Long projects make the best finishes! What a pleasure it is to see all the bits and pieces of this patchwork sampler dancing together as one. May I present my second Pas de Deux quilt - this time in pretty Sugar Plum shades.

It all began as this fabric pull, featuring an abundance of peach and purple, plus highlights of petrol blue, gold and coral red.

In the end, the quilt is less saturated than my fabric pull implied. I used creamy florals to create visual space and favored the lighter shades throughout.

I find the effect both joyful and sparkly! The dark value elements jump out, while the medium and low value elements offer layers of pattern to explore as the eye continues to wander.

One of my favorite bits is here at the bottom. I enjoy the way that the Hourglass patchwork connects with its surroundings. The coral fabrics emerge as a darker version of peach and the dark purple fabrics visually connect the dark Orange Peel group and the dark star from the Still Point group. I like the interwoven impression that makes.

Once again I’ve quilted my Pas de Deux quilt with an all-over design. This time I used Sparkle, which has pointy and soft elements, just like the patchwork itself. All-over quilting confers a gentle sense of unity to this dynamic quilt sampler. I opted for a medium-high density to ensure that the patchwork is adequately reinforced for long and happy snuggling.

The quilting creates a beautiful texture that really shows off on the simple quilt back!

For binding, I’ve used this dainty floral by Karen Lewis. It’s the softest lavender, a fitting frame for such a sugar sweet quilt.

When I created this quilt I didn’t hold back. I reached for the colors and fabrics that delighted me the very, very most. When I make a quilt in this way, it becomes a little time capsule of my heart. Then, when I sell it, it feels like giving a piece of myself away, but in a sense that is not vulnerable or painful, but rather expansive. As if I can say, “Here is beauty, here is love, here is my spirit!” and know that that offerring will be appreciated and enjoyed in a way that makes the world a slightly better place.

This Sugar Plum quilt is listed now in my Handmades shop. Thank you for supporting my art and letting me share my heart here. I can never express how grateful I am.

love always,

Rachel