After I arrived home from QuiltCon 2019 it took me several days to process what I saw. You can read about my evaluations in my QuiltCon Nashville Recap post. The one thing I did know was that I was going to make a quilt because I was so inspired by all the wonderful quilts at the show. First, I put down into words my evaluation of the best qualities of the show.
What stood out to me was this: dark, bright, bold, contrast, unexpected, texture, and depth. After I figured out what actually stuck with me from seeing all the quilts at QuiltCon 2019, I decided I must make a quilt featuring all the wonderful things. And thus, More Is More was born.
After spending a few days sketching, I started out knowing certain techniques I wanted to use, and the basic shape, colors, and values that I wanted to create. I pulled fabric from stash, ordered from the web in late night ordering sessions, and made the rounds to all my LQSs.
My first step was to tape out the shape on my design wall. I had to set up a second table for my fabric pull. Then, I started cutting circles and layering background fabrics.
I actually had to pin up a second design wall so that I could work with the layers better. One thing that draws me to applique is the ability to layer fabrics and designs to create depth. I also took advantage of my sewing room floor to cut and square my backgound sections. Then, I “quilt as you go’ed” by machine the top background section. The main factor in this decision was that I did not want to bury threads. After the first segment of quilting was done I added the bottom background section and quilted that by machine.
I then arranged the applique circles on top of the quilted background. I attached them all with a safety pin before stitching them down by hand.
My initial plan was to quilt again by machine over the top of the circles, between the existing quilting lines. Instead, I listened to the quilt that was just begging for some big stitch hand quilting. I stitched a color coordinated X over the top of each circle. I chose to echo the diagonals in the binding and finished it off in time to submit to the MQG Exhibition at Houston Quilt Festival.
