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 prefer to buy batting by the bolt.
I’d love to buy by the bolt but budget and space mean I buy by the meter at this stage. I’m always looking for a good natural fiber. I have a soft spot for bamboo. I love it’s softness and weight.
I purchase Legacy cotton wadding in bulk when it is on special at Spotlight. I love the feel of cotton wadding and I agree it is easy to quilt with. Love your books and your blog Christa, keep them coming.
I usually buy my batting in prepackaged amounts. Sometimes I buy it off the bolt. I don’t have enough room to buy it in bulk but I know there are savings in doing just that. I love your quilts and hope to make some from your book.
I buy packaged batting (either queen or king size) and cut it down I don’t have room for a role but I wish I did.
I’ve bought batting by the yard and precut in a specific size for a project. I wish I had room for a whole bolt!
I like to buy by the yard. I don’t have room for a bolt or I would choose that way. So I buy several yards, cut off what I need and always have it on hand.
I buy prepackaged polyester batting. Thanks!
Usually I buy 80/20 cotton batting in packages. Occasionally I buy in yardage.
I buy packaged batting. I mark the ends of the package with a black marker indicating the size – K-Q-T in large letters so I can quickly see what I have!
As a relatively new quilter I buy batting by the project. Was using warm and white or natural but after Edyta Sitar’s class will switch to Quilter’s Dream Cotton.
I prefer to have a bolt, when on sale and I can afford it. otherwise, I buy by the yard. I prefer natural batting also so bamboo batting sounds interesting, would love to try.
I like to buy my batting by the bolt. If I can’t, I will usually guy it by the yard. I don’t like dealing with the wrinkles in packaged batting.
I buy batting many ways, depending on size of quilt, and time at hand. I like batting on a roll for my large quilts, but don’t like cutting into a roll for smaller quilts. I will buy packaged batting for wall hangings and baby quilts. Of course I have a bin of odd pieces that just might fit the project.
When I buy batting I generally will pick up one to three King size bats or go with a buy the yard if on sale . Buying the King size may sound strange, but there are two baby quilts and 4 to 6 pot holders, or a table/bed runner in one king. It seems very economical.
PS. Smaller scrap are great for samples, check stitch length, stuffing, and as always…practice.
I usually buy my batting in packages because of lack of room to store yardage and rolls! Gosh, I’d love to buy a whole roll sometime! I need to try the Hobbs brand!
I prefer to buy batting in packages by size. I use a wide variety of battings so it is easier for me to sort and store them if they are prepackaged by size. I use 100% cotton, wool and 80/20 battings. I also purchase batting based on the color of the quilt.
I would love to try the cotton and wool blend!! I buy batting when it’s on sale if possible and usually enough for two quilts as I don’t have room to store in my home.
I tend to buy pre-packaged. I do save all the extra pieces for smaller projects.
I’m a new quilter so I’ve only bought pre-packaged sizes thus far. I’d love to get prolific enough to need to buy vast quantities! Thanks for the chance to win!
I mostly use Hobbs 80/20, but for a wedding quilt for my son I used Tuscany Silk batting which quilted really well. Am about to purchase a roll which is much more economical. Loving the blog hop too!!!
I would love to buy it in bulk with discount code. But this doesn’t happen in Europe… so just precuts
loving this quilt waiting for you book to be available here in the UK
By the yard on sale.
I buy my batting off the bolt. A big enough piece for a queen size. I try to buy it when it is on sale. I use Quilters Dream cotton.
I buy packaged as I need it. I try to match the size to the quilt that I am making. I most often use a 80/20 blend of Quilter’s Dream. It is smooth to the touch and I like that. I also have extra bits of batting that get used in odd small projects.
My last purchase was an entire roll as I had several tops to quilt. It’s hanging on a rod mounted to a wall so I just pull, measure, & cut. Works a treat.
I’ve been buying in packages but have recently moved and have more space so will at some point by a bolt. Loving the blog hop!
I have only finished one quilt. Working on.number 2 now so I really am not sure 🤔 which is the best.
I have been buying packaged. But, the last time in the store I bought off the roll/bolt. Much less expensive.
I buy it by pre-sized pkgas needed …tho get queen size sometimes..to make baby quilts..or couple Throw size quilts. Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too! 🙂
I like to buy batting by the roll. Hobbs is my favorite but I have to attend a show to buy it. It’s not available locally unless I buy it by the bag. I’d love to they that cotton wool blend. Sounds dreamy
I have only bought precut! I need to try out some new kinds.
I like Hobbs 80/20. I would buy a bolt if I had room to store. But now I buy it in 5 or 6 yard pieces or I plan ahead 3 or 4 quilts and buy the right length for those.
I usually buy off the roll. It’s easier for my because I never know how many borders I’ll add or subtract.
I always buy it off of a roll because there are less wrinkles. Once I bought the whole roll. It was awesome.
I buy in precut and packaged. But by the bolt is a smarter and cheaper way to go.3
I usually buy a king size, on sale. It will give me a twin size plus baby quilts and lap quilts. I have lots of odd and end pieces to practice with….I should practice more.
I like to buy my batting by the roll. It’s nice being able to just cut what I need when I want it.
I usually buy the batting in 15-30 yards, it seems to be more economical for me.
I like my batting by the bolt …. but I usually buy it in pre-packaged sizes. It feels like such a splurge to buy a bolt. But when I do, I don’t regret it. : )
I buy a full large roll each time I need more batting.
I buy batting in precut packages and by the yard. Love your HST quilts.
I like natural one, all cotton or if I am sending back to Ohio then wool. But most of the time price can make me get what I can afford. Always looking for sales and trying to think ahead. Buy a King if I am going to make a couple of baby quilts and other things.
I have always bought it prepackaged, because that is what I can get locally, but I would like to try buying it by the yard. There is always a lot left over from the prepackaged batting.
I usually buy it when I need it. Left overs get used in smaller projects or if larger pieces, joined together so I can use them for crib quilts and lap quilts. Don’t usually buy pre-packaged as have had some bad experiences with quality.
I like to buy batting at a great discounted price! HA! I will buy it by the bolt or in a bag. I actually have a bamboo bat that is waiting for me to give it a shot. Usually I use Warm and Natural, but have heard about Hobbs from a lot of different people, so would love to give it a try. I usually buy a queen size and cut it up for smaller quilts. I even sew scraps together to make a bat for a baby quilt, or for practicing FMQing.
I use mostly large bolts but will buy packaged for small projects
I buy it based on the project on hand trying to get it on sale when possible.
Without the need for prolific output, I buy a few meters at a time and restock as required trying to make use of ‘specials’ from Spotlight or my local Craft Depot stores. So far I have tried 100% cotton and cotton/bamboo blend