Watermelon Wedge Quilt


Here's a fun summer quilt I finished last month. I'm on a roll with finishing my seasonal quilts before or at least in the right season! Yeah! This is a quilt I have been wanting to make forever. Well, not this quilt specifically, but some kind of watermelon quilt. I don't know why but I think watermelon quilts are so fun...I love the greens and pinks or reds together. So five or six years ago I decided I was going to make a watermelon quilt. I even bought the Timeless Treasures watermelon seed and rind fabrics...you know the ones I am talking about. Then I tried to decide on a pattern...but I wasn't in love with any of the ones I found...so I decided to just make up my own. This also proved difficult. Every spring I would pull out a notebook and try to draw up something I liked...but to no avail. Guess I am just too picky! Well one night last spring I couldn't sleep so I was Google searching quilts and still trying to come up with a good idea for a watermelon quilt. I started looking at black and white quilts and saw a great abstract one (that of course I can't find now)...so I started toying with the idea of making the watermelon quilt more abstract. I started messing around in Inkscape at about 4 am and by morning I had come up with this design. 


I bought a bunch of fabric and started working on this quilt last summer. I got about 1/3 of the way done but then got frustrated with it and put it away because for some reason it wasn't turning out quite right. I really wanted to finish it for this summer, and actually had planned to try to finish it for the Spring Blogger's Quilt Festival (success!). Anyway, toward the end of February my older sister sent me an email announcing that the HMQS quilt show was 7 weeks away and she said I should enter something. She's been trying to get me to enter something for the last few years. I was about 30 weeks pregnant at the time and in need of a really good distraction so I didn't go crazy...so I told her that if I could finish my watermelon quilt, I would enter it. Nothing like a deadline to motivate a quilt finish! Good thing too...this quilt got so frustrating at times, I never would have kept working on it without that deadline!


This quilt is 70 x 70" finished. All the pink, white and dark green fabrics are pieced. The black "seeds" and the light green accents around the edges are appliqued. So to construct this, I first printed my illustration out in Inkscape and figured out the scale (i.e. 1/4 inch on the picture equaled 1.75 inches on the quilt). Then I had to measure every single piece separately, multiply the measurements by 1.75, cut the pieces out and sew. I have done this on other quilts (this one) and it worked out OK. Well on this one, the angles were killing me. I later discovered that the reason it wasn't working out in the beginning is that I had messed up a couple of the first measurements and it was off from then on. So frustrating! And once I sewed the final 2 pieces together to make it a square, the edges were fine but the center was way too big...so I had to take in several of the wedges in the center and fudge everywhere to make it work. There was lots of unpicking...I think I said, "Are you KIDDING me?" about a hundred times...or at least every time I realized that it still wasn't fixed. Eventually I got it to the point where it laid flat enough that I could applique the center circle on. The rest got worked out once it was quilted.


I intend for this to be a picnic blanket, so I wanted the quilting to be simple and something I could finish quickly--I started quilting it with about 4 days until my deadline. I decided to make a grid, but change the size in the different colors of the quilt. The biggest squares are 2 inches (in the pink), the black and green are 1 inch, the white is 1/2 inch and the light green are 1/4 inch. I marked just the 2 inch grid in water soluble ink and used a ruler as I went for the rest. I really like the way it turned out!


Here's the back...my friend Lissa gave me the idea of making stripes on the back. I decided to make them wavy so it looked more like a watermelon rind. The lighter colored stripes were cut out freehand with a rotary cutter. Then I just pinned them on and used a zigzag stitch to tack them down. I think the green is kind of perfect...since this is going to be a picnic blanket, the grass stains will blend right in! 


I entered this quilt in the quilt show as I promised my sister I would. Luckily they extended the deadline for entries an extra week, or I wouldn't have made it. Normally finishing a quilt like this would have been no problemo, but by the time I finished it I was about 38 weeks pregnant...so definitely moving slower, and swelling (so I couldn't stand at the quilting machine for very long)--and not feeling very well some days...it made it a little rough there at the end, but it was a great distraction--made that last couple months of pregnancy fly by! And I'm just glad it's finally done. So it had to have a label on the back for the show. I had a little too much fun with this label. Too bad we are moving soon so the address on it will be wrong...guess I'll have to make another one! 


Yay for fun quilts!

AmysCreativeSide.com
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , ,
loading..

66 comments

  1. shannonMay 23, 2013 at 4:39 PM

    LAH-HOV it!!! *genius*

    i also like the wavy lines on the backer!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Vicki in MNMay 23, 2013 at 5:05 PM

    You do some of the most awesome stuff!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AmandaK@whatthebobbinMay 23, 2013 at 5:07 PM

    Wow. Love it! The back is perfect.
    Amandak@whatthebobbin

    ReplyDelete
  4. KarenMay 23, 2013 at 5:08 PM

    Amazing quilting! I love all the different sized squares, it's a brilliant abstract quilt, good luck in the festival :o)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Little Island QuiltingMay 23, 2013 at 5:09 PM

    Jaw-dropingly cool. Which category is it in? I need to vote for it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Little Island QuiltingMay 23, 2013 at 5:10 PM

    'droppingly'...I hate making typos!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Karen @ Pieces of ContentmentMay 23, 2013 at 5:36 PM

    This is one amazing quilt. I love your story of how it came to be. The way you have quilted it is just perfect, as is your backing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. MariQuiltsMay 23, 2013 at 5:38 PM

    So cool!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Glen QuiltSwissyMay 23, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    OMG! This may well be my most favorite quilt ever. I wish I could think of these things. You just got all the quilting brains, I guess!

    ReplyDelete
  10. EstherMay 23, 2013 at 6:02 PM

    I love this quilt! I love the colors, and your quilting is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. MelanieMay 23, 2013 at 6:15 PM

    Love the quilting! When you change patterns...do you tie off, back stitch, or travel along a seam?

    ReplyDelete
  12. CitricSugarMay 23, 2013 at 7:01 PM

    That is an incredibly fun quilt!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. RobinMay 23, 2013 at 8:20 PM

    So fun! I love the way you utilized the different sizes of grid quilting in different sections-- very cool! And the back is awesome as well. Thanks so much for sharing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. RamonaMay 23, 2013 at 8:28 PM

    Oh that SO reminds me of when I was pregnant, because I was absolutely craving watermelon!! And leave it to you to make the back just as cute as the front!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What Comes Next?May 23, 2013 at 9:00 PM

    fabulous quilt! I love the quilting

    ReplyDelete
  16. LisaMay 23, 2013 at 9:06 PM

    This is fabulous! Great idea and great execution!

    ReplyDelete
  17. MalinisQuiltsMay 23, 2013 at 10:03 PM

    This is awesome! Lovely too!

    ReplyDelete
  18. BethMay 23, 2013 at 10:39 PM

    I love it! It says watermelon clearly without looking exactly like a watermelon. The quilying is amazing. The back is perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  19. MaryMay 23, 2013 at 11:19 PM

    What a fun quilt. Great colors. Your quilting is really fun, love the change in scale.

    ReplyDelete
  20. FabricFascinationMay 24, 2013 at 7:37 AM

    Great new design, love the colors you chose and the quilting.

    ReplyDelete
  21. HolliMay 24, 2013 at 7:42 AM

    What a great quilt, great story, too! It's so happy! The colors and quilting are perfect. (Would love to see this as a pattern.)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lorna McMahonMay 24, 2013 at 8:07 AM

    Great idea + Hard work = Yummy quilt! I am voting for you!

    ReplyDelete
  23. wannabequilterMay 24, 2013 at 8:49 AM

    This is a great quilt, what fun, and lovely bright colors.

    ReplyDelete
  24. GunillaMay 24, 2013 at 9:58 AM

    I just love this quilt! Love the pattern, it is really a great idea, and original! You could make apattern and sell it, I would buy it at once!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. GillMay 24, 2013 at 10:08 AM

    I love this quilt!!
    Can we have a QAL please!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. West Michigan QuilterMay 24, 2013 at 11:48 AM

    Your quilt is stunning. I keep coming back to look at it. Are you going to make a pattern? Can you tell me more about Inkscape. I'd really like to try to make a quilt like yours. It is breathtaking!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. TiffanyMay 24, 2013 at 12:03 PM

    This quilt is genius. Everything about it. I love it. I want one for myself.

    ReplyDelete
  28. M-R CharbonneauMay 24, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    Your quilt is fantastic! I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownMay 24, 2013 at 7:31 PM

    OH MY GOSH!!! This is so fabulous, bright, happy, AND original!!! Needs to be in a book!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Shanea May 24, 2013 at 8:12 PM

    Ok, there really aren't enough accolades for this quilt. I love it! It showcases the awesomeness of watermelon with non of the cheesiness of a theme quilt. Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Ellie QMay 24, 2013 at 8:41 PM

    I really love your quilt--the back is the perfect finish, too. Beautiful job! The quilting is great, and I love the story behind how it came together. Great quilt!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousMay 25, 2013 at 6:47 AM

    OMG is this one SWEET and screams summer!

    ReplyDelete
  33. VivianMay 25, 2013 at 3:17 PM

    Truly wonderful design, it's got "Summer" written all over it! Wouldn't be surprised to see this one in print in the near future.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Kati from Kati's QuiltingMay 25, 2013 at 3:41 PM

    Yes, i forgot to leave a comment the other day when I saw this quilt for the first time. I just want to take a bite. Period :))) It is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  35. stitchingandbaconMay 25, 2013 at 8:27 PM

    This is brilliant it makes me crave sunny summer days!

    ReplyDelete
  36. BetsyEMay 26, 2013 at 8:19 AM

    This quilt makes me smile so much! I'd definitely buy a pattern if you make it into one. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Leatina @ GeoMama May 26, 2013 at 3:39 PM

    I would love to see this as a pattern. I would make one for myself for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Teresa in Music CityMay 26, 2013 at 3:56 PM

    Your quilt is stunning - it got my vote for sure!!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Michelle JensenMay 27, 2013 at 2:27 PM

    AMAZING!!! I saw this at the HMQS and it was my FAVORITE QUILT!!! I didn't get to see the back and it is totally perfect :) Awesome Job :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. AllisonMay 27, 2013 at 8:14 PM

    The quilting turned out amazing! Glad you went with the different sized straight lines. Very fitting.

    ReplyDelete
  41. KrystaMay 29, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    I love it! So unique and fun! Love your quilting, too. All those different sized grids are really cool :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. SharonMay 29, 2013 at 2:03 PM

    Wow, this quilt is amazing! Love the modern take on "watermelon". It says it without hitting you over the head with it. It does look like a bugger-boo to piece! Your quilting is fun too - I love all the different sized grids. And the back is the perfect finish to it! This quilt is really fun! Are you really going to use it for a picnic quilt?! :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Books_BoundMay 31, 2013 at 9:33 PM

    This is gorgeous in every way! I can't decide if the quilting or the backing is my favorite part, but it is a wonderful picnic blanket!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Lisa EJune 1, 2013 at 10:27 PM

    Beautiful quilt. I love how modern it looks. Thank you for taking the time to write down your design process. I always learn something new! I hope you won a prize for this quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  45. ipatchandquiltJune 2, 2013 at 1:19 AM

    Wonderful! Your quilt is fabulous! SOOO original!
    Congratulations on being throw quilt winner!
    Esther
    esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo dot com
    ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Jennifer Mathis of Ellison LaneJune 2, 2013 at 7:16 AM

    This is really great! Congrats on being the winner in the BQF. It's just stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Teje KarjalainenJune 2, 2013 at 9:32 AM

    Congratulations! I love your amazing quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  48. DanaK ~ WaterPennyJune 2, 2013 at 12:33 PM

    So summery! I would love to see a picture of it in use at a picnic! Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  49. DeonnJune 2, 2013 at 8:06 PM

    This quilt is the BEST!! I'd hate to see it on the ground... What a great design - have you written up a pattern? Congratulations on a fantastic quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Claudia/OmpompaliJune 3, 2013 at 12:59 AM

    You are amazing and this is just fabulous! Congratualtions on a very special quilt! Greetings from Germany

    ReplyDelete
  51. AnnieJune 3, 2013 at 10:48 PM

    Cynthia, this quilt is SO awesome! WIth all the fits it gave you, it's must be the quilt you love to hate. It really must be a favorite. I just love it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. QuilterBeeJune 10, 2013 at 12:57 PM

    AMAZINGGGGGG!!!!!:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) Amie

    ReplyDelete
  53. UnknownJune 19, 2013 at 4:00 PM

    can I ask how you make your labels?
    I am assuming you print them off of your computer?
    can you please tell me how?

    I have been wanting to label my dresses I make and just not sure how to go about it .. would like to do it similar to this.
    lisa faith

    ReplyDelete
  54. LeahJune 29, 2013 at 7:22 AM

    this is AWESOME! i absolutely love it. the colors are perfect. the wiggly back too is such creative detail. nice work and thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  55. phototeachJuly 14, 2013 at 12:28 PM

    I don't know where you live but somewhere is a printing place that does blueprints! I did this with my last quilt. I drew it up and took the file to a local place. They make two copies for me for about $10 and the prints were huge (4 feet by 5 feet). Made life so easy for cutting pieces.

    ReplyDelete
  56. SnowcatcherJuly 16, 2013 at 9:58 AM

    Spectacular! Worth everything you put into it, and the back is simply genius. Congrats on finishing and on getting it done in time to enter it!

    ReplyDelete
  57. UnknownJuly 16, 2013 at 1:19 PM

    Lovely, especially the quilting.... Really a work of art! Thanks for sharing your wonderful quilting and sewing talents...

    ReplyDelete
  58. WendyJuly 17, 2013 at 1:24 PM

    that is just amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  59. UnknownJuly 23, 2013 at 4:50 PM

    Wow! This is so creative, and just in time for summer. My readers at FaveQuilts would love this.

    Kathryn

    ReplyDelete
  60. cindiJuly 30, 2013 at 11:43 AM

    love this quilt. would love to see a tutorial. any chance of that happening? quilting this at 38 weeks is the sign of a true quilter. lol. you did a great job.

    ReplyDelete
  61. CaroljeanannAugust 3, 2013 at 2:44 PM

    So fun! Your quilts are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  62. LynetteAugust 8, 2013 at 4:51 PM

    This quilt is amazing!! I can't imagine how frustrated I'd be working on this in my final month of pregnancy and finding the center puffing - but it's WELL worth the work. :D KUDOS!!

    ReplyDelete
  63. BaukjeAugust 12, 2013 at 4:16 PM

    This quilt is spectacular I love the everything about it, the quilting is amazing and the back just perfect.
    X Baukje

    ReplyDelete
  64. UnknownNovember 21, 2013 at 8:52 AM


    Very creative, LOVE it, great ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Marti SmithFebruary 18, 2014 at 10:24 PM

    Cynthia - would you make a watermelon quilt to sell? For a watermelon association? This is so beautiful!
    63marti@live.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. JohnnieReneeAugust 16, 2014 at 12:47 AM

    I absolutely adore this quilt. Kudos to you and your creative artistry.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)