Tumbling Blues by Jen M

Here's my entry for the off season April Fool's challenge.

I call this quilt Tumbling Blues.    It is a triaxially woven quilt that finishes at 50 x 65 inches.   I felt it fit the challenge, because all of the strips needed to be completely finished so it would be a stand alone quilt.  The thought of doing all that prep work made me put it off for a solid week.   Then, I decided I just needed to do it or not, so I DID. 

I started by creating the set to create the kaleidoscope style weave.   I started with 40 fabrics and culled it down to 22.   I chose Kona Cotton Solids and Fossil Ferns all in shades of blues and white.    

First I cut these into 2.5 inch strips which went quickly on the accuquilt.  Then stitched the strips together to form long strips.   These were pressed in 1/4 inch on each side, then pressed in half and finally stitched closed so they could be woven.   I went through 16 bobbins stitching the strips!!

I wound the strips around bolts to keep them in order. I had over 40 hours amassed in doing this before I could even start the weaving.  

I modified a sheet of insulation foam to make the board for weaving.   Following the Wefty weaving instructions, I first put down the verticals and then started with the second layer at 30 degrees.    The final layer finished the quilt. 

I took it to the long arm and did a meander in a middle blue color to keep it together when washed.  Finally I bound the quilt.   I am amazed how heavy it is.

I create in Madison, WI.

Thanks!

--Jen

The Electric Needle