Modern Quilt Island Batik Challenge – Part 2 – Quilting The Quilt

Modern Quilting in the wild

…to continue….

Quilting A Modern Quilt

Modern Quilt design by Karen Overton
Original design by Karen Overton, The Quilt Rambler. “This is the Way, Walk in It”

As a review, I’m an Island Batik Ambassador and our May challenge was to make a Modern Batik Quilt (here’s Part 1 in case you missed it). I have totally enjoyed stepping out of my comfort zone with this challenge….and the challenge continued….as it was soon time to quilt it!

You Can Never Have Too Many Rulers

Quilters Apothecary Design Ruler Used in Modern Quilting
While not a ruler to use with the Longarm for actual quilting, this is a great tool designed for marking your quilt tops prior to quilting

I’ve been a longarm quilter since 2004 and have “collected” my share of longarm rulers – many while attending longarm classes with national teachers.

I hate to admit that many of them haven’t been used to their fullest potential. The most used ones were to make spines for feathers, or a circle to make a feathered wreath…I’m a self-proclaimed feather queen…but that’s another ramble….

Modern quilting?!!??! Something I’ve just drooled over at quilt shows, online, and in magazines…not something I’ve attempted…never had the time to experiment!

Personal Challenge – Use Those Rulers!

Modern Quilting using Mystical Square Ruler
I have an abundance of Jamie Wallen’s Quilters Apothecary rulers – this was the perfect size for short straight edge quilting

It’s my understanding that there are not very many rules in modern quilting, that it is very fluid, so I decided to fire the quilt police on this one. I seriously didn’t have a quilting plan….yes, I know that’s dangerous…but as Ben & Jerry’s said: “If it’s not fun, why do it!”

To those of you who are more experienced, my apologies. But it’s my first modern quilt! And here’s just a few of the rulers I used from my vast collection.

As a side note, I had ordered some of Jodi Robinson’s rulers but they arrived too late to be included in this project. I can’t wait to try them in future quilts!

Modern Quilting Rulers
I appreciated the shape of Jamie’s ruler when I needed to make 90 degree turns
Modern Quilting Ruler
Lisa Calle has an entire line of fabulous rulers that make modern quilting a breeze – or any quilting!
Modern Quilting Ruler for small straight lines
I just love the results of using Lisa’s Quilter’s Groove Proline 16 – makes me look like an experienced modern quilter
Marking curves for Modern Quilting
I’m not even sure how long this has been in my ruler drawer – but today I had a new use for both sides of this ruler designed by Galye Wallace
soft wave ruler is nice to use in Modern Quilting
Another oldie but goodie from my ruler drawer – I have a nice collection by Mari-Lee Seei, Off The Edge Quilting – sadly these are no longer available.
Chalked lines for modern quilting preparation
The Soft Wave ruler made some interesting shapes for my modern quilting. Chalking sometimes “kicks up a little dust”
Making a grid for Modern Quilting designs
There’s less dust and more accuracy when I make straight lines with Quilter’s Apothecary Mystical Designer ruler and Sewline chalk pencil
Longarm Rulers used in Modern Quilting
This is another oldie from the ruler drawer – 3″ zig zag and 2″ curves from the Fabric Art Shop

Rulers

You can never have too many Longarm rulers
This ruler by Sherry Rogers-Harrison was designed to make braided cables (no longer on her website) It was repurposed to make fabulous lines for modern quilting
Circles are great designs to us in modern quilting
I’m beginning to feel thankful for my past ruler investments as I see that my set of circle rulers from Willowleaf Studio are no longer available – instead her site is full of fabulous pantographs for Longarm quilting….But! This set was used for my modern quilting design
Pocket Pebbles Ruler for Modern Quilting
Dusty Farrell has lots of rulers for Longarm quilting – I really liked this one as it pulls apart to insert your Longarm hopping foot and makes perfect 1/2″, 3/4″ and 1″ circles

It’s All in The Details

feet propped up overlooking a window advertisement became an inspiration for a quilt design
My “current world view” became my inspiration for a modern quilt design

I gained the confidence to try new things as I worked my way down the quilt. It probably would have been a little different had I had a plan (grin)….but I like the way it turned out.

Modern Quilting by Karen Overton
Current world view – This is the Way, Walk in It – hot off the frame

Modern Quilt In The Wild

Machine Binding made easy with the right tools
More tools of the trade – love my stiletto
by Annie”

It was late in the day by the time I sewed the binding on…I have plans to hand stitch the binding on this one versus machine binding….but I was losing daylight so forgive the flapping binding! Here are the outdoor photos that were taken under the tiki hut in the backyard. I’m not a professional photographer so the lighting isn’t perfect, but I think you can see the texture and my attempts at modern quilting.

Modern Quilt by Karen Overton "This is the way, walk in it"
“This IsThe Way, Walk In It” original design pieced and quilted by Karen Overton
Modern Quilting up close
Close up of top section
writing in the quilting
Can you see “This is the way” in the quilting
This is the way, walk in it - a modern quilt by Karen Overton
Look close – can you see “walk in it”
Karen's Special Butterflies are quilted in this modern quilt
Lower section of the quilt included my signature butterflies
Hidden messages in modern quilting design
More hidden messages – Isaiah 31:20, my initials KEO and the year 2017

It’s Not Finished Until You Put A Label on it

colorful hanging sleeve on the back of modern quilt
Why not combine a hanging sleeve and a label. This is the Way, Walk in it

I thought it would be fun to make a bright hanging sleeve and cheated a bit turning this into my quilting label. I hope to finish the hand-sewn binding soon and hang this in my studio.

I have truly enjoyed the challenge on this one. The pattern has lots of personal messages to remind me that life is a journey and full of choices. There are plenty of beautiful things to see and do along the way. The verse inspires me to follow God and trust that He will guide my path. In all things that I do, I need to stay true to who I am.

This is Karen Overton, The Quilt Rambler, Proving That There’s Always Something New to Try In The World Of Quilting!

Modern Quilting in the wild
This is The Way, Walk In It – original design pieced and quilted by Karen Overton

Do you have a defining style of quilting? Maybe you are fond of applique’ or traditional patterns. Have you tried modern quilting? I’m thinking I’d like to try this again. Leave me your thoughts and comments, especially if you have suggestions on modern quilting.

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7 thoughts on “Modern Quilt Island Batik Challenge – Part 2 – Quilting The Quilt

    • thequiltrambler says:

      Thank you Janet! It’s been my “theme song” all month….wheither you turn to the right, or too the left…you will hear a voice saying “this is the way, walk in it, walk in it” I am thankful to share the symbolism with you!

  1. Nancy says:

    Thanks for sharing your process…especially with the rulers. You know, one goes to shows and sees these great rulers , it no one tells you how to use them….love seeing all your wonderful ideas. Your quilt turned out great and I love your photo with your kitty!

    • thequiltrambler says:

      It wasn’t easy to get Oscar in the photo! He’s not a professional quilt model, yet! And yes, I agree that there’s not always enough demos or ideas on how to use rulers. Hopefully, the ruler designers will share more in the future with tutorials and such. In the meantime – permission granted to just pull them out and play!

  2. Pingback: 2018 New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop Rambler Style - The Quilt Rambler

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