Focus on the Center

I’m thrilled to be participating in Pat Sloan’s Focus on the Center Book Tour. There are 10 quilters participating in the tour this week and we each have two copies of Focus on the Center to give-away to our lucky readers. See below to enter my give-away and for the links to the other participants.

Plus, visit Pat’s blog as she’s asked each of us some fun questions and her publisher’s blog too:


Focus on the Center features seven medallion-style quilts. Confession, I have never made a medallion-style quilt before, but I’m really tempted by this one called Lucky Charms:

Lucky Charms

I just adore the scrappy-ness of this quilt and the unique on-point borders around the center appliqué followed by rectangular borders. There’s lots of interest in this quilt! It finishes at 61″ square, but you could easily make it larger or smaller by adding more borders or removing some. I also love that it has flying geese .. I really need a quilt with lots of flying geese for myself.

I’m not really big on making Christmas quilts that only get enjoyed for a month, so I would do the alternate center that’s included in the book for this quilt, here it is:

alternate

For the center appliqué, I’d use solid white and then scraps of my other fabrics. I’ll also continue the white into the large half square triangles/flying geese units around the appliqué. Here are my fabrics:

printed-fabrics

yardage-fabrics

black-white-prints

The colourful fat quarters and yardage prints are Treasures and Tidbits by Piece O’ Cake Designs for Robert Kaufman fabrics. The black and white prints are a fat quarter bundle put together by Jodie of Fort Worth Fabric Studio.

The red yardage will be used similar to how Pat used red in her sample: inner thin border and triangles around the white appliqué, for the wider border around the entire on-point layout and for the binding.

For the green used in the sample, i.e. the setting triangles in the center and for the flying geese sky units, I’ll use the black and white prints. I’ll alternate between black on white vs. white on black prints for the flying geese sky units. It’ll still be very scrappy, but the black and white will add some calm to the wild colours in the prints… I think! The prints will be used for the flying geese body units, the two scrappy outer borders and the rectangles inside the on-point layout.

Can you picture it?? I really wish I had time right now to start something new as this quilt is calling me! Maybe later in the summer.

See that fabulous yellow flowered print beside the red one above, well I have a few yards of it and there will be enough fabrics left over from the above quilt to make a coordinating one.

I love this one from the book, Antique Mist, and would use that flowered print in place of the large blue aqua flower print that Pat used for the middle border. Black and white prints would replace the pinks and the coloured fabrics would be used in place of the off whites. Not sure if I’ll have quite enough red yardage for the pink striped borders, but if not, a solid from my stash would work well too. This medallion quilt finishes at 57″ square.

Antique Mist

One of the things I love about Pat’s book, is that she’s included quick piecing methods such as making four flying geese units from squares of fabric.

tutorial

I find when I’m browsing new books at the local quilt shop, I’m disappointed when I see authors not using the quicker methods we’ve all come to love from quilting tutorials from our blogging friends. Please tell me I’m not alone in this!


Give-Away

I have two copies of Pat’s Focus on the Center book to give-away. Leave a comment below answering:

Have you ever made a medallion-style quilt? If so, how many rounds did it have? If not, are you encouraged to do one now after seeing a few from Pat’s book?

Winners will be randomly chosen on May 7th.

Be sure to visit the other quilts in the tour too and enter their give-aways:

Tuesday

249 thoughts on “Pat Sloan’s: Focus on the Center Blog Tour

  • May 2, 2012 at 5:46 am
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    I have been planning a medallion quilt for some time. I have been collecting fabrics from the Paula Barnes range Greystone and others that play nicely. Pats book might just be what i need to begin.

  • May 2, 2012 at 5:49 am
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    I have never made a medallion quilt but after seeing so many wonderful quilts I think I’m gonna try. Specially if I win that great book.

  • May 2, 2012 at 5:53 am
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    I have always adored medallion quilts but have never ventured into making one. With Pat’s book, I may just have to revisit that adventure!

  • May 2, 2012 at 5:54 am
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    You picked the same quilts that I chose on Bonnie’s blog to do! I have done a medallion quilt years ago..think it had 7 rounds..in reds and blacks with touches of purples. Loved it and like the looks of pats book.

  • May 2, 2012 at 6:01 am
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    I have not made a medallion style quilt. But after seeing this book I may just have to try it with an orphan applique block I have sitting around. I love seeing that Pat’s book has the quick piecing tricks in it. That’s a great plus.

  • May 2, 2012 at 6:19 am
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    I have never done one … but I have been playing with the thought for some time – I just need the right “push” to actually do it. So the book could do the trick.

  • May 2, 2012 at 6:22 am
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    I’ve made a bunch of medallion-type quilts. Usually I’ll have a large center block that might be applique or a complicated paper pieced block. Then I’ll surround it with pieced blocks. I don’t know that it has “rounds” but it does feature a block in the center. It’s a great way to use a block that takes a long time to make and you only want to make one!

  • May 2, 2012 at 6:30 am
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    I have made several and I enjoy working from the ‘center out’. Would enjoy this book, too, I’m sure!

  • May 2, 2012 at 6:31 am
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    I’ve made one medallion style quilt. It was for a border workshop & had 3 rounds. Thanks for the chance to win this great new book.

  • May 2, 2012 at 6:44 am
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    I have always loved medallion quilts, but have been intimidated by them. But it is definitely on my bucket list to make one- someday!

  • May 2, 2012 at 6:47 am
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    Bonnie sent me! I also love Pats Antique Mist pattern…I must have the book, I have never seen that flying goose shortcut! genious! I will be subscribing to your blog, cant wait to see more

  • May 2, 2012 at 6:49 am
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    I have never made a medallion quilt.I would be willing to give it a try :)

  • May 2, 2012 at 6:53 am
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    I have never made a medallion quilt, but now I am definitely going to try one. The patterns in this book are beautiful.

  • May 2, 2012 at 7:05 am
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    Medallion style quilt… No. But I have made Lucky charms minus the Flying geese part. I can really see this as a bigger quilt and totally scrappy! Just might have to do it again when I win one of her books ;-) Thank you for the giveaway!

  • May 2, 2012 at 7:19 am
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    Here’s the thing (giggle), I have my first ever needle turn piece that would make a wonderful medallion center…. I think this book is my answer to that ! Definitely inspired to finish that piece now !

    Thanks for sharing.
    Karen

  • May 2, 2012 at 7:21 am
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    I’ve only done one medallion style quilt, as part of a round robin. Pat’s quilts are really interesting and I could see trying one or two or three of them!

  • May 2, 2012 at 7:32 am
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    No, haven’t made one yet.

    Yes, seeing Antique Mist and lucky Charms gives me to believe they are not too difficult to sew! I could make one of each of those patterns.

  • May 2, 2012 at 7:36 am
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    WOW I love that fabric combination… you rock!!! Thank you for being on my book tour!!!

  • May 2, 2012 at 7:36 am
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    I’ve never made a medallion style quilt before either, I did not know they were called that today!

  • May 2, 2012 at 7:48 am
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    I can’t believe you are making me admit to all the quilting world I have not made a medallion quilt yet, but yes I am definitely interested in these. I love Antique Mist and the colour way she used and the pieced medallion…everything about it speaks to me. Hope I win!

  • May 2, 2012 at 8:04 am
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    I’ve never made a medallion style quilt….yet… I think it would be fun to do it as a round robin…

    Thanks for a chance to win a copy of her book..I own other Pat Sloan books..they are all so well done..

  • May 2, 2012 at 8:12 am
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    Hve not made a medallion quilt- am a novice self taught quilter wiht les than a year’s experience! Love Antique Mist- think it would be quite challenging.

  • May 2, 2012 at 8:22 am
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    I’ve made several medallion style quilts; the last one was done with a black toile fabric; red and cream center star, and rounds of diamonds and a ribbon border…..designed it myself so I was pretty proud (but hard to get those borders to even out when you’re doing your own math!)

  • May 2, 2012 at 8:27 am
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    There may be a Medallion Quilt in my future. Love the new book.

  • May 2, 2012 at 8:27 am
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    I love medallion quilts! There are a few in this book that I would just love to make. Hope I win!!!
    \

  • May 2, 2012 at 8:44 am
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    I have never made a medallion quilt but I’m willing to change that!!! Thanks for the chance to win this great book!

  • May 2, 2012 at 8:49 am
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    I made a small medallion quilt and then I’ve also done a round robin. Both were fun to do.

  • May 2, 2012 at 8:49 am
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    Oh my gosh how great …. OK, well I started a medallion when I was a brand new quilter (5 yrs now)… I stopped after the 3rd round and made it a table topper. I just didn’t feel I was getting it right. It was a huge challenge for a new quilter ( I didn’t even have the terminology down at that time) so everything was a big learning curve. I am absolutely going to have to have this book, so I can try again. My local quilt shop will be getting a call from me to have them order it.

  • May 2, 2012 at 9:00 am
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    I have never made a medallion quilt but am tempted by Lucky Charm. I love the idea of using black and white maybe with a touch of red.

  • May 2, 2012 at 9:04 am
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    Looks like a wonderful book. I’ve never made a medallion quilt, but it would be fun to do. I do mostly blocks with sashing strips. Lots of fun in this book, that is definite.

  • May 2, 2012 at 9:10 am
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    Looks a great book.I`ve made a medallion 8point star topper to my mother in blues ,white,yellow fabrics and I`d love make a big size quilt.Thanks!1

  • May 2, 2012 at 9:14 am
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    I made one medallion quilt a few years back. It was with a group of ladies on a retreat. A few of us revised the center with our own choice because the original pattern’s center was so heavy looking. It was centered surrounded by sampler blocks of the same color value. If I had to do it today much would be changed. Amazing how we change and grow. This looks very airy and light, very pleasing to look at.

  • May 2, 2012 at 9:21 am
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    i’ve never made one, but i’m motivated now!

  • May 2, 2012 at 9:34 am
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    I’ve made a few medallion style quilts. I can’t remember how many rounds each had but I know the quilts finished at around 50″ square. I love Antique Mist. Thanks for the chance.

  • May 2, 2012 at 9:39 am
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    yes i am currently quilting a medallion style quilt, a large center quilted motif surrounded by amish pinwheel blocks…and i agree, i love that lucky charms quilt! i could use up some of my christmas fabric stash on that!

  • May 2, 2012 at 9:42 am
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    I like your version of the center block.
    I have made a medallion quilt. I believe mine had 4 rounds. I like doing them.

  • May 2, 2012 at 10:07 am
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    I have never made a medallion quilt…but I would love to try and this one is CALLING MY NAME!! Thanks for the chance to win this book!! Can you hear it…Paulette…Paulette…Paulette…?
    :o) Paulette

  • May 2, 2012 at 10:13 am
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    I love Antique Mist, too. And I see it in the near future since it looks like a good project to break down into sections. I think I would make it a little larger, maybe one more border. Guess I should check the stash and hope I win!!

  • May 2, 2012 at 10:17 am
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    I have never made a medallion quilt. Looks very cool and intriguing. :-)

  • May 2, 2012 at 10:28 am
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    I have never made a medallion quilt but I would love to try. They seem very intriguing. Thank you.

    sandyb720 at gmail dot com

  • May 2, 2012 at 10:29 am
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    Since I’m still fairly new to quilting, I’ve never made one. But after seeing some quilts from this book I’m inspired to give it a try! Thanks for the opportunity to win such a great book!!! :o)

  • May 2, 2012 at 10:32 am
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    Would definitely try a medallion quilt if I won this book!

  • May 2, 2012 at 10:35 am
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    I am just finishing off my first medallion style quilt! The medallion is a sashed tumbler, 11×12 blocks, then there’s a border of split drunkard’s path stars, with drunkard’s path owl blocks in the four corners.

    I love the effect of the medallion style quilts.. definitely something I’d do again!

  • May 2, 2012 at 10:45 am
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    Wow love your Ideas> I can’t wait to get a copy of this book.

  • May 2, 2012 at 10:54 am
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    I have been thinking of making one, this book is inspiring

  • May 2, 2012 at 10:58 am
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    I have only made one medallion quilt – Jinny Beyer’s Around the World. It is gorgeous and I have been telling myself I need to make more of this style. This book would definitely give me the jump start to make it!

  • May 2, 2012 at 10:58 am
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    I love this book from what I have seen going to the different blogs. Would love to win it. I like your choice of colors. I agree with you on the Christmas quilts, I do have a wall hanging that I use every Christmas that I would like to keep up all year, but, well, you know.

  • May 2, 2012 at 11:04 am
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    I have never made a medallion quilt before, but now I feel like that should be my next big project!! Thanks for the preview and the chance to win!

  • May 2, 2012 at 11:07 am
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    I love the lucky charms medalian quilt, alway wanted to make one. I need one for a king size bed, big job. Thanks.

Comments are closed.