30 Sep Great Expectations Quilt
I started my latest project at the tail-end of one of the hottest summers on record here in Winnipeg, Canada. What is a girl to do for some relief from the heat but start thinking about Christmas… ahh, when the weather outside is frightful but the [quilts] are so delightful!
I decided that I wanted to plan a quilt for Christmas early this year… because I have never done so before, and I wanted to know what it felt like to be ahead of the calendar for once in my life. Well, this might be the second time… I once bought Halloween candy in September and felt smug about it for a full month.
I chose the new basic called Sparkler by Melissa Mortenson for Riley Blake Designs in the colours pictured below: rouge, bleached denim, white, and grey and I paired it with coordinating colours of Confetti Cottons.
I challenged myself to design a quilt block that felt both traditional and modern. I also wanted it to have a subtle “snowflake” motif. I incorporated flying geese, HSTs, drunkards paths and trusty old 4‑patch squares for good measure. I got to cutting out my fabric pieces and unfortunately I completely messed up the math when cutting out the drunkards path templates, yes, all 72 of them, and had to re-cut them 1/2″ larger.
Pin-basting and binding… everyone’s least favourite part of making a quilt, but oh-so necessary to get it finished up. I’ve actually come to enjoy both, especially making binding. I find it’s so satisfying to make and roll up onto a spool.
Why is it called the Great Expectations Quilt?
I have always regretted that as a tween I attempted to read the Charles Dickens classic novel, Great Expectations, but after a few pages I gave up thinking it was “too hard” to read. While making this quilt, I listened to the whole book on Audible and I absolutely loved it! Why did it take me 30 years to pick this masterpiece back up again??? When I am working in my sewing room I like to listen to audio books and I often associate certain quilts with specific books that I enjoyed while making them.
I think this quilt is pretty GREAT and I EXPECT that there will be a few more versions of it in my future.
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