quilts for cotton + steel

Believe me, when I was asked to create two quilts for upcoming Cotton + Steel collections, I was beyond thrilled. I loved all of their previous lines, and couldn’t wait to see what was next. Of course, the timing wasn’t ideal, being that it was smack in the middle of our move, but I really couldn’t say no. So in the midst of packing and all, I was busy planning quilts and cutting into these gorgeous new fabrics.

I immediately knew I wanted to play around with triangles with Alexia’s new Mesa line. I opted for a larger equilateral triangle design – alternating the Mesa prints with a double triangle design to feature a fun solid and corresponding neutral. I love this colorway – lots of blues and aquas and reds along with the fun Toy Boat solid by RJR.

I went through a number of ideas for Sarah Watt’s Tokyo Trainride (ah, the pressure!), and ultimately with a deadline looming, went with this design, which was a little less me, but fun nonetheless. I mixed many of the prints and basics in a quarter log cabin design, then bordered it with flying geese in a number of corresponding solids. I love the little extra it adds and it’s fun to see the secondary pattern that emerges when the blocks are put together.

It was so fun to have a chance to see them in person in Houston in the Cotton + Steel booth! I had sent them off as quilt tops, so it was exciting to see them finished (beautifully quilted by Gina Pina). As I walked through Houston I kept finding spots I was wishing I could use as a photo shoot, but since I wasn’t going to be able to smuggle them out of the convention center, these iphone photos will have to suffice!

A big thanks again to the ladies of Cotton + Steel for giving me the opportunity to make quilts out of your beautiful upcoming collections!