Quilt Block-of-the-Month

For the past few months, I have been working on a "Block-of-the-Month" quilt.  I have always wanted to make one of these, but could never find the time.  Recently, I had a machine cleaned at my local Bernina store, and saw a picture of this quilt.  I stared at it for several minutes.  I really liked it.  I really, REALLY liked it.  It is called "A Garden of Stitches".  "Hmm...I think I just might be able to make the time to do this one," I thought.  So I signed up for it on the spot.  I paid for the whole thing right then and there.  Once I decide to do something, I'm all in, lol.  One thing I especially liked about this pattern is that each block incorporated a different technique, whether it be a specialized foot, type of stitching, etc.  I also wanted to learn how to use some of the newest products used in quilting, that I have never used before.  All in all, I was looking forward to learning how to use my machine to its potential, and end up with a beautiful new quilt for my bed in the end.

Here is the first block.

Unlike pieced quilts, where you select medium, light and dark fabrics for specific parts of the pattern and layout, this pattern required selecting many, many different fabrics.  This seemed overwhelming at first.  It is not easy to "picture" what your entire quilt will look like when you are selecting fabrics, colors and patterns a block at a time.  There are no repeats in this quilt.

Ultimately, I decided to incorporate as many colors as possible, and use brown in all the borders to "unify and neutralize" all the blocks.  Every block begins with a 14 inch square of ivory cotton.  Next, it is layered with quilt batting and the background pattern is quilted.  Every block will have a unique pattern for its background.  Again, I decided to use a "coffee" colored thread on every block for continuity.

I think you make a hundred decisions for every block you quilt; what pattern, stitch length and width to quilt the background, what color, texture and patterns of fabrics to use, what applique stitches you will use for each piece of the pattern, and what colors will produce the desired affect, as well as what border colors, patterns and textures will work, not only for that block, but will eventually look good with the adjacent blocks, and ultimately, in the quilt as a whole.

This first block utilized the "walking foot".  This foot is expensive, but amazing!  It feeds layers of fabric evenly and perfectly aligned.  No bunching, pinching or slipping!  I have always wanted one, and finally decided to buy it for this quilt.  I am totally hooked on it.  I will use it for every block and for many more projects thereafter.  I also experimented with several new stitches for applique, which I have never before used.