I’ve completed my Brambles Quilt. I wasn’t sure it was going to happen with all of these 90 degree days that we’ve been having. There’s nothing like domestic machine quilting or hand binding with a quilt on you in this heat!

This quilt was designed using my improv paper piecing design process that is outlined in my book, Improv Paper Piecing. Basically, I improvisationally sketch a design and repeat it with paper piecing. Then I experiment with the blocks to create an interesting, modern layout. I love the movement that is often a result of unmeasured designing and the “quirkiness” of the shapes too. I always end up with interesting shapes that I likely would have never planned, like the white links between the blocks. I decided to change the background fabric color in rows 4 and 5 to the darker shade to create a focal column and add some asymmetry to the quilt top design.

Our neighbors just put up this deer fence around their garden. I am so excited. It will probably appear again in the future because it’s nice and tall! This quilt looks small on it yet it finishes at 54″ x 72″. It’s going to be a helpful prop!

The colors in this quilt remind me of berries so when @rahh0505  suggested the name Brambles, I thought it was a great fit. In addition to the colors, the soft peach shapes resemble thorns.

The quilting was done in vertical straight lines spaced 1/2″ apart using a 40 weight Aurifil thread in Light Orchid. I never tire of the look of straight line quilting. I love the backing fabric that I was able to find! The colors are absolutely perfect. It’s Briar in Calm from the Field Cloth collection by Sew Kind of Wonderful.

I hope you are enjoying your summer!