Signal Trace
Signal Trace is a pattern released by Quilting Jetgirl last September. Around that time, I purchased a fat quarter bundle of Storyboard fabrics by Seth Apter for FreeSpirit Fabrics, and when I saw Signal Trace, I wanted to use the pattern with the Storyboard fabrics.
I decided to make the baby size version of Signal Trace (48″ x 48″). Once I had selected which fabrics from the bundle I was going to use, I chose the accent fabrics. After rejecting a bright turquoise, and a low volume white, I decided to go with golds and oranges. You can see in this photo that I had pulled some Grunge fabrics in those colors, but in the end I changed it up a bit and opted for a variety of golds and oranges from my stash that I thought would work with the Storyboard fabrics (which was more difficult than I thought it would be!).
Yvonne’s patterns are so well done. She is very clear in her instructions, and uses the best methods to get the optimum use from fabrics for the design. After reading through the instructions, and noting how to layout the fat quarter for cutting, I promptly cut the first fat quarter wrong. So, I used what I could from that cut and set it aside; I would figure out a fix after the rest of the cutting was done. I pulled out the second fat quarter and promptly started cutting that one wrong – ever had days like this?? – but I caught myself in time and was able to adjust and cut it correctly. I’m glad I hadn’t decided to stack and cut the fat quarters! The rest of the cutting went fine. To fix the first miscut, I used one of the other fat quarters I had rejected in my initial pull. I can tell you exactly where those blocks are, but it’s pretty hard to see them!
Once I began putting the blocks together, it went really quickly. Before I knew it, I had them up on my design wall, ready to be sewn into a top.
Look closely – can you see it? I had it up on the wall for a couple of days and didn’t even notice. Hubs walked in and noticed it right away. I was relieved I hadn’t sewn the top together yet!
The Storyboard fabric is very graphic; all the fabrics in the bundle play together really well. However, I found it a bit difficult to photograph. Here’s a view closer to my design wall, which shows the fabrics a little better.
I was delighted at how well those intersections lined up as I was piecing the top together. It didn’t take long before the top was complete.
With so much going on with those Storyboard fabrics, I’ll keep the quilting simple. I haven’t settled on a quilting design yet, but I’m looking forward to finishing it.
This was such a fun pattern to make, and the Storyboard fabrics were so unique and interesting to play with. It has such a different look from Yvonne’s version, and I haven’t decided if I like it yet but it’s growing on me. I’m already thinking of other fabric combinations for another version!
Wendy
SAHRR Border 6
27 Comments
Katherine Duquette
Wendy, this one is knock your socks off too cool. Your selection of the Storyboard fabrics makes the piece look very industrial and sort of Bauhaus style. I really like this one and have fun deciding how to finish it.
Barbara J Stanbro
I saw it, but only because you made me look. Love how these fabrics came together. I like Katherine’s use of the word “industrial.” It spoke of a ruggedness to me. Very interesting pattern.
Laura Kate
I like those fabrics too. They stimulate the imagination for me.
J Mur
Love it, Wendy!! Best of luck with the quilting.
Cocoa Quilts
Wendy I would have never decided on that fabric bundle for this quilt. It is beautiful. I love the “industrial” (I’ll steal that from Katherine’s note) look. Great choice of golds and oranges! So very different than Yvonne’s quilt, but fabulous. Looking forward to seeing your quilting.
texasquiltgal
This is wonderful! I love Yvonne’s pattern, and the fabric reminds me of Tim Holtz fabrics. And of course – Grunge!! Perfect choices all around. As for cutting? I was there yesterday. Got some fabric in for a quilt and the very first cut was off by 1/4 inch. I said some choice words, maybe similar to yours? 😉
Kathleen McCormick
This is stunning. I love that pattern and I love the fabrics you choose! I am glad you were able to make it work with the miscut. It will eventually fade into the background…trust me. Excited to see it all done (in the fullness of time of course).
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
Such a fun pattern and I really like the fabrics. Very different and I love the pop of orange. I’m glad you were able to make the miscut work out. Been there, done that! LOL
karenfae
that fabric was perfect for that design
The Morning Latte
I agree with the simple quilting. Those fabrics have so much interest you could kind of stare at them for hours. And I find them rather relaxing. I’m not usually a wall quilt person but I think this would be great in a reading room. Very unique and fascinating. Glad hubby caught the oops!
Vicki in MN
Like Jan said, I wouldn’t have picked these fabrics, but you had a vision and it came together awesomely!! I had to search for the wrong one.
Bernie
WOW! I love this Wendy. The fabric is so perfect – has an edgy look to it. It is just fantastic. As said above, it is the sort of quilt I would be able to look at for a long while to see all that the fabric offers. So cool.
Tracie
The close up photo really shows off how cool the fabrics are! You did a great job piecing this. Those diagonals would intimidate me. Will you hang this on a wall or use it in a table or gift it?
marissthequilter
Wow!!! A strikingly bold piece. I love the richness of it. I can see why you had a bit of trouble with the storyboard (book?) blocks initially. But you certainly made them talk!
I did spot the mistake — probably because I did the same thing with a triangle in a recent quilt.
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
The Storyboard fabrics have a lot going on, but as you said, they work so very well together. The oranges are the perfect compliment and great catch on the bottom left corner block rotation. It’s such a treat to get to see your version of Signal Trace!
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
That is such an interesting bundle of fabric – I want to look at it up close and in person! I love the oranges and golds you pulled for the accent fabrics, too – they add a lot to the design. I’ll look forward to seeing how you quilt this – it’s going to be beautiful!
Quilting is in my Blood
I love how this turned out! It has such an artsy feel to it!
Heather Blair Pregger
Beautiful fabrics and a fabulous quilt! I love it!
rmgsummers413a14ca5a
What fun! And LOL about cutting the fabric. So glad you persevered. It is a beautiful quilt and I think the fabric lends itself to this pattern. I love the golds and oranges you used for the strips. Your hubby has a great eye. Congratulations on a beautiful quilt!
TextileRanger
I saw it, but I really had to look and look!
I think you made spectacular use of that Storyboard fabric; you picked a pattern that really shows it off!
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Cute pairing of prints and pattern, Wendy!!! And of course you chose orange for an accent!!!
Helen
You’ve given me my brainwork for the day. I searched and searched. Finally, on the one-last-look I saw it.
Laura
Love this fabric bundle, Wendy! You made good use of it! Oh, yes, I have had days like those! 🙂
laura bruno lilly
This is warm, inviting, invigorating and stimulates cozy creativeness IMHO. I understand the mentioned reference to ‘industrial’ but that implies too much dreary coldness for my taste…but I cannot offer a name to this. This ‘style’ composed of the pattern and fabric choices you put together is like combining peanut butter and chocolate into Reese’s Peanut Butter cups. Each good separately, but WOWzer when combined!
A++++++
Zenia Rene
This quilt is perfection Wendy! Dazzling!
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
Those storyboard fabrics are incredible – so much to look at! I love the way you’ve used your golds and oranges to bring them all together. This really is a stunning quilt 🙂
Kate
Oooh, your version of Signal Chase turned out so cool! I was thinking it would look too busy, but those fabrics worked wonderfully.