Sometimes my quilts are carefully planned and made for someone special. Other times they begin as projects to practice my craft and keep me busy. This one started by accident. In February, I discovered the #the100dayproject created by Linda Jean Thompson on Instagram. The idea is to choose something that you want to get better at, work on it every day for 100 days and post your progress on Instagram so others can follow along.
It turned out that #the100dayproject was too challenging for me, and I didn’t complete it. But during the process, I gained a lot of insight into my creative practice and I have this lovely quilt to show for it. Total win!
About the Process
I started with a lot more colors and my original design idea was for an expanding diamond with concentric layers of solid and print fabrics. I wasn’t happy with how the colors played together. Overall, it looked too dark and I didn’t feel any connection between the prints and solids. I switched to the design in the top photo and was happier with the result. I narrowed the color palette down to complementary blues and oranges, similar to the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
As the days went by, I decided that half-square triangle production wasn’t the best fit for the project, and I stopped participating. Even though I didn’t finish the 100 days, I did learn that you can accomplish a lot of work by dedicating even a little time every day to your project. 100-day projects would be great for me for skill building – something like free-motion quilt practice.
What’s in a Name?
I’ve named this quilt Annabelle. Up until now, it’s been known as “the half-square triangle quilt I made during the #100dayproject” or “the half-square triangle quilt.” This new quilt is one of several half-square triangle quilts that I’ve made. It’s awkward and confusing to think of projects as a description of characteristics. Wouldn’t it be easier to give it a name? Yes! For now, my quilts will be named like hurricanes. Start with the letter “A” and continue through the alphabet. The National Weather Service can use men’s names, but all my quilts will be ladies! Please welcome Annabelle!
Specs:
- Finished size: 59″ square
- Fabrics: Kona Solids, prints from stash
- Batting: Quilters Dream Cotton – request loft white
- Quilting thread: Coats and Clark Cotton
- Quilted on domestic Juki HZL-F 300
- Designed and made by Catie
Have you participated in a 100-day project? How was your experience? Please share your thoughts in the comments!
