This will be my final finish of 2020! I had a beach photoshoot in mind but it will have to wait for a foot of snow to melt and the temperature to rise above freezing. In the meantime, let me share this snowstorm shot.

Quilt Stats:

• Finished quilt measures 56″ x 60″
• This is my original paper pieced block design that I may turn into a pattern in the new year.
• The quilt is made from 4 Art Gallery Pure Solids.
• The quilting is done in Aurifil 40 weight color 2800 on my domestic machine.

When I designed this quilt, I didn’t set out to design a quilt featuring gulls. Instead, I began with an improvisationally designed paper pieced block, and following the design techniques that I explain in my Improv Paper Piecing book and class by the same name, arrived at this design. Through the design process, color palette, and color placement, it began to look like seagulls flying over the ocean at sunset. So, that’s how it got its name.

I love finding just the right backing fabrics for each quilt that I make. I looked for something with an ocean vibe for this quilt and this Malibu print by Heather Ross is just perfect!

I tried something new for the quilting. I stitched 1/2″ vertical lines and then created two different V shaped swaths on the quilt using the gull shape to form the original V. I quilted the V with 40 weight Aurifil thread with lines spaced 1/2″ apart, tapering to 1/4″ apart, and returning to 1/2″ apart through the major V. The other V, at the top of the quilt moves from the 1/4″ spacing to 1/2″ spacing.

I really love the bold, graphic look of this quilt. I look forward to sharing more pictures once I get them!