Monday, July 26, 2021

Eye Candy

When I posted an in-quilting progress pic on Instagram, someone wrote  'eye candy' and although I wasn't planning on naming this little quilt, that idea stuck, so Eye Candy it is. This mini is made of the the pile of cut away HSTs I had when I made Rainbow Way for RSC 2019. You can read about that quilt by clicking the link. That arrows quilt also is for sale in my Etsy shop. 

The little triangles had at least got sewn up into 3" unfinished square-in-a-squares, but then they sat in a stack. I did add them to my PHD list for this year, and because of three major commitments this month, I planned to make this mini. I am so glad to make something pretty from what could have ended up in a landfill. Truth? I could probably make a set of oh a dozen of these with the various triangles I've saved...

I wanted a pretty rainbow backing, and found a few contenders in my stash of small yardage (less than 1/4 - 1/3 yard) pieces. All were not quite the 14" width I needed, even this one that I eventually decided upon. However, I loved it so much that I matched as best I could the rather busy print, adding on about 2". It's not noticeable unless you know it's there or are looking very closely at the back. (hint: look below the label)


I used heavier weights of thread from Aurifil and Sulky in the squares to do the continuous curve FMQ. To emphasize the zigzag in the background I used my walking foot and a King Tut from Superior Threads. The stitching in the ditch around each square and through the long vertical seams was with a Robison Anton 50 wt.
Ah! They all played so well together.

Nice texture...


I had just, and I mean just, enough of the fun rainbow binding I bought from Bernie at Needle & Foot Fine Fabrics (her closeout sale is now 25% off) a couple of years ago. I used it on Fly High - ahh, love that quilt. Does it ever feel good to move these two pieces (backing, and binding) out of the small yardage drawers and into the scraps organizers!


I had originally thought it would be a placemat, to be used outside where I enjoy eating my lunch or having my afternoon tea, which is why the backing is horizontal. However, it looks good vertically as a mini wallhanging, so I don't know! What do you think?

Now I look at the photo, I think I should make a bed-size one of these using my mountain of strings. 🤔

Quilt Stats:
Pattern: original design
Size:  13.25" x 17.5"
Fabric: scraps
Backing: scrap of a Southsea Imports
Batting: scraps
Quilted: on my Bernina
Threads: pieced with various on my Featherweight and Bernina; quilted with a variety of 28, 30, and 40 weight threads; Essential and Gütermann cotton in the bobbin

Giveaway Winner
The luck recipient of the Santa panel from my Joyful Star post is comment #1! Glapha has been contacted.


Thank you for all the sweet comments. The pattern has certainly gotten a lot of love and I hope you've seen the makes on Instagram already but if not...
Clockwise from top left: Carol @quiltschmilt; the next two are Tish @tishnwonderland; and the bottom left is Wendy @piecefulwendy
Beauties every one!
The link to the pattern is here and on my sidebar.

Linking up

11 comments:

  1. Eye Candy it is, I love it! A good use of leftovers bits and pieces.

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  2. That really is some Eye Candy there! I love your vertical photo of it - looks like a bead curtain. That's such a fun finish, Sandra!

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  3. Oh that little mini is too cute! I'd hang it up in your fabulous quilt room, so you can smile every time you look up and see it :-) I need to prep some quilt backs today, but in my mind I'm playing with more fabric pulls for another LYSS quilt . . .

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  4. The mini is beautiful and the rainbow binding really adds a nice touch! Great use of scraps.

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  5. How fun to get an unexpected inspiration for a name; it's the perfect name for it! The binding is just right, too. :)

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  6. It's beautiful Sandra, it looks great as a wall hanging. I like the rainbow effect, especially on the horizontal view. But it still looks like eye candy hung vertically, it would brighten up any room. Great use of spare HSTs.

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  7. What an awesome little rainbow quilt, Sandra!! I think it's perfect for either use. There's no reason that you can't use it for both placemat AND wall hanging! Alternate the purpose as you see fit.

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  8. It’s gorgeous! I have a zillion triangle cut offs! I never use them! Eye Candy is a great idea!

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  9. it is beautiful rainbow mini.

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  10. Love it! Mine are hanging around somewhere...out to retrieve them and add them to a project list.

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  11. Such a perky little quilt, and a fun use of your bonus HSTs. I’m embarrassed when I think of all the little bits I’ve thrown out over the years. There really is no scrap too little to make something pretty with.

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