I’m so excited. Today is my day to share on Christa Watson’s blog tour for her new book Piece and Quilt with Precuts.
I chose to make the arrows quilt a bit smaller than the one on the book. I left two rows off the side and a row off the bottom so my quilt ended up being 66″ x 72″. I used 7 fat quarters from Alison Glass 2015 & 2016 Sun Print collections and about 4 yards of various Grunge whites for the background. Even after making the arrows, I still had enough of the fat quarters to make a scrappy binding.
yes I laid on the grass to take this picture
The quilt was super quick to cut and piece. I think I have no more than 5 hours total in making the quilt top. Quilting it was another story. I chose to quilt it the same way Christa quilted hers – with free motion arrows and cursive L’s. I had not tried either before so I decided this was a great time to learn something new. The instructions provided in the book were very clear and made learning these two new forms very simple.
Look! The points match! A little bit of extra work, but so worth it in the long run
Her book mentions that both free motion designs are fairly intense so she suggests doing short sessions at a time. I would agree. The maximum time I could sit and quilt the arrows was 45-60 minutes. And even though the L’s seemed easier to quilt to me, I could only keep the motion going for about 20 min before they started looking funky. In total it took me about 10-12 hours to quilt the entire thing on my domestic machine.
I backed the quilt with this fabulous Allison Glass print from her Ex Libris collection that perfectly matches the front. So three different Alison Glass collections in one quilt and they all go together like they were meant to be. It also shows some of the quilting.
GIVEAWAY CLOSED. MaryD is the winner ** GIVEAWAY #1 ** I’m giving away an electronic copy of Christa’s new book here on my blog courtesy of Martingale Publishing. Just leave a comment telling me your favorite quilt from Christa’s new book, and if you have a private account be sure to leave your email as well. Giveaway open through August 31.
Or you can buy a copy of Chrita’s book from her shop. Trust me You’ll love it.
GIVEAWAY CLOSED ** GIVEAWAY #2 ** On my Instagram account, I’ll be giving away a fat-quarter bundle of the Allison Glass prints that I used for the arrows. Check out my Instagram feed for info on how to win. I am @monkeyneedle.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that you need to check out the other great bloggers that have participated in this fun blog hop. A full list is below.
FRIDAY AUGUST 18 – SQUIGGLES
Kathy Bruckman Blog: Kathy’s Kwilts and More IG: @kathyskwiltsandmore
Kate Colleran Blog: Seams Like a Dream IG: @seamslikeadreamquilts
Sharon Parcel Blog: Yellow Cat Quilt Designs IG: @punkydoodle53
Click here to see Christa’s version of Squiggles.
SATURDAY AUGUST 19 – GRIDWORK
Sandy Maxfield Blog: Sandy Star Designs IG: @sandystardesigns
Joanne Harris Blog: Quilts by Joanne IG: @turtlequilterjo
Teresa Mairal-Barreu Blog Sewn Up: IG: @teresadownunder
Click here to see Christa’s version of Gridwork
MONDAY AUGUST 21 – FREQUENCY
Nancy Scott Blog: Masterpiece Quilting IG: @masterpiecequilting
Martingale’s Blog: Stitch This! IG: @martingaletpp
Lorinda Davis Blog: Laurel Poppy & Pine IG: @laurelpoppyandpine
Click here to see Christa’s version of Frequency
TUESDAY AUGUST 22 – S.W.A.K.
Sherry Shish Blog: Powered by Quilting IG: @poweredbyquilting
Michelle Bartholomew Blog: Michelle Bartholomew IG: @michellebartholomew
Allison Dutton Blog: Allison Sews IG: @allisonsews
Click here to see Christa’s version of S.W.A.K.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23 – STARSTRUCK
Lissa LaGreca Blog: Lovingly Lissa IG: @lovinglylissa
Sherri Noel Blog: Rebecca Mae Designs IG: @rebeccamaedesigns
Sandra Healy Blog: Sandra Healy Designs IG: @sandrahealydesigns
Click here to see Christa’s version of Starstruck
THURSDAY AUGUST 24 – DOT’N’DASH
Laura Piland Blog: Slice of Pi Quilts IG: @sliceofpiquilts
Cheryl Brickey Blog: Meadow Mist Designs IG: @meadowmistdesigns
Jen Frost Blog: Faith and Fabric IG: @faithandfabric
Click here to see Christa’s version of Dot’n’Dash
FRIDAY AUGUST 25 – TWINKLING DIAMONDS
Jessee Maloney Blog: Art School Dropout IG: @jessee_artschooldropout
Jessica Caldwell Blog: Desert Bloom Quilting IG: @desertbloomquilting
Anjeanette Klinder Blog: Anjeanette Klinder IG: @anjeanetteklinder
Click here to see Christa’s version of Twinkling Diamonds
SATURDAY AUGUST 26 – WINDOWS
Terri Vanden Bosch Blog: Meanderings Along Lizard Creek IG: @lizardcreekquilter
Suzy Webster Blog: Webster Quilt IG: @websterquilt
Katie Joy Church Blog: Wild Prairie Studio IG: @katie_joyquilts
Click here to see Christa’s version of Windows
MONDAY AUGUST 28 – KITES
Pam Cobb Blog: The Stitch TV Show IG: @thestitchtvshow
Jen Rosin Blog: A Dream and a Stitch: IG: @adreamandastitch
Rashida Khanbhai Blog: No. 3 Quilt Studio IG: @no3quiltstudio
Click here to see Christa’s version of Kites
TUESDAY AUGUST 29 – ARROWS
Lynn Kline Blog: Monkey Needle IG: @monkeyneedle
Kathy Bruckman Blog: Kathy’s Kwilts and More IG: @kathyskwiltsandmore
WEDNESDAY AUG 30 – SPOOLS
Jen Shaffer Blog: Patterns by Jen IG: @patternsbyjen
Sandra Starley Blog: Textile Time Travels IG: @textiletimetravels
Thanks for visiting!
Monkey Needle 
I’ve always been very fond of the arrows quilt, but the amount the quilting required in the background kind of scares me! Thanks for the closeups of your beautiful quilting.
Although the quilting wasn’t hard, it was time consuming. You could always choose to do a less dense quilting for this quilt that would take less time. Even Christa’s squiggles lines would look great on this quilt and they would be easy to do
I love ALL the quilts so far, but my favorite is Kites!
Love your fabric choices. Isn’t Allison Glass awesome? My fave quilt from this book is Dots ‘N Dashes, although so many are exciting.
Allison Glass fabric is great. So bright and bold. Thanks for visiting. I agree that so many of the quilts are exciting. I even have a few more favorites since the blog hop
I love gridwork!
Oh I love gridwork too. It has a great modern feel to it. Thanks for visiting
What lovely fabric! I think my favorite from the book is Kites.
Kites seems to be a favorite of many. Hope you find time to make it.
Arrows is now my favourite. I love your quilt.
Awww thank you. I love the arrows quilt too. And so happy it’s finished now because the past several nights it has been really cool here so I have been snuggling up under it.
I love “Starstruck” and “S.W.A.K.” but there are so many good patterns in this book that I’m just going to have to buy it! Your quilting is amazing (yes, intense!), and who wouldn’t fall for such beautiful fabrics by Alison Glass 🙂
I love Christa’s table runner version of S.W.A.K. I think I could do enough half-square triangle to make that. Several years ago I made a quilt with 1600 half-square triangles, so I’m certainly not in a hurry to make many more of t
Love your quilting on this arrows quilt. I think Twinkling Diamonds is my favorite so far
Thanks! Even though the quilting was intense, I love the texture it gave the quilt.
Your quilt is beautiful! Thanks for sharing, and thanks for hosting the giveaways. My favorite quilt from Christa’s book is Dot’n-Dash — I love the movement, and how simple but interesting the pattern is!
Lynn, I love everything about your wonderful Arrows quilt!!
(And your quilting is beautiful!)
*Each day* of this hop has given me a *new favorite* quilt from Christa’s book!
… And today is no different!
Today, your Arrows quilt is my favorite! (I just can’t resist the colors and fabrics that you chose!… SO perfect!)
Thank you for sharing your process… I really appreciate that!
Pat T.
Thanks Pat! You’re so sweet. I certainly have new favorites from the blog hop too
Lynn, I love everything about your wonderful Arrows quilt!!
(And your quilting is beautiful!)
*Each day* of this hop has given me a *new favorite* quilt from Christa’s book!
… And today is no different!
Today, your Arrows quilt is my favorite! (I just can’t resist the colors and fabrics that you chose!… SO perfect!)
Thank you for sharing your process… I really appreciate that!
Pat T.
Great job! I love your quilting and that backing fabric! Thanks for sharing. My favorite so far is Starstruck.
Thanks! I love how the quilting turned out. Thanks for visiting
Your quilt is beautiful. I love the texture from your quilting. It is hard to pick a favorite. I’d have to say it might be kites.
I love the texture from the quilting as well. It was so worth the time that it took. Thanks for visiting.
I love your quilt and the fabrics. I am really liking Arrows, however Starstruck and S.W.A.K. are still my favorites.
All great quilts! It’s so hard to pick a fabric. Hope you enjoyed the blog hop
Love, love your quilt with the awesome Allison Glass fabrics!!! My favorite quilt from Christa’s book continues to be Twinkling Diamonds.
oh, thank you! I think the Alison Glass prints were a perfect fit for the bright arrows. Thanks for visiting.
I like the Arrows Quilt! Very plain and simple. ndfromsd(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I agree. It was also a lot of fun to make.
My favorite is Windows! The
You’re the first to mention Windows. Yes, that is a great quilt! thanks for visiting
I’ve liked so many of them! Both Christa’s versions and the bloggers’ versions have been inspiring! If I have to pick one favorite, I’ll say Starstruck.
I love starstruck too. I just think that would be a great quilt to snuggle on the couch with.
Although I love your Arrow quilt, the one I am most drawn to is “Starstruck”, guess I am just a fanatic about stars.
Starstruck is one of my favorites as well
ARROWS ARE NEAT! THANKS FOR SHARING!
Arrows are neat! And they were fun to make. Thanks for visiting
Your quilt turned out beautiful. I hope one day I’ll be confident to take on the quilting like you did! My favorite quilt in the book is S.W.A.K.
Thanks Diane! Try the quilting. It’s not as hard as it looks and you’ll be surprised at how much easier it gets with practice.
It’s difficult to choose just one but I think Gridwork is top of my list
Gridwork is great! Such a modern yet simple quilt. Thanks for visiting
My favorite changes almost daily but Swuiggles remain at or near the top!
I love the movement in squiggles. Thanks for visiting.
Great job on both the quilt and quilting.
Thanks! This was a fun quilt to make
I really like your choice of fabrics in the arrow quilt. My favorite at the moment is the Dot N Dash using jelly rolls. Thanks for sharing.
Jelly rolls do make it easy to make a quilt. Dot n Dash is such a fun quilt. Thanks for visiting.
I love arrows!
I love arrows too. It was such a fun quilt to make. Thanks for visiting.
My favorite quilt is Starstruck but I love your Arrows quilt.
Thanks for the love. I love Starstruck too. I definitely have other on my list to make
I liked Starstruck the best, but I’ve always loved stars. These arrows would be a good boy’s quilt pattern. Thanks for showing.
Great idea! The arrows would make a great boy’s quilt. I would probably pick a different fabric for the back though.
I haven’t been able to pick a favorite yet. Have loved them all. =) Thank you for the giveaway!
I love all the quilts too! Thanks for visiting.
I like several of the quilts, dot dash is great, but gridwork is also…Love them all!
It’s hard to pick a favorite isn’t it? Thanks for visiting.
Every day it seems lik I have a new favorite. Arrows is the favorite today.
Thanks Sue. It is hard to pick a favorite. They are all so great in their own way.
Arrows is my new fav from Christa’s book, and I love your version of it.
Thanks Glenna. I do love how the arrows quilt turned out. It was a lot of fun to make. I think mainly because it was so quick to cut and piece.
I’m tossed on 2: Starstruck and Gridwork. That background filler on your Arrows is perfect for this quilt!
those are two of my favorites as well. It was so hard to pick which one to make.
Your background of grunge whites looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing how many hours it took you to quilt and to take breaks.
Gridwork, star struck, dots and dashes…
djcutting2(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks. I didn’t get a much color variation from the grunge whites in the picture as I had hoped, but I still love it. Thanks for visiting.
Arrows is actually my favorite.
Thank you! It was a great quilt to make. You should make one when you get a chance
I really like this one but maybe Squiggles is my favorite so far. Sorry no IG account so can’t follow you there.
Squiggles is a great quilt as well. Thanks for visiting.
Your quilt turned out great! My favorite quilt from Christs book has been Frequecy… it uses lots of strips, which I have plenty of !! Thanks for sharing the giveaway!
Oh, you’re the first to say that Frequency was your favorite. I have a ton a strips too. I just used a bunch in a scrappy log cabin quilt that I did (see my blog posts from June & July) but I have a ton more strips to use. Frequency would be a great quilt for them.
I really like Arrows – and your use of Alison Glass is perfect! (one of my fav designers!!)
Thank you! The Alison Glass prints were fun to work with. They are so bright.
Great quilt. I like the quilt with the spools.
Oh, I love spools too. I love how scrappy it is
I favor “Dots’N’Dashes” for an quick and easy strip quilt for those lonely jelly rolls waiting their turn.
Haha, sounds like you might have quite a jelly roll stash. Yes, I think the dots’n’dashes would put them to good use.
Love your colors-Allison Glass fabric backing is perfect! I love Frequency as my favorite! Thank you for sharing, Susan
Thanks for visiting Susan! This was such a great blog hop. Hope you had fun
Your quilt is beautiful-great quilting!
My favorite pattern is Starstruck…Kites is a close second :).
Thanks! I’m glad I stuck with the quilting even though it was kind of time consuming. I love how it turned out
Gridwork is my favorite quilt from Christa’s book.
Gridwork is a great quilt. I love it too! Thanks for visiting
I like the Rainbow Spools!
I love how scrappy the spools are even though they could be made without being so scrappy. Thanks for visiting
I love your quilt. I have never used Allison Glass fabrics before, so, I am heading over to your IG page. You did an awesome job.
Thanks Kathy! This was a fun blog hop. I hope you enjoyed it.
This turned out so fabulous! I love it!!
Awww thanks Christa! It was such a fun quilt to make. Thanks for the fun blog hop!
L really like the Arrow quilt and the fabrics you chose!
Thank you Allison! The fabrics were fun to sew with
What a lovely setting for such a pretty quilt. I do not have a favourite of the quilts in the book. I like all of them. 🙂
I know. It’s so hard to pick a favorite. Thanks for visiting.
It’s a draw between dots and dashes and kites, so far. Thanks for the look at this one. The prints are very nice, so full of color.
All such great quilts! Thanks for visiting
Twinkling Diamonds was my favourite but I like Arrows might be now!!
Well that didn’t make sense!! I meant to say that I think Arrows might be my favourite now!!
LOL. I understood what you meant. It’s so hard to pick a favorite isn’t it?