Challenge Quilt
I have another challenge quilt to show you today. I am part of a group called The Endeavourers. Each quarter we have a little fun by making quilts inspired by a chosen theme. This quarter’s theme was “Circles and Squares”.
My little quilt was inspired by this photo, a little table scene from a favorite coffee shop.
It’s a lovely shop, and those little bouquets add a simple touch of beauty to the surroundings. I’ve had many good conversations with good friends at this place.
For my challenge quilt, I decided to see if I could create a small bouquet of flowers using only circles and squares. It was a fun experiment, and I had several iterations before I settled on the final one.
The blue “table” fabric is actually an old chambray shirt of my husband’s. I added some coffee rings to signify the conversations over coffee at the table.
You can also see that I practiced a bit of free motion. It didn’t occur to me until the quilt was finished that I should have used circles and squares for the quilting, too. Anyway, it was a good opportunity to try a little free motion again (still don’t like it – LOL).
The flowers were freehand cut circles and squares. Once I was satisfied with the layout, I glue basted them to the quilt top, then used free motion raw edge applique to give the flowers a little character.
Even the vase was fashioned from a half circle and two squares. I enjoyed playing with the layout and choosing the colors for the bouquet.
All the fabrics are from my stash. The backing is a scrap piece of light blue, and I had to use a little stripe for the binding to add a little pop. The finished size of this quilt is approximately 12-1/2″ x 21″.
This was a much easier challenge quilt than my hummingbird, but I used some of the methods I learned from that quilt. I enjoy the challenges – I learn something from each one!
I’m ready to see what our next theme will be!
Wendy
Friday Finishes
24 Comments
Cindy Pieters
The circles and squares make a lovely floral bouquet! Your FMQing is looking good. Well done!
Helen
Very, very modern artsy!
texasquiltgal
Very pretty bouquet! And I love the use of your Hubs’ shirt. Are the coffee stains real? At first glance, I thought you wrote “I had several LIBATIONS before I settled on the final one” – LOL! I bet the coffee shop would love to have this hanging on their wall.
Vicki in MN
I always look forward to your final challenge pieces because you always open your creative brain and let us in for a little peek!
marissthequilter
What a clever use of circles and squares. And what a charming quilt. I also love the story behind it, right down to the coffee rings on the old shirt
The Morning Latte
Well that’s just amazingly creative! Coffee stains and all! I don’t even know how to begin trying to see things differently like that and then turning it all into art but someday I guess I need to give it a go (I know, I keep saying things like that!) The color I could do, the shapes…well, I’m not very artistic, can’t draw etc. What a challenge that group must be! Is this one going up in your new studio? It’s definitely a favorite! Why do you think circles and squares instead for the quilting? I think what you did works great!?
Tracie
I especially like this quilt because it reminds me of sweet fellowship with friends. I imagine you visiting with me and your other friends.
karenfae
that is a cute piece
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
That’s so fun, Wendy! I love your inspiration photo, and how you turned the circles and squares into a bouquet of flowers. I think your FMQ looks great! (I don’t like it either, so I just quit trying..:) I always enjoy seeing what you’ve done for these challenges!
Bernie
Oh Wendy – you rocked the challenge here. I love seeing your challenge quilts. This is adorable and the added coffee stains are such a good enhancement. Fantastic.
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
The coffee ring stains are such a good touch. What a fun challenge quilt and reminder of times spent in a great spot with friends!
aquilterstable
What a fun challenge. I love what you came up with, and agree the coffee ring stains are perfect!
Kathleen McCormick
What a fun piece! I really love the use of the squares and circles, John’s shirt and the coffee stains. Great job on using some of what you learned in the gorgeous hummingbird quilt!
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! Nice job and I think you met the challenge head on and well. I think it was a fun idea to quilt the flowers. Can’t wait to see what’s next on the list. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
Rochelle Summers
I’m always amazed by the way people interpret challenges. You are so creative and I love the backstory that goes with this piece. Your circles and squares are so cheerful and the soft chambray shirt, complete with coffee stains, is wonderful. Congratulations!
Laura
Adding coffee ring stains…genius! 🙂
laura bruno lilly
**Of course** there are coffee rings in your rendition – What a great way to slip in a few circles in your challenge piece, Wendy. The bouquet is a fun use of the challenge shapes, too.
Vicki Welsh
Well done! I like this a lot!
J Mur
What a creative interpretation of the theme, Wendy! Kudos to you on completing a meaningful challenge entry.
Quilting is in my Blood
I love seeing your challenge quilts! Like so many others, I also really like the coffee rings detail in this fun mini quilt.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
This is wonderfully creative! I love it and I enjoyed seeing all the little details in this this post 🙂
Kate
You made great use of those shapes in your finished project. Very cool!
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Love the sentimental inspiration! And I especially love that you used your DH’s old shirt!!! This will be a fun piece to decorate the walls of your new studio!!!
Sally
What a fun quilt. The coffee stains are perfect. 🙂