Hi fellow quilters,
Today is my turn on the Robert Kaufman’s 30 Quilts for 30 Years blog hop to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Kona cotton.
I was so excited to be invited to participate in this fun project. I’ve enjoyed reading the other designers blog posts about their quilts and getting to know more about the designers and Robert Kaufman Fabrics. Can’t believe that there are now a whopping 303 Kona colors. Isn’t that amazing!
I would like to talk about the process of making my quilt and I have a giveaway, too, so keep reading for a chance to win!!!
My quilt for the 30th anniversary is called Twister Shimmer.
The original colorway that I used to create the Twister Shimmer pattern (QM135) last year is shown below. I had fun using my Kona color card to choose a range of shades in four colorways. The pattern includes a chart showing the 22 Kona fabric ID#’s. My friend Karen Ytzen pieced the quilt and it was hanging in my booth last year at Houston 2013 quilt market.
For the 30th anniversary version, instead of hand picking Kona colors, Nichole at Robert Kaufman suggested that I feature one of their pre-cut fat quarter bundles. This was a bit of a challenge since I wasn’t sure a bundle would contain enough shades of four colorways needed for the quilt, however, the Sunset fat quarter bundle has a nice variety of shades and can be broken into four groups so I dove into this yummy bundle!
The bundle contains 23 fat quarters. I used 22 of the fat quarters plus Kona Black for the background.
I created a grid of squares following the fabric placement guide. For this 72″ x 72″ throw size quilt, 5″ squares are sewn into a grid and then cut out with the Lil’ Twister tool designed by Marsha Bergren of Country Schoolhouse Designs. This popular tool is very easy to use and quite addictive. It’s so fun creating designs that look difficult yet are very easy to piece. The Twister Shimmer pattern also includes many other quilt sizes. If you use the larger Midi Twister tool and 6-1/2″ squares, you can make a queen or king size quilt. And, if you want to make smaller projects you can use the Primitive Pinwheel or Itty Bitty Primitive Pinwheel by Primitive Gatherings to create a 41″ wallhanging or 23″ miniature.
Here’s some Lil’ Twister cutting in action….
Magically, after cutting out with the Lil’ Twister and sewing the units back together, the square grid turns into the Twister Shimmer quilt!
After completing the quilt top, I sent the quilt off to long arm quilter, Kristi Ryan, who did a wonderful job with the quilting. She used a silver thread in the colors and black thread in the background. Since we were on such a tight deadline and Kristi sent the quilt directly to Robert Kaufman, I haven’t seen the completed quilt yet, just in photos and I really like the results!
Closeups of Kristi’s quilting…
The Twister Shimmer pattern is very versatile and you can play with shades of your favorite colors to achieve the look you want. Play with your Kona color card or Kona fabric stash to create your very own quilt palette. For example, here’s an example of what the quilt looks like using shades of two colors, red and blue, rather than four different colors, and adding white for accent. Wouldn’t this make a great patriotic quilt?
Ask for the Twister Shimmer pattern at your favorite quilt shop (they can order it from distributors or me) or you can order it here.
Thank you for visiting my blog and have fun with the blog hop and enjoy all the designers posts. The complete schedule is listed in my last blog post. One of my favorite quilts in the Lookbook is Raceway by Alyssa Lichner. I love the curves and the overlapping effect.
Robert Kaufman is doing a grand prize giveaway at the end of the blog hop which will include 3 of my twister patterns that work great with Kona solids and RK blenders like Fusions including Twister Shimmer, Twister Sparkler, and Twister Illusions which are all shown here:
And now for today’s giveaway! I’m giving away a Kona Sunset charm pack compliments of Robert Kaufman and also a Twister Shimmer pattern.
For a chance to win these goodies, please leave a comment before 10 a.m. CST November 21st.
Giveaway now closed. Winner is Cindy M., congratulations!
Happy 30th Anniversary Kona! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy all the other designers blogs on the hop!
Until next time enjoy all your quilt moments:)
Marilyn
Love all of the twister patterns, especially the Twister Shimmer pattern and the quilt done in red, white and blue. Just stunning!
I always love your patterns. These will be on my list. The border is great.
All of these quilts are stunning! I love them all, and would love to win this giveaway and make one of my own. Thank you!
I especially love this pattern and choice of fabrics ! wow
Stunning quilts!
Gorgeous quilts! The Twister ruler and the Kona colors make a stunning result!
Thanks for sharing your process ! It is somehow intimidating all those colours. you made it simple for me. Thanks for the charm pack
Oh my your quilts are amazing! Years ago, one of my first quilts used this concept and was called ‘Square Dance’ I think. I made my own template but the placement layout was random. I love your patterns that use the twister ruler to achieve spectacular designs!
I love the colours against the black… Absolutely breathtaking!!! Wow!
WOW WOW WOW amazing quilts !!!!!
Your quilts are beautiful!
I love the Twister template. It is so much fun to use. Your quilts are absolutely stunning. Thanks for the great giveaways!!
Working on my Kalediscope this weekend!
I think I’m more excited about the pattern than the fabric on tis one and I never thought that would happen
I absolutely love your Twister quilts. In fact, I have both the Twister templates and have had all these patterns on my wish list for a very long time now. One reason I haven’t is that one thing that holds me back so often, which is the stupid fear of trying something new which is silly since I love these quilts so much. BUT, after reading this post about the Twister Shimmer and fabrics you’ve used in making this quilt, I realized all signs are telling me to get that pattern and get out of my comfort zone and just do it. The pattern is the only thing I’m missing because I bought the Sunset fat quarter bundle without any project in mind because I love all those colors.
Thank you for the great post.
Thank you for sharing your talents with us – love using your patterns. Wonderful giveaway!
I love these colours! I’ve never tried a Twister quilt – yours looks great!
I love this quilt and the Twister patterns! Congratulations
I love your patterns. I have them in my pattern stash. My very first quilt was a twister quilt!. I was hooked. Thanks for the chance to win the wonderful fabric.
These patterns are so striking and make beautiful quilts. I’m especially fond of the Twister Illusions pattern and am putting it on my bucket list. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
This pattern is absolutely stunning!!
Wow! I really like them both, but the darker one is my favorite.
i just love, love, love all your quilt patterns. i teach at two different quilt shops in Massachusetts and would love to teach your patterns. I have purchased one pattern but i believe the shimmer fabrics really make the quilts which I would love to have to get me started. Keep those awesome patterns coming! I’ll be watching for them!
I love what you with fabric. A good combination, Marilyn and Kona!
Your great pics show how easy putting the Twister Shimmer together and the gorgeous color results!!! Love the Kona fabrics and what they do with your designs!! Keep up the great designing!!!
Your quilts are SPARKLE-Y….the fabrics are dancing! KONA KONA KONA…
Thanks for the chance to win. I have bookmarked your site for my next project. Love the Twister Illusions quilt!
Your quilt is fantastic. And, would love to win a Twister Shimmer pattern. Thanks for the chance.
Inspiring work
I just love the colors and the pattern for this quilt!
I’ve made a couple of small Twister quilts and just love your designs!
twister quilts are too fun!
Beautiful!!!!
They are absolutly stunning!
Looks so vivid! Colors are amazing!
Beautiful quilt pattern! Thanks for the chance to win.
Wow. I like the use of the dark background to make the colors “pop”.
I think the Twister patterns have become my all time favorite on this blog hop. Thank you.
Love your quilt. Great colors. Thanks for the inspiration.
Your quilt is gorgeous, the color gradations really do make it “shimmer”.
HI, your work is beautiful! Thanks for a neat giveaway!
Oh my word. BEAUTIFUL and looks fun. Thanks for being in the hop and I enjoyed reading your post. Thanks
Such vibrant colors–thanks for sharing!
This blog hop is fun, and inspiring.
Thank you
Love the beautiful colors with the black in your twister shimmer…cant wait to try it for myself.
Awesome quilt! The Kona colors really glow against the black.
I love my twister tools, I have two sizes and have used each several times – I just love how they turn out, they look hard but they’re not! Your patterns are perfect for Kona solids and all the colors they have available! Thanks for the give away! jacklynnsteven at netzero dot com
WOW your quilts are amazing! I love Robert Kauffman and the kona fabrics…one of my favorites!
Thank you for the giveaway. Your quilts are absolutely gorgeous!
I love quilts that have a black or dark background and these are just wonderful. Thanks for being a part of the hop.
Twister patterns are beautiful. Love your use of solids.
Wow your quilt is Stunning!
Love your quilt!
Beautiful quilts in beautiful colours!
Love them all but especially like Twister Sparkler.
Your quilt is simply stunning. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you for sharing the process that led up to your quilt.
Wow this quilt is breathtaking!! The colours compliment each other perfectly and the black just makes them pop!!
Very inspiring x
What an amazing pattern! I love the bright colors
I love the Twister patterns. So much fun and relatively easy. Your quilt absolutely GLOWS!
Beautiful quilt! I love black with light colors
What a beautiful quilt!
Beautiful color selections. I love how you did the twisters! So inspiring. tweetyb936@aol.com
Wow!!!!! Sew Luscious!!!! Thanks for sharing your beautiful creation. Would love to make this and would choose the exact same color palette!!!!! Crossing fingers to win!!!
Beautiful colors in beautiful quilts. Black sets off colors so nicely.
That is AMAZING!! Wow. I am so impressed by how people come up with these ideas
I have used the Lil Twister tool for a Halloween quilt and loved it. Your quilt looks great!
Pretty quilt designs, like seeing the different colorways.
I’ve made a Twister Christmas quilt in reds, greens, blacks, and white. You’re right, it’s great fun and easy to do.
Wow your quilts are gorgeous. I have not made a Twister before, it is now on my to do list. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing how to use different colorways in this quilt. I really like the soft colors in the 30th anniversary version.
Thanks for showing the different variations – very interesting to see! Hoping to win the drawing. 🙂
That is a very clever thing to have done with the Lil Twister! Great pattern, and nice use of those gorgeous solids.
Love Love Loooove your Quilts!! Thanks for chance to win the charms!! 🙂
Twister Shimmer looks great in all the colors that you used. That shows what a versatile pattern it is. Love it! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.
Beautiful quilt! I really like the colors you used in your first quilt. Thanks for sharing.
Oooo, The fat quarter bundle looks like it was PERFECT for this project! Looks great!!
I haven’t made a twister quilt yet, but I think I am the only one who hasn’t! I love the layout of yours. Star quilts are my favorite.
Lovely quilts.
I’ve been wanting to do a twister quilt you have given me inspiration.
All the quilts are so beautiful.
Marilyn, Twister Shimmer reminds me of the ‘Violet Hour”, my favorite time during sunsets. Your work is beautiful. Thank your for sharing your patriotic inspired version too. Stunning!
I never cease to be amazed at how different a quilt looks when the colors are switched up. All of them look great!
Beautiful quilt!
Love all the color schemes you show. Inspirational.
Love this solid hop. So many exciting designs.
Wow. Stunning use of color in those designs.
Your choice of colours really show off the geometry of these twister patterns. Beautiful.
Just stunning…. the colour, the movement…. love the design
Just lovely…. the colours, the design… and the twist
I love how these colors look set on black- stunning! Thanks for the chance to win! Sarah: crjandsbj(at)netzero(dot)com
Your Twister Shimmer is gorgeous! It’s a WOW!
BEAUTIFUL Colors….LOVE the Pattern!!! <3
That is one beautiful quilt!! Love the colors used.
Twister Shimmer is beautiful done in Kona solids!
Just ask anyone…I’m obsessed with the Sunset color story. I love this new twist on it. 🙂
Did my comment post?
I’m glad I found your blog. Nice pattern!
Your Twister Shimmer quilt is beautiful. I love the shades of colors you used this time around. The red, white and blue one is gorgeous too.
oh how beautiful…love the pastel…it has purple!!!
I love this pattern. Picked it up this summer hope to do it this winter!
I love Kona fabric, been using it for years. Its the only black or white I use.
These twister patterns are the first ones I’ve seen that intrigue me enough to make one.
The Twister Shimmer is stunning!
Just love the colors against the black background – simply stunning!
Absolutely fabulous!! I so want to try a twister quilt and yours is gorgeous. Thanks so much for the chance to win 🙂
Love your twister quilt. Looks fantastic no matter which color way you use.
I’m too late for the giveaway (sign in time), but had to comment on your gorgeous quilt anyway!! So so beautiful.
Love the patterns. Twister Shimmer is great.
There are no words to tell you just how beautiful this quilt is. Thanks for sharing
Could you add another quilter to your email address. zoemwilcox@comcast.net
Your quilts are beautiful…..
Beautiful quilts. I want to try your twister.b.j.day68@gmail.com
I’ve always loved your patterns, and the one you did with the Kona solids is just beautiful.
Really lovely… my favorite one~