Tuesday 25 August 2015

Women of the Bible quilt

Towards the end of last year I thought about making the Modern Building Blocks quilt. I don't really use a lot of solids, so I thought it would extend me.  I liked the idea of a modern sampler quilt, but in the end I decided it wasn't for me.

While I was waiting for the Modern Building Blocks to be sent the Women of the Bible quilt came to my attention.I cancelled my order for the Modern Building Blocks and started receiving these patterns for free. The patterns were sent out by email every second week, from Little Quilts in USA.

The programme has finished now, and I have received all the patterns. I made a big effort a week ago to finish all 40 of the blocks and here they are:


I used Denyse Schmidt fabrics from Spotlight New Zealand.  Her range came in blues and pinks, so I decided to use a bit of both in my quilt.  I think most other people have chosen quieter fabrics, but these appealed to me.  I didn't make it for religious reasons, I made it because I like the patterns.

It felt like a major achievement to get all 40 blocks finished, but then I realised that the pattern included lots of 5" blocks as fillers.  I tried to lay the quilt out without the fillers, but it would end up 60" x 90" if I just sewed it together as it is. I did play around on a piece of paper trying to think of layouts that could incorporate as many blocks as possible.  There are 12 very large 15" blocks and the smaller blocks are 10".

Here's a picture of someone else's finished quilt top, with all the filler blocks. It's more square than mine.



Yvette has made all the filler blocks and it does look good. I think I will have to do them, but they might not be flying geese and half square triangles. I think my fabrics are patterned enough that I could just cut 5" square in some cases.


Sorry about the poor lighting - it's winter here and it just keeps on raining at the moment.  If you would like the patterns for these blocks you can buy them on a DVD from Little Quilts for USD 10.

26 comments:

margaret said...

your Women of the Bible looks great, like you I collected all the blocks but unlike you have not started them yet. I cannot make my mind up what fabric to use, maybe I will do them scrappy and use loads of different ones

Julie said...

Looks great Wendy - You have got the colours well balanced too at present.

Cassandra said...

This quilt has such a cheerful color scheme, and it is really coming together beautifully!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

I think the color choices are very you and they group together so nicely. It sounds like you have the sketches of a plan started... I look forward to seeing how you put it together. :)

Bees Knees Granny said...

Beautiful job, with beautiful fabrics! Agree they would not benefit from the "busyness" of pieced triangle fillers. Sampler quilts are busy enough! All of your blocks could be incorporated into a "strippy quilt", with vertical columns of six large blocks on each side, and a center vertical column three blocks wide by nine blocks long. Between the columns would be vertical strips of a coordinating solid or stripe. An interesting project. Keep on quiltin'. Cwoosley12@yahoo.com

Frances Meredith said...

I love the vibrant colors you chose. Some lovely blocks.

Oops-Lah said...

I quite like your quilt as it is. For me the other quilt with the additional blocks doesn't show off the original blocks as well. But I guess it depends whether you want a bigger quilt or not.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I don't know anything about quilting or quilt blocks, but I do know about beauty and this is beautiful Wendy, I can "see" your actual individual blocks better than the example you shared with the other blocks incorporated. I think its beautiful!
Couldn't it just be a throw quilt or a knee coverlet? I think its stunning!

Stitchin At Home said...

I like your quilt the way it is. Beautiful colours. I think the filler blocks might take away from the blocks you have already made.

Linda said...

Love your quilt blocks. The colours are fabulous, they sparkle like jewels.

Ruth said...

i was tempted as having a biblical name I fancied making a Ruth block but a little too many things on the go. I like the idea of some filler blocks and I think solid not pieced squares could be fun! Looking forward to how you get on!

France Nadeau ❅ inspiration imagination creation said...

Beautiful! You chose your fabric well: the result is spectacular. I love your version. :-)

barbaradougherty126 said...

i am collecting them from a quilt shop email as we speak. I think I almost have them now, maybe a few more. Haven't decided on fabrics either, but I have lots of 'collections' so should be hard. Yours is gorgeous!

Sandi said...

Love your colour choices Wendy, it looks great. I collected the blocks but then I had an issue with my iPad and lost them all. Had some saved to my desktop and the picture of the top so I could always just draft them out.

I agree you could use some of of your fabrics as five inch filler blocks.

PaulaB quilts said...

I like your version much better because the other is way too busy. I agree with Granny's comment on vertical strips, etc. Your blocks look great as is. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Melody said...

Love your version of the quilt...so cheerful and happy

Lorinda said...

I love the layout you've done here! And the prints are beautiful.

Rachel @ Quiltineering said...

It looks lovely! Your colors are lovely - it will look amazing in any arrangement!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

I do like your fabric choices. I guess I probably would go for adding in the smaller blocks - sorry- if only to make it a bit wider! and definitely some/all just the 5" squares!

Carli The Quilter said...

Wendy, these blocks are lovely and what a beautiful assortment. Hello from British Columbia and http://wwww.goodearthquilting.blogspot.com

Granny Maud's Girl said...

Such fun colours. I like the look of the filler blocks, but you are right to say that they could be anything - from plain squares to four patches, pinwheels and flying geese. Have fun planning your final layout.

Carol Q said...

that's a stunner Wendy. must have been very interesting to try out all those different blocks.

HeathersSewingRoom said...

You have been busy and sorry to hear about all your rain. I think the quilt is looking pretty good the way you have it laid out!

Wonky Patchwork said...

Wow, that looks like a lot of work already, but beautiful so worth it. Love the colours in it, and I sympathise with the weather - we've had loads of rain here too, and even worse it's Summer here!

JanineMarie said...

I really like your quilt just as it is, but knowing your great eye for color and placement, I know you'll do something amazing if you do change it.

Friday and The Girls Meowing It Out Loud said...

I really like your Women of The Bible quilt..I missed it and can't locate the blocks any longer..would love to make this quilt. I hope it will be reissued again one day

Mary