QM Scrap Squad: Carol’s Holiday Garden

The Scrap Squad is a select group of eight QM readers. They take one pattern from each regular issue and make scrappy versions to inspire others.

The featured Scrap Squad quilt in Quiltmaker’s March/April ’13 issue is Majestic Garden, below.

It was designed and sewn by Monique Dillard of Open Gate Quilts in Rockford, Illinois. It was quilted by Sue Glorch. The fabrics are Monique’s own Royal Gardens for Maywood Studio.

Today’s quilt was conceived and created by Carol Hubacek from Schererville, Indiana. You’ll hear from Carol in her own words below.

Carol Hubacek from Schererville, Indiana

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I’m making a quilt for my nephew and his wife. This piece shows some colors they like.

 

First things first: I come up with a focus fabric, below.

Now that I have identified a focus fabric, the choice of colors comes easily and—miracle of miracles—there is bounty to be found in my stash.

I don’t think that it’s the photographer.  This setting is just a little too fuzzy for my taste.  Try again!

 

One of the challenges of this block is that adding colors either in EQ7 or on the design wall tends to mask the construction lines and shapes. I put my EQ7 aside and choose to work with “real” fabric rather than the digital representations.

 

Another dilemma – shall I go with “V’s” (above) or “X’s” (below)?

“X’s” win!

 

 

I much prefer the stronger intersecting angles of this setting, but I want to give my focus fabric a leading role. I decide to try a piece of the fabric, uncut, as a sort of medallion at the quilt center. 

Ready for the longarm.

I like to attach my backing to my zipper leaders with a wide zigzag at my domestic machine.

 

The feature fabric in the center and in the cornerstones suggests its own “follow the line” quilting.

 

Clamshells in the border are a favorite standby.

 

A Hawaiian motif from Quiltmaker’s Quilting Designs Volume 1 works well in the blocks.

 

I often use Golden Threads paper for marking when accuracy is my goal.

Each and every piece of fabric was in my stash. Now there is a sense of accomplishment.

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What a great scrappy look Carol pulled from her stash! And with this setting, her focus fabric does have a starring role. You’d hardly recognize the pattern from Monique’s quilt above, would you? I just love these Scrap Squad gals. They’re amazing.

This is the final Scrap Squad quilt for the March/April issue of Quiltmaker. In a few weeks we’ll start a whole new batch, and they are stunning!!