Monday, October 17, 2016

Finished Mini Round Robin



2016 Mini Round Robin

Quilted and bound, but label-less. 
Finished, but technically not done.


Regardless of the fine points, this project is off the WIP list. 


A few weeks ago I posted a picture of this mini on Instagram with some stitching in it, and tagged my Round Robin mates to see what they were doing. Then I got busy with the Bloggers' Retreat, and it was put on the back burner. A few of my friends who did the Round Robin with me picked it up while they were here. There were some quizzical looks when they had seen how I had been working. 

The outer border was quilted, and the pieced border in from that was also. Nothing else, though. I guess that is when I realized I don't conform to normal processes. It made perfect sense to me since I was planning on hand quilting the inner blocks. I have worked this way before on small pieces, and it has never been a problem. Traditionally, you start from the center, and quilt outward, but the center is what I was stuck on. I simply started on something I could do.


It was one of my weekend goals, and I decided I was not going to have time to hand quilt it. So, back into the long arm it went! I used my ruler to do some nice 1/4" outlines, and the longer I quilted the more I knew it needed something more. This quilt needed more color in the center for me. Where were those buttons?

The buttons were from Amazon, and took a month to arrive after ordering. I had no plan for them, but the cute factor was big, I thought. I had ordered them without knowing this project was perfect.


Placed on the corners, the buttons looked good, I thought, but the center still seemed a bit empty.


I grabbed my supplies, and headed outside for a cup of coffee. I played around for a while, and finally added a few at a time to the center block.


I liked how it repeated the motif, but not exactly. Just using a few made it feel as though I had added an axis, and really made the center block stand out as being tipped.


The center is both microstippled and hand quilted.


The backing is a loud print that might not otherwise be used. It works perfectly for this job, though, out of sight.


Thanks to each one of you who contributed your time and sweat equity into this very special piece for me. I say with honesty, I will treasure this as much as I treasure you.

Sandra at mmm! quilts
Cindy at Stitchin at Home

For more Mini Round Robin posts, use the search box located at the right side bar under the Uppsala Stars quilt.

Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew.



24 comments:

  1. The buttons just add some special. It's a great piece. It's been fun watching all the projects progress.

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  2. The buttons were the perfect touch, Julie.

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  3. It is really beautiful Julie. The buttons are just the icing on the cake.

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  4. Oh those buttons are the perfect finishing touch for sure!! What a super fun little quilt!!!!!

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  5. Yes! Yes! Yes! to those buttons! It's the perfect addition! Sorry for all the exclamation points, I was just so excited to see this. Now to get mine quilted :)

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  6. This is such an intriguing quilt. I just love all the parts. Did you do all the parts or pass it around? How big is it? The mix of hand and FMQ is great. It emphasizes the long triangles and connects all the odd shapes as well. On the outer circle the squiggly flowery quilting is such a nice contrast with the straight line cuts. Great job altogether!

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    1. Paula,

      We started with a 6" block each, then mailed it to the next in line. Two of us in the US, and two in Canada. We kept the same mailing order throughout the hop. The next person could only add up to 6" in width or length. The ending round would bring it to 24", and I think all of us were happy with it at that point. We were allowed to add one additional round to our own at the end, but chose not to.

      Mine started as improv, then took on some spins as each person added their round. We were all learning while doing this, and believe me when I say it was not something I looked forward to each month. Not in a negative way, but that I knew it would take all my skill and imagination to keep up! When Tish added the final round, I nearly cried. She paper pieced that round for me. I swear the whole time I have to paper piece, and am not a nice person for hours afterward. And she was right, it was just exactly what it needed. It truly reminded me of a crazy quilt border, and I would have liked to add embroidery, etc. to it. I think that's when the idea of adding buttons to the piece hit me. So I have Tish to thank for that inspiration as well.

      Many thanks for your kind words, and I'll share them with all the others, too.

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  7. Those are the cutest buttons ever!! Great addition!

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  8. Awesome finish! Would love to see the others in this round robin!

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  9. I LOVE the addition of the buttons Julie. Now I need to work on mine as in right now. This is an experience I am so glad we did.

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  10. It came out beautifully! Love the buttons! XO

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  11. This is seriously cute! The buttons are really perfect and it all looks so uplifting.

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  12. Beautifully done. Lots of fun colors. The buttons were an inspired addition. Congrats on a beautiful finish.

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  13. That turned out wonderful! And the buttons are a perfect addition. Thanks for sharing on Midweek Makers

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  14. What a fun project, Julie! Your buttons are PERFECT. Love it!

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  15. What a great little round robin quilt. The buttons are just the right finish!

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  16. I love how this turned out! The buttons do really add the perfect amount of fun and color. I like the mixture of machine quilting and hand quilting, but my favorite part has to be the tipped block! That is such a great design element!

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  17. I like the quilt a whole without the buttons, but with them? Oh my, I love it. I'm a super fanatic for buttons. These are exquisite, and match the vibe of the quilt perfectly! Bravo to all of you!

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  18. It's adorable - love the button touch!

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  19. I can only echo what has already been said, wonderful.

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  20. Wow!!! those buttons are perfect. What a great little quilt!

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  21. Me, too! Loving this precious quilt. The buttons are that finishing touch.

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  22. That quilt is fabulous. I love the colours and design. OK, everything about it. :) The finishing touches were worth the agonizing as they are perfect.

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  23. Absolutely love this quilt. It is my kind of design. Perfect, perfect, perfect!!

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Thoughtful comments are Honey to My Heart! Thank you for taking time to leave such words. Feel free to email me directly with any specific questions at julie@pinkdoxies.com
Julie
Pink Doxie Mama