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 11:08 am
    Permalink

    Pat makes these medallion quilts look so easy and inviting…just from the sneak peeks from the blog tour so far I’ve many ideas spinning around in my head. The question is for me….which medallion quilt will I make first?

  • May 2, 2012 at 11:08 am
    Permalink

    I’ve never made a medallion-style quilt but I’d love to try!

  • May 2, 2012 at 11:12 am
    Permalink

    I’ve made several medallion quilts and love them. Now I am getting into more challenging outer borders. Small steps in this gal’s journey, but steps after all.

  • May 2, 2012 at 11:15 am
    Permalink

    Love that “Antique Mist”! I’ve been wanting to make a scrappy king-size quilt with corals and aquas–this would be a great starting point.

  • May 2, 2012 at 11:25 am
    Permalink

    I haven’t made a medallion quilt, but I love the Antique Mist quilt in Pat’s book and am going to have to make it! Thanks for the chance to win!

  • May 2, 2012 at 11:29 am
    Permalink

    I’ve never made a medallion quilt, but I would certainly love to try one after seeing Pat’s book. Hope I win!! Thanks for the chance.

  • May 2, 2012 at 11:34 am
    Permalink

    No, I have never made a medallion style quilt. But it is about time. Pat’s book looks wonderful, thanks for a chance at winning a copy.

    PS Love the fabrics you put together.

  • May 2, 2012 at 11:36 am
    Permalink

    I’m new to quilting, so I haven’t made a medallion quilt yet. I love the scrappy quality of the extended borders on a couple of the quilts I’ve seen shared. What a creative way to practice piecing skills.

  • May 2, 2012 at 11:52 am
    Permalink

    This book looks amazing!! Thanks for the chance!

  • May 2, 2012 at 11:52 am
    Permalink

    I just finished the Pink Lemonade with applique center and have WIP that I’m gradually boardering around a pinwheel center. Love the ideas in this new book. Thank you for the preview.

  • May 2, 2012 at 12:01 pm
    Permalink

    A friend & I are doing a birthday round robin medallion. I sent her a center for her birthday & 6 months later on my birthday she sent it back with her round attached and her own center medallion. I have oth of them back now and I’m workin on rounds 4 & 5. So I’m always on the lookout for medallion quilts and ideas for what to add next.

  • May 2, 2012 at 12:02 pm
    Permalink

    oh my, lovely patterns. I’ve made several medallion quilts (i.e. an ‘almost Amish’ with 6 borders around a central circle of geese, Tales of First Ladies–2 sizes, from Eleanor Burns, working on quilts From eleanor’s Kitchen right now that is also a medallion)

  • May 2, 2012 at 12:11 pm
    Permalink

    I have never made a medallion quilt but I’m inspired now. I have several large blocks that would be perfect in a medallion setting. Thanks for the drawing.

  • May 2, 2012 at 12:21 pm
    Permalink

    I have made a medallion quilt and it had 5 rounds. It was a round robin quilt involving 5 other people. The medallion of each quilt was each person’s interpretation of a “house”. they all turned out fabulous.

  • May 2, 2012 at 12:30 pm
    Permalink

    I have never made a medallion quilt. It would be fun to try. This book seams to have so many wonderful ideas. Thanks for the chance to win.!

  • May 2, 2012 at 12:33 pm
    Permalink

    I have an appliqued Medallion quilt I’ve worked on for years….yep not finished yet. This book makes me want to make all of them….wow.

  • May 2, 2012 at 12:33 pm
    Permalink

    I’ve never made a medallion quilt but there would be no excuses not too if I win this book!

  • May 2, 2012 at 12:35 pm
    Permalink

    Really excited to find your site and have it bookmarked. I will be back1 Hope to win of course!

  • May 2, 2012 at 12:48 pm
    Permalink

    My small group is making progressive quilts now & they will each have 6 borders added. This book would be a great help in choosing borders to add.

  • May 2, 2012 at 12:48 pm
    Permalink

    Pat’s book is inspiring me to make a medallion center quilt, something that I haven’t done before. Antique Mist and Lagoon are two of Pat’s designs that I like. Thanks for the review as to how to take one of these designs and revamp using totally different fabrics that are not Christmas themed.

  • May 2, 2012 at 1:01 pm
    Permalink

    I have never made a medallion quilt and Pat’s book has changed my mind. I want to make the Lucky Charm quilt but not sure what colors I’ll do it in. I love her book and would love to win it. Enjoyed your blog!

  • May 2, 2012 at 1:12 pm
    Permalink

    I love medallion quilts. Then again, I love all quilts. I like the center section of Lucky Charms and could see it done in some rose print fabric that I have. Thanks for the chance to win Pat’s book!

  • May 2, 2012 at 1:20 pm
    Permalink

    I have some wonderful toile that I would love to use in a medallion quilt. This books looks interesting.

  • May 2, 2012 at 1:24 pm
    Permalink

    I made a small Medallion quilt as a quilt-along and really liked trying new techniques on each round. I’m with you on seeing the quick tricks in the book. I can make up patterns on EQ, it’s the tricks that make the pattern/book worth buying. Thanks for being on the Blog Tour.

  • May 2, 2012 at 1:24 pm
    Permalink

    I am certainly inspired to make a medallion quilt after seeing some examples from the book. I really hope I win! Thank you.

  • May 2, 2012 at 1:32 pm
    Permalink

    I have made a medallion style quilt when I did a round robin with an on line group. It had 4 rounds. I like quite a few of the ones I have seen in Pats book.
    Betty

  • May 2, 2012 at 1:42 pm
    Permalink

    I have never made a medallion quilt but I think they are beautiful. I’ve admired them ever since I saw Jinny Beyer’s “Ray of Light”.
    I agree, I want a book that gives me hints and the best way to piece units like flying geese.

  • May 2, 2012 at 1:42 pm
    Permalink

    You certainly aren’t alone about the quick tricks being included. [I think they are saved for classes…(wink).] When I think of medallion quilts my first thoughts are of Round Robin Exchanges which I enjoy participating in. Your ideas for your first medallion quilt sound great. Thanks for a chance to win Pat’s book. Sandi

  • May 2, 2012 at 1:45 pm
    Permalink

    I’ve never made a medallion quilt before. I’d love to give it a shot. she sure makes it look easy!

  • May 2, 2012 at 1:55 pm
    Permalink

    The Lucky Charm Quilt is a favorite of mine of the ones I have seen out of Pat’s book. I do like Christmas Quilts but would like to see your version for some reason I am not getting the picture just a small red x.

  • May 2, 2012 at 1:58 pm
    Permalink

    I have not made a medallion style quilt, but Pat’s look very tempting. Thanks for the giveaway.

  • May 2, 2012 at 2:03 pm
    Permalink

    I have not made a true medallion quilt before, but I think I need too : )

  • May 2, 2012 at 2:06 pm
    Permalink

    I have not made a medallion quilt but am now encouraged after seing Pat’s new book pictures. Oh, my, so many beautiful projects–I’m going to have to get real busy. Thanks for a chance to win Pat’s new quilt book.

  • May 2, 2012 at 2:16 pm
    Permalink

    No, I haven’t made a medallion. From the sneak peek, I think I’m missing out. Love, love the flower and your choice of fabric.
    Thanks for a chance to win Pat’s new book.

  • May 2, 2012 at 2:17 pm
    Permalink

    I don’t think I have made a medallion quilt before though a mariner’s compass block I made became one in a round robin I did with my quilt group. Thanks for hosting on the tour. This looks like a great book.

  • May 2, 2012 at 2:18 pm
    Permalink

    I have never made a medallion quilt, even though I have quilted for about 20 years! So would be fun to try?? Thanks for a chance to win!

  • May 2, 2012 at 2:29 pm
    Permalink

    I’m definitely motivated to try out a medallion style quilt. These beauties look amazing.

  • May 2, 2012 at 2:35 pm
    Permalink

    I’ve never made a medallion quilt although I’ve always liked them. This book looks like true temptation to go down that road. Thanks

  • May 2, 2012 at 2:37 pm
    Permalink

    I would love to have this book. I made the Lucky Charm center when Pat did it on her blog a couple of christmas’s ago. It is beautiful. I would like to do the alternate now with all the borders.
    I agree with you about some authors not using fast piecing methods. I am doing The Farmer’s Wife and couldn’t believe she had templates for each little piece.

  • May 2, 2012 at 2:39 pm
    Permalink

    I have made medallion style quilts before and really like the look. Didn’t know this new book was out there–will have to look for it.

  • May 2, 2012 at 2:44 pm
    Permalink

    I haven’t made a medallion quilt yet…I have so many on my to-do list. Pat’s book looks great and inspires me to create one.

  • May 2, 2012 at 2:53 pm
    Permalink

    I am very inspired to make “Antique Mist.” Love it!

  • May 2, 2012 at 3:00 pm
    Permalink

    Oooooh I love that medallion style quilt! I have made one but that had applique in the middle, then geese and several other borders. I love them and thanks for sharing a few of the book with us.

  • May 2, 2012 at 3:01 pm
    Permalink

    I have never made a medallion quilt but Pat’s quilts are so interesting it’s going on the list!

  • May 2, 2012 at 3:04 pm
    Permalink

    I recently finished a medallion quilt. The center was applique and the blocks around it were different pieced blocks. I just love it. The Lucky Charms pattern looks great!

  • May 2, 2012 at 3:05 pm
    Permalink

    I have–as a round robin with 6 rounds.

  • May 2, 2012 at 3:15 pm
    Permalink

    I’ve never made a medallion quilt, but I think that I would like to try one. This quilt is beautiful. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of this book.

  • May 2, 2012 at 3:17 pm
    Permalink

    I have not made medallion quilt, it’s on my quilt-experience bucket list. Thank you for the opportunity to win!

  • May 2, 2012 at 3:21 pm
    Permalink

    Ive never mad a medallion style quilt but this book may change that.

Comments are closed.