity I can only aspire to!

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  32. This is a very beautiful quilt, and the motto is really heart warming. What a great idea!

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  33. wow i love this so much! amaaaaazing.

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  34. So creative! Great quote and you put it all together so beautifully. I love how you chose to quilt it too, really a piece of art. Good work! Thanks for linking up!

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  35. Please PLEASE bring this to the next VMQG mtg

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  36. Hey, just wanted to let you know I featured your link today at SewHappyGeek's Feature Friday!

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  37. Felicity, this quilt is genius! I love it. The quilting is so perfect, I love how it radiates from the 'sun'. Such a wonderful quilt for a wonderful quote! x

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  38. I'm speechless. This is absolutely my favorite quilt I have seen this year. Completely.utterly.my.favorite! How generous of you to gift it to a friend. I'm sure it will be well loved.

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  39. Ooh, love it! And I just picked up Tonya Ricucci's book Word Play last night at quilting guild so I'm psyched!

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  40. I know 40 people have already commented, but I'm going to be #41!

    Love your quilt! I *NEVER* thought of putting a phrase on a quilt like this. OPens up a whole new world of opportunity!

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  41. Fantastic quilt - you did such a great job all the way around. I always love how that circle quilting looks but can't even imagine trying to do that on the machine. whee!

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  42. This is so great! I love your idea and I just now might need to make a quilt or two with an inspirational quilt.

    Lyanna

    PS - love your blog, keep up the great work =)

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  43. If I haven't already commented on this quilt before It is beautiful. Did you make up the alpha squares yourself and are they paper pieced? It's beautiful

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