Hoffman Challenge: Technicolor Trellis

Time for the annual Hoffman Fabric Challenge!!  This year featured two large floral all over prints from the Style #P4299 Mastery Digital-Print Collection:  562-Blooms or 55-Charcoal.  Participants could use one or both challenge prints, as long as they were used in body of the quilt and in more than one spot.  And 50% or more of the entry had to be made up in Hoffman fabrics (Mastery collection coordinates, Hoffman batiks, screenprints or digital prints).  Quilt entries could be any shape, but the combined sides must equal 72" to 160".

Unsure of a design, I purchased two yards of both the Blooms and Charcoal fabrics.  And then I waited for divine inspiration...

My Fabric Palette:  The Challenge Print Blooms and a Super Fun Ombre Print

With just 6 days until the deadline, I finally managed to come up with a design and template.  In my two yard cut, I was able to find six repeats, so I modified my Mod Mandalas from sixteen wedges to six isometric triangles.  Once the triangles were fussycut to feature some of the larger flowers, I could rotate them to generate three different kaleidoscope backgrounds.  

Blooming Kaleidoscope

Half inch bias tape was made out of a lovely Timeless Treasures ombre that gradated from a glowing yellow green into a brilliant blue.  A package of emerald quarter inch tape was used for the skinny strips.

Once all the bias tape was appliqued into place and my triangles reassembled, it was time to start auditioning quilting designs.  Taking inspiration from the floral print, I sketched out a variety of petal-like filler designs.    

Floral Inspiration for the Quilting

Once again, the Hoffman Challenge was co-sponsored by Aurifil threads.  There are three Aurifil Awards (that include either $250, $500 or $1000 in Aurifil products!!) that will be awarded to entries that have Aurifil threads visibly used (thread painting, embellishment, beading, etc).  A variety of Aurifil 50-weight threads were used in both the construction and quilting of my Mod Mandala:

• Spring Green (1231) used in the bobbin for the bias tape applique
• Grey Smoke (5004) for piecing the triangles into a quilt top
• Bright Pink (2425), Neon Orange (1104), Red (2250), and Red Orange (2245) were used to free-motion quilt the petal designs into the background areas.

Abloom Aurifil

Some of the charcoal print was used for my quilt back and sleeve.

Greyscale Backing

Artist Statement:

This year’s challenge fabric, Mastery Blooms, prompted a garden themed Mod Mandala design.   Six repeats of the bountiful flowers were fussy cut to create a brilliant kaleidoscopic bouquet.   Petal-like designs were free-motion quilted into the background, adding a delicate layer of quilted texture.  An ombre trellis constructed out of bias tape applique, provides support for this floral design to blossom and bloom! 

Technicolor Trellis, 27" x 24" (81" perimter)

Despite my late Tuesday night start, I managed to finish my entry within 4 days and even managed to submit it online with 24 hours to spare!!  Phew!!  Less than a week later, I received an email instructing me to ship my entry to Hoffman Fabrics for the next round of judging for consideration of awards and/or be included in the travelling exhibit.