finishes

diamonds in the deep: a finish.

Improv Pillow by Kim Soper/Leland Ave Studios

Diamonds in the Deep

I am so excited and proud to share with you my finished orange-version of the Bonjour Quilts pattern Diamonds in the Deep. This quilt has taken up the better part of 2014, and it has been a huge learning experience for me. It was my first time working on a queen-sized quilt, my first time testing a pattern, my first time experimenting with value, and my first time collaborating with a long-arm quilter. And I can say, I am a better quilter for having been through the experience!

Diamonds in the Deep

I plan to elaborate on my experience working with a long-arm quilter in the future, but for now, I just want to emphasize how amazing Shelly Pagliai of Prairie Moon Quilts is to work with, and, as the pictures clearly show, how amazingly talented she is! I feel so lucky to have *met* her and to have had the stars align so that we could work together on this quilt. Shelly custom quilted the entire quilt using hand-guided free-motion. Each block is quilted with a total of five separate patterns, to complement and highlight the piecing.

Diamonds in the Deep

The binding on the quilt is Denyse Schmidt’s Voltage Dot in black, and the design of the fabric is echoed in the outermost layer of each block.

Diamonds in the Deep

I could not be happier with the end result. As hard as it was to make a quilt of this size, I also feel a queen-sized sense of accomplishment and pride for having tackled this challenge. So many hours and so much love went into the making of this quilt (both mine and Shelly’s!) — I think it’s the perfect embodiment of our efforts!

Diamonds in the DeepDiamonds in the DeepDiamonds in the DeepThanks for hanging out with me while I bask in the glory of this finish! I hope that everyone in the states had a wonderful holiday weekend!

Linking up (later this week) with Needle and Thread Thursday, Finish it Up Friday, and, as this is one of my Q4 Finish Along goals, The Littlest Thistle.

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  • Jess @ Quilty Habit
    December 2, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    Wow. This is lovely! I love how the color changes as you move your eyes down the quilt. And the quilting is stunning, too! Great job!

  • Audrey
    December 2, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    This. YES. I want this on my bed, and it’s orange and not pink, so you know that means I seriously love it. 🙂

  • Kirsty@Bonjour
    December 2, 2014 at 7:42 pm

    Such a marathon effort, Kim, thank you so much for all your help with perfecting this pattern. I absolutely love your colour choices and the binding in particular was something I wouldn’t not have thought of myself but looks fabulous.
    Wishing you decades of snuggles under your queen-sized beauty!

  • Shelly Pagliai
    December 3, 2014 at 8:50 am

    It was a joy to work on, and I’m so glad you found me. Your impeccable piecing sure made my job a lot easier . . . congratulations on a beautiful finish!

  • Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
    December 3, 2014 at 6:48 pm

    Wow, wow, wow! Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better … the quilting is exquisite. I love the texture and depth it creates in the quilt. You’ve never revealed where this quilt will live. Oh, how I hope you’re going to keep it for yourself!

  • Claire
    December 4, 2014 at 9:33 am

    That was a lot of new. Queen is work, but oh so useful. Your value shift works very well. Bask away, you deserve it.

  • Cathy
    December 4, 2014 at 10:07 am

    This is gorgeous! You should be proud. I don’t even like orange and I’m in love with this quilt. It is amazing.

  • Dreamworthy Quilts
    December 4, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    I love the gradation you created by reducing the white space as you go up. This is a lovely quilt!

  • Gemini Jen NZ
    December 5, 2014 at 2:03 pm

    Ohh, I LOVE the orange!!! Such a stunning design – this is definitely going on my Pinterest wishlist! Well done, you are an inspiration.

  • Kat
    December 6, 2014 at 1:16 am

    Great pattern design! Love it! And the quilting finishes it so nicely.

  • Jess
    December 6, 2014 at 6:54 am

    This is such a spectacular, vibrant, quilt! Very well done, indeed!

  • Linda
    December 6, 2014 at 12:17 pm

    I just found you and this more than lovely quilt through Jeni Baker’s weekly share. It immediately caught my eye because orange is my favorite color, and the colors and the pattern jumped off the page and told me to find the incredibly talented quilter that made it!! I am speechless as far as describing it goes. Just know that I would steal it from a baby if I got a chance….lol. I plan to start following your blog now.l

    xo Linda

  • Tamie
    December 6, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    What an amazing quilt! Congratulations on the finish!

  • Terri Ann
    December 11, 2014 at 10:29 am

    Wow it must’ve takesn some very detailed planning to get that ombre effect just right. Your thoughtful work really shines through on this sunshiney quilt. Congrats on an amazing finish.

  • Lorna McMahon
    December 13, 2014 at 7:26 pm

    What an absolutely incredibly gorgeous finish. I am in LOVE! The quilting? Mmmm-mmm-GOOD! She’s a beauty and well worth all those hours.

  • katieQ
    January 4, 2015 at 12:20 am

    Wow!! This quilt is a beauty. All the hours of work you put into it certainly paid off. Shelly did an amazing job quilting it.

  • Marly
    January 5, 2015 at 3:49 am

    Wow! What a lot of work matching the fabrics to get such an amazing gradation of colour intensity. An amazing result!

  • Ramona
    January 19, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    I just followed a link to your quilt and it is Stunning!!! I purchased the pattern and am going to make one, too. I have a lot of orange fabrics and just can’t get over how gorgeous your quilt is. Wow!!