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 
Right now I buy my batting pre-packaged. I prefer 100% cotton. have made 6 quilts this year, and will probably do 3 more. I’m not sure that justify’s buying a whole roll.
I always buy batting in the package. I wait for coupons to help keep the price down. I have to either drive 45 miles to get it or order it online and pay postage.
I have always used packaged, but I would like to try a bolt of it, but think it would be hard to find a place to keep it. I think maybe the bolt would not have the stretched bubbles like the package sometimes does.
I usually buy it by the yard, but I’m planning to buy my first bolt in the next few months! I think I finally have a place I can store it 🙂 I don’t make a ton of quilts so I’ll be sharing with family too.
I’m new to quilting too . I like to get a size larger than my project so I can practice and for smaller projects. I’d love to have your book and learn more about batting. Congrats on the book!
I love to buy a couple of sizes too big so I can practice and do my project! I would love to have your book and the batting for the same reason as you suggest! Thank you for the opportunity! And congrats!
I like to buy the packaged batting. That way it’s all wrapped up nicely in a bag and I don’t have to worry about putting it somewhere that won’t collect fuzzies
I usually buy prepackaged! I have used wool batting once!
I buy both by the yard & precut sizes it depends on the size of the quilt
I prefer packs of specialty batting and bolts of batting for everyday quilts, I personally love wool batting.
I love all Hobbs batting…but mostly use 80/20…would love to try wool….and buy by the yard and have bought a whole bolt when I had 6 pieced tops that needed to be quilted AND got them all done!!!
I have only used packaged batting. Would love to have rolls, I would think it would be more convenient, especially when I need to get mine more tops finished and all my eighteen quilted before Christmas for kids and grandkids.
I buy batting by the package
I prefer to buy batting by the roll, my second choice would be in pre-packaged sizes. I do like to experiment with the different kinds, to see and feel the difference. Thank you for this great opportunity. mtmom57@gmail.com
I love batting by the bolt! I would love to try Hobbs batting
I buy it prepackaged usually
I usually buy the packaged batting. I always have pieces left over but use it for bags, wall hangings & pillows. Would love to try the Hobbs battings.
I have only purchased packaged batting so far,but wanting to buy a bolt.
I just bought a roll of Hobbs 80/20 from my LQS – it’s my favourite!
I buy Hobbs 80/20 batting by the 108″ wide 30 yard bolt. I go thru almost 2 bolts a year making memory quilts.
I prefer to buy batting by the yard. I also enjoy Hobbs batting, it makes my quilts look cuddly soft, after I wash them.
I mostly purchase yardage. No room to store a big bolt of fabric in our condo. Occasionally a package if I’m stuck, but will buy a larger package than what I need so I have extra.
I love buying Hobbs 80/20 by the roll. Then I can just cut whatever side I need.
I love to buy my batting by the roll when I can find what I want to use on a particular quilt. I look love Hobbs batting and would like to try more types.
I am a yardage girl.
I prefer to purchase batting precut.
I love cotton and wool battings. I prefer buying a roll but that’s not always an option. So I buy it from LQS in a package or by the yd.
I prefer to buy mine in pre- sized packages. Would love to try some of their batting.
I like to buy my batting by the bolt, then I can cut off what I need. Jadahlgr at Yahoo dot Com
I like to buy my batting off the bolt by the yards. I always buy more than what my quilt calls for so I have extra on hand for upcoming projects
I buy my batting packaged. I don’t have the space to store the big rolls or bolts.
I like to buy Hobbs Batting packages. Thanks for the chance to win. Cork at pa.rr.com
I like to buy my go-to batting by the yard and I have purchased almost a whole roll at a time. I buy special varieties by size. Thanks!
I usually buy pre-packaged batting
I usually purchase by the yard
Whenever I have a chance to buy it by the yard, I do. I have gotten good deals online and then buy a package depending on the size needed.
I’ve not used precuts, because I have so much fabric in my closet. I have bought some precuts to add to my collection. As for batting, I have bought it by the yard because my quilts are never the standard sizes.
I usually buy the prepackaged batting. Would love to have a bolt of it but have no room for it. So prepackaged it is
I have used batting in all the mentioned ways, bolts, yardage and prepackaged. It depends on the project and to be honest the cost. Let’s be honest we all love a sale and a give away is the best!
I usually buy my batting by the bolt. All cotton. Occasionally I will buy wool in the size I need.
It depends on what I’m making. I buy by the yard and keep some handy for smaller work, but if I’m doing a bed-sized quilt I usually purchase a package with the correct size. Mostly I prefer by the yard because it gets pretty smooshed in the package, but if I open it early it fluffs out. And of course some types of batting I can only find by the yard.
I have only bought batting in product sizes. I imagine rolls would be less costly and more flexible!
I have bought batting by the package, by the yard and by the roll. Having the roll of batting is handy but they packages and yardage works also.
tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I like purchasing batting by the yard so I can cut off just what I need. It seems more economical that way.
I buy my quilt batting by the yard. I love having it on hand and just cutting what I need for each project.
I buy packaged batting, my favorite is Hobbs Wool , crib sized 80/20, my favorite is the fusible
I try to by when on sale
I’ve been buying 9 yard bolts lately. It seems like a cost effective way to go.
I have a bolt of 80/20 and it’s great to have around whenever I need it. I also occasionally buy packaged batting when I have a special project or to try something different.
im not new to quilting but new to the way you do it. I was unaware of the whole area of batting and purchased a variety of king size duvets and used them for years. i could get 4 baby quilts from one duvet. ive since used bought batting from both the bolt and presized. id love the oppertunity to use any batting as i have a stash of fabric to use. that storm hit here 2 nights ago, we have 200 families to help rehome who lost everything and im sure one of them sure could use one for the upcoming winter. thanks for ur great blog.
I have only purchased packaged batting. I have never tried Hobbs and it is on my list of things to try. I have been piecing tops for about a year and have yet to machine quilt. I have been tying and have four tops set aside to machine quilt someday soon! Thank you for the great blog and hop!