Stash Bee Square Dance Quilt

This year I participated in the Stash Bee, an online bee made up quilters all over the world.  I was in Hive 12, and my month was May.  I asked the members of my hive to make me blocks from my Square Dance quilt block tutorial using the paper piecing pattern that I created for this project (now available on Craftsy).

Custom longarm quilting

Here she is – in all her glory!  The members of my hive did such an amazing job with their blocks.  The variety that they added to this quilt is what really makes it shine!  I will really enjoy sitting on the couch cozying up with this quilt this winter knowing that so many people helped make this quilt happen.

A huge thank you to Heather, Cheryl, Jennifer, Michele, Kristel, Laura, Toni, Genevieve, Francis and Willa!

Quilting progress

Above are some pictures of the quilting in progress.  To see more pictures, please see my Quilts Actually blog post about the quilting of this Square Dance quilt.

quilt binding

This quilt was a little rushed because I was working to complete it before the fair.  The binding and I spent some late nights, a lot of time in front of the TV, and an all day guild meeting together in order for it to get done.

Hand sewn quilt binding

It was worth all the work though… I finished it in time to enter it in the North Carolina State Fair, where we earned 2nd place in the Group quilt category!  I’m going to say we were robbed… just kidding… I didn’t actually see the 1st place quilt, so the possibility does exist that it was better.

State Fair Quilt

Once I was able to pick up the quilt after the fair, it seemed like everyday was sunny or rainy so it I had to wait quite awhile for a nice overcast day to take proper photos.  Luckily, our fall colors were at their peak, making a nice backdrop.

Square Dance Quilt

The back of the quilt really shows the quilting in detail.  I also added a few extra blocks in a strip along the bottom.  I love that little pop at the bottom!  I was also quite proud of myself for adding the hanging sleeve right away (granted…it was forced because I wanted to enter it in the fair), but usually I wait forever and don’t have any backing fabric leftover to use.  The sleeve looks so much nicer in matching fabric!

Note to self: make the hanging sleeve when you first finish the quilt from now on.

Custom quilting

This is my Stash Bee Square Dance with my miniature quilt Square Dance.  These two quilts have earned a few second place finishes – North Carolina State Fair, Quilting in the Pines Quilt Show, and Floral Fantasy Quilt Show.

Award winning quilts

Finally, a photoshoot out-take…  My daughter was “helping” to arrange the quilts just like mom.  Maybe I have a future quilter on my hands!  Or a photographer…

little girl quilt

Thanks for stopping by!

-Heather

Linking up to whoever has the link up post this week of the following:

Anything Goes MondayFabric Tuesday @ Quilt StorySew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart QuiltsLet’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuiltsNeedle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt InfatuationFinish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom QuiltsWhoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt AddictTGIFFFabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth FabricShow off Saturday at Sew Can SheSewing Saturday at Simple Simon & CoStash Bee Link Up

 

26 Replies to “Stash Bee Square Dance Quilt”

  1. This is a gorgeous finish. It’s a lovely design and your quilting is extraordinary! The mini version is my fave. I love the scrappy feel of that one. Congratulations on all your ribbons!

  2. I love the colours that you chose for this quilt. I’m quite surprised that the group blocks all ended up looking so similar. They work together beautifully. Great job on the quilting too. Your deserved to win a ribbon at the fair.

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