XOXO top. Sixth Medallion Sew-Along Track 1. 48″.
This is a UFO created last year with my Medallion Sew-Along. I started six projects using Track 1 (prescribed border widths) and have finished five of them. This is the sixth, not yet quilted.
Why did I give up on it? Because I wasn’t happy with the pastel half-square-triangle border. It seemed too wimpy to me, compared to the strong star in the middle. Once the blue-with-circles border was on, I put the project away.
But I’m a finisher. So I took it to my Medallion Improv class last month and asked the students for ideas on the 2″ border. They suggested turquoise or teal, to echo the first border. When I looked through stash, I found the turquoise with lavender butterflies and yellow dots. Adding that re-enthused me.
The final border in the Sew-Along template was 6″ wide. I already planned the Xs and Os border but wasn’t sure what colors to use. Inspiration struck and I decided to use all of them! I pulled more than 20 fabrics for the 28 blocks, ultimately using 16 of them.
The background fabric was a small problem, but solved when I used a very sweet mid-blue and turned it over. The color nearly matches the background of the center blue. Remember, you own BOTH sides of your fabric. Sometimes the back is just right.
This is a very happy top, and once quilted and bound, it will be a very happy quilt.
What’s the last UFO you finished? Why had you stalled on it? What inspired you to finish? Were you happy with it? Who got it?
Catbird Quilt Studio 
Guess I have a UFO or two to finish and hope to get started on them later this summer. Using the back of fabrics can be intriguing; I saw that done on a “USA Flag” pattern – really turned out well. Sometimes we just need to think outside the box a bit and it’s surprising what we can come up with!
I’m trying to get a couple of things done, too. Hoping for at least 3 finishes by the end of the month. I have one quilted but not bound, one about to be quilted, and the third … not quite that ready. 🙂
I like looking at other people’s work because they so often have different approaches or ideas. Turning fabric over is one of so many inspiring ideas!
Thanks for stopping by.
Love the XO border, and it would be perfect for a donation quilt
I had fun making the blocks, too. They would be easy to use as border as shown, or in a block-format quilt. Maybe you can design a good layout? 🙂
It is a very happy quilt! I like it too. And I like how the center fabric in the middle of the block kindo of foreshadows and ties into the outer border Os. Great work!
Thanks, Kathy. I like it so much now, it surprises me that I was so stuck and discouraged. All the Os and dots in the fabric (most of which you can’t see) are repeated with the Os in the border. And the Xs in the center block and angles in the triangle border are repeated, too. Overall I’m really happy with it. Can’t wait ’til it’s quilted!
I enjoy the way the colors get bolder and more contrasting towards the edges. It’s almost a modern quilt. A perfect quilt for summer. As to UFOs, I have a category on my quilting to-do list called In Limbo. Some items have been there a while, but I do pluck them out and make something with them even if it’s not what I had planned originally.
I do like the idea of Limbo! That seems to describe more flexibility in the final outcome, doesn’t it?
As to “modern,” as much as I try, I can’t figure out what that really means. There are some quilts I see that I do think are a different take on format or style, and that I would call “modern.” Others are described as modern but really are the same ol’ thing in different coloring or prints. I’d probably put XOXO in that category, but in terms of that and its overall boldness, I think you’re right. “It’s almost a modern quilt.” 🙂
What a cheerful quilt! Since you began designing, making, and writing about medallion designs I see them everywhere (well, in quilt magazines and books, and online). It has been weeks since I finished a UFO. Meanwhile I have created others.
Oh yes, always new UFOs, if only in our heads! I haven’t started new projects recently but I do have a couple planned. I’m hoping to do a rail fence next, for a friend of mine who is a plumber. All those “pipes” going different directions… 🙂
I’m so glad to hear you talking about using the back of the fabric–I can’t remember when it dawned on me that we could do that but it’s one of my favorite tricks now! I’ve never done a medallion quilt but I can see how it would feel like you’re unveiling something new with each border–intriguing!
Yes, back of fabric: I haven’t done much of that, but one of my other medallions needed yellows, and I’d run out of the “main” one. The only way to get a more acidic one to blend it was to use both the front and back, so there was a variety.
And medallions, YES! Every new border gives you new chances. Never give up on a medallion — if you really hate a border, just take it off and try again. It isn’t like a block format quilt where if you don’t like the block … well, what are ya gonna do? 🙂
It’s a super quilt. I love every bit of it.
Thanks! I do, too.
Wow, this is just fabulous! And not the least bit wimpy anymore, with those lovely strong colours in the outer borders.
Yes, thanks! And now I see that if the hst border had been stronger, it would have UNbalanced it, rather than balanced it. Ah medallion quilts, one surprise after another! 🙂
xoxoxo
oxoxox
Who said we’re stuck in the mud? 😉
Good for you for finishing! It looks adorable. I have a lot of UFOs to finish. And they don’t even have anything to do w/ quilts! 🙂
Oh my yes, they come in all types! I have a pretty long list of blog posts in process, as well as other stuff, too. 🙂
Thanks for taking a look.
I sure do love that finish! And using the fabric ‘back’ is perfect. I can see why you put it away but you have “resurrected” it beautifully. It will be a “happy” finish…………………
Thanks, Doreen. I don’t have a lot of UFOs, but it always feels like a big victory to finish one. Once this is quilted and bound, I think it’ll be pretty special. 🙂