Blogger's Quilt Festival - Queen's Necklace (Large Category)

If you are a quilter/blogger, you must have heard of the Blogger's Quilt Festival, hosted by Amy Ellis of Amy's Creative Side.  This year I decided to enter the Queen's Necklace Quilt in the Large Quilts category.

Finished Quilt - 70" by 86"

I made this quilt for my mother, who is recovering from back surgery.  I blogged about it earlier here and here.

I wanted the quilt to be visually stunning - a bold pattern that engages the eye and draws you in.

A Queen's Necklace

I realized that quilt blocks that make secondary patterns are the ones that make the eye travel along the pattern lines, till your eyes spot the secondary pattern and then there is this AHA moment.  Oh look circles!!!

Basted

Since I would visit and leave in ten days, I wanted her to engage with the quilt and may be, just maybe forget about her pain - even if for a little bit.

The choice of the colors was simple - pink and orange.  My mom likes warm and bright colors.
The choosing of 20 fabrics that were all bright and yet distinct from each other, while none of them stood out too much - that took a little (a lot of) agonizing.

Orange & Pink

Pink and Orange became Blush, Berry, Coral, Peach, Melon, Rose, Fuchsia, Azalea, Camellia...and so on.  You get the picture.

I chose a dark purple border and quilted it using my walking foot in gentle curves. Thanks to Jacquie Gering.  The choice of a striped fabric in candy colors for the binding, matched perfectly.

Purple Border, Candy Stripes Binding

My mom is a sewist (and a perfectionist).  She is the one who spot errors quickly.  I wanted this one to be perfect.  Since my mom loved the quilt, I believe it is.

That is why I chose to enter it in the festival.

Dimpled, after a wash

My dear friend Sandra (Musings of a Menopausal Melon) provided the necessary push.

Please take a look at all of the quilts.  They are a celebration of color and a feast for the eyes.
I do hope that you will vote for the Queen's Necklace.