Done: Crayon Box Quilt

Block detail, Crayon Box

I started this quilt in a class taught by Mary Will Sussman. My best guess is that it was in 2002 or 2003. I kept putting the quilt away for various reasons and it was in a box for years because I couldn't figure out how to machine quilt it. I finally worked that out and this past spring I got the whole thing quilted. It is now bound and has a sleeve on it. I really like how it turned out. The finished quilt is 54" square.

Crayon Box, made and quilted by M. Russell 2013

Block Detail, Crayon Box

Each block has a spiral quilted into the center and each colored box has a loop-the-loop pattern quilted into it. For these I used 2 different variegated threads: a yellow/green/orange for blocks in those colors and a blue/purple/pink for those blocks. The background is quilted with a wiggly grid in black thread so it blends in. I think this is a really good quilting design for the blocks, but there were a TON of threads that had to be tied off and buried in the batting. An eyeless needle (aka an easy thread needle) was a huge help in getting this done.

In Progress Today

I pieced this quilt quite a few years ago (7?, 9?) when I took a class from Mary Will Sussman.

It took me a long time to figure out how to quilt it. I decided on a quilting plan and started machine quilting it on a quilt retreat 2 years ago. When I got back from retreat the project got put away again and just recently I was inspired to take it out of the project pile and work on the quilting again. I really love the fabrics I used in the blocks and the finished quilt will be very striking. I am using 2 different variegated threads, one for the pink/blue/purple blocks and one for the green/orange/yellow blocks. There is also black thread used to quilt in the backgrounds.

Also note in the photo the fabulous fairy wings on my sewing chair. These were a Christmas gift from my niece and are a wonderful addition to my sewing room.