Casting Shadows ~ Michael Miller Fabric Challenge at QuiltCon

I made my first trip to California for QuiltCon a couple weeks ago and this happened...Casting Shadows, my Michael Miller Our Yard Fabric Challenge placed 2nd!

It all started with this bundle I received back in August 2017.

Without a plan, I was instantly drawn to the stripe, thinking it would make a great binding. I also liked the Lime Tree Leaves in Robin.  I thought those little trees were cute too.

I had so many ideas for the challenge, I had a hard time choosing what I would make.  The months flew by and I had to make a decision as it was getting down to the wire.  Knowing I liked the stripe, I had ordered a half yard thinking I would use it for the binding from Morning Star Fabrics.  I ordered Cotton Couture in Ivory twice from Add Thread. 

I decided to use the Quick Curve Ruler once again.  But would my idea work?  After some careful measuring, cutting and piecing, I auditioned the pieced curved strips on the design wall for spacing.

Next, I auditioned itty bitty bias strips for placement.  Should I add a third strip, or leave it at two?  You can see I decided not to add the bias strips to the blue section.

I used every pin to secure the strip to the background before stitching.

After securing the striped strips, I zig zag stain stitched the blue in place and was ready to begin the quilting.  I used Aurifil 50 wt for the applique and the quilting.

Here you can see where I secured the strip to the background using the walking foot since the seam would be covered by the bias tape.  While the curved strip may look like a continuous strip, it was actually pieced.  The arrow indicates one of the seams.  And here, the quilting has begun.

The quilting is almost done, one more section to go.

Here it is all quilted and blocked.  You can see I left the right side intact as I had planned to add a curved edge and figured it would be more stable if I did not cut away the curves.  Nothing like making the challenge more complicated than it was already.

I first added the bias tape which I had done before.  I decided to use the Robin for the binding on the the left side and actually made it from a fat eighth.  In fact, all the blue was pieced and bound from fat eighths given to me from guild members.

I decided to change the binding color to match the curve.  I actually blindly cut the binding strips, pieced it to the orange and hoped for the best as the seam was so close to the corner, I couldn't actually turned the corner and then cut to size.  But it all worked out the first cut on both the top and bottom.

I saved the curved edge for last.  Here we go, let's hope for the best!  I pinned very carefully, not wanting to pull the bias binding too taut.

I carefully stitched using the walking foot.

I made the final join and then carefully trimmed away the excess.

I'm proud to say, the my challenge was made entirely from Michael Miller fabrics, right down to the hanging sleeve.  Remember this fabric from the Glitz challenge a couple years ago?  I thought I would never return to it again.

I was thrilled when Casting Shadows was juried in the show and even more ecstatic to learn it had placed 2nd in the challenge.

It's no secret, I love a challenge...here's my first Micheal Miller Spring Cotton Couture fabric challenge from 2015, After Dinner Mints, which also placed second and again, I used the Quick Curve Ruler.

And this is Barcelona, my Michael Miller Glitz fabric challenge from 2016.  Once again, I used the Quick Curve Ruler in an original design.

I tried to create depth with the white and ivory cotton couture and even tossed around the idea of naming it Hills and Valleys.  The judges' comments were:

• Good sense of horizontal and vertical movement
• Quilting compliments overall design
• All elements combine for a unified look

You can see all the award winning quilts from QuiltCon here.  You can see the Our Yard Challenge winners and other challenge quilts entries on the Michael Miller blog, Making It Fun, here.

I'm already thinking about the next challenge....

Quilt Stats

• Finished size: 35" x 49" 
• Pattern: Original design using the Quick Curve Ruler (affiliate link)
• Fabrics: Michael Miller prints and solids, Bright White, Ivory and Clementine
• Thread: Aurifil 50 wt. in Natural White 2021; Light Beige 2310 and Light Jade 1148 
• Quilting design: walking foot quilting using Bernina 153
• Batting: 100% Cotton Warm & White by the Warm Company
• Completed: November 2017

Linking to Finish It Up Friday with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts and TGIFF hosted this week by Sherry at Powered by Quilting.