Thursday, January 23, 2014

economy block quilt {all finished}

all.   done.   !!!


I'm so, so very over the moon happy to have my Economy Block quilt all finished. And it turned out just the way I imagined, yay!


I worked on these blocks over the last two weeks, taking my time to fussy cut tons of favorite prints, using lots of scraps as well as digging through my stash.


I used Rita's tutorial to make these blocks. I made 196 of them and they each measure 5.5" unfinished. I love how Rita's way of making the blocks just a bit larger and then trimming them to the right size made for absolutely perfect blocks. And I ended up with really "pretty trash" after each sewing session :)


I knew right from the beginning I wanted to use minky for the backing. It makes for such wonderfully soft and cuddly quilt. It doesn't quilt that easily, though. Especially when it's as big as this guy is.


I went with straight line quilting about 1.5" apart using three different colors of thread (I copied this idea from Jolene's amazing basket quilt). The first few lines went pretty smoothly, but the more I quilted the more minky started shifting and giving me trouble. So, I ripped out a few rows of quilting, turned the quilt upside down and quilted it minky side up and all the problems were resolved, no more puckers or pulling. Phew!


 Finished size of this quilt is 70" x 70" and with all those gazillion seams and minky backing it's quite a heavy, very warm quilt. Just perfect for these freezing cold temperatures we've been experiencing lately.


Plus, it will be perfect for an I Spy game or two :) My favorite.

Talk to you soon. Svetlana

Linking up to Finish it up Friday.

54 comments:

  1. gorgeous! stunning! there are not enough superlatives!

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  2. It's SPECTACULAR! I'm so in love!

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  3. Such a happy, cheerful finish! Brings joy to these bleak winter days. You are brilliant to flip the quilt as a solution.

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  4. You have such a bright, happy way with color! Absolutely perfect!!

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  5. It's absolutely gorgeous! I want to make one. The mink on the back is a great idea!

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  6. This is absolutely gorgeous and so big! Did you use batting as well as the minky ( which looks so warm and cuddly!) ?

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  7. It's great! I also love the look of the simple quilts lines for this pattern :)

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  8. It really does look great, and I love the color you chose for the back...so unexpected.

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  9. It's going to cheer up those chilly days no end - wonderful xxx

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  10. Nádherné!!! Svetlanko, moc moc moc se ti povedl!!! Je úžasný! :)

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  11. It's adorable Svetlana! I love all the cute fussy cut centers :)

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  12. Beautiful quilt! Can't have too many with all the frigid weather we've had.

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  13. It's so so lovely!!! I love the backing too :)

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  14. It's fantastic! And I love your header.

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  15. Svetlana, this is simply fantastic. What a wonderful finish!

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  16. I love this, you did such a fantastic job!

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  17. SUPER cute quilt! I can't believe you have completed it. I'm still contemplating on whether to start making economy blocks or not! Well I'm usually WAY behind the times on quilt-alongs. Good info on quilting the minkie. Your color choices are fabulous in this quilt. Although with minkie on the back we would never be able to use it here in the central valley of California this winter. No rain, no cold days. Mostly sunny and 60s to 70s. Not trying to rub it in. I would give nearly anything for a cold, gray and rainy day.

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  18. What a perfect piece! So very nice!

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  19. Wow! Perfect S in every way. And such a cute pic at the end too! Jxo

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  20. That's a lot of blocks over two weeks! What a lovely finish! Splendid idea to use the soft backing. I can just imagine how warm and comfy this beautiful quilt is!

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  21. I love it - it is adorable! Great pics.

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  22. Lucky duck! I've only sewn one block-Ha! :) Beautiful quilt. I have never used minky before--will have to try it sometime.

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  23. I love it! Did you piece minky pieces to get backing big enough for the quilt? I have only used it on quilts that are less than 60" wide because I am scared of piecing minky together.

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  24. Love the bright happy fabrics in this cheerful quilt.

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  25. Oh it is just gorgeous! Congrats on such a fabulous finish. I did 99 blocks and need to get them together : )

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  26. Thanks for sharing that tip about quilting upside down! congrats on the finish =). That's SO many pieces. And, yes, it has been freezing, hasn't it? I wish we'd get some snow!

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  27. It's wonderful! I love that little VW block!!

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  28. Yes! This is a keeper! Thanks so much for sharing all the wonderful pics (especially the one of the quilt in use!) and for the tip on quilting minky side up. I have been thinking of trying minky for the first time and appreciate all the helpful tips I can get. Congratulations on a great big beautiful finish!

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  29. This Quilt is so nice. Wow! I really like how you mix up all these different colors. Usually I stay in one color range but you do it so well. It is always inspiring checking your blog. Thank you for the nice ideas and spending your precious sewing time for blogging... Eva

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  30. This is amazing, I love all the fussy cutting.

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  31. Such a colourful and happy quilt! Every time I look at it, I find new interesting details. Beautiful! I am not a quilter myself but your quilt, Svetlana, makes me want to give economy blocks a go. Thank you for sharing your work!

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  32. Beautiful! I will remember that minky tip if i ever get my hands on some!

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  33. What a gorgeous quilt! Great colours and lots of fun with the I spy element. Great news that you solved the minky problem whilst quilting :)

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  34. It turned out great!!! I am scared to work with minky since I am a novice machine quilter anyway.

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  35. What a happy and beautiful quilt! Well done!

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  36. Svetlana, this is just amazing! I adore the fussy cut centers you put in these blocks. They're absolutely perfect!

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  37. That is super cute and bright!

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  38. It turned out beautifully! I love the fussy cuts and the minky back, I bet it is so cozy!

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  39. I am not sure I raved about this quilt enough at guild. It's absolutely fabulous! I want to make one now! Great job!

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  40. Wow, it is so amazing! And the minkee backing is just so wonderful! Great finish

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  41. oh this is the cutest! Darling in every way.

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  42. All the red is gorgeous and that backing awesome!!

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  43. Simply gorgeous!! I love a heavy, warm quilt on a wintery day :)

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  44. This is fantastic! I love the fussy cutting and the fun colors - great job!

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  45. H there! Love, love this quilt! I have so many cute children's prints I could put into this one.

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  46. So pretty! So did you use batting as well as the minky, or just the top and minky?

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  47. Love this! I made a few of these blocks, but if I sew them together the points will be caught in the seams! I need to work on the sizing...

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