Monday, March 17, 2014

2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge ~ Radiant Orchid

2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Radiant Orchid

Do you know what Pantone is?  I'll admit a couple of things....first, I had to look Pantone up to find out exactly what it is (look it up if you don't know!)....and second, I didn't start this quilt project at all with the intention of entering the challenge, it just happened to meet the criteria and there are great prizes!  Entries are open until March 21/14 and there are a variety of categories that you can enter in, if you're still considering it.

This quilt is a gift for someone who is going through a tough time.  I hope that a little bit of cozy quilty love will help.  :)  Today was very very windy, also bright and sunny, which doesn't make for easy picture taking, but nevertheless here we go....


I paired the orchid with various shades of blue (and honestly, various shades of orchid) and I think it works nicely.  The background is a nice creamy neutral, as is the backing.


I really really enjoyed free motion quilting this one, and with each quilt I do it continues to feel more natural and my repertoire of designs I'm comfortable with is expanding, so yay for that!  This one is based on a design called 'Crybaby Meander' but I added more of a hook whenever I was moving on to the next shape, but unfortunately you can't really see that in these photos.  It's a neat look, trust me.  :)


For the first time in a long time I used a store-bought flat bed sheet for the backing.  I was a little apprehensive about it but it actually turned out great.  I did pre-wash the sheet even though I didn't pre-wash any of the other fabric because it felt a bit stiff and was very very wrinkly out of the package, and when all was said and done the quilt washed and dried really nicely and hardly shrank at all.  I'll definitely do that again for an inexpensive quilt back.

Finished quilt size: 64" x 75"

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story

18 comments:

AnnMarie said...

Your quilt is really nice and I like the texture that the quilting adds!

Susan said...

Sounds like you'd be a dab hand at the 'hook turns' in the traffic we have to do in the centre of Melbourne, then?! (google it! ;-)) Your photos are lovely, as is this quilt! Good luck in the challenge too!

Poppyprint said...

fantastic FMQ missus!!!! Good luck in the challenge - it's a beautiful quilt.

Wendy @ Wendysquiltsandmore said...

This is lovely. I love all that purple. I'm sure the recipient will be very pleased to receive it.

nicole said...

This turned out so lovely Heather! And i know i've already said it on IG but your FMQ is just amazing! Gorgeous finish!

Debbie said...

Beautiful! And great job on the quilting!

Katie B said...

This is a lovely quilt, and your quilting really puts it over the top! I know it will be happy with its new owner. :)
I have a quilt I'm trying to finish up for the Pantone challenge! Just need to finish the binding.

Alisa said...

Heather it turned out so well! You turned that stack if fabric into a beautiful quilt. It will certainly bring comfort to your friend.

Patti said...

It gorgeous, Heather, and with the added bonus of meeting the Pantone criteria!

Erica said...

This is so pretty, I love the blues with the purples. And your quilting looks fantastic!

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

Beautiful! Glad you finished in time for the challenge!!!

Kirsten said...

Such a beautiful quilt - love the purples and blues together!

Adrianne @ On the Windy Side said...

This is gorgeous - the blues and purples together are so calm! I love the quilting and how you upped the scale of the design. It looks fab and I bet the quilt is super soft. Thanks for playing along with the challenge!

Samantha said...

I love how you quilted this! I made my mom a cushion this past christmas with that FMQ design I found it a lot of fun! Pretty quilt. I hope it helps brighten up that persons day!

Anne said...

What a beautiful gift! The aquas and orchid go really nicely together. The quilting is so wonderful! I'm going to have to try that shape sometime. :)

DeborahGun said...

love your finished quilt. Great design - did you just make it up or follow a pattern? And the quilting is amazing :-)

Katherine said...

So pretty and your quilting is just perfect. Love it, Heather!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Lovely mix of purples and great pattern. Your quilting looks beautiful! I wish I had the energy to do fmq, I haven't done any for ages but this quilting pattern looks so pretty!