Mod Mola & Bright Blooms: Pastel Peony

Time for a new Mod Mola & Bright Blooms sample featuring more Kaffe prints!

Pastel Peony, Finishes 16" x 20"

Many quilters are surprised to learn that I do not use any marking pens prior to stitching out my design.  After hearing too many horror stories about the pens coming out too early or not coming out at all, I simply avoid them at all costs.  Instead, I use contact paper, regular printer paper and blue painter's tape as templates or guides for my designs.

I've learned that I am unable to create symmetrical shapes...so why bother?  By folding my paper in half and cutting out one half, I am able to create a perfectly balanced vase template!  I also struggle stitching perfectly straight lines...so again, why bother?  A length of blue painter's tape creates a perfect straight edge that I can echo with my darning foot.  And as a bonus, it helps remove any stray threads or lint!!

Mark-Free Tools

A variety of Aurifil 50-weight threads were used to outline stitch my various shapes and background fillers (left to right):

• Bubblegum 3660 Variegated for the Peony Flower Petals 
• French Lilac 3840 Variegated for the Wavy C Curves
• Medium Blue Grey 1310 for the background zig zag meander
• Spring Green 1232 for the flower stem and leaves
• Mist 2660 for the Vase

Line Up of Aurifil Threads Used

It should come as no surprise that I love adding beautiful quilting texture and I very much like the finished wholecloth design.  But I LOVE the transformation that comes next as I carefully trim away swatches of fabric from the top layer of fabric to reveal snippets of Kaffe prints hidden below.

Total Transformation!!

For this particular project, I used two muted Kaffe prints and one dark teal solid:

• Kaffe Pastel Ombre for both the Flower Petals (pink areas) and the Wavy Lines (greens, teals & purple area)
• Kaffe Grey Mad Plaid for the Vase and binding
• Dark Teal Solid for the Top, which becomes the background after the cutwork is complete

For those living in the Bay Area, I will be teaching a Mod Molas & Bright Blooms for Bay Quilts Quilt Shop (Richmond, CA) on November 11th and look forward to adding future dates to my teaching schedule.