Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Oakshott Scandinavia Challenge Quilt {a finished quilt}


Today I'm really excited to show you my latest finish: a Scandinavia inspired quilt sponsored by Sew Mama Sew and Oakshott Fabrics.


The call for contributors said:

Are you ready for a sewing challengeWe're looking for 6 people to sew with the gorgeous fabrics pictured here in an Scandinavian-inspired challenge. You can choose what to make (apron, mini quilt, table runner, etc.) but it has to use the fabrics from the collection and it has to be "Scandinavian inspired." 

Well I jumped right on that.  My paternal grandmother (or Farmor) is from Finland, a country I have had the opportunity to visit four times in my life, and hope to visit again very soon when we can find the time and money to go.  I find great inspiration in the simple, clean designs found in the region and really wanted to be able to create something that honors that piece of my heritage and family.  


The weekend before the fabrics arrived I visited Keepsake Quilting to pick up some (hopefully) coordinated fabrics to mix in with the Fat Quarters that would be coming.  I ended up buying several yards of various white and grey fabrics, unsure of what would match.  I had to stop and just admire these when they arrived, with 12 days to spare.  These fabrics are gorgeous!  They are all shot through with a creamy white that gives them the most amazing soft shine.  Pastel without being too Easter-y or babyish.

I had several ideas sketched out, and ended up texting my "more Finnish" cousin (as my Farmor says)  for help narrowing the choices down.  In the end I pulled out the Ittala dinnerware that we received for the wedding two years ago and used that as a jumping off point.

Feeling inspired at the moment. #oakshottscandinavia #iittala #inspirationeverywhere #thanksforthedishesGram #FinnishQuilt - See more at: http://iconosquare.com/viewer.php#/detail/1058925302181042470_1222082853
At first I thought I would make a large quilt inspired by the black and white dinner plate and mug pictured above.  I pieced a couple of arrows and then laid them out to take a picture but what I saw changed my direction completely.  The next few nights were spent piecing the rows and then after an emergency trip back to Keepsake to get more Kona Charcoal, and a marathon sewing night ending at around 1:30am, I had a finished top.  The next morning it was off to the quilter.  Ideally I would have quilted this myself but given the time crunch I thought it was best to have someone else do it for me this time.  I got the quilt back just in time to get binding on over the weekend and then enlist the help of my Dad and brother to photograph it.  I have to tell you, I'm in love with this quilt.

Thank you little brother and Dad for holding this for me!

The pattern came together really quickly since it's all row based piecing.  I really love how the simple grey and white let the beautiful Oakshott fabrics shine in all their glory.  I took a really ad hoc approach to adding in the colors, letting them fall where ever they would in the final top.

a glimpse into our bedroom with the quit in it's new home. notice the nicely coordinated pre-existing paint swatches...
The quilting is simple.  Katie Smith of Home Hearth Quilting quilted it for me in a simple birch tree-esque design following the direction of each row of piecing.  I love how it adds texture to the quilt without distracting from the overall design.  She did a great job and I highly recommend her if you're in the NH/VT area. 

in love with this quilt.

quilting detail
The quilt is backed in a Lotta Jansdotter print and a large scale Windham Fabrics print.  I chose these because of how they played into the simple, clean line astetic I was going for for the overall design.


This quilt finishes at 90" x 86" and will hopefully be plenty big enough for the two of us to sleep under.  I didn't set out to make such a large quilt but once I got started the fabrics and pattern made it easy to keep going.  Plus, I had the added encouragement that my husband get's genuinely upset when I make small quilts.  



I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to make this quilt.  The final quilt is really true to my original vision and reflect the emotion I was hoping to convey.   I think my Farmor would be proud.  Currently there is no pattern for this quilt but I am debating writing one up if there is enough interest. 

I highly recommend the Oakshott Scandinavia collection if you're looking for a soft, light, and airy color palette for any quilt.  They were absolutely beautiful to work with.  You can find them here:





Be sure to check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge as well, either through the links below, or with the hashtag #OakshottScandinavia on instagram.

Jessica Skultety from Quilty Habit
Jennifer Fullerton from Never Just Jennifer (you are here)
Mary Kolb from Mary on Lake Pulaski
Casey York from The Studiolo
Deborah Fisher
Caitlin Topham from Salty Oat



I'm linking up with Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story today.


54 comments:

  1. Wow, it is a beautiful quilt, Jennifer... Nicely done! And what a great size, too. I would never have guessed it was so big from your sneak peaks.

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  2. I am definitely interested in three pattern for this quilt! it's beautiful!!

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  3. Your amazing design shows off those beautiful fabrics nicely. Love the sashing fabric too.

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  4. This is one great finish with a great story behind it. You made so many decisions that work here -- like the palette (which I understand you had no say in, but you embraced it and framed in all in a deep Kona and worked in lots of white) and the orientation (it's amazing how such a simple tweak results in a completely different design). To me, someone with zero Scandinavian heritage, I see leaded glass ... or something evocative of the Arts and Crafts Movement (maybe William Morris?).

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  5. Jenn this is so lovely. The charcoal was a perfect way to highlight the Oakshot, it really grounds the quilt and makes sure those Oakshot colors don't have the Easter-ey" feel to them. Amazing job with that time crunch :)

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  6. I love how graphic this quilt is! The dark fabric is the perfect accent and just pulls everything together. It's fantastic!

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  7. I love the dark sashing - really has great impact!

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  8. I love the pattern in your design! I see stained glass or architectural features in it which I like. And you did a great job with color placement. It's beautiful!

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  9. I love this quilt. The oakshott fabrics really shine with this pattern. Great choice :)

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  10. What a great job! Your quilt is beautiful :)

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  11. I love your quilt. I would love to quilt with oakshott and I would love to have a pattern for this! Keep up the good work!

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  12. I would love a pattern for this quilt! You have made a beautifully calm quilt that has a lovely tone to it.

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  13. That's stunning! The charcoal frames the colours beautifully.

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  14. Gorgeous quilt, and I love the backing fabric choice!

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  15. Gorgeous quilt!!! And all my quilts end up bigger than planned. :D I figure it's better than the other way around.

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  16. I am loving the paint swatches as art on your bedroom wall.
    I lived in Finland for a year as an exchange student and was able to go back a couple of years ago. So pretty. A lot of memories that impacted my adult life. Your quilt is amazing, -- love these oakshott colors.

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  17. Your quilt is beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing
    cork@pa.rr.com

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  18. So lovely! Not too gender specific, either, with the way you sashed with the black.

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  19. I love your combination of the bold design and the soft colors!

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  20. Gorgeous Quilt!!! My Son would Love this for his new Home too! Very cool!

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  21. Very nice use of the color pallet! That's a big quilt! Bravo!!!

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  22. Just stunning quilt and love your fabric combo!

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  23. I love these Oakshot fabrics! with today's emphasis on "saturated color" these pastels are so refreshing! Your quilt is lovely.

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  24. The charcoal was a perfect pairing with the other fabrics. Great job! What paint color did you decide on for your walls?

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  25. This is a lovely quilt. I adore geometrics.

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  26. What a wonderful quilt. So simple and subtle and yet so striking. I love the way the slight touches of color bring the whole quilt to life. One would never believe that it is mostly grey. The design may have Scandinavian influences, but it also reminds me of the work of Charles Renne McIntosh. And we know that the Vikings and other Norse peoples had a great influence in Scotland as well. Maybe a coincidence. Maybe not. Would you like my address????

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  27. Stunning use of color and pattern! What a beautiful story as well. I hope you will write up a pattern.

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  28. I think it is gorgeous. Crisp, clean,love the black and white. Thanks for sharing.

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  29. Beautiful! I love the fresh colours and the design which highlights the fabulous fabric.

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  30. I love this quilt and appreciate the big size. If I ever get caught up on current projects (ha!) I would love to make a similar one.

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  31. Popping over from Sew Mama Sew and need to tell you that this quilt is gorgeous! I would love to have the pattern and make one myself. Your choices of colors are just perfect. I'm a new follower, so I hope I'll see the pattern come out (hint, hint)!

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  32. Come to visit and tell you how lovely I think this quilt is. Great job!

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  33. Hello from Finland! You have successfully made a modern Finnish style quilt. I really like the look and I would be interested for a pattern. If you write a pattern, I can translate it to finnish if you like. Pattern could then be reached among those, here in Finland, who don't speak English.

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  34. That is just stunning, fabulous. I love it so much. I hope you consider writing a pattern for it. Just wonderful!

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  35. Exquisite! and so essentially Scandinavian. PLEASE write up the pattern

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  36. Yes, a pattern would be awesome! This quilt is beautiful!

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  37. This is a great quilt. I really hope you write the pattern for it.

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  38. I am in love with this quilt and would absolutely love a pattern for it!

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  39. You must write a pattern for this beauty!

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  40. Wow, I just love it! Looks great on the bed.

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  41. I absolutely vote for a pattern. Your quilt is wonderful and I love the story of how you made it. Congrats!

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  42. This is GORGEOUS! I love the pattern and colors! Great job!

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  43. This is GORGEOUS! I love the pattern and colors! Great job!

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  44. So neat! Thanks for your inspiration! Thanks sharing!
    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  45. Such a great quilt! I never would have thought of the dark contrast.

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  46. How wonderful that you choose an Iitala design as a starting point for your quilt! The alternating herringbone really shows off the iridescence of the Oakshott.

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  47. How wonderful that you choose an Iitala design as a starting point for your quilt! The alternating herringbone really shows off the iridescence of the Oakshott.

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  48. How wonderful that you choose an Iitala design as a starting point for your quilt! The alternating herringbone really shows off the iridescence of the Oakshott.

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