05 August, 2014

Mountain Meadows Quilt Top


This is Mountain Meadows. A loverly quilt top finally finished. I had to go in the Way, Way Back machine to figure out when I started it. My initial sketch and images were made 3 years ago. And I collected the fabric over 2 years ago to make a few blocks. Then it sat and sat and sat. We had the great fortune of a handful of mountain trips this spring and summer and the original inspiration of the mountain meadows was on my mind.

When The Modern Quilt Guild asked me to do a Webinar this quilt popped into my head. Pulling it out and working on it helped me formulate the presentation: Improv With Intention. So I worked hard to get it done in time for the Webinar. It was well worth the effort.

(It measures roughly 55'' x 75''.)


These were my original inspiration images. Hikes in the mountains on sunny days. Meadows filled with small, colourful flowers. Expanses of grass and weeds and plants in varying shades of green. Vistas so beautiful but little tiny bits of life stealing attention. Just how to capture that in a quilt?

In the Webinar I discuss the process of making the quilt - from inspiration to the final top. It isn't as straightforward as one might think. If you are a Modern Quilt Guild Member you can access the Webinar for free now, even if you didn't join me last week. To access it make sure you log in and join the Community site. Then click under Resources and there it is. Not only do you get to see more images and learn about my process, you get to hear my awesome Canadian accent.


It was actually quite appropriate that this quilt was revealed through The Modern Quilt Guild. All of the green fabric in this quilt was generously given to me by quilters, readers of this blog. I knew I wanted green solid scraps and I had absolutely no green solids. To buy them all would have been impossible. So, thanks to the internet I just asked if anyone was willing to share, and boy did you! Packages arrived for weeks and I had a lot of fun sorting through and organizing by value. Some of you sent pieces larger than 1/2 yard cuts! It was so generous and shows exactly how the spirit and kindness of quilters, not to mention the creativity, is fuelled on line. Exactly what comes to mind, for me, when I think of the Modern Quilt Guild.

Thank you to everyone who contributed. I truly appreciate it.

16 comments:

Leanne said...

I love this quilt, and I think you captured the meadows so well. I watched your webinar last night as I was sewing, it was also excellent.

M-R Charbonneau said...

Beautiful quilt, Cheryl! I saw it during your webinar and fell in love with it right away. Great job with the webinar too!

Suzanne said...

You nailed it!

Jolene said...

Completely stunning quilt! I wish I could learn to enjoy this type of piecing more...

liz said...

I adore your quilt and this is def. my favorite style of piecing. Can't wait to watch your webinar, I'm sure it's great!

Kelly said...

Simply delightful! Your color scheme here is spot on! I love this quilt top and I've pinned it to my "Quilty Goodness" board on Pinterest (with proper credit, of course!). Feel free to follow me if you'd like: http://pinterest.com/lipglass/quilty-goodness/

texheks said...

I love your top! Great colors, just enough to complement all the greens, and love that you improvised the layout!!

Nancy said...

Oh I love the comment - I had to go back into my Way Way Back Machine to remember this quilt. I should go into my Way Way Back closet to find my Way
Way Back projects and finish them… I loved this quilt - the photograph inspirations are so great and the quilt translates from them beautifully. I will have to join the Modern Quilt Guild.

CapitolaQuilter said...

I'm so glad I signed up for your webinar (my first with MQG) The topic was perfectly timed, just having been at Jacquie Gering's improv workshop. There was a lot I could relate to and many moments that left me open to new ideas too. Your pronunciation of "process" will resonate in my head (in a good way) as I create for years to come I can tell. Thank you!

felicity said...

Fantastic quilt, Cheryl! Thanks for reminding me that the webinar is now available on the MQG website. Now I know what I'll be doing this evening!

MariQuilts said...

Sooo lovely, Cheryl.

Cheryl said...

What a wonderful quilt top! I missed your talk when it first aired, but I am planning to listen to it this weekend. Do you have ideas yet on how you are going to quilt it?

charlotte said...

Absolutely lovely.

Charlotta said...

This shows how many different shades of green there are - in nature, and in quilt shops! - which is quite amazing, isn't it?

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

Living here in Colorado, the mountain meadow concept resonates with me a lot. Plus green is my favorite color. Enjoyed the webinar. LOVE the quilt.

trudys_person said...

I love this quilt! And I'm looking forward to watching the webinar in the fall, when I go back inside! Thank you!