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Modern Plus Sign Quilts Book Hop is here!

Welcome to my turn on the Modern Plus Sign Quilts Book Hop.  I’m so excited and honored to participate in this event!  This is the first book collaboration for Cheryl Brickey of Meadow Mist Designs and Paige Alexander of Quilted Blooms, the authors of Modern Plus Sign Quilts.  This book is rooted in tradition with a classic block that is set in modern quilt designs.  There is something for everyone in these pages, and you’ll find that it is well-written and full of beautiful projects to make and tips to guide you along.

Image Source: C&T Publishing

 

One of the quilts from the book, Signature Plus, is made up of 122 signature blocks – including mine!  I am so proud and excited to be a part of this book in such a meaningful way.

Modern Plus Sign Quilts Book Hop, Signature Quilt block made by Julie Cefalu
Signature Plus Quilt, Image Source: Paige Alexander
Modern Plus Sign Quilts Book Hop
Signature Plus Quilt, Image Source C&T Publishing

 

For my part in the book hop, I chose to make the quilt, Petals Plus.  I love anything with an orange peel design and a little applique doesn’t hurt either.  The original pattern from the book is a bed-sized quilt, 66″ x 88″,  shown below.

Modern Plus Signs Book Hop, Petals Plus
Petals Plus from Modern Plus Sign Quilts, Image source: C&T Publishing

 

Petals Plus from Modern Plus Sign Quilts, Image source: C&T Publishing

 

I wanted to make this project into a table runner.  In order to make it fit, I had to change the layout just a bit.  I used the plus signs down the center of my table runner and a half-grouping of petals on each side.

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

 

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

 

My color palette is definitely not within my normal range of bright colors.  I chose black, gray and white; ironically using Alison Glass fabrics which are typically a very bright, rainbow-colored palette.  This will give me the opportunity to accent it with some other colors.

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

 

Instead of using raw edge, fusible applique for the petals, I did a turned edge, faced method with fusible interfacing.  You can read more about my method here.  One of the reasons for this decision was that I wanted an extra layer between the petal and the background fabric to avoid shadowing.  I think it worked!

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs
Traced petal shape onto fusible interfacing and placed RST onto fabric.

 

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs
Petal stitched, turned right side out and edges smoothed.

 

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs
Petal placed and fused onto background fabric.

 

The petals were stitched down by machine during the quilting process – so I saved lots of time in the process.  Fast and efficient is my motto!

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

 

I was a little stumped when it came to deciding on a quilting plan.  I began with straight lines along the “plus” sections.  I used my straight ruler and free motion ruler foot which also saved time.

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

 

I thought that some echo quilting around the petals would look nice but quickly changed my mind.  I rarely rip out quilting, but I’m so glad I did.  Plan B was a much better option – swirls on the outside and echo scallops on the inside.

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

 

The binding is machine stitched on both sides – another time saver.  And the back of this table runner got a “plus” sign, too.

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

 

I’m really happy with my new table runner.  I think this pattern is so versatile and would be beautiful as a bed-sized quilt as well.  But, I have already started my second table runner using a blue and yellow color scheme.  It’s so bright and cheerful!

 

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

 

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

 

I flipped the petals around and I like how it looks.  I also used the fusible machine applique technique as described in the book.  I blanket stitched around the petals; the shape has such a gentle curve that it’s an easy one to tackle for beginners.

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

 

Modern Plus Signs Quilt Book Hop, table runner made by Julie Cefalu. Pattern is Petals Plus by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander from their book, Modern Plus Signs

 

You can purchase an autographed copy of Modern Plus Sign Quilts at:  Quilted Blooms  Etsy Shop  or Meadow Mist Designs  Etsy Shop, or through Amazon (affiliate link):  Modern Plus Sign Quilts

It was such a pleasure working with Cheryl and Paige on this book hop.  They are also hosting a giveaway each day of the hop, so make sure to stop by Meadow Mist Designs and Quilted Blooms.  And don’t forget to visit the rest of the participants so you can see their versions of the other quilts in Modern Plus Sign Quilts.
Monday, March 12th
Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs
Paige @ Quilted BloomsTuesday, March 13th
Soma @ Whims and Fancies
Ann @ Brown Paws Quilting
Kitty @ Night Quilter
Sophie @ Luna Lovequilts
Afton @ Quilting Mod
Shelly @ The Carpenter’s Daughter Who QuiltsWednesday, March 14th

Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal
Jen @ A Dream and a Stitch
Abigail @ Cut & Alter
Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl
Sandra @ mmm! Quilts
Karen @ Run Sew Fun

Thursday, March 15th
Linda @ Flourishing Palms
Bernie @ Needle and Foot
Liz @ Savor Every Stitch
Stacey @ Stacey Day Quilts
Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
Patty @ Elm Street Quilts
Melanie @ A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog

Friday, March 16th
Myra @ Busy Hands QuiltsIzzy @ Dizzy Quilts
Ruth @ Charly and Ben’s Crafty Corner
Christa @ Christa Quilts

Monday, March 19th
Jessica @ Quilty Habit
Cindy @ Hyacinth Quilt Designs
Jennifer @ The Inquiring Quilter
Julie @ The Crafty Quilter (you are here)

Tuesday, March 20th
Tish @ Tish N Wonderland
Judy @ Sew Some Sunshine
Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
Wanda @ Wanda’s Life Sampler
Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Katherine @ Sew Me Something Good

Wednesday, March 21st

Anja @ Anja Quilts
Kate @ Smiles from Kate
Sue @ Seven Oak Street Quilts
Carole @ From my Carolina Home
Alison @ Little Bunny QuiltsThursday, March 22nd
Debbie @ Esch House Quilts
Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts
Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts
Janice @ Color Creating and Quilting
Joanne @ Quilts by JoanneFriday, March 23rd
Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs
Paige @ Quilted Blooms

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52 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing all of the details for each project. I always learn something from reading your blog posts. Both projects are great, I am going to have to get a copy of this book.

  2. I wouldn’t have envisioned this in black and white, but I love what a sleek, modern look it has. It was very well thought out to apply the fusible interfacing method to the first runner. I also hate ripping out quilting though your final quilting choices are very nice and perfectly fitting to enhance the design. It’s neat to see how the pattern looks with your altered colors and arrangements.

  3. I love how you adapted the pattern to create the table runners. Both feature color choices that really make the pattern come to life. And the quilting! Oh my. It was so, so worth ripping out your original quilting for the final result. Wonderful!

  4. I love this adaptation! It’s really clever, and the black/white/gray combo is lovely. It’s a very elegant runner, and due to the bunny, I think of it as an Easter runner! The quilting is spectacular too and really highlighted the piecing.

  5. Wow, look at you with a second runner done, ready for your beautiful quilting! I like the petals flipped too, but either way, your layout is great. I’m like you, rarely rip out quilting, but in this case you were absolutely right; love the swirls, and love the design (Angela’s right?!) in the petals. I’ve used it before, such fun and such a great effect; it is perfect on the petals. What is that smoothing wooden stick you are using?

  6. I am proud of you for doing this twice with such different looks both times. Each one is special but the blue and yellow is my favorite.
    Diane in Tennessee

  7. It’s lovely, Julie! I have to admit, at first I thought it was a black and white photo to show value contrast! It was just not the colors I’m used to seeing from you! But it looks great and I also like your cheerful version-in-progress with cheerful yellow.

  8. I just love how you’ve adapted this pattern for a table runner. Beautiful balance with the design and the colors. Outstanding photos, too.

  9. Dear Julie, I fell in love w your table runners! But I don’t know how these things work…do you sell your pattern separately or is it “owned” in the pub rights of the book? Forgive my question…I honestly have no idea!!
    Thank you for your inspiring work!!
    Sue Gelles

  10. I love both of your choices. The differences in approach for the appliqué gives me two very good methods for my favorite technique. I look forward to your posts and meeting your blog participants.

  11. I love your table runners Julie!! The way you cut the pattern down to a single row is fantastic and I love each colorway you used (and your quilting is awesome)! Thank you so much for being part of the hop!!

  12. A beautiful pattern adaptation, Julie, with both table runners!! I really am taken with your blue and yellow runner, with the petals turned the other direction! Sew beautiful!!
    Susie

  13. They are both wonderful, but the first way with interfacing under the fabric, for the petals , that is so good for the white. Yellow, looking so good too, One for summer ,one for winter maybe.

  14. Wow Julie I just love your runner – what a gorgeous version of the quilt from the book. The colours are beautiful and look great with the greenery accent …. I am very inspired to have a go now! Your quilting works wonderfully on it.

  15. What beautiful table runners Julie. I love the black, grey and white and the quilting is so awesome. One wouldn’t know you had used that easy method of applique if you hadn’t told us. Thank your for the ideas on how to change things up.

  16. I really like what you have done with this pattern, it makes iy more accessible than having to make a whole quilt. I particularly like your yellow and blue version, very spring like. x

  17. So cute! I haven’t done much applique, but I watched your tutorial. Maybe I will try it when I get the chance. And I see you can get lovely results!

  18. I admire your eye to be able to envision a table runner from the beautiful bed-sized quilt! How pretty both of them are! I especially love your variety of quilting that keeps my eye moving all over!

  19. That made up wonderful as a table runner, great idea! I frequently stitch my appliques as part of the quilting too, so much easier and quicker as I do it on a longarm.

  20. You make the machine appliqué look easy. I have been looking for a tutorial on the flipped fusible webbing appliqué. I am glad I stopped by. Thanks.

  21. Julie, I can’t decide which is my favorite! You’ve done a lovely job with both methods of applique! Thank you for contributing to the hop and making a signature block for Signature Plus. Your handwriting is beautiful!

  22. Ahh, Julie, you’re a genius! You’ve got a natural talent for making a pattern yours, and when you start with such a fabulous pattern, you get fabulous ‘plus’! My SIL just made Crafty Daughter a new dresser and she needs a new table runner for the top. Her address is…….;)! Thank you for your wonderful inspiration, again and again!

  23. I’ve made one plus quilt and what I’ve seen from this book has me inspired to make more! Your runner idea is wonderful and I really like the quilting on the grey one.

  24. Two beautiful tablerunners, Julie! I love them! My copy of the book should be here today and I can’t wait to try some of the patterns. I’ve been obsessed with plus quilts for years and now is the time to make some!

  25. You have cleverly used the pattern to create a lovely runner and the close up pic shows the potential to make matching placemats too. The spring version is lovely but my favourite it the black, grey and white. A creative use of the pattern, love it.

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