Today it’s time to share the fourth quilt that’s presented in my book Piece and Quilt with Precuts. Here’s, “S.W.A.K.” featuring a colorful X+O themed design. This is the last quilt in the first section of the book that’s all walking-foot quilted. Of course you can mix and match any of the pieced and quilted designs in the book, and there’s tons of options for you to choose from!
S.W.A.K Photography courtesy of Martingale/That Patchwork Place and Brent Kane.
Piece It
Of course if you look closely, you’ll see that this quilt is constructed entirely from one of my favorite units – the half-square triangle (or HST for short). I could literally design a book full of quilts based on this versatile building block!
The trick that makes this design work is the color placement of the blocks. The pattern actually includes two sizes for the quilt. You can start with fresh fabrics, or you can do what I did and use leftovers from another quilt in the book (coming up later on the hop). Whichever way you choose to make it, I’m sure you’ll have as much fun with it as I did!
For the thread, I chose a shade of blue from my Aurifil Piece and Quilt Collection It’s just the right shade that blends into all of the fabrics, but you can still see it on the navy print. The stitches sink in nicely to the quilt because I’m using one of my favorite battings from Hobbs – 80/20 cotton/poly.
See the end of the post below for a fabulous batting giveaway!
Quilt It
In each of my books so far, I’ve taught different ways to quilt spirals with your walking foot (or dual feed). For S.W.A.K. I figured out how to quilt a continuous square spiral. The secret is to count your stitches when you quilt the starting square! Of course I go into a much more detailed explanation in the book and include plenty of diagrams and closeup photography so you can follow along. I also include which fabrics and precuts I chose, along with which batting and thread I used for each quilt. I wanted you to have all the details for each quilt!
More S.W.A.K inspiration
Check out the amazing color options below. Head to each blog to read more about their fabric and quilting choices and be on the lookout for more giveaways! Whether you like to piece, or quilt, or both, we’ve got you covered with loads of inspiration!
Michelle Bartholomew
Who says you have to make the quilt exactly as shown in the book? I love how Michelle Bartholomew made fewer blocks and turned them into this lovely table runner. And her straight line quilting adds incredible texture to the piece. Visit her blog to see more stunning pics and read what she has to say about her version of S.W.A.K.
If you plan to attend at QuiltCon next year, you’ll definitely want to take her photography workshop. Isn’t her picture so fab?? I always admire those who can style and shoot a beautiful beautiful image!
Sherry Shish – Powered by quilting
Sherry from Powered by Quilting chose stunning black, white and gray prints with a pop of blue and red. Here’s a bonus tip: If you want to skip all the triangle trimming, you can, as long as all of your blocks are the same size. It will make your quilt slightly bigger but since it’s made from the same unit throughout, they’ll all fit together.
If you do choose to trim, here’s any idea on what to do with the waste: stuff them all into a pillowcase. When it’s full, simply stitch the end closed and donate it to an animal shelter to use as a pet bed. It’s an eco-friendly way to recycle even the tiniest of scraps!
Didn’t Sherry do such a fantastic job with her version of S.W.A.K? The color scheme gives it a sort of modern patriotic vibe and she did an amazing job with her quilting! Head over to Sherry’s blog to see more gorgeous pics and read about her interaction with the book.
Allison Dutton – Allison Sews
As you can see by all of these examples including Allison from Allison Sews, this is such a fun design to make from your favorite scraps or coordinated precut bundle!
Look at all that yummy texture!!
I’ve enjoyed watching Allison share her in-progress videos on Instagram. Now you can pop over to her blog to see how she chose to quilt this beauty, along with her fabulous finish!
Today’s Gift – Win Batting from Hobbs
In the book I made nearly each quilt from a different batting so I could try them out, and I listed which batting was used so you can try them out, too. My #1 piece of advice when choosing batting is to use a different batting on your next few quilts and see which ones you like best!
My preference is for natural fiber battings and I love that Hobbs offers such a wide assortment. Today’s lucky winner will receive a Hobbs batting of your choice, so you can experiment, too!
Natural fiber battings cling to the quilt, helping you to prevent shifting and puckers!
To enter, leave me a comment on this blog post letting me know how you prefer to buy batting – do you like to get it by the yard, in pre-sized packages, by the bolt, or some other way? I’m curious to know! This giveaway is open to all, and a winner will be chosen at the end of the hop.
If you haven’t yet purchased your copy of Piece and Quilt with Precuts,
I have a fresh box of them waiting to ship, and I’m happy to sign one for you!
Update: Winner Selected and Comments Closed
Congrats to Peggy P. who has been notified via email.
Christa Quilts 
I always have a roll of Hobbs 80/20 on hand. I have tried others but it provides the best results.
I but it in packages…easier to buy, transport and available at my local quilt shop! Loving the quilts!
I like buying pre-sized packages. So I know that I have the right size and I don’t have to do any cutting or piecing.
I buy it by the package an only once a full bolt. Storage is my problem when I buy the full bolt. I like your idea about trying different batting, I’ll give it a try.
I buy prepackaged but would buy by-the-bolt if I had the room!
My plans are always to buy the batting by the yard if I can find it on sale. Since I really don’t make traditional size quilts would never know which size to use. this way I can cut to what I need and then use the rest to stuff pillows or make mug rugs
Because one of my favorite quilt shops has batting I prefer by the yard, that is how I now buy it…I think it saves by having less odd pieces left over.
I prefer to buy it from a bolt, typically at JoAnn’s when it is on sale.
It is nice and flat when it is from a bolt.
I have never bought batting on a roll so I don’t know if that would be preferred or not! I have 10 quilts to quilt so any batting would be awesome!!! I love Hobbs !!!
I have always bought my batting in the bag but I think I’m going to buy it by the roll. I end up with so much batting left each time that I usually give to a dog rescue group who make dog beds out of it .
Love Hobbs batting, too! I usually purchase it by the package, but if I had room, I’d buy it by the bolt to save some money over the long term.
I would love to be able to buy a bolt of batting. I quilt mostly bedsized quilts and it sure would come in handy. I really hadn’t thought about it until I read some of the comments here so will have to look around and really appreciate your reviews on batting. Love this pattern btw.
I usually buy Warm and White by the yard, but would love to try Hobbs. This is a beautiful quilt! Thanks for the great giveaway!
I usually buy by the yard a good amount at a time! I have purchased a whole 40yd bolt before, but it was a beast to store. Now I will buy 3-6 yards at a time. I do buy king size in a package as some brands package an oversize King, which gives me more flexibility. I will buy packaged queen size when the price is better than by the yard. It also makes it easier to store. I guess my answer is I buy whatever works best for me at the moment!
I purchase my batting by the coupon! Ha!!! I’ve tried a few different ones out and Warm and White is my current go to, especially after a 70% off per yard coupon. Hobbs 80/20 has been on my wish list to try.
I buy batting pre-packaged. Sometimes, I do buy a larger one when I have a few smaller quilts to quilt.
I like to buy yardage when it’s on sale. Would buy the bolt if I had where to store it! In a pinch, I’ll buy a package for a particular project.
When I first started out quilting I was buying by the yard. Then I bought a bolt and it is by far my favorite way to purchase now. No worrying about running out when you decide this quilt needs basted and quilted at midnight. Occasionally I will pick up a pre packaged batting.i love the simple elegance of this square spiral. Very inspiring.
I prefer to buy the pre packaged Hobbs batting, I may cut one up for smaller projects but always seem to have enough on hand for what ever I do. 3 in my stash is comfortable!
Pre-sized package since I don’t have a lot of storage space.
I usually purchase by the yard. Beautiful square spiral quilting! Thanks for the chance to win.
Most of the time I buy batting in premeasured packages. I enjoy the versatility of choosing a batting for each quilt. Cotten.gloria@gmail.com
I’ve bought batting by the yard and by the package, have never had the room to by a bolt of it. Lately I’ve been buying it by the package because then the leftover pieces are generally all the same width and that makes it easier for me to put them together in other quilts
I buy it by the yard for each project as I need it. Would love to buy by the bolt but I do not have room. I have bought pre-packaged also but am not as big a fan of that. Great blog today – love your work.
Beautiful fabric colors & quilting! So far I have made only mini or lap-size quilts, so I have bought packaged batting & cut to size-also my left-overs are sewn together for another! Thank you for sharing, Susan
I buy it by the 30yd. roll.
What a coincidence! I just ordered some Hobbs batting for the first time. I usually buy pre-sized packages. Storage concerns.
I usually buy what is on sale. Not much storage, but I just bought a roll of Hobbs to try. Also like bamboo when I can find it. Love the quilts in this book.
I buy it by the yard and I save the scraps for small projects and for FMQ practice.
I like to buy my batting by the bolt
I have a roll of batting that I scored a deal with a few years ago. I still have several quilts worth on it! I need to quilt more and piece less to get things done and off my UFO list!
I have bought it both ways. Interested in trying different types to find which works best.
I am a 100% cotton by the bolt girl. I have the room to store it, it comes at a great price, and I always have the perfect amount available no matter what size my quilt is!
I always buy by the yard.
I make mostly wall and small quilts, so buy Hobbs in the king size packages, and cut it to size.
I’ve never bought a whole bolt. Pre-packaged is the way for me
Nancy
I would love to buy batting by the bolt but don’t have space to store it. Instead, I buy the packaged batting for the size project I am making.
I tend to not make my quilts standard sizes, so I often have to buy yardage. I used some Hobbs batting on my last standard sized queen quilt and fell in love with it. It will be my go to batting from now on!
I buy both by the yard and packaged depending on the size of my quilt top. I really love this pattern, it’s my favorite so far from the blog hop. Thanks for the giveaway, grinnie1961 at gmail dot com
The only option from LQS is the prepackaged. If I can get the techniques down I can see the advantages of bulk buying!
I usually buy my batting in the packages, but I buy the King size. This way I have lots left over for smaller projects such as table mats and linens.
I buy my batting by the yard and in packages for personal quilting. When I quilt for church, I buy the batting by the bolt.
My preferred way to buy batting is by the bolt – I love that I can cut the exact size I need.
By the bolt is best for me. When I need some I just cut what I need. I’m not sure if it results in less waste or not but it sure lasts a long time. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have only purchased the pre-sized packages. Don’t know where I’d put a whole bolt! Love this quilt–thanks for sharing!
I buy my batting by the bolt….that way I always have it on hand. Love the fabric in this quilt…is it your line?
Love you and all your books!!
I buy the pre-sized packages.
I have bought ,by the yard, package and by the bolt. I really like having it on the bolt so I can cut the size I need..
I have bought batting in packages, as yardage and by the bolt. The bolt purchase presented some storage issues but it was quickly used with some long standing large WIP’s . Thanks for the chance to win
By the bolt is my favorite but I often buy pre-sized packaged for king size quilts.
Love this HST quilt, perfect for precuts.
Dara