I have had this idea in my head for a while, and while I have a much bigger version for a queen-sized quilt (with more colors), so I was pretty excited to make a mini version for the challenge over at Ellison Lane and see it finished right away.
Love this picture, because you can really see that the center cross is a very pale green.
As you may know if you’ve read my blog before, I was a Classical archaeologist and so most of what I make is influenced by the ancient world. In this case, I made a nested Greek cross which you can find in many ancient buildings; Bete Giorgis or the Church of St. George, is an amazing building in Ehtiopia and is carved from solid rock. It’s also found all over the placein works of art (this one in Venice).
Stitch in the ditch and the knife edge binding
Using various shades of Kona solids for the greens (coming in at 1/2″ finished), and kona charcoal for the gray, I chose to quilt this on my Janome 600 rather than my longarm and just enjoy the process. I stitched in the ditch around each of the charcoal squares, and chalked in rays every 1 1/2″ that I more or less stuck to. I did add some variation in the lines in there, because I like a little bit of not-perfect since I think it gives it character, and you know it’s handmade. It was a tough call about whether or not to also stitch in the green crosses, and I had several different ideas for that, but in the end, I left them simple and plain, so that they might puff a bit.
So I wouldn’t have thread volcanoes on the back, I stitched close to the center without actually touching the threads.
This mini quilt is bound using the knife edge technique, and I had thought originally of binding it so that the colors would match all the way around, but didn’t have the time. In the end, I like how simple this is. Perfect wallhanging or table cover! Or a pillow, actually. It measures 22″ square, and forms are easy to find. Hmmm…. Maybe I need to go make me some pillows.
The question is, now, do I write up a pattern for the mini- or for the bed-sized version? Or both?
wow! that’s amazing – your piecing is perfect! I love it!
I love that! Very, very cool!
Wow! I love this!
I love the way the layers come together to form such a complex design, it would look amazing as a bed quilt!
Thanks, MC! It does look complex, but the piecing is relatively simple (after all the cutting is done, that is) I have a queen-sized WIP of this, which starts with the green and then moves to blue and a single round of orange, and I can’t wait to see how it quilts up.
Very cool. I love the optical illusion. Nice work.
I love this!!!! Such a gorgeous mini!!! If you decide to write up the pattern and need a pattern tester I’ll be happy to oblige!!! 🙂
Stunning. Your archaeology knowledge combined with quilting brings a unique and creative design to life. Love it.
This is stunning! I would love to see a pattern for both sizes! 🙂
Just fantastic!
Thanks for entering the Modern Mini Challenge! Such a cool, graphic quilt and amazing quilting!
Both! But if you must choose, bed sized 😉