Thursday, September 12, 2019

Tutorial Throwback Thursday - Off Kilter!!

It's Thursday and that means another Tutorial Throwback feature.  And once again, this is coming a little later on in the day than I planned.  I have been packing up quilts this morning for a trunk show I putting on this evening.   And I tell you what, it is sure hard to choose which quilts to take and which quilts to leave at home when you have stacks and stacks to choose from.   But one quilt that always goes with me is this Off Kilter quilt, and as soon as I packed it I thought, it should totally be today's throwback!!!  So here it is. . . The Off Kilter quilt!!!  And this one throws back 5 years ;) 


I absolutely loved making this quilt!!  I have to say, I am pretty proud of the little stack and stash trick I came up with for making this quilt.  It is so easy and fast, and really makes piecing this quilt so incredible fun!!!   And I did the Off Kilter tutorial for both a lap size and a twin size, so that gives you a little more freedom in the size project you want to create ;)  


 I also loved designing this quilt.  I remember one evening while I was doing some pressing, getting the idea of an ombre look rail fench but adding a "step" in it.  I immediately pulled out the sketch pad I leave on my nightstand (sometimes inspiration comes and night and I can't go back to sleep until I get it put down on paper ;) and drew up this design.   I love the wonderful modern feel of this quilt.  The design is super geometric and yet it has great movement to it as well.   


And speaking of that Modern feel, I wanted to keep that going in the quilting as well.   So I tried something new for me at that time.   Just some orgainic lines on the longarm.   Organic meaning not perfectly straight, I didn't use the channel locks as I wanted it to have a flowing feel.   So I just started and wiggled every now and then.   And boy oh boy, did I get my exercise quilting this one!!!  Those lines are about 1/4" apart and you walk  back and forth the length of the quilt every time you stitch a line.   I can't remember how many steps I took  that day (I used to wear a pedometer then) but I remember my legs being a little sore afterwards.   But it's all good, because it was totally worth it for this awesome quilted look!!! 


But what really makes Off Kilter shine is the array of Solids!!!  I was fortunate enough to be able to use a pack of Denyse Schmidt Modern Solids on this quilt, right when they were released.  I remember the box arriving at my house and not wanting to take the Fat Quarters out of it, they looked so pretty all in a row.   But they were just perfect to have an entire rainbow of colors to work with and really give the ombre look I was aiming for ;)  


And a fun little story on this quilt.  After I had made it, the folks at Free Spirit Fabric asked if I would bring it to the upcoming Fall Market to hang in their booth.   To which of course, I was like, For Sure!!!    When I went to find my quilt hanging in the Free Spirit booth, I noticed right there beside it was Denyse Schmidt herself!!! It was incredible to get to talk to her about her solids and of course, get a picture of the two of us with the Off Kilter quilt ;)   That turned out to be the highlight of that Market for me ;)  


And that is the Off Kilter quilt for this Tutorial Throwback Thursday!!!  It finishes at 72" x 86" for the twin size shown, or at 59" x 70" for the lap size, which has the same layout, just smaller piecing ;)  And I have seen this Off Kilter quilt done in so many wonderful variations from all of you out there.   From all one color, to every square being a different color.  And each one is just as awesome as the next!!!


I hope you have enjoyed today's Tutorial Throwback Thursday!!!    To make your own Off Kilter quilt  just click on any of the quilt name links for the free step by step tutorial.   And when you are done, I would love to see your quilt!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com, post it to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc  or or add it to my flickr group here ;)  I can't wait to see your Off Kilter Quilts!!!

Thanks for popping in today and have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!
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2 comments:

  1. It's a great quilt Melissa! I can see it in so many ways for a masculine quilt: just pick out the guy's favorite colors and off you go! And so fun that you got to get a pic w/ Denyse! Too great!! :-) Hugs, H

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  2. What a wonderful post, Melissa! I enjoyed reading it very much and I love this quilt!

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Thank you so much for your sweet comments. I just love hearing from you!!
Have a Happy Quilting Day :)

Melissa