improv quilts

Moody Blues

January 8, 2021

One last quilt to show you this week. My Moody Blues quilt came to be with the help of a few quilting friends, unbeknownst to them. In early December, Katy showed this quilt on her blog, and I’ve been wanting to make one ever since. In the last part of December, Shelly (Prairie Moon Quilts) wrote a series of posts about organizing and cleaning our quilt rooms. You can see the before and after pictures of my dresser in this post. While I was cleaning and organizing, I came across the bundle of fabric used for this quilt, which was given to me by Kathleen (KathleenMcMusing) a while ago. Upon finding the bundle, I immediately thought of Katy’s quilt and decided it was time to make my own. 

Moody Blues - a small curved improv quilt using Marcia Derse fabrics - piecefulthoughts.com

All of the fabrics are from various lines of Marcia Derse fabric. The graphic nature of the Marcia Derse fabric appeals to me. I like how the prints interact with each other. It would be difficult for me to choose a favorite from this bundle, but I’m really liking that dotted fabric. 

Moody Blues quilt with view of the back - piecefulthoughts.com

The finished quilt measures 24 inches square, constructed of improv curved piecing. Four curved units are sewn together to create a 12.5 inch unfinished block. I made four blocks for this little wall hanging. I had to piece the fabric for the back, and I had just enough (I love it when that happens!).  

Moody Blues thread choices for quilting - piecefulthoughts.com

You know a good plan is coming together when you have the right thread in your stash for the quilting. The three on the right are Aurifil 50 wt Medium Blue Grey (#1310), Dark Antique Gold (#2372) and Dove Grey (#2600). The spool on the right is a light golden copper. I have no idea what brand it is (no name on the spool), or what the thread weight is. I’m pretty sure this was given to me since I usually buy Aurifil. Anyway, it worked really well in the quilt. 

Quilting detail on Moody Blues - piecefulthoughts.com
More quilting detail on Moody Blues - piecefulthoughts.com

For the quilting, I did my usual organic lines using the four different threads. To change things up a bit, I used different stitch lengths with some of the threads, and added some random diagonal stitches, just for fun. I used Hobbs 80/20 batting, and along with the quilting, it gives the quilt a nice weight. 

Moody Blues, wall hanging quilt made from Marcia Derse fabric - piecefulthoughts.com

Thanks, Kathleen, for sharing this fabric with me. Thank you, Katy and Shelly, for the inspiration. Quilty friends are the best! I couldn’t have made my Moody Blues quilt without you! 

Linking up today with: 

Wendy

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32 Comments

  • Sandra Walker
    January 8, 2021 at 6:36 am Reply

    I just love this quilt! It reminds me of a few, very similar, that I made using Karla Alexander’s stack a new deck book. They’re such fun! Absolutely in love with these fabrics from Kathleen too AND how you quilted it! Great post to read before I do my yoga.

  • Nancy Bekedam
    January 8, 2021 at 6:48 am Reply

    😍 Awesome finish, Wendy! I’m enamored with MD fabric now, too, thanks to you!!! Love that large print for the backing, too. The diagonal quilting adds a lot of fun! Where’s this one going to hang?

  • Cocoa Quilts
    January 8, 2021 at 7:31 am Reply

    Wendy this is beautiful. Colors that aren’t my first choice, but these are gorgeous. Adding the diagonal lines to the quilting is a great little bonus!

  • txquiltgal
    January 8, 2021 at 7:40 am Reply

    Oh I love this! I agree with you about the dots fabric, but they are all spectacular. Love the quilting with different threads and stitch lengths, I’ll have to give that a try.

  • karenfae
    January 8, 2021 at 7:55 am Reply

    I love it – and actually care for it more than the one that you say inspired you. The organic quilt is perfect for it but the colors really work in both the piecing and the quilting

  • Vicki in MN
    January 8, 2021 at 8:31 am Reply

    It may be your usual style of quilting, but organic straight lines are great for a lot of pieces and it was perfect for this one. You are just so good at improv, if I keep looking at your pieces maybe it will wear off on me!!

  • Kathleen McCormick
    January 8, 2021 at 9:30 am Reply

    I adore it! This is just so stunning and the quilting is perfect. The fabric went to the right person.

  • Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
    January 8, 2021 at 9:49 am Reply

    That is gorgeous, Wendy! The fabric line is really neat – I haven’t heard of that designer before and will have to go look at her fabric. I really love your quilting, too, with the different threads and colors! Do you have a special place to hang this one?

  • Cheree Hull
    January 8, 2021 at 10:11 am Reply

    I now have a multitude of Moody Blues songs going on in my head… Ha, yes, I love it when the things all match up like those threads. You can’t help but take a pic to share! I esp like the first close-up pic. Those are such beautiful colors and fabrics! (And snow, you sly dog, keeping all that snow to yourself. Send some down here!). Anyhoo, it’s beautiful. What’s the plan for it? I never thought of using different stitch lengths for variation! Brilliant!

  • Pat
    January 8, 2021 at 10:37 am Reply

    This is beautiful and your choice of fabrics is wonderful. Very aptly named Moody Blues. I love the look of organic straight line quilting and your choice of threads and quilting enhances this project. Thank you for sharing in my blog party. I am sew enjoying visiting the links. Sew inspiring … 🙂 Pat

  • rl2b2017
    January 8, 2021 at 10:45 am Reply

    Hi Wendy! LOVE everything about this piece. Those fabrics are just SO darn COOL. It’s an interesting color palette that you don’t see often together (or I don’t). All the different blues look so great with the different copper hues, and the graphic prints are nicely varied, too. Of course, the dots are my immediate favorite as they really pop out. Nice job! ~smile~ Roseanne

  • Rochelle Summers
    January 8, 2021 at 11:16 am Reply

    Wonderful that you found this fat quarter bundle buried on your dresser and were inspired by the work of other quilters to make your own beautiful wall hanging. Such a gorgeous bundle of fabric. The quilting is just right and I don’t know whether to be happy or sad for you that there are no leftovers.

  • KatieQ
    January 8, 2021 at 11:27 am Reply

    I absolutely adore this quilt. The quilting works perfectly with the circles. It’s wonderful when things come together. The Moody Blues have aged since I was a fan (luckily, I have not), but the quilt bearing their name looks fresh and modern.

  • The Joyful Quilter
    January 8, 2021 at 7:12 pm Reply

    I love Moody Blues (and your inspiration quilt, as well!!!) I’m not sure if I saw Katy’s quilt or another one like it, but I’ve been wanting to make one of these for quite some time. Good for you on going ahead and making your version!

  • Patricia Evans
    January 9, 2021 at 8:48 am Reply

    What a dynamic piece. I’ve heard of Marcia Derse and Wanda Hanson of Exuberant Color uses her fabrics a lot, but I’ve never seen her fabric in any of our shops. Simple , but elegant quilting.

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