January | 2018 | Lori Miller Designs

I am proud to introduce my quilt, Concentric, which is published in Modern Quilts Unlimited Issue 22.

And I am thrilled to be listed as a top designer with some other great quilters right on the cover highlighting the circles under Geometric Gems. Step into my studio for a little peek into behind the scenes of making this quilt.

I had the idea of concentric circles of color gradations and started with the traditional drunkards path block and turned it up a notch. I used large 12″ blocks to really show off the colors. Electric Quilt Software made it easy to try a few things with the design until I really liked it.

You start with the center in the lighter tone and then keep sewing each round of color for the block. I used Michael Miller Cotton Couture Solids for the fabric.

To create the middle double blocks, you cleverly cut a finished block to add another set of color.

The fit together perfectly and you just stitch like you were sewing on another drunkards path round.

Just a picture of the teal and blue colors at the ironing board. I was helping them with a little starch.

Here is my original design out of Electric Quilt. I thought the borders added something and the pops of purple added some color to the asymmetric pattern.

All of those open squares were hollering for some extra quilting so I chose a unique design for each one. I think I went though about 8 reference books I had for free motion quilting to find all of the ones I liked. Then it was ready for some pin basting.

I went bonkers with the quilting using my Babylock Jazz. I just wanted to try everything out. I did a lot of marking to try a few new things. I really wanted a lot of texture.

Of course, Cookie cat comes running whenever I quilt and thinks he needs to ride along. It can make things difficult but he is so furry purry, I can’t complain.