QM Scrap Squad: Cathy’s Bella Amore

The QM Scrap Squad is a select group of seven QM readers. They take one pattern from each regular issue of Quiltmaker and create their own scrappy versions to inspire you.

The Scrap Squad recently went to work using the Bella Amore pattern from the Nov/Dec issue. Below is the original Bella Amore, designed by Marianne Elizabeth, sewn by Pat Welch and quilted by Janet Lee Santeusanio. The fabric is Arabella Rose by Marianne Elizabeth for RJR Fabrics.

Today’s featured quilt is by Cathy Buel from Clinton Township, Michigan.

Cathy Buel from Clinton Township, Michigan

You’ll hear from Cathy in her own words below.

*     *     *     *     *

As soon as I saw this quilt I loved it. At first glance it already appeared to be scrappy.  I was trying to figure out how I could make it mine. I chose to do a smaller version of the quilt. I always like a two color quilt so I decided to do mine in blues and beiges.

I went to my stash and pulled approximately 36 different blues and 36 different beiges.  Most of these were scraps or fat quarters. The only large piece of fabric was the beige I used for the setting triangles, outer border and binding.

Next I drew up the quilt on my computer using EQ7. (I’ve been a fan of them since EQ3.)  You will notice when you see my finished quilt that it is a bit different from the drawing.

I made a block chart listing the number of blocks, the size and how many individual pieces were needed to complete the quilt.

I cut out all the pieces for all the blocks at one time. I chain pieced all the half-square triangle pieces.

Then I worked on each block individually. I laid the block pieces out on a small design board. I chose two different layouts: One with the star points in beiges and one with the star points in blues.

After all my blocks were made and the setting triangles cut I went to the design wall and laid out the quilt.

Since the blocks are set on point the quilt had to be sewn together in diagonal rows.

Originally I had planned to make the inner border a solid navy blue and the border a lighter shade of blue. But I changed my mind. Since I had so many leftover pieces I decided to make the inner border out of 2 1/2″ wide pieces. The length was determined by the length of the strip. Then I chose to make the outer border the same color as the setting triangles.

Well here it is…my finished quilt. This is Scrap Squad Project Number 5. One more to go.  This has been such a wonderful experience. Stay tuned for Number 6—the final quilt in our journey.

Hugs, Cathy

One can hardly go wrong with classic blue and tan. Cathy should guard her quilt carefully because it would look right at home at my place!