Spring Has Sprung Mod Mola

These past few weeks have been a total whirlwind as I've got a number of projects in the works.  Two projects on my radar involved two quilt challenges:


Given my limited bandwidth, I chose to create one quilt that meets both quilt challenge guidelines.  This is not cheating...it's being resourceful!!  ;-)

My morning walk abouts helped to inspire this spring-time scene inspired by the saying "April showers bring May flowers."  A garden scene featuring 3 flower pots, each containing some springtime blooms was free-motion stitched onto a greenery solid backdrop.  Instead of marking out my design, I created two templates out of contact paper for the flower centers along with some blue painter's tape to outline my flower pots.  Everything else was truly free-motion quilted.
Before and After
While I was rather pleased with my wholecloth quilted scene...it was time to transform it with some crayon-etched/modern mola magic.  That meant taking a deep breath before brandishing my trusty seam ripper along with curved tip embroidery snips to carefully remove portions of the solid greenery fabric to reveal a secret layer of colorful and pattern fabrics layered beneath the surface.  The first cut is always the scariest...but once the hidden layer is revealed, I couldn't wait to cut out the next section!!  Lucky for you that I managed to show some restraint to slow down and capture some pictures of the progress so you too can witness the transformation.
Captivating Coneflowers
Dazzling Daisy
Radiant Rose
 As I did not mark out my design in advance, there was a small gap next to my daisy.  This created the perfect opportunity to add a friendly fauna to my design by stitching in a butterfly.
Beautiful Butterfly  
Spring Inspired Aurifil Threads to Help My Garden Bloom with Color & Texture
Fun Quilt Back Featuring this Garden Inspired Print
"Spring Has Sprung" finishes  27" x 21" 
There is more mod mola magic on the horizon!  Until then, I would like to wish you a very colorful and happy Spring!!

Comments

  1. Beautiful and so creative, as usual! You are so prolific! Good luck!

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    1. Aww...thank you Jackie. I am having so much fun with these mod molas!! It is so exciting to reveal the hidden layer...instant gratification!! I am in the process of creating a 1-2 day workshop based on this project/technique...cannot wait to see what others create!!

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    1. Thanks Tomomi...it is super fun too!! The transformation is so exciting to watch...I hope you will give it a try!

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  3. This looks like a very interesting technique, what happens if you clip into the 2nd layer?

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    1. Great question Judy. That is certainly a fear of mine. I usually use my seam ripper to make a small slit along the edge of the shape and do a quick check to make sure I don't see any batting peek through. After a few cuts, you really start to get a feel for changes in resistance when you start to catch the 2nd layer. Every once in a while I get a little too excited and will make a small nick through but its usually pretty small and again, near the edge so well disguised...

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  4. Somehow I missed this year's Pantone color. What a gorgeous green. I'm so impressed with your mole, not least because you start cutting at the end. Wow. You've made three different flowers and a butterfly. So Interesting. I love how you put three different fabrics ne'er the green. And in the right places. Congratulations.

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    1. I am having soooo much fun with these mod molas Ann! They combine my love of free-motion quilting and bright colored fabrics...along with the element of surprise!!

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  5. So fun. I've tried this once. Maybe it's time to retry it. Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. I am having so much fun with these mod molas...more project posts coming up soon!!!

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