This quilt has been in the works for a L O N G time. One of those quilts that I wanted to work on (because I was making it purely for me), but always got pushed to the bottom of the priority list. I cut out all the fabrics last fall and played with the layout for these half-square triangle blocks, but that’s as far as I got. The blocks resurfaced this summer and I started sewing them into rows, but it kept getting pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. Then in a one-night sewing binge at the Sewing Summit, I cranked this baby out – well, the rows anyway. Then some time to add some borders, get it quilted and she’s finally done!
Why do I bore you with all those details? Well, mainly because I do not want anyone under the misconception that I sit and whip out a quit in a weekend or two. The majority of the quilts that I make are L O N G, drawn-out works in progress. Just because they magically appear finished for a blog post doesn’t mean they are whipped up over night.
This quilt was all about playing with fabric and color. It started out with a couple of Freebird charm packs. (One of my all time favorite fabric collections. I used it in the big circles quilt too.) I didn’t have enough for a whole quilt, but the colors and prints played together so nicely with the abundance of American Jane fabrics in my stash as well as a few random Denyse Schmidt, Amy Butler, etc. prints. Also I have a thing for color spectrums. (I think it comes from visiting Purl Soho – the whole store is so pretty with everything organized by colors.) I tried a layout mixing the colors but everything looked muddy – putting the colors together made them sing. (Not literally, but you know what I mean.) I love it.
In total I cut 125 print 5″ x 5″ squares and 125 white 5″ x 5″ squares. I used my Accuquilt Cutter to cut all the half-square triangles at once (alternating with the white so that they are matched up and ready to sew) but you could also use this method to quickly piece your Half Square Triangles. I then used extra solid white to create the borders to give the illusion of the “floating” triangles.
What I’m not sure about is the triangles ‘bleeding’ into the borders. It was nice in theory, but the jury is still out about the final result.
The pieced back was born more of necessity – I didn’t have quite enough of this yardage for the back, but it’s always fun to come up with a solution right? And applying my goal of pulling from the stash only this is what came from it. The red floral is probably my favorite print from that good ol’ Freebird collection.
Binding again from the stash. The fabric is a stripe from a Christmas collection that I got on clearance one year. Not sure how I feel about this one either. The colors are perfect, but the stripe feels wide. I think it will grow on me. Maybe the floating triangles in the borders too. If not, then I can always cut off the borders and re-bind right?
It’s so satisfying to complete a quilt for myself that I love. Fun to look at every fabric and color and feel warm and fuzzy about each one. (I know, I’m a dork.) I cut all the HST (half-square triangles) with my Accuquilt Go cutter. Cut all those triangles SO fast.
Lee
Oh, how gorgeous! Amy, it's just perfect! I <i>love</i> the triangles bleeding into the border. And the colors are just so beautiful.<br /><br />I also appreciate your details on how long it took to make. I don't crank quilts out in a week either, that's for sure. : )
Erin
I really like it! I think the binding works and so do the little tringles in the border. It makes the design a little different. Great stash buster!
In Black and White
I think the triangles in the border were a great choice – punches the whole design up a notch.
B Greene
Another "yes" to the triangles in the border. Love it!
Melissa @ Happy Quilting
I love it Amy!!! And I also love the triangles in the border!! I bet it feels awesome to have this done. Nothing like finishing those old ones to put a smile on your face 🙂
bethanndodd
LOVE!! The color spectrum is so pretty to look at. I will be pinning this to my Quilt Love board and hopefullake something similar for myself one day 😉 Smiles~Beth<br />PS~It's so nice to hear that I am not the only one that doesn't make a week!
Addie
I love this! It's all so lovely! The triangles in the border and the binding make this unique, but that's why I like it! Great job!
Goddess in Progress
Looks wonderful! I like the "extra" triangles in the borders, but I can see how you would be unsure about them. I often feel like that if I take a kooky little risk in a quilt that I'm not 100% sure of.<br /><br />The other thing I sometimes struggle to remember is that not every quilt I make is going to be an absolute favorite. So if I've made a few in a row that I REALLY love,
KrisD
Love the color spectrum! The overall effect is beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Live a Colorful Life
This is a beautiful quilt. I really like that the triangles bleed into the borders. That is a very fun detail. It takes me forever to get a quilt done most of the time. It's nice to know that it's not just me…
Carol
Your quilt is so pretty. I like the triangles in the border, it gives the quilt some movement. I am a very slow quilter. I might start something today and not finish it for a year or two unless I am making it as a present. If it is a present I make a quilt very fast because I wait until the last minute.
chris
The color order is so pretty. I don't know why, but I always want to describe thing in order as yummy. And this quit is delicious.
Sandra (Cherry Heart)
I love that each fabric makes you feel warm and fuzzy, not dorkish at all in my book!!<br /><br />The quilt is beautiful, I love that red backing fabric too – gorgeous!<br /><br />S x
Token Asian Friend
Beautiful! I like the "bleeding triangles." I think that helps separate it from other HST quilts. and the rainbow is awesome.
Kiera
Really, really pretty Amy! Beautiful job!
Svetlana
Oh, so beautiful!!! I love everything about this quilt, fabric, layout, bleeding triangles, and the binding. It works together so well.
Amanda
I love everything about this quilt! Especially the bleeding triangles and the color spectrum!!!
Michele
Definitely swoon worthy!
Amber
So fun Amy!!! It's beautiful! I pinned it! Cute back too!<br /><br />Amber
Sew Create It - Jane
Fantastic! I love the colours and the triangles in the borders…gives it movement and a very modern feel!
Kristie
I LOVE the triangles in the borders Amy, it is unexpected and fun! The whole package is just perfect. But I know what you mean, sometimes after looking at it so long you start to second guess every part!<br /><br />I just loved seeing this top come together at Sewing Summit, and your HUGE smile in the wee hours of the night as you held up the finished product for us all to admire 🙂 Long
Julie in WA
I like the triangles popping out and the binding….sometimes quilts are too predictable, and this may fall into that category if you pull it apart.
Michele
I absolutely love, love, love this quilt. I wouldn't change a thing!
Michelle @ the quilted tortoise
Ooooooh, it's beeeautiful!!
Katy Cameron
Love the graduations through the spectrum and the errant triangles wandering off at the sides :oD It's always fab to make something just for you too :o)
Pamela Nees
Amy, this quilt is absolutely beautiful! Love the layout! You have done a great job!
Amy
I love, love, love this quilt! It's spectacular. I know you will have many hours snuggled under it.
Claire
That is just the most beautiful quilt – it is just perfect. Enjoy it with your family.
Rosa
such awesome quilt.I love everything in this quilt!
Georgia
I love the triangles that are escaping out into the edges of the quilt too. 🙂
Katy
I love it!
KatieQ
I love the triangles in the border. I'm glad you got to make something just for you.
Cindy
I love it!
leigh
I LOVE it! I may cut up some of my bigger scraps and do something similar . . .
Kara
The bleeding triangles are my FAVORITE!
Sherry
I LOVE this quilt. You did such an awesome job! I have quite a few charm packs & yardage of this fabric in my stash. Just not enough hours in the day!
Cindy
Amy, it's perfect!! Such a beautiful quilt and love, love,love the colors!! Has to bring a smile to your face!!:)
Sheila
Your quilt is so sweet. A KEEPER!
Claire Jain
This one's a winner! I fell in love with the binding in the first photo of the quilt. I also think the triangles in the border are a fun modern touch. Thanks for sharing this beautiful quilt!
rachel
Beautiful quilt! I love the triangles bleeding into the borders! Its one of my favorite parts! 🙂
Jenny
I very much like both the floating triangles and the binding. And the layout and fabrics!
rachel
Beautiful quilt! I love the triangles bleeding into the borders! Its one of my favorite parts! 🙂
Patty
Beautiful quilt, the color are great love the back. Enjoy it.
Judy Blinkenberg
This blog was very nice. I love the quilt and I aspire to make one too. I like the white. I think HST's are my favorite. Thank you for letting me know that I don't have to feel bad taking time to make quilts. Many blogs I follow make quilts every week. I guess I'm just slow. Thank you.
Kati
Love this Amy! I think the outer triangles are just perfect. Everything about the quilt and the color are great. So fun to see you today!!
Laura
Beautiful! Definitly inpsires me to make something like this, I love it. Pinned for the future! 🙂
QuiltyGirl
I love the triangles in the borders! Lovely quilt, enjoy!
Evelene S
I love it! Your first instincts were<br />right on the money with the bleeding triangles and the binding. It is beautiful!
Karen M
I love your quilt. I always love a scrappy look. IMHO-keep the triangles in the border. They really make this quilt stand out.
Cindy
Love it! First thing I noticed was how cool it looked with the triangles bleeding into the border!
Heidi Staples
This is absolutely beautiful. I love the color spectrum of this quilt!
Ann-Marie
this is such a great quilt! It was fun to see it in person 🙂
Nicole
Beautiful quilt! I like the triangles "bleeding" into the borders. And you came up with a great solution for the back. Simply lovely! Enjoy!
Maria
Simply lovely!!!
Emma
What a beautiful quilt! I love the binding – it really does bring the quilt together…and the pieced backing is one of my favorites I've seen. Such a simple but beautiful design. Congrats on finishing it!
Mev
I LOVE the floating triangles in the border! That, added with the fact that you grouped the colours, is my favourite.<br />It's a beautiful quilt!
Thimbleanna
It's beautiful Amy! I love how you've used the colors – very clever!
Elizabeth
It's absolutely beautiful and I wouldn't change a thing!
luciethehappyquilter
Gorgeous quilt.
Kim
I know EXACTLY how you feel about your fabrics, I feel the same about mine every time I open my cupboard doors. In fact, there are some fabrics I love sooo much, that I'm waiting for that 'special' project before I cut in to them!
My Health Journey
It is so lovely and well done. I do understand how long it can take to complete a quilt. My first few took forever. One of them several years. I have only recently started sewing more because I am retired. So, good on you girl! I love these fabrics too!
Elizabeth Dackson
Oh, wow, Amy, this is so gorgeous!!! I really do love how you added the triangles in the border, I think that's a really cool, unique touch. And the binding is awesome too, I really do think it will grow on you 🙂
Jennifer
That quilt is gorgeous! Being the beginner that I am, triangles make me really nervous. 🙂 Someday I'll tackle it. And I absolutely LOVE what you did on the back.
Carolyn J.
You're quilt is lovely….color, triangles, border, binding, backing, I love it all!<br /><br />Congrats on a great finish!
Leah
great work! Love it!
Briawna
i love spectrum quilts. i've had the color wheel bundle from purl soho on my wishlist for a few years. actually, i have to say that the first thing that drew me to this quilt were the floating triangles. it makes it a little less perfectly organized, which is cool. i love freebird, too. i have a couple charm packs that i've been hoarding. this might be a good place for them. beautiful
Naehtante
The quilt is gorgeous! <br />I am quilting my HST spectrum quilt at the moment, they turn out awsome! <br />Best wishes, Barbara
Leslie
i love those triangles in the border….it looks so fun. the colors and the back of this are amazing
Nanette Merrill
A finished quilt is a joy forever. Or very nearly. This one is lovely.
Kristen
This is beautiful! Is this the one you took to piece at the Summit? I love the border. Don't change it!! I might make one of these for my own. Love the color spectrum and those fabrics!!! And…if you ever want to get rid of them you know where to donate. 😉
linseed
That made me laugh – "warm and fuzzy about each one" – that's exactly how I feel about my fabrics!! Maybe that makes me a dork too?!
felicity
Well, I absolutely love the floaters. They freshen up an already-beautiful design. Thanks, too, for reminding us that quilts are usually a loooong time in the making. When you follow a lot of blogs like I do, you see a lot of finishes and it's easy to forget that they take time.
miamihoney
Super duper gorgeous! I love the rainbow, very happy quilt.
Lisa Ann
Wow, this quilt is perfect! I love the pattern and colors! And the triangles in the border is so nice.
Jessica PierreAuguste
This quilt is great! I love the triangles, the colors, and the triangles extending in to the border. Great use of scraps!
Dayna
Wow! And wow! 🙂
Susie at ProsperityStuff
Beautiful! I LOVE the "spectrum" look – you're right: the colors sing! Delightful! And, so satisfying to finish up a project for yourself after a long time. (I blogged about one like that today, too.) Now I want to make a spectrum quilt, too. Thanks for the beautiful inspiration!
Leanne
I really love this one, and I think the binding works really nicely.
notes of sincerity
Beautifully done Amy!! :o)
Holli
I love this quilt, I think I might make one like it. I have a million scraps I could use up. Beautiful.
Jean
This quilt is absolutely beautiful. And here's to you for making something for yourself. I am new to sewing and quilting and my list of to-do keeps growing thanks to my 8yr old (with none for me on the list). Love the floating triangles and the binding. It is perfect just the way it is!
daisy and jack
Love this quilt and the floating triangles – I also loved the zig zag layout you had them in a well – can you tell me the size of hst's you used ? thanks 🙂
Lisa C in GA.
Oh, Amy, the triangles in the border are – hands down – my favorite part. It looks wonderful!
Nini
I think you've been out voted on how much we all love the triangles in the borders, and the binding. I hope you don't take it down a notch at all, it's an inspiration to me the way it is.
Leah
totally gorgeous! awesome colors and love the use of white as well-
Kenden
I love this quilt. Which white fabric are you using? Do you have yardage specifications to share? Thanks!
Amy
Hi Kenden – I used Kona Snow for this quilt. It’s been so long since I made the quilt that I don’t have yardage specifications, but my rough guess is about 3 yards.
Shelley Rodgers
Hi, Amy. Here it is, 2023, a full 11 years (!!) after your original post. I wanted to let you know that I am very grateful that you kept your blog post available, as I made my own Half Square Spectrum top in an effort to deal with my over-flowing scrap bins. (Spoiler: there was no discernable dent in the amount of scraps). Thank you so very much for sharing your quilting journey!
Amy
OH, that’s fabulous. And I know the feeling – every time I think I’m making a dent in my scraps, it never shows.😆