Here Comes the Sun Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to my stop on the "Here Comes the Sun" blog hop. This hop is hosted by Carol of Just Let Me Quilt and our brief was "sew something that has a summer theme like sunglasses, beach items, sunny skies, and/or yellow colours. It can be a quilt, a bag, a toy, or whatever you want it to be".


As I'm currently working on my Sunny Joy Quilt, I thought I'd make a fun sunny cushion with four blocks using Island Batik fabrics. These fabrics are from the Lace & Grace fabric range, which I used to create my row by row challenge quilt "Around the Garden", back in February.


I chose these fabric prints/colours because my Aurifil Artisan June challenge was to create a project using  thread from the Artisan Welcome Pack which we received last month. 


I didn't use all of the spools of thread, but I did have a red hot go at them. Firstly I used my favourite 50wt thread in an off-white colour #6722 to piece the blocks and add a 2" border.


Next I added a layer of batting to the back and used the monofilament thread to stitch in all of the ditches. Honestly, I've only ever really used monofilament thread a couple of times for raw edge applique, but it's fantastic for ditch stitching.


I used the deliciously sweet pink 50wt thread #2479 to spiral quilt the centre section of the "sun".  Again #50wt variegated citrus toned thread #4657 to quilt some long thin zig-zags in the orange rays. The dark green rays were also quilted using long thin zig-zags using 40wt thread #5023 which is a dark olive green.


In the lime green corner rays, I quilted an arrow using 28wt thread in colour #1147. I'd never quilted with 28wt thread but definitely want to try it some more in future - it's a beautiful cotton thread with a lovely sheen and it certainly shows up and adds extra sparkle. 

 
I finished off the white section by quilting some straight lines  and then adding some big stitch hand quilting within the machine sewn stitches. For this hand stitching, I used my favourite big stitching thread - the Aurifil 12wt thread - the colour was white #2024.


This was a fun project to work on and I've another cushion for my lounge (because we all know that we always need more cushions on the lounge). 

Head on over and visit my blog hop mates to see what sunny projects they've created.

33 comments

  1. That is gorgeous a bright spot in the day

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  2. This is an absolutely beautiful piece. I love it when something on the small side makes such a big statement by the way it is quilted. Wonderful detail.

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  3. This is a beautiful piece Anorina. It will make a terrific addition to any spot you have.

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  4. Beautiful colorful cushion! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  5. I really liked it as just a block, and love it as a pillow!

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  6. very colorful and bright - like the great use of all those colors of thread

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  7. Beautiful cushion! You nailed it with those fabulous fabrics and colors.

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  8. Everything about this pillow is beautiful, including the stitching. I love it! The fabrics are so bright and happy, which makes this perfect for our sunny hop. Thank you for sharing this gorgeous pillow with us!

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  9. I really like the texture that you get through the quilting. This is such a happy cushion. X

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  10. I knew this was going to be your sun project when I saw you quilting the center on Instagram, Anorina. The quilting really makes this cushion pop! Love the bright batiks and the sun rays.

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  11. I love it and the quilting you chose for each area just seems perfect!

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  12. That is a great pillow!!
    all the colors definitely are sunny and happy!

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  13. Love your pillow and all the quilting with the different thread colors, types,including the hand quilting just make it fabulous

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  14. Beautiful project! Your quilting makes it shine. Thank you for sharing.

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  15. Your pillow is really sunny and bright. Those fabrics are so vivid.

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  16. when i saw this pattern on your blog, i know myself and would never be able to fit in a quilt of it and would have to go for a pillow. i am hoping i will be able to make a scrappy version and come up with something i can like and not compare it with your excellence. thank you

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  17. A very bright and beautiful cushion.

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  18. A lovely reminder of warmer weather to come. Just looking at it makes me feel warm and cosy.

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  19. Anorina, like all of the other comments here
    well, this cushion is amazingly beautiful
    I adore these fabrics so much!! Your new block is terrific too.
    You are incredibly inspiring

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  20. Your cushion is beautiful. The colors work well together and remind me of the sun. Thanks for sharing another fun way to use a great quilt block pattern.

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  21. I saw your progression on IG and I think I even saved one of your post as a reminder to try circle quilting! I love your pillow. It's beautiful!

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  22. Another wonderful pillow! It will look great with your collection!

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  23. Beautiful! Love all the quilting!

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  24. I think this cushion/pillow is marvelous. Loved how you explained the fabric you used and the thread and which colors were used where. The quilting is inspiring. Thank you.

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  25. Anorina your cushion added some sunshine to my life today! So bright and cheerful. Love the quilting on it. 😉

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  26. What a fun project! Love the colors and the quilting :) xx

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  27. very creative and pretty...aurifil 28 wt for hand quilting is my #1 choice...

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  28. You are so clever making cushions. Your quilting is beautiful as are those wonderful colours. Another lovely project.

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  29. Your cushion is the perfect project for a Sunny bloghop. All the quilting details adds a lovely extra dimension. I bet it looks great in your cushion line up on your lounge.

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  30. I love your Sunny quilt.. have looked thru all of your posts and have not seen anything about the pattern itself. Is it a pattern to buy? I would love to have it. Just discovered your blog thru another site.. not even sure where.. the "black hole" of the internet..lol.

    Sue DeMasellis

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