Wolf Quilt Finale

Remember the wolf quilt I started last January? It is done! I'm so happy and relieved. I had taken it in to be quilted and started a triple Irish chain quilt for my younger son while I was waiting. Well I got it into my head that I absolutely HAD to finish the new quilt before I put the label and binding on the wolf quilt. I do not know where my brain goes off track because you know I had life challenges come up while piecing the Irish chain quilt. Thankfully though I did complete it and got back to the wolf quilt. Amen!

 I trimmed off the extra batting. I often use these strips when I make burp cloths or potholders. Though I have several of this years Row by Row patterns which might work too.

I trimmed off the extra backing. I was able to cut a lot of my backing into binding strips. Bonus!

Now for the label. Which font? How big? What do I say!?!

I settled on a name for the quilt, Ripple Effect of Wolves. It pays homage to the reintroduction of grey wolves to Yellowstone Park. It had an amazing effect which you can read about here. I designed the block layout to show a natural green to blue ripple. It just fits for me.

This is laid across my king size bed.

Did I mention this quilt ended up big? It draped well over my king size bed.

Really big?
118" x 118" which is just short of 10 FEET! Eek.

I just love the running wolves :)

Edited to add a pic in the sunshine!

Wolf Quilt construction

My unnamed quilt block paired with wolves is proceeding beautifully. Each block has two basic units, repeated a zillion times .... You get the idea - repetitive and quick!

I drew out my diagram, then changed it. But didn't draw it out as I was actually getting tired of drawing by the time I got this far. I'm much more enthusiastic when I get to use crayons or markers.

To keep my block directions of rows and columns in the proper order, I decided to do this quilt in sections. A simple turn of the block changes the look, so being correct is a huge part of the potential success.

I put a tension rod across the front of the closet, added clamps and I can hang things.

I'm stitching the 4 quarters together, then will stitch those into halves, then voila, a whole quilt! Sounds easy - Ha!

The quilt top goes several feet over. It's a big 'un!

Actually it was pretty simple. Who knew right? The borders went on easily. I mitered the inner tan border as well as the wider wolf border. I'm so happy to be in my own space for sewing now. I have a big folding table to the left of my machine and it's amazing to have it hold the weight and bulk of a king size quilt.

I found a super cool backing in shades of green with dots that make me think of the slides from microbiology class. I love the fabric but they cut it really crooked. Boo! Thankfully I always buy extra just in case.

Check out those wolves running at you. The quilt top is square, so technically the kids will be able to use it any which direction. The blocks have direction but you can choose where the echo rests. I dropped it at the local quilt shop to be long armed. I am eager to get it back, bind it and get some great pictures. More soon ...

Choosing fabrics

I chose the fabrics for the wolf quilt based on what I thought my son and his lady would like. His favorite color is green, then blue. She loves wolves .... You can see where I found the wolf fabric so perfect - greens, blues, wolves - tada!

I pulled from my stash first and used the dots in the fabric selvedge to get as close to the greens and blues as possible. I wanted more variety so I started looking at fabrics everywhere I went, LOL. Walmar, Hancocks, thrift stores - everywhere!

I have a great stash. However I favor bright colors. This quilt called for muted colors - not really my thing. I stretched my comfort level to seek out darker colors. I originally wanted to include grays but it didn't stand out enough from the neutrals, so I eliminated them. I assume everyone auditions fabrics endlessly waiting for a bright light to flash and applause so you know you got it right. Right?!

Thankfully as I created units and blocks, I really started loving the forest-y colors. I love how the block can create endless designs with a simple turn. I love the design. It is turning out just as I hoped.

Name this block

Pic courtesy of http://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/jacobs-ladder-quilt.html

I packed up the Christmas decorations and settled into for some winter stitching. I am making a quilt for my oldest son and his lady. I thought I wanted a Jacob's ladder quilt, then I found a modified Jacob's block and decided to go a new direction. However I do not know if this new block has a name even though I have seen it on several websites used in different patterns.

This is the top left corner 4 unit of the Jacob's Ladder. It's two 4 patches and two half square triangles. Lay them out in different ways and you get some really cool patterns.

I am using mid to dark blues and greens with a tan background. The inspiration is some wolf fabric that the kids liked. I wanted something natural to go with it. The blocks will be laid out in something of a radiating diamond design. As though you dropped a pebble in the pond that the wolves drink. The actual wolf fabric will be used as one of the borders. I considered using it as a main fabric in a quilt but really had no idea what pattern to highlight it best.

Here's to a new adventure! :D