Rhonda Bracey: At Random

Despite its simplicity, this blue, grey, and purple quilt is quite dramatic. How to quilt it? I started by stitching in the ditch around all the main elements. Next, I stitched a curved matrix design in the all the dark square centres, and a large ‘u’ motif in the dark borders surrounding the light squares. I kept the border simple by just stitching a single line half an inch from the main quilt top.

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Threads used:

• Top: Floriani (40 wt, rayon, colour PF487)
• Bottom: Fil-Tec Magna Glide Classic pre-wound bobbin (lead gray)

This large scrappy strip quilt had such a busy combination of fabrics that an all-over motif that didn’t try to dominate the quilt was called for. I started by stitching in the ditch around all the main elements and borders, then did a floral version of my favourite ‘open headband’ motif, with a large meander in the main border. I used a variegated yellow and jade thread, which I thought blended in really well with all the colours in this quilt.

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Threads used:

• Top: Signature ‘St Thomas’ (40 wt, cotton, colour F151)
• Bottom: Fil-Tec Magna Glide Classic pre-wound bobbin (light tan)

This was a bright fun quilt, made up of quirky dogs and cats. I’m sure the child who receives it will love it!

How to quilt it? I started by stitching in the ditch around all the main elements. While I still had the green thread in the machine, I did the borders (ribbon candy motif) and sashing strips (a sine wave). Then I switched to black thread and outlined each block in each panel and the animals inside them.

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Threads used:

• Top: Robison-Anton ‘Ming’ (40 wt, rayon, colour 2322); Robison-Anton ‘Jet Black’ (40 wt, rayon, colour 2632)
• Bottom: Fil-Tec Magna Glide Classic pre-wound bobbin (light tan, black)

A big quilt — with seed packets as the fabric theme! After stitching in the ditch around the blocks, I stitched a large meander in the main border. In the small border, I continuously stitched the word ‘seed’. Finally, I stitched a spiral motif in the main quilt top, using a matching pink/watermelon coloured thread.

(Click on a photo to view it larger)

Threads used:

• Top: Fil-Tec Glide ‘Lipstick’ (40 wt, trilobal polyester, colour 91787)
• Bottom: Fil-Tec Magna Glide Classic pre-wound bobbin (candy apple red)