Disclaimer: The fabrics in this post were given to me by Island Batik.
This is my Island Batik Ambassadors challenge quilt for April 2018 ~ Free Spirit Wife.
The theme for April was Looking Back - Vintage Quilts Inspiring New Creations. I had a tough time deciding what to design for this challenge. I looked at vintage quilts on Pinterest, I looked at vintage quilt magazines, and I looked at blocks in EQ8.
I decided to play with this classic block, Contrary Wife. I confess, I was more attracted to the name of the block than the actual design. I don't know the story behind the name, but there is more than one quilt block design with this name. I prefer this one.
I used up most of what I had left of my favorite fabrics from this Island Batik box, the Sunflower Serenade collection. Boo-hoo! I love these colors.
I took the original Contrary Wife block, sliced it, recolored it, and set it askew to create my new design, Free Spirit Wife. I'm not sure if the Free Spirit Wife is any less contrary, but she is having a good time with her contrary-ness!
I made four of these large blocks. Each block is 20" x 20".
So vibrant in the Sunflower Serenade fabrics!
This is the Free Spirit Wife quilt top before quilting.
I pieced together my backing using a few Island Batik fabrics from my stash, including this gorgeous panel designed by Leah Day. This panel came in the October 2017 Quilty Box.
I pinned my quilt sandwich together with one layer of Hobbs Heirloom Batting 80/20 Blend.
I chose this Superior Threads King Tut in Red Sea color for my quilting. It looks more like a Pink Sea to me.
With the off kilter blocks and the small center square I felt this quilt would lend itself well to concentric circle quilting. I bravely did my center two circles with the Red (Pink) Sea thread.
Then I stitched around, and around, and around.
The Red (Pink) Sea thread blended nicely with the Sunflower Serenade fabrics.
Free Spirit Wife Quilt
Quilt Stats:
Quilt Size: 47" x 47"
Block Size: 20" x 20"
Fabric: Sunflower Serenade, Whipped Cream, by Island Batik
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom 80/20
Thread: Superior King Tut Red Sea
Thank you for stopping by! Please leave a comment below, it would make my day.
Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today!
Jennifer Thomas
Curlicue Creations
P.S. Are you following the Spring Clean Your Studio Blog Hop? Visit Robin Koehler's studio today: April 25 - Robin Koehler - http://nestlingsbyrobin.blogspot.com
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Love the colors
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jackie. I'm a little sad that I used up my Sunflower Serenade fabrics. They are so vibrant.
DeleteHave a fabulous day!
great quilt and fun circles! where in NC are you? did I ask you that already?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bea. I enjoyed the circle quilting. I'm in Henderson, NC. I love living out in the country. It's so peaceful.
DeleteThese fabrics are so colorful and needed right now considering we’ve all had a late spring. I love the story behind the block and your creativity in making it your own. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Quilt Rambler. I really struggled with this challenge, but I like the result. I do hope Spring is coming soon! My yard is all abloom, but the temps are chilly.
DeleteThis is a lovely interpretation of the Contrary Wife block.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dena.
DeleteHave a fabulous day!
Beautiful quilt Jennifer and I love that batik collection too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Connie. Have an awesome day!
DeletePretty quilt, wonderful fabric. Like the updated version.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Quilting Tangent. Have an awesome day!
DeleteI love this quilt! A great riff on the contrary wife and the new name is so much fun! I was thinking of concentric circles for mine, but chickened out. They look great on your quilt!
ReplyDeleteI love your interpretation of your block. You certainly changed it up! And what beautiful fabrics those are. I would be sorry to finish them too. I really enjoyed this post.
ReplyDelete