This month I started the embroideries for my new version of the Sundance quilt in my Topiary collection for Blend Fabrics!  (Remember, this quilt was developed for BERNINA so visit your local dealer to get instructions!)  I was going to do the blue version but so many people voted for this pink version I was persuaded… (SKUs can be found in this post.)

I gathered together some threads I thought might work for the project.  I wanted the blues and greens I used in the original quilt, but I also wanted to bring in some of the pink from my Topiary fabrics.  (The embroidery itself is done on 115.104.05.1 Everbloom Ivory from that collection.)

The first pass is the intricate scroll motifs – it is the most dominant part of the overall design.  I chose to use Isacord 4610 Deep Aqua.

The second color is used for the blossom leaves.  I chose 5730 Apple Greeen.  It is nice and bright and will stand up well to the other strong colors in the quilt, I think.

The third pass is for the central motif and the fourth is for the blossoms.  I opted to use Isacord 2152 Heather Pink for both.

After taking another look at my digital mockup at the top of this post, I decided to do the central embroidery a little differently and switch out the pinks and blues so that the pink was a little more dominant, since it will be surrounded by blue in the piecing.  So I used the Heather Pink for the first pass, the green for the second, the Deep Aqua for the third, and 4740 Aquamarine for the fourth.

Early on I had decided to forego the little cornerstone flour de lis embroideries in favor of fussy-cutting the little Topiary motifs from 115.104.01.1 Arbor Walk Light Pink.  I loved the embroideries in the original but I just couldn’t resist fussy-cutting the little garden motifs from this collection!

I carefully cut around the bigger motifs in the same print, hoping to use them for another project.  Any suggestions?

Next month I’ll begin piecing my first blocks.  I can’t wait!  (If you are sewing along don’t forget to post on Instagram using #berninausa #sundancequilt.)  Happy quilting!

Amanda

I’m excited to announce that Love Birds and Forever are shipping!  I’ve spent the last fews days folding assembly diagrams and packaging them so that they are all ready to go.  These are relatively small patterns that you can whip up in a weekend – I used my Topiary line for Blend Fabrics and Aurifil thread!  You can ask your local quilt shop to order them – the rep samples for major distributors also went out this week.

If you can’t find them at your local site you can order Love Birds and Forever on my shopping site.  I’ll be adding SVG files you can use on cutting machines to order separately in the future – hopefully soon!

Happy quilting!
Amanda

Second, I’m SO excited to be visiting BERNINA’s headquarters in Chicago March 25th-26th to teach at their Quilt As Desired Retreat.  The incredibly knowledgeable Judy Hahner will be walking participants through the ins and outs of the BERNINA Quilting System and QuiltMotion Touch software and I’ll be working with people quilting on domestic machines!  (I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the 780!)  We’ll explore some simple backgrounds and learn how and where to place them to make complex looking designs.  And we’ll talk about how to create a great quilting plan for any quilt.  I can’t wait!  They will have stitch regulators for everyone to try!

And did I mention that BERNINA has decided to send participants home with a copy of the directions for the Sundance quilt!  If you are interested you can register here!  (I think that, on their site there are two different dates listed, Quilt as Desired is actually JUST available on the 25th-26th.)  I hope some of you can join me.

Happy sewing!
Amanda