Over two years ago I started thinking about making a king size quilt for my bed. I did not have a specific pattern in mind, but I knew I wanted it to be somewhat neutral in color to match my bedroom. While perusing Pinterest one day I came across a HST (Half Square Triangle) quilt made by Diary of a Quilter. It was stunning in gray and white.
I loved the simple design and knew I would need something similar in order to make it through the process of creating a massive king size quilt. A few weeks later I saw a quilt made by Andrea at HomewithAndreaSims. I loved the Starglass pattern she designed (and purchased it for later use) but was enamored with the fabric which was called Soften the Volume by Art Gallery Fabrics.
Using these two quilts as inspiration I started designing my own low volume quilt. A low volume quilt describes the intensity of the colors used, in this case, fabrics with a subdued color way. I knew I wanted to use 6″ squares and determined the size of the quilt would be 108 x 90 inches. I would make 15 rows of 18 squares. Putting my quilt math knowledge to use I determined I would need to make 270 six-inch half square triangle blocks.
In order to make a six-inch half square triangle block I needed to cut 7″ squares initially. That provides a quarter inch on each side for the seams plus room to square up the blocks after they are sewn together.
The next step was to actually purchase my fabric and I calculated I needed five fat quarter bundles to cut out 270 7 inch squares. Buying fat quarter bundles is not the most economical way to buy fabric but at the time this was all I could find.
Next it was time to cut the fabric and make the blocks. There are many on-line tutorials on how to make a half square triangle block so I will not go into detail here, however here is a link for three different ways to make a half square triangle from Missouri Star Quilt Company. I used the “two at a time” method.
Creating all 270 squares was the most time-consuming part of the construction. Once that was complete, I started sewing the rows, then attached the rows together to finish the quilt top.
I knew before I finished this quilt that I would send it out for quilting on a long arm. There was no way I was going to try and tackle this huge quilt on my domestic sewing machine. Fortunately, I know a wonderful quilter who I have trusted with four other quilt tops. She is quick, reasonably priced and treats the quilt with care. You can find her on ETSY at Nancysquiltingcoshop.
I told Nancy that since this quilt top was dominated with hard triangles, I wanted the quilting to be loops and swirls. She sent me several options to choose from. I could not be happier with how it turned out.
The quilting really pops on the neutral fabric. I started thinking about what fabric I would use to bind the quilt the minute I sent it off for quilting. I wanted to be ready as soon as the quilt was returned. I had a fair amount of leftover fabric that was probably too small for many projects but might work for the binding. All I needed were 2 1/2″ strips of fabric that I could sew together to measure 406 inches, or about 34 feet!!!! Turns out I had enough. I love that the binding is made of the same fabric as the quilt top.
This quilt is now nicely folded on the foot of my bed. There is nothing better than snuggling up with a quilt, especially when you have created it yourself!
This is so beautiful! I love what you did with the binding. Thanks for the shout out with the Etsy link too. Another great quilt by you, so pretty!
I love that quilt, I think it will look perfect on my new bed.