Monday 5 March 2012

Modern Mini Challenge

Most of you will be aware of the Modern Mini Quilt Contest that Jennifer is running over at Ellison Lane Quilts.  I've  been following the series, the quilters she's featured and the discussions about modern quilting avidly. I have also intended all along to enter a mini quilt.

Only today is the deadline. And I've been rather busy with life. I left all a little bit too late. I intended to take my off cuts from the FTLOS Drunkard's Path cuts and turn them into a mini quilt along these lines.

Something like this...

...or this.
Too little time left too late. My own fault. It just was not going to happen. But 'She Who Must Be Obeyed' (Hadley) told me to make a mug rug. So I did. I am not necessarily as happy with it was I would have been with one of the above. But in many ways it represents modern quilting to me. Let me explain.

First off, modern means colour to me.

It also means breaking the 'rules' when it suits your purposes.
I trimmed the DPs to 2.5" square,
and didn't keep the colour pieces even deliberately.

I pieced them into bow ties,
with varied shades of neutrals.
Lots of negative space - another thing that means modern to me.
Then I decided I didn't like it,
But I was out of time.

So I hand stitched.
Perle cotton makes me happy.
It is also another of the things I consider part of modern quilting.

This is the finished mug rug.
8.5" square.
For better or worse, this is what I have made to enter into Jennifer's linky party.

Susan

36 comments:

  1. Susan, it's beautiful! I love it too, especially your wonderful handstitching!
    R x

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  2. Knew you could do it!
    And it's only fair if I'm not sure about mine, you should feel the same about yours! But it's brilliant, I'll take a 25% cut of your winnings xxx

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  3. I really wanted to do a mini quilt to - life got in the way. I was told on Saturday I still had time to enter a mug rug but then there was the pouch fiasco and I haven't now. But after the pouch fiasco I may give up sewing anyway so definitely would not need the FMF prize :-)

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  4. Yeowza!! Your mini is superb! I love it.

    Carolyn

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  5. Susan, it is FANTASTIC, I love it!.

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  6. so cute! I love the different thread colors!

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  7. I love it - more than your planned ones even. It's too good to be a mug rug - you should hang it on the wall

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  8. Gorgeous! I love seeing all your curved pieces and I've how you've trimmed them down in an improve way!

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  9. I love love love the way you quilted it!!

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  10. I love it and the handstitching is perfect!

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  11. What a great idea, DP bow ties!! It is wonderful and I love it. I am so glad you made the mug rug. Later you can make the quilt to match.

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  12. beautiful never knew solids could be so good !!

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  13. Just in time :) I love the hand stitching.

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  14. I love the party feel to this mugrug! Your stitching is amazing (as always!). Always good to obey the big H! Jxo

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  15. Boo to not getting your mini done but yea to your wall hanging (NOT mug rug)! It`s so pretty and modern and not what did you say? Normal and conventional or something like that...the stitching is amazing!

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  16. wow, your quilting finishes it off perfectly. love it!

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  17. I really like your mug rug. We can't always do everything we want to do...good luck in the contest

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  18. For better!

    But you are also doing your original idea too aren't you as I simply adore it!

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  19. wow! You work fast and it is beautiful and you even took the time to hand quilt. I am amazed!

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  20. I think you are one of those people who thrives under pressure! This is fantastic! You are on to a winner here!!!

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  21. Impressive!!! But I would expect nothing less from you

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  22. It looks flipping fabulous!

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  23. Beautiful - love your colourful handstitching Susan!

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  24. It's brilliant!! LOVE IT! The explanation of your process and thinking is brilliant too. Honestly I think I like it even more as a mug rug! Shows off the stitching perfectly :)

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  25. It's gorgeous!! and inspired - last time I looked there were only a couple of mug rugs entered! Way too much competition for the mini ;) (even though yours will be stunning when you get round to it)

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  26. Aww, it looks great, love the hand stitching (that alone would have done me in time-wise!)

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  27. You'e nuts, it's fabulous. Love the idea and the hand stitching is perfect.

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  28. I totally love this!!!! amazing what a bit of time pressure can inspire! love your hand stitching and all those colours too. I am so getting some of these colours of perle as they really add so much to a piece don't they? love it x

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  29. Aw Susan it's gorgeous! Time does keep us all on our toes doesn't it but it also shows what you can come up with under pressure. I love it especially the hand stitching and if it were mine I'd make sure no mug ever got near it - much too nice to get tea on it.

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  30. I think this is fabulous! :)

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