» LOFT quilt
February 13, 2018
I am finally working on a quilt that I started at the end of last year. It’s based on my LOFT pattern from our first book, Colorful Quilts for Fabric Lovers (C&T publishers). Late last summer I found out that this book was going to be available again as a print on demand version and I am so pleased! There were several patterns in this book that I love making. I decided that as time allows, I am going to make some of these patterns in some refreshed fabrics and palettes.
The LOFT quilt is possibly one of my favorite quilts ever. It has some of my most favorite elements in one quilt: repetitive design, squares, negative space, and a solid background. I view it sort of like an entomologist’s display box, where he would put his prized collection of beautiful butterflies. It’s a sophisticated way to show off a favorite collection of prints or solids. And because of it’s symmetry and paired down design, it is very pleasing to the eye.
The sample in the book is made with a medium grey background and shades of lime, lavender, and robin’s egg blue squares.
LOFT quilt. Photo courtesy of C&T publishers.
As I have made different versions of this quilt, however, I find myself going back to the cream or white background. It’s comfort, I suppose. When I was learning to quilt, we made most quilts by hand. And for the most part is was the assumption that muslin would be the background. The other prints would be chosen to coordinate with each other – unless it was a scrap quilt of course. I made quite a few quilts this way – some of which are not even all sewn together if I’m honest! I continually go back to this as a starting point. White (or cream) also offers such a lovely contrast to all colors. It’s almost a natural choice in my mind for a quilt such as this. It even works to show off light colors. And, there’s no denying, it’s fresh and contemporary looking. Like in this quilt that I made as a baby quilt for my niece…
My current quilt is made with a collection of handloom batiks that I have collected over the years. They are all handmade, and a lovely woman named Usha sells them from her booth at various quilt shows (she is usually at the Quilt Festival in Rosemont and at Quilt Expo in Madison). I love the earthy quality of her colors and the feel of her fabrics. I chose to pull out all of the yellows and near-yellows this time.
I started cutting without really planning as far as size was concerned. So I let the number of blocks I had cut determine the size of this quilt. I ended up having 37 usable blocks, and decided to set them 6 x 6. I have a thing about square quilts. Especially where this quilt is concerned. It’s a quilt showcasing squares and therefore I always make it square.
I love how this quilt turned out and I can’t wait to load it on my longarm and get it quilted up! Check back soon for more pictures of the finished quilt….
