Monday, September 8, 2014

Chess On The Steps!

Finally! I've been waiting so impatiently to share this quilt with all of you.

Chess On the Steps by Poppyprint

The design is inspired by an anonymously-made vintage quilt I saw two years ago in Bellingham, WA at the American Quilts - The Democratic Art exhibit. Photographs were not permitted at the show and the book was sold out. I later purchased it from Amazon, but "my" quilt wasn't included in the hardcover book!  Thank goodness I had sketched it on the back of a receipt found in my bag; this simple concept has been on my mind for ages.  The original quilt was made with fabric scraps of solids and prints in cotton, wool and polyester. I recall that the vertical borders contained a lot of solid red scraps with colourful prints and the horizontal borders had mostly brown and black solids mixed with light-coloured prints.    

If you've been reading Poppyprint for a while, you may recognize that I've made a few other projects using the same piecing technique, which I've called Improv Under the Influence. See them here, here and here.  It is a technique that I'm excited to teach (four workshops lined up for the coming year in both modern guilds and traditional ones!).  It is my hope that it will appeal equally to improv-curious traditional quilters as well as those who've already embraced modern quilting.

Chess On the Steps by Poppyprint

Outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, there are always several games of chess going on. These take place on, or near, the former courthouse steps.  The basis of this quilt design is one large Courthouse Steps block, built around the central improv chess (or checker) board.  That's how I came up with the name. Possibly over-complicated, but that's me.

Chess On the Steps by Poppyprint

This quilt is currently the Pattern of the Month, free for members of the Modern Quilt Guild. I am so happy to be able to share the piecing technique with members of the guild.  After some time on the guild's website (on the community page), I will be permitted to sell it here for non-members. I do however, encourage you to join the MQG, which you can do as an individual if there is no satellite guild near you. The resources available to members are outstanding and include a free modern quilt pattern every month, regular webinars on really interesting topics, discounts at QuiltCon, fabric challenges with amazing prizes and so much more!  

Chess On the Steps by Poppyprint

This quilt was made entirely of the new Colourshott shot cottons generously provided by Michael Oakshott. The quilting was all done with free-form (unmarked) lines with my Pfaff IDT (built in walking foot).  I just followed seams in the piecing and went for it.  There are 7 coordinating colours of Aurifil 30 wt thread on the quilt.  Sewing with these shot cottons is so enjoyable as the colours are beautifully saturated - at times I feel like I'm working with sari silk!

Colourshotts used for Chess on the Steps

What do you think? Are you a traditional quilter that is improv-curious, or a modern quilter looking for a new, fun piecing technique? Check out the pattern!


20 comments:

Lise-Lotte said...

I love it!
Lise-Lotte

Andres said...

Awesome quilt and pattern, congrats!

Marjorie said...

Love it. Am a traditional quilter I am needing some order and rules, but loving the "wiggle room" that feels fun without being mayhem.

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

Fabulous quilt Krista!

Teresa Duryea Wong said...

This quilt is beautfiul. I really love your improv piecing, it fits this pattern and your intent so well here. Really well done. I have done some improv piecing... mostly lean more torward improv applique in art quilts. Great work. Good luck with your classes, they sound interesting.

Leanne said...

I adore this pattern and the technique and plan to use it often. It is lovely to be in the EMQG and to have had this pattern pop into my inbox just when I needed it.

Jane S. said...

WOW that is a great quilt! I love a traditional pattern that's done with a modern twist. This one is bold and exciting and familiar all at the same time. :)

Dianne said...

You already know how much I love this quilt from my IG comments.
I also downloaded the pattern and signed up for your class in October. Super excited to give this a go with my (ahem)small collection of solids ;0)

pennydog said...

This is a proper art quilt, I love it!

Nilya said...

Wow, it´s fantastic!

Charlotte said...

such a clever method of piecing. I tend to cut all the strips then piece them back together again, but this is way more efficient! Love it :-D

Carla said...

How very cool! Are your kids fighting over it? I love the quilting too

MariQuilts said...

I love how this turned out, Krista!!!

OPQuilt said...

I first saw this when my MQG newsletter landed in my emailbox and thought it was wonderful! Lots of fun movement and places for my eye to wander to and go. Great job on the design and on the quilting--a really terrific quilt!

Elizabeth
opquilt.com

Elsa said...

I really love this quilt ~ so much to see and the texture is wonderful!!!

woolywalkers said...

Beautiful, I love the balance you achieved. Dare I say, genius.

Beth said...

Beautiful work!

Arita said...

Beautiful work and I'm glad you found the book with your inspiration in it.

Debbie said...

This is SO striking! Very inspiring and I love your use of color here.

♥Duff said...

you're amazing.
I ♥ you and your work!