Finished Quilt: FQS Layers of Charm

So a couple of months ago, Fat Quarter Shop contacted me to test/blog a new quick quilt of theirs – Layers of Charm. Yes, there was a frantic text to friends and a happy dance! Little ole me was going to get to participate in one of those big giant blog hops. Squee!!!

Warm quilt, cold snow and my in-laws wood pile… I’m sure there’s some kind of statement in here…

But then came the agonizing. What layer cake to use?? Do I buy something new and fun? Do I use something I have? At some point, I’m pretty sure my husband was ready to cut off my internet access as I kept sending him link after link after link, to see what he liked. As a good husband, his response was always “Whatever you like honey.” NOT HELPFUL!!!!

Figure eight quilting, but only on the prints!

In the end, I went with Social Club by Eric & Julie Comstock. Not too super old, but very me. And very little chance of someone else using the same line. See, that was my worry. With so many super popular lines out there, I didn’t want to do the same quilt as someone else. I guess that’s the little quilty rebel in me.

The back full shot. Lots of trees! And I love the solid strip that shows all the quilting.

There was one other slight hitch. The pattern, as written, finishes at about 58″ square. Not having children, and having a giant husband, 58″ square is just not too practical. So, I asked the nice people at FQS if I could add borders, or change up the pattern, and they said yes! (Hence, nice people :D) So I added a few borders, used up the few extra layer cake pieces. (And added one square from a different line of fabric. Can you spot the April Rosenthal fabric?)

I just love this shot 😀

I know I briefly mentioned before that my wonderful husband gave me a new Juki 2010Q for Christmas this year. And the day after I opened up the box, I started this quilt. So not only is it my first quilt for someone like FQS, but also my first quilt on my Juki!!! And boy does it do a great job – especially on the quilting! I really went to town on the quilting and just jumped in with ideas, without a second thought as to whether it was possible. And it’s so fast! I think I made the whole quilt in under two weeks (which for me, is INCREDIBLY fast!) Now it’s up to you to decide if the credit goes to a fabulously quick pattern, or a fabulous machine.

I just love woodgrain quilting. And those giant pebbles!!! Soooo much fun to do!

Just a few little spirals along the bottom.

If you’re looking for a quick quilt, Layers of Charm is definitely a great option. Even more for fabrics with large prints, like the alphabet print here. I would hate to loose some of those letters with tiny piecing. With the borders I added this finishes at about 58″ x 90″ which is a pretty good lap size. I would know too. It’s been heavily quality tested the last few weeks, and gets approval all the way around. Husband and feline approved.

This quilting was soooooo much fun to do!!!

Quick Stats:
Pattern: Layers of Charm by Fat Quarter Shop
Fabric: Social Club by Eric & Julie Comstock, Best Day Ever by April Rosenthal, Bella Chartreuse
Batting: Pellon Natural Touch
Backing: Roughing It by Laurie Wisbrun + scraps
Binding: An older Moda print from my LQS (which I’ve considered as a binding THREE times before, and finally made it happen!)
Size: 58″ x 90″

Just a peak of the back and the great striped binding