I have something exciting to share with you. It is my first tutorial for Moda Bake Shop.
I'm very proud to introduce you to
Castles on the Horizon
This quilt is made with 12 Castles in Spain blocks in Kate Spain's newest fabric line Horizon. The inspiration for this quilt came from a quilt block book. I was flipping through the pages, looking for an idea for a quilt along I hope to host next year and I came upon the Castles in Spain block and new that it would be perfect for this design. The play on words with the name of this quilt was just an added bonus to this project. Castles in Spain blocks + Kate Spain + Horizon fabric line = Castles on the Horizon!
At that time I just happened to have one charm pack of Horizon that Lissa Alexander, Director of Marketing for Moda, had sent to me when she participated in the Kate Spain Charm Swap Round 2. I knew that I wanted to do something with that charm pack and didn't want it to sit on the shelf for eons so I was excited when I had that Ahh Ha moment that resulted in this design.
I used that single charm pack to make a few sample blocks and loved the result so I drafted a full size quilt and sent it off to the Moda Bake Shop editors and they loved it. Making those sample blocks was a good thing because it helped me to see a few construction details I needed to include in the pattern.
A photo shoot in the recent snowfall was the perfect setting for this quilt that will keep me thinking of the warm Caribbean breezes as I struggle to make it through the coming winter storms.
For the quilting, my first thought was that all that negative space in the center of the blocks would look fantastic with some Judy Madsen-ish quilting. There was just one problem with that idea. My skills aren't any way near that to have been able to do that. So after a ton of sketching I came up with a plan. I even stitched out 2 1/2 rows of it. The design actually quilted out well but something just didn't feel right. I liked, I liked it a lot but.....I just didn't like it for this quilt. So I unstitched all of what I had already done. After a lot more pondering, I took my clue from the lines in the fabrics themselves and went simple. I quilted straight across the blocks both diagonally, horizontally and vertically and love the end result.
Though it is bit tough to see in this picture, the quilting lines actually created a pattern on the back of the quilt.
The Moda Marbles fabric in the coordinating shade was the perfect companion for the front of the quilt and I bound it in the darkest Aqua print from the Horizon line.
I truly love this Castles on the Horizon quilt and am looking forward to snuggling with it on the couch through the cold months ahead.
I hope that you are inspired to create your own Castles on the Horizon quilt. The step by step tutorial is over on the Moda Bake Shop so hop on over and check it out. I can't wait to see your own versions of my Caribbean inspired quilt. I'm joining today up with a few linky parties today to get the word out about this fun Moda Bake Shop feature.
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20 Comments:
Congratulations, Michele! This came in my Moda Bake Shop email first thing this morning and I've already copied it off. Great job and I'm sure we'll be seeing more from you!
Congrats Michele and what a beautiful quilt!
gorgeous! love the blocks, stunning yet simple!
Gurlllll you are going places...without all that me, me, me horn tooting. Hugs!
Lovely quilt and I appreciate the time you took to make this with HST's, something even a beginner like me could attempt. Some of the patterns I see in magazines, etc are so difficult. I appreciate your making this as simple as possible!
How exciting -- your first project and it's kate Spain. Love the design and you know I have a few charm packs laying around. can't wait to give it a try.
Lovely Michele and congrats on the Moda Bake Shop piece - Chris :D
Congratulations, Michele. It is stunning and the colors are just wonderful.
Congratulations! That quilt is just gorgeous!
Congratulations Michele! Simple and pretty, I can think of a lot of my clients who would enjoy something like this.
Congrats! It's a beautiful quilt!
a huge congratulations. Your quilt is fabulous. The colors you put together are calming and happy.
Congratulations Michele. What a stunning design.
Castles on the Horizon is gorgeous. Congratulations for creating such a beauty!
Congratulations on being featured with this pattern! It. Is. Beautiful! Love it!
Looks fantastic, Michele!!! Congratulations on adding a great recipe to the Moda bake shop!
Congratulations on getting in the Moda Bakeshop. Quilt looks fabulous.
Well done Sister Dear! I can't wait to make my own
Castles on the Horizon!
Beautiful quilt I love the colors! Congratulations!
This is beautiful! I love it!
The Castle name and colors also remind me of FROZEN.
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