I have been dying to share this quilt with you!
Illuminated Blocks
36" square
(click on the quilt to see a larger image)
For those of you visiting from the Blogger's Quilt Festival, welcome! I hope you will take a few moments to look around the blog and visit for a while. I have lots of free projects and tutorials that you can download. I also have a free monthly newsletter that you can sign up for here and you can see lots of photos of my work here. I am also a sponsor of the Blogger's Quilt Festival so I want to encourage everyone to enter a quilt. There are lots of categories and lots of prizes.
Now, let's get on with the show.
I made this quilt on 10 days and that's a miracle for me. I learned the kaleidoscope and puzzle blocks techniques from Paula Nadelstern and I periodically keep in touch with her. A recent email exchange turned into a request to make a quilt for Benartex from her new fabric line, Fabrique-istan. Today this quilt is on display in the Benartex booth at Quilt Market. Every fabric in this quilt is from her new line. It's the first time I've worked with such a limited palette but it wasn't challenging at all because her fabrics contain wonderflul lines and color shifts. There are so many ways to use the images on her fabrics.
The border is made from pieces that are 3" x 2" and the corners are HST blocks finished at 3" square. The quilting is a lot of stitch in the ditch and cross hatching. None of it shows, of course!
All 9 blocks in the quilt are made from this block, number 1136b in Blockbase. Here are close ups of 8 of the blocks (one photo didn't turn out).
Be sure to check out all of the other quilts in the Blogger's Quilt Festival.
Wow, how lucky are you?! The quilt is gorgeous, and I cant wait to see the fabrics and get my hands on some! (PS - next time you're in touch, tell her to come and teach in Australia!)
Posted by: Emma | October 26, 2012 at 08:58 AM
beautiful!
Posted by: Karen | October 26, 2012 at 09:20 AM
Wow! I would never have guessed that was the block you used. It's really only identifyable in one block for me. you are a lot more patient than I am in cutting.
Posted by: Wanda | October 26, 2012 at 09:36 AM
that is freaking awesome! wonderful job. i want that fabric so i can try that. you inspire me.
Posted by: shirley bruner | October 26, 2012 at 09:37 AM
It Is Fabulous and congratulations!!!
Posted by: Deb Levy | October 26, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Those blocks are beyond stunning!
Posted by: Sally | October 26, 2012 at 10:39 AM
This is very cool, Vicki. Great job and doesn't look as intimidating as some of the ones you tackle. lol
Posted by: elle | October 26, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Congratulations!!! So glad your quilt will be shown off in Houston!!!
Posted by: Becky in VA | October 26, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Yowza, that's some spectacular execution of some spectacular fabrics. Now I know where your BB project fabrics came from! Wonderful job Vicki
Posted by: Laceflower | October 26, 2012 at 11:04 AM
You did an amazing job and I love the fabrics. I will be looking for some of these!
Posted by: Gene Black | October 26, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Looking at these blocks reminds me of looking into a kaleidoscope. The quilt is stunning.
Posted by: Terri | October 26, 2012 at 11:21 AM
. . . . and just think, it's ready for the next local quilt show too! You are rockin' it!
Posted by: Debra | October 26, 2012 at 11:41 AM
Fabulous Vicki!
Posted by: Jean S. | October 26, 2012 at 11:47 AM
Truly awesome! Tommyandjimmy
Posted by: D | October 26, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Clearly, you are the master of this technique, following Paula and adding to the excitement we all had for her quilts. I don't think I've seen anyone else's work that so beautifully combine the fabric designer's vision with the piecer's.
Posted by: Cheryl K. | October 26, 2012 at 12:02 PM
Vicki, this is wonderful! I so want to take a class from Paula, but I might have to settle for "book learnin'"! Wonderful job, it does look like a rich tapestry.
Posted by: Sue H | October 26, 2012 at 12:27 PM
stunning
Posted by: sherry | October 26, 2012 at 02:03 PM
Oooo, Vicki this is so AWESOME!!! Absolutely incredible! It really does glow! I would never have guessed each block is built from the same pattern. I'm always intrigued to see what you do with the Grandmother's Choice blocks too.
Posted by: Suzi | October 26, 2012 at 02:11 PM
Your careful use of those fabrics is extraordinary and has given a quilt unlike any I have ever seen, and using just one block - I'm amazed and it is absolutlely fantastic. I'm also watching those Grandmother's choice you are doing each week in your own fabrics...so clever!
Posted by: Sue McB | October 26, 2012 at 04:02 PM
Fabulous Vicki....would love to see it up close and personal.....sometime maybe!
Posted by: Kay in Scotland | October 26, 2012 at 07:10 PM
I have to learn that technique - this is gorgeous!
Posted by: CItricSugar | October 26, 2012 at 07:36 PM
That is flippin fabulous! Waht an honor, to be asked! So cool!
Posted by: Cindy Is Crafty | October 26, 2012 at 10:10 PM
Stunning use of colours in each block. It looks great.
Posted by: Karen | October 27, 2012 at 02:25 AM
Stunning!
Posted by: Virtual Quilter | October 27, 2012 at 02:56 AM
This is beautiful. I have used her fabrics, but always for borders and individual pieces within blocks. This technique looks like a lot of fun.
Posted by: Marjorie Busby | October 27, 2012 at 05:58 AM