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 
Howdy! I prefer to purchase Hobbs Heirloom by the roll. It’s the most efficient way to get the most value from the batt. And it’s delivered to my front door.
I usually buy prepackaged batting when I quilt something for myself because I don’t have much room for a bolt, but I get batting from a bolt when I take it to the long arm quilter.
I usually buy mine from JoAnns by the roll when it is half off and free shipping. I like to buy packaged also when I want to try a new kind of batting. I plan on hand quilting one soon and I will get Hobbs for that.
I usually buy pre cut cloesest to dize I need. But have been thinking about buying batting by the bolt.
I purchased my first Hobbs batting at the AQS show last week. I purchased the king size wool. I can’t wait to make a new quilt.
Usually buy it in King or Queen size and cut it down Would love to buy a roll but not sure where I would put it..
Hi Christa. I usually buy the batting prepackaged. I would love to buy a huge roll but then I couldn’t get into my sewing room.
I buy an extra wide roll of batting, that I use for “almost ” everything. I have also been trying out different fibers in my batting. I have tried silk and wool besides cotton. I am really anxious to try bamboo and some of the recycled materials batting.
I usually buy prepackaged batting as storage space is limited
Thank you for sharing your quilts and the various interpretations from other artists. I love seeing how different people create the same pattern. I generally buy batting in queen or king size packages and get 1 or 2 (or more if baby-size). If I’m quilting several charity quilts, I will buy it by the yard. Thanks for the giveaway and the lovely blog.
I usually buy the prepackaged batting, I will buy off the roll if on sale.
I use prepackaged batting most of the time, as storage is an issue. Plus I change up the types that I use from project to project.
I buy prepackaged batting for space reasons.
I normally buy organic cotton prepackaged batting when it’s on sale.
Packaged batting as I don’t have room for a roll. Wool batting is luscious to stitch and to sleep under.
I mostly buy packages. The packages I have never seem to be the same size as the quilt I’m making, though.
I usually buy batting by the yard, or metre here in Canada. I love natural fibers the best. Thanks for the opportunity!
I prefer to buy mine by the bolt. It’s so economical and you can use all the scraps for Franken-batting 🙂
I typically buy my batting pre-packaged by quilt size, however buying a roll is more economical.
I love Hobbs batting, so will buy it any way I can!
I buy batting by the package as I can’t afford a roll. Wish I could but such is life.
I like buying the package of batting to fit the size quilt top that I am making. I keep a couple of bats in my studio so that it is ready to use as soon as the quilt top is ready. I hate to wait!!
I have been buying the bolts, that way I can cut the size I need.
I buy mine in a roll when they come on special. I’ve not yet tried a packaged one. 🙂
I usually buy packaged the largest size so I have enough for more than one quilt. Also piece smaller pieces together so I can us all of it.
I like to buy prepackaged batting especially for king size quilts.
I prefer buying batting by the bolt. I have it when I need it I usually go thru 2 1/2 bolts a year
In the past I have bought by the package, but now that I purchased a longarm to get started in quilting business, I buy from wholesale distributor and company to add to preferences of people requesting quilting. I like to buy by the bolt due to cost and to have available. Would love to try Hobbs, so hopeful of winning Hobbs to try their batting.
I buy packages or yardage, wish I could get a roll, though.
I vary between buying it by the yard and buying it pre-packaged. It’s easier to store it at home in the plastic bags, marked with sizes, but it’s a better deal by the yard with a coupon, so it’s a toss-up.
I usually buy Hobbs Premium 80/20 in King size packages. I’ve been toying with the idea of buy it in a larger qty (by the bolt if they even offer it) but haven’t done it yet. Thanks for the giveaway! stucker1261 at gmail dot com
I hope to buy online from a company to get exactly what I’m looking for. Thanks Hobbs!!
I buy Hobbs packaged. Love the wool. Would like to try others.
HI, I buy in the King size pck.Such nice batting! Thanks for sharing!!!
Enjoying your insights examples of projects.
I buy packages – except the one roll of Potholder batting i got at a fire sale. The guy said it would make a warm quilt but i think it will just be stiff!
Like the idea of using wool thanks for the chance!
I purchase pre-packaged batting in a king size, which allows me to cut any size for the quilt that I am currently working on. I also have enough left over for smaller projects, such as wall hangings, crib quilts, and quilt as you go. If I need to I can use fusible batting tape to put a couple of pieces together.
I prefer to buy my batting in rolled packages and love Hobbs! My needles sew through that batting like butter!
I soooo wish i could buy it by the bolt, alas…i buy it by the prepackaged and usually a couple at a time just begore i need them. I have disabilities and my treatments kick my rear every month financially which spoils my fun. Otherwise i would roll in fabrics and batting and giggle all day 🙂
I have purchased one roll, but usually buy packaged.
I prefer buying a roll as I do not have immediate access to a shop. Best Hobbs for special quilts is fthe wool.
I usually buy it pre-packaged. I like to buy bigger than I need, so that I have lots of scraps left over for smaller projects, so I usually buy king size no matter what size quilt I’m making. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
I usually just buy pre packaged batting.
I usually buy by the yard on an as needed basis… but if there is a sale I’ll get a few yards!!
I usually buy by the yard….
I usually buy in packages
I ususally buy packaged batting, I haven’t tried batting by the roll.
I tend to buy batting already packaged for the size I will be needing
Pre packaged usually more economical if bought on sale that is.
Prefer to buy yardage off the roll tho for the smootheness. Thank you!
I buy prepackaged batting. I would like to buy a roll, but I don’t know where/how I’d store it!
I generally buy prepackaged batting…mostly because a full roll costs so much. Some day I’ll buy a roll because it is cheaper per yard. sjvonfumetti at yahoo dot com