Project QUILTING - Season 12 - Challenge 4

Snail's Trail

This week's Project QUILTING challenge is the fourth for the season and the fourth that I've come up with a way to participate.  The challenge was released on Sunday afternoon.

By the time I finished reading the prompt, I had this week's design concept in mind and later got it down on paper fabric:

Will you come alongside me in this creative journey?  It's a wild ride, but oh SEW rewarding!  I'm dragging my friend LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color along this season.  She ROCKED the third challenge!  You can see it HERE.

Challenges are given and start to finish you have ONE WEEK to complete your project.  PQ 12.4 can be found at this LINK.

Step One...

Read the instructions to see what is required of the forth challenge.  Here's what Trish had to say:

This week, let’s do a block-based challenge. I’d like you all to explore the very traditional snail’s trail quilt block.

It’s a block with a simple start: a humble four-patch block. Then you add a lot of movement and drama with just a few triangles. You can complete it in two fabrics, or add a whole bunch. Use it alone or try it in tandem with other blocks.

Plus, it’s a block that always looks harder than it is – which is a fun way to make quilts!

I like to start by checking to see what quilt historian Barbara Brackman has to say about a traditional block and its evolution. (link: http://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/2011/08/snails-trail.html)

But that’s just a start. I can’t wait to see where you take this challenge: What does this shape stir up in your imagination?

Step Two...

When I finally read the rules for this challenge, I focused on the words INSPIRED BY.

Why, Joyful???

Well, I just happen to have had an idea right when I read the challenge title.  My idea WAS inspired by the Snail's Trail block, but it didn't (really) include an actual Snail's Trail block.

Step Three...

Gather supplies:

Step Four...

Review the rules:

RULE 1:

Your project must be inspired by the snail’s trail quilt block.

RULE 2:

You have one week to meet the challenge. Every challenge piece must be a FINISHED project seen through from INCEPTION to COMPLETION during the challenge timeline – that is, started on or after February 14, 2021, and posted by noon Central February 21st, 2021. Please only link up ONE completed project. It’s awesome if you make more than one but choose just ONE to link up below.

RULE 3:

Each piece must stand alone as DONE to count toward prizes.

RULE 4:

Your project does not need to be a traditional quilt, but must meet at least one of these requirements: include patchwork, include appliqué, have 3 layers stitched together by hand or machine.

RULE 5:

Incomplete or unfinished does not qualify. Every challenge piece must be a FINISHED project seen through from INCEPTION to COMPLETION during the challenge timeline.

RULE 6:

To qualify to win prizes, link up at the bottom of THIS PAGE by Sunday, February 21st at noon CST (here’s a link to time zone converter to calculate for Central Standard Time: www.thetimezoneconverter.com)

• Add to the linky the URL of your project’s blog post, public instagram picture, or public facebook posting.  This post – How to Link Up a Link Up may help  you. Please only link up ONE time!
• Alternately, by 11:45 am on Sunday, February 21st you may email a picture and description to {lapaceksorchard@gmail.com} with PROJECT QUILTING in the subject line. Yes – that deadline is earlier because it requires more work for Kim.

Step Five... PLAY!!!

My glimmer of an idea needed some expansion.  And a firm design plan.  Or did it???

Here is an in-depth look at the construction process...

(Scroll down to the bottom of the post NOW, if you don't have time to basically watch me make my quilt.)

I started out with a stack of fabric out of the recent scrap infusion from Selina @ Selina Quilts sent:

I grabbed the "snail-ish" scrap and made a 4-Patch for the center of my design, but neglected to take a photo at that stage of the game:

After that, I laid down some scraps to continue the "trail"...

... And my trusty new Karen K. Buckley scissors (Thank you, Carol @ Just Let Me Quilt!) came out to play:

Ultimately...

I ended up with this quilt top, which I quilted through batting during the applique process.  The thread tails still need to be buried:

Once that was done, I was ready to choose a backing from my large chunk scrap bin and not too far down, I found this square that didn't end out working in my Rainbow Picnic Sew-Along quilt - way back in the summer of 2017:

 

With 24 hours remaining until the deadline, I still needed to make, apply and stitch down the binding (made from more of Selina's scraps):

Just less than 23 hours until the deadline, I present my completed entry for PQ 12.4, displayed on the Gallery Wire in my studio:

7.5" x 8.5"

There is usually a reason that I participate in these challenges...

... And this time, it's because Project QUILTING has become a habit.  I wasn't thrilled about a traditional block being the prompt for this week's challenge, but I wasn't ready to give up on participation!  I found a way to make the prompt work for me by using free form cutting and raw-edge applique.

There you have it...

Process, product, and the REAL reason for accepting this Challenge.

Follow THIS LINK to the Season 12 overview.  Check back on the Challenge release days (or sign-up to be notified automatically) and there may be one that YOU just can't resist.

It's a SHORT turnaround time!

Depending on the size and complexity of your project, that doesn't HAVE to be insurmountable.  With a little creativity and a few evenings, you really CAN do this!  (The design for...) My project was begun shortly after the prompt was announce but was finished with less than 24 hours until the deadline.

Until next time...

Challenge accepted!!!

Remember:  If I can do this, YOU can do it, too!

(Plus, there's a spot to post your completed Project QUILTING inspired projects AFTER the deadline for any of the challenges.)