The Wipey Box Circle Quilt


Here's my entry for Blogger's Quilt Festival! I know I seem to be making a lot of circle quilts lately, but this is the first circle quilt I ever planned on making...so those other quilts were like...research. And it is FINALLY done. I started plotting this one a couple years ago--shortly after I had my first baby and I spent a lot of time looking at this:


Yes, the wipey box! After glancing at it several times a day for 4 or 5 months, I decided that this design would make a really cool quilt. So I kept thinking about it every time I looked at it for about the next 6 months. Then I made a little mock-up in Inkscape, messed with the colors for a while and finally decided on black, gray and greens. I spent some time trying to find the perfect fabric but in the end I decided to use all solids because I thought prints might compete with the design a little too much.

Once I had the fabric, I printed out my little mock-up from Inkscape, blew it up on the copy machine and figured out the scale (i.e. 1/4 inch on paper = 1.25 inches on the quilt). To make the circles I used the same method I have used on my other circle quilts (see those here, here, and here)...fusible interfacing. It worked out really well since I was stacking several circles on top of one another-I didn't want it stiff or bulky and this method eliminates extra fabric layers.


Since some of the circles were huge (the biggest one is 24 inches in diameter) I had to figure out a way to make nice round circles that were pretty big so I could trace them onto my fusible interfacing. I did this by taking a piece of mat-board and tacking one end of a long thin piece of cardboard to the center of it. Then from the spot I had tacked the cardboard, I measured 1/2 the diameter of the circle I needed, stuck a hole in the cardboard with a sharp pencil, and drew a circle. It worked great! I pinned the background up on the wall in my dining room (since that's where I am going to hang it) and every time I finished a circle, I would slap it up on the wall and leave it for a few days, move it over a little, leave it for a few more days (repeat) until I liked it. This went on for about 3 months before it was done.


And then finally, my favorite part: the quilting! I quilted lots of different patterns, circles and swirls into the different circles and did 1/2 inch straight lines in the background, so it's kinda fun to look at. It took me a while to quilt since I changed thread colors (and bobbin thread) several times and used rulers a lot. Then my quilting machine decided to have a little meltdown right in the middle so it took even longer than I planned to finish it!

Oh, and I used some more of my awesome $2 per yard fabric for the backing--no picture but it's black, green, gray and white stripe. By far the best part about this quilt is that I am keeping it! (YEAH!)


Check out some amazing quilts at the Blogger's Quilt Festival!!

Amy's Creative Side
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56 comments

  1. AllisonMay 15, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    This turned out really cool-looking...Much cuter colors than the box that inspired it.

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  2. EileenMay 15, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    Love your roundy quilt! Clever of you to come up with the idea from the box and do like the colors really well. Another idea I need to filecin my questcto make a circle quilt. Thanks for sharing and have a great day!

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  3. Esther AliuMay 15, 2011 at 11:28 PM

    Love your circle quilts.Beautiful colours.

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  4. Miki WillaMay 16, 2011 at 12:21 AM

    This is really great. I love the way you put the circles together and the colors.

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  5. HeidiMay 16, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    What a gorgeous quilt and hurray for keeping it :-)
    Love the different quilting patterns and the striped background

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  6. Deborah OHareMay 16, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    A striking quilt, beautifully quilted.
    I love it!
    Deborah

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  7. felicityMay 16, 2011 at 1:16 AM

    Wow - this quilt is fantastic! I love circles, too - I am going to go check out your other circle quilts for tips on using the interfacing. Happy BQF!

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  8. felicityMay 16, 2011 at 1:26 AM

    p.s. I'm now a follower - I *love* your quilts!

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  9. KerstinMay 16, 2011 at 2:07 AM

    Wow! What a great quilt!!!
    Viele Grüße
    Kerstin

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  10. AnonymousMay 16, 2011 at 2:38 AM

    A festival favorite for me. Just all around in love with this quilt!

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  11. LonciMay 16, 2011 at 5:15 AM

    This quilt is fantastic, super, super:)

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  12. UnknownMay 16, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    Love the colors, love the design! Awesome!!!!!!

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  13. KrizaMay 16, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    you made me laugh - I just came back from the shops where these boxes kept catching my eyes :-))

    you made a lovely quilt, one never knows where inspiration will next come from :-)

    Kristina
    www.priscillacraft.blogspot.com

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  14. MargMay 16, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    A great post. I love the quilt, the design, the colours. The quilting is stunning too, I love the way you have quilted each piece differently.

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  15. PBJ Quilt SandwichesMay 16, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    What a great quilt! I might have to try circles now that I've been inspired by your quilt!

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  16. MiriMay 16, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    Fabulous! Love all the quilting patterns!

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  17. DeonnMay 16, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    This is a wonderful, striking quilt, and I love where you found your inspiration! Such fun!

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  18. Token Asian FriendMay 16, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    Saw you at the BQF and had to stop by and say that this is a fun design that I'm sure everyone would love to make. That quilting is insane! So much detail. Way to go.

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  19. Kathy SchwartzMay 16, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    It is amazing were inspiration can come from!
    Love this quilt and your quilting designs just add that finishing touch.

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  20. BethMay 16, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    What a fantastic quilt. I love the colors and how you did the circles.
    Great inspiration.

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  21. LeilaMay 16, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    Amazing! All of the planning paid off. It is just perfect.

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  22. Quilt+BitchMay 16, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    I love this quilt. I love the quilting lines and the colors you've chosen. It's absolutely stunning.

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  23. SiobhanMay 16, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    It is very striking. Beautiful colours :)

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  24. Taya@TypeBMay 16, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    I really love this! Fantastic design and bold color choices! Very cool

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  25. ~DeeMay 16, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    I seriously want this quilt. I was going to make a zigzag quilt for my bed but now, I want this one. This. Exact. One. :)

    It's gorgeous! Fantastic job!

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  26. Becky (My Fabric Obsession)May 16, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    OH wow! I love this - it's amazing!! Fantastic work. I love everything about it. You need to do a QAL of this!

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  27. Caroline @ Artfully CarolineMay 16, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    So much fun ! I have to try this in my favorite colors :)

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  28. Andrea May 16, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    circle design is awesome! has inspired me to make me a quilt

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  29. MarleneMay 17, 2011 at 2:00 AM

    Love it.Colours great.Superb inspiration.

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  30. SusanMay 17, 2011 at 4:24 AM

    This is fabulous- I love everything about it- the colours, the design, the quilting! Circles - brilliant!

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  31. Linda at Roscoe's MaMay 17, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    LOVE this quilt. It is my favorite from the festival. Wow. It's stunningly beautiful! Wow.

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  32. KendasCraftsMay 17, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    Wow! You did a great job! The quilting is fantastic! Did you quilt each circle as you applied it? It almost looks like a quilt as you go. Love the colors!

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  33. QuiltycatMay 17, 2011 at 3:45 PM

    Love all your circles quilts but the firs is alweys special!Beautiful!

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  34. KMServinoMay 17, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    I love this quilt. It reminds me soo much of Olives in a martini! :)

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  35. CynthiaMay 17, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    Beautiful. I love the colours. It really is more lovely than the inspiration! I admire your patience and wonderful precision.

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  36. ♥DuffMay 18, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    amazing design! I bet plenty of quilters would love a pattern or QAL!

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  37. stitchinpennyMay 18, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    Amazing design and you did it all yourself. Great job

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  38. www.randomthoughtsdoordi.comMay 18, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    aren't circle quilts fun? I've just started one now...it's on the cutting table.

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  39. UnknownMay 18, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    Wow! It's awesome! And I love your inspiration.

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  40. Oxford ImpressionsMay 19, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    This is an amazing modern quilt. I love every aspect of it. Great work!

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  41. cynthiatreenMay 19, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    Stunning! thank you for sharing your quilt....
    I love your design.

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  42. MelindaMay 19, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    I haven't ventured into circles yet but I love hearing where people get their inspiration. I am currently mesmerized with spiral staircases, though I haven't figured out how to incorporate it yet! LOVE this quilt!

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  43. KimieMay 19, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    I not only love this quilt, but all the ones in your header. Can't wait to have time to come back and explore your whole blog!

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  44. Melanie@Crafty CupboardMay 19, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    hot diggity, this is awesome. I love it! I'm going to have to see how you used interfacing to eliminate layers. Sounds like a great idea!

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  45. Marci GirlMay 19, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Beautiful quilt and a wonderful design! Awesome!

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  46. BJMay 21, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    Great quilt. Love the striped background and the quilting is perfect.

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  47. KarenMay 21, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    Your quilt is stunnng. Love your design and the colours you chose. It was interesting to read about your design and construction process.

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  48. Katie BMay 21, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    So cool!

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  49. UnknownMay 22, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    I can't believe I missed this post!!! I LOVE this quilt;) You come up with the coolest stuff;) And I love your inspiration;)
    Happy Quilting!!

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  50. LisaMay 27, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    Beautiful Quilt! Very striking.

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  51. Rachel at Stitched in ColorJune 4, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    WOW! That is amazing.

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  52. Ivory SpringJune 6, 2011 at 2:55 AM

    Your circle quilt is STUNNING! Love the colors.

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  53. JennyJune 9, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    I don't know how I missed this?? This quilt is amazing, very nice job and the quilting is perfect!

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  54. Mary BethOctober 4, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    Very cool!!!!

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  55. GwendolynAugust 23, 2012 at 8:11 PM

    Oh my gosh! I love the quilting you did! LOVE! I am not normally a fan of solid, but boy oh boy do they show of the quilting nicely. I may have to rethink using solids!!!!

    The offset stacked circles you did served as MY inspiration for some pillow covers for some twins. I have linked back to you from http://notyournormalsteam.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/double-the-fun/

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  56. Barbie MillsDecember 22, 2012 at 11:57 AM

    Love this design! Congrats on being published!

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