As mentioned in my last post, I’m creating a quilt inspired by a historical work held by the International Quilt Study Center & Museum. You can find the inspiration quilt here. And you can find more information about it here. I don’t intend to reproduce it exactly, but to honor it.
The center block of the quilt is quirky and complex. I found the inspiration quilt more than a month ago and have spent much of that time pondering its construction. The sizing of components and the technique to use for them both present challenges. (And opportunities!) On first glance it looks mostly pieced, but I decided that appliqué would be my primary technique. I’m not very experienced with appliqué, so thinking it would be “easier” gives you a notion of how the piecing would go.
And because I don’t appliqué much, I tried multiple methods before settling on raw edge fusing, with a button-hole stitch to seal the edges.
Here’s the block so far, with more detail to come. It is surrounded by the hourglass blocks that border it a little later. I have a ways to go yet, but I’m really happy with it and its resemblance to the historical quilt.
Catbird Quilt Studio 
Hi Melanie–It’s looking good 🙂 I use fray-check on the edges after finishing my raw-edge appliqué.
Is that without finishing the edges with stitching? I button-holed all the way around, so it won’t go anywhere.
(Obviously I am not sure of definitions on this…)
Making great or. I like where your going with it.
Thank you. Lots more to do still.
Looking lovely! I like the clean feel of just the two colors.
Yes, me too. It’s not something I would do very often, but the constraint and restraint are rather exciting.
This one’s going to be bold and beautiful. I’m so glad you’re not using white/white fabric.
Ah, it actually is white-white. The photo doesn’t show it true. 🙂
The center star reminds me of Nordic designs. (Like this one: http://www.freepik.com/free-vector/blue-nordic-fabric-pattern_858574.htm .) I think it could be pieced by making a strip set but getting the pieces to fit together would be really challenging. Applique is definitely the way to go!
Yes, you can strip piece an 8-pointed star. The challenge here was the dark lines between white points, plus the background red is not just a star, but also has the square corners. The variety of piecing issues with it led me to applique. Thanks for the link. Very pretty, and yes, it does look Nordic that way.
This one is going to be a stunner! So striking and elegant!
Thank you, Kerry!
This is so crisp and elegant, and the shade of red you’re using is perfect, giving a vintage feel without being too brown. I think you could fairly say you’ve cracked the appliqué thing!
Not sure I’ve cracked it, but I do feel a bit more confident. Thank you!
Nice start. Yes, those Y-seams can be quite a bear.(but then so can applique).
I avoided the Y-seams altogether here, since the white diamonds sit on top of the red background. Dodged it!
Ooooo! I love the contrast!
One of the best aspects of 2-color quilts, IMO. 🙂
That center block is awesome! I love the precision and the thin red outlines inside the white diamonds.
Isn’t that cool? I can’t take credit for that design element, but I appreciate it, too.
Stunning!!!
Thank you, Carla!
This is my favorite of all I’ve seen here, Melanie. It’s bold, yet deceivingly simple. It reminds me of wood inlaid into ivory. It’s just gorgeous.
Thank you, Linda. I have a lot of favorites, and I think this one might end up on that list, too.