Kite Festival Modern Quilt // Finished Modern Quilt
I'm happy to be sharing this finished Kite Festival Quilt with you. I started this quilt, ahem, 73 weeks ago. I know that because I scrolled through my instagram feed (@swimbikequilt) to see when I first started it, which happened to coincide with finding out my sister was pregnant. She had a boy, so I put it away again. I only worked on it during random DC Modern Quilt Guild meetings, and have been teased at the sheer length of time it has taken me to finish it. Deservedly so. You can read more about the inspiration and name in a post from last May.
I actually finished it because DC Modern is holding an upcoming quilt show at the Anacostia Arts Center. The show is going to be fantastic, I really think you should come if you are in the area. I needed a reason to finish it up, and knew submitting it to the show could be that reason. I didn't expect it to get in (and it didnt. This one did instead) but I'm still grateful for the impetus to finish it. I love the wavy line quilting I did with my walking foot. It reminds me of kite tails in the wind.
The front was made with a variety of prints from Field Study by Anna Maria Horner. I used a ton (15?) different neutrals in the background, and added a few leftover Field Study pieces to the front. There is a lot that I like about this quilt, and a lot that I would do differently, including taking out the really dark gray background pieces. It went together like a puzzle--I have an idea in my head for keeping the random feel without the frustration of putting together a ton of pieces that aren't even close to the same size!
I do love the back. I used up a variety of my leftover solids and Field Study pieces. And I learned that if I actually pin baste precisely, I can get the back to be straight with no problems! I actually made the back a few months ago when I was thinking about The Other Side of the Quilt. The linky party is still going on if you have any quilt backs you would like to add, or need some inspiration!
Happy quilting. And good luck finishing any works in progress, if you are at all like me! I have a few more to tackle and share in the next few weeks.