The Paintbox Quilt is now finished too!
This quilt is made with 64 - 6.5" blocks in 32 color combinations (8 by 8 blocks with 1.5" sashing). Each combination is a Kona cotton solid and a monochromatic quilting print. One of the blocks in each combination is made with a printed center and outer ring and the other is made with a solid center and outer ring.
I had a hard time deciding how to lay out the blocks for the quilt. In the end, I placed the two black and two chocolate brown squares (the darkest ones) at each of the corners. Then, I placed the other squares so they were, roughly, going from warm in the upper left corner to cool in the lower right.
I alternated the orientation of the squares so the "pulled" corners were going in opposite directions.
On the back, I made a pieced panel with a little rectangle of each of the Kona cottons. I put them in rainbow order and then arranged the pieces in a 4 x 8 formation, zig-zagging the color order back and forth through each row. I'm surprisingly happy with how that color arrangement worked out, actually.
The letters on the back are just simple Kona cotton appliques, made using this technique. I just printed out really big letters from Microsoft Word to make the patterns. (If you do this, I recommend formatting your text for outline, so you don't waste a lot of printer ink.)
The washed and quilted linen is so incredibly soft, which makes this a very comfy quilt too!
I originally had a black and white binding on this quilt, but it was a little "too much" so I ended up going with this gold and white stripe from Kaufman's Pimatex Basics, which I really like.
I've just written up a quick tutorial for the blocks, which is here. If you're interested in doing something like this, I recommend ordering your Kona cottons from either Fabric Depot or Fabric Shack. (Fabric Depot takes 30% off all online orders and Fabric Shack has Kona cotton at $4.00/yard to begin with.) Both carry all or most of the Kona cotton line.
I think this quilt pattern would be interesting in a more limited color palette. You can also see here where Jennifer is making a similar quilt with all patterned fabrics, which looks really cool.
I couldn't resist adding this last photo of Maeby helping me with the binding. You can see from the photos above that George-Michael helped me photograph, but Maeby was an integral part of the construction process.
Beautiful quilt. You did a wonderful job!
Posted by: sherry | October 13, 2008 at 05:57 AM
Stunning. I'm speechless - this is a very beautiful quilt.
Posted by: Carrie | October 13, 2008 at 06:05 AM
This is so beautiful! You have a great eye for color and the blocks are so whimsical!
Also, I don't think I've ever seen you name both of your cats in one post, so I never put it together before... Yay for Arrested Development!!
Posted by: Acajjou | October 13, 2008 at 06:53 AM
Your quilting is amazing. I'm wondering how you do it? Do you have a long arm/mid arm or use your regular sewing machine and if so, how do you maneuver all of the fabric. It's beautiful.
Posted by: JOEY | October 13, 2008 at 07:22 AM
Wow!!! Congratulations on completing two magnificent quilts in such a short amount of time. You're amazing!
P.S. It made me happy to hear that you're enjoying the oven mitt. The pattern (smaller than most) is from Denyse Schmidt Quilts.
Posted by: Amy | October 13, 2008 at 07:32 AM
It's absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: stacysews | October 13, 2008 at 07:40 AM
it's wonderful, simply wonderful. thanks so much for sharing your tutorial!
Posted by: jacquie | October 13, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Elizabeth. Wow. This quilt just takes my breath away. It's so stunning! You did a fantastic job! I love it! ^_^
Posted by: Rashida | October 13, 2008 at 08:03 AM
Absolutely gorgeous!!!!
Posted by: Melanie | October 13, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Gorgeous quilt with a capital G!!
Posted by: jackie | October 13, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Absolutely stunning!
Posted by: Rebekah | October 13, 2008 at 05:48 PM
WOW...it's wonderful
Posted by: annieb | October 14, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Fantastic! I love the way that the back looks like it could be the front! Your work is superb as always, so fresh and modern and technically excellent. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.
Posted by: Lara | October 14, 2008 at 01:50 AM
Just lovely!
Very tempted to make one, very very tempted, would love it if the fabrics were available as a kit.
Posted by: Adds xx | October 14, 2008 at 04:36 AM
Oh my Lord that's beautiful. Marvelous job!
Posted by: elizabeth of course | October 14, 2008 at 05:11 AM
Oh, Elizabeth, I'm speechless! So fantastic.
Posted by: Michelle | October 14, 2008 at 08:52 AM
This is so great! I love love love the back. It's so simple and striking!
Posted by: Liz Harvatine | October 14, 2008 at 03:52 PM
And it doesn't stop! Another beautiful creation. You are awesome!
Posted by: Carolyn | October 14, 2008 at 07:35 PM
fantastic quilt Elizabeth, so effective, love your kitty too:)
Posted by: fiona | October 15, 2008 at 04:22 AM
This is one of the most stunning quilts I have seen. Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Posted by: Berta | October 15, 2008 at 08:53 AM
I am in love! This quilt is just fantastic. Where did you get this wonderful idea for the back! Very unique. It reminds me of a wonderful new box of crayola crayons!
Posted by: Jody | October 15, 2008 at 07:29 PM
so in love with everything I am seeing here..way to go..Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Paganellli | October 16, 2008 at 04:25 AM
I love this. I'm especially fascinated by the paintbox thing you did on the back. What a fantastic idea!!
Posted by: Micha | October 16, 2008 at 06:58 AM
wow! it's gorgeous. you did a fabulous job. I like the solid paired with a print. it's striking.
Posted by: amandajean | October 16, 2008 at 05:32 PM
This is gorgeous! I love the concept.
Posted by: Pikku-Kettu | October 16, 2008 at 09:32 PM