246. Italia

Most years, we met our friends, Ingrid and Russel, at the coast in fall. One year, Ingrid showed me this photo she had taken of some tile in Italy. She thought I could maybe use it as quilt inspiration. She was right about that! Robert Kaufman had just come out with a lot of new solid colors and I had a fat quarter bundle. I chose the brightest and began making blocks.

This was a project I took to many, many quilting retreats. When I was bored with whatever other project I had brought along, I would make one or two of these blocks. There were times that I did not think I would ever complete this quilt.

I love the way the blocks form a secondary design--a fun surprise. I decided it needed a black border to tone down the bright colors, and I extended one of the circles into the corner. 

I had been waiting to use this Tula Pink dripping roses print, and the bright colors are just perfect for this quilt.

I found the most perfect stripe in my stash for the binding.

We drove around downtown trying to find a suitable mural. I had seen pictures of this hummingbird, but the fence got in the way. And besides, it was too small. 

We drove around some more, and serendipitously found this one. Absolutely perfect!

Quilt Name: Italia

Quilt Design: Original (based on old Italian tile)

Made by: Cindy Wiens

Quilted by: Darby Myers

Mural Artist: Jorge Guillen

Completed: 2023

Size: 60" x 72"