Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Modern Maples

It's finished! 
I'm pretty sure that I haven't been this excited about a quilt since I completed my Chicopee Herringbone one earlier this year. 

Taller help has arrived! #modernmaples #fallingformodernmaples

I know you've heard it before, but I absolutely adore Autumn. Far and away my favorite time of year, so when I saw a few of these Modern Maples quilts popping up last year I knew that I had to make one. I was a tiny bit busy last fall, what with a newborn and trying to move houses in the middle of harvest and all that, so it got pushed to the side. Then my friend Debbie had everyone in That Stash Bee make these blocks for her month. That was just the kick I needed to start my own version. 


I had so much fun choosing fabrics for this. I was a little worried at first that the reds would be too vibrant for the other prints, but I think it all worked out. I also went back and forth on the background, very indecisive on using a mixture of low-volumes or just one. Actually, you can't really even call this low-volume. It's quieter than that. Mixed neutrals would be more appropriate, I think. 

Modern Maples on rail

Honestly, the entire process of making this quilt was full of indecision. I spent so much time rearranging the blocks once they were made that I nearly went cross-eyed. I was fairly sure that I wanted to do random not-so-straight lines for the quilting, but even that was questioned after a few lines of stitching. After seeing some really cool projects with variegated thread, I thought that I might as well try it on here, too. I used a thread that was mostly creams, browns, and golds. When Wyatt saw it he thought it was pretty cool that I was using camouflage thread!


For the backing, I used these two Farmyard prints and another floral that was a nice rusty color. I'm so glad that I finally found a use for these prints. I really like them, but they aren't exactly ones that go well with much else! The binding was an easy choice, since I already had it made. I was going to use it for my Gathered Geese  quilt back in January, but it was too busy so I put it away. It was so nice to get to that point and already have the binding ready!

I think this little guy is my favorite.

I think my favorite part of the quilt is the addition of little leaves. I really like all the negative space in the original version, but I knew I wanted a few of these little guys thrown in. I just made some 6" and 9" versions of the block and framed them with more neutrals to get them up to 12".

The Modern Maples tutorial by Amanda of hey porkchop can be found here. I absolutely love her version! And if you want to see more Modern Maple quilts, Deb has set up a Flickr gallery and even a Flickr group for a laid-back sew along. You should definitely check them out!

21 comments:

  1. oh this turned out SO nice! Even with all the indecision, I think you made it just right. So glad we are kind of doing our quilts alongside...still debating on my quilting! Congrats Toni - you're ready for fall!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is perfect. I adore the little blocks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fantastic. Like Katie I also love the couple of little blocks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Absolutely love it! The colours are so perfect and beautiful with the neutrals!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It is beautiful, I want one just like it. Maybe I have just figured out a bee block to ask for in one of my bees.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's so beautiful! I'm so tempted to make one of these this fall, but I just have too many quilts in progress. Maybe next year...

    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  7. this is looking AWESOME! I have a maple quilt top ready to quilt from a swap too, yours is MUCH prettier though.....

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your quilt is so pretty! I like the way you quilted it -- it's like the lines are telling us that the leaves are falling down. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is so wonderful Toni. I like your little leaves and have thought about doing that on mine. I need to make a wedding quilt and my new daughter in law likes fall colours. I wish I could go with a text print background but she seems very traditional so beige it is. Enjoy your lovely quilt

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is by far, the most perfect autumn quilt! I'm just pulling fabrics for a modern maples right now and after seeing yours i may need to make some small leaves to go in mine as well! And i love your not so straight camouflage quilting! Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It looks fab, you're all set for autumn now :o0

    ReplyDelete
  12. So beautiful - love the different sized leaves!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I le it, so rich and vibrant. Totally beautiful. And I think you made great choices although I know what you mean about feeling indecisive

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hooray for finishes! It looks amazing, Toni! Bring on fall?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congratulations on your finish! It is perfect for Fall. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I really like the small leaves! The color order and mixed neutrals are so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is really a beautiful quilt - I think I'm definitely going to have to make one!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love this quilt Toni!--You've such an eye for fabrics!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love the placement, the quilting, the mixed neutrals, but most especially the little leaves. Great job, my friend. Great job.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Gorgeous! Love your colour grading. Has your autumn begun yet? We have finished winter/begun spring with really warm weather. Unusually warm. It'll last for about four days, then we will be back to rain and cool temps I think.

    ReplyDelete