Signs of Spring

Last week’s heat wave has given way to more seasonal weather. But the snow is gone and the grass is greening, robins are nesting and ducks and geese are appearing in the wetlands. And of course, the ubiquitous quilt on the fence is back …

This will have to do until the garden is in bloom. But really, you can have summer year round when you choose a Kaffe Fassett floral for your quilt back. This is Cloisonne in Terra Cotta, and the inspiration for the set of shot cottons on the quilt front. Nothing wrong with choosing your backing fabric first, and then pulling your fabrics for the quilt top. The shot cottons make a lighter weight quilt – perfect for summer or warmer climates. The pattern is Hip To Be Square from Busy Bee Designs.

This one’s not quilted yet … a UFO from the winter. I pieced the Wonky Roman Triangles following the technique described in Block Party (A Modern Quilting Bee). A terrific book, by the way, if you need a little encouragement (like me) to work on your improv piecing skills. Again, I teamed the shot cottons with Kaffe Fassett. A neutral palette, but with enough touches of brightness to keep it interesting. I used Bronze, Galvanized and Steel shot cotton for the triangles and this bundle.

And finally, here are a couple of quilt backs done in shot cotton (Butter & Pink). They are nice and soft to the touch, and are just the thing if you want a lighter weight back for a baby or lap quilt. (And they really show off Joan’s lovely machine quilting!)

The shot cottons are on sale at $9 /yard until March 31st.