Towards the end of last year, I started work on a new quilt for myself. I wanted to use the Trip Around The World block and after watching a few videos, I though I was ready to start cutting my fabric and work on the first steps of constructions.
My fabric choice started with Kaffe Fasset/Free Spririt designs (mostly) left over from my first large quilt, and to keep the focus on these gorgeous fabrics, I decided to add plain blue and green cotton colors to fill up this TATW design.
After I had made my first blocks, I played around with the actual design, unsure if I want to keep a full ‘circle’ with only one KFC fabric, or if I wanted to mix it up.
Once I came to a decision, I quickly continued construction.
I'm working on my next quilt project: let's go on a trip around the world!
Slightly more muted colors than my previous big quilt, but the main row will still be Free Spirit/Kaffe Fassett fabrics. I think I have decided which configuration I will choose, but I have not yet decided on a size.
3 by 5 (each 4x4 blocks) or 4 by 4 (each 4x4 blocks).
Any quilters who have experience with this quilt block?
A few months later, it was time to undo most of my work, breaking up the 16 large blocks into their quarters again, because I need to check and rethink my design, as I explain in the posts below.
While I was learning the ins and outs of my new sewing machine, my big quilt project was waiting patiently for me.
I have read up on the Trip Around The World pattern, and I noticed my design was missing out on the middle cross section which helps make a more pleasant geometric form (imo).
So ... I will check out my KF Collective/Free Spirit fabric stash to see if I can find one fabric that I can use in my 16 squares; the plain colors will not change.
Back to the drawing/design board, and I need to prepare myself for some serious unpicking of seams!
Following a TATW block, my design needed an extra row, so after choosing more KFC fabric, I went back to the sewing machine to adjust my design, changing the overall look of the quilt. Adding in extra pieces is something that my carpenter/wood working grandfather would have called “Stukkie-Bij” which became the name of this quilt.
Quilt update, Trip Around The World
When I placed all 16 blocks on my bed (see beginning of this thread), I looked at the picture often to see why the blocks did not make sense to me. When I found that it was because of the square of aqua-colored blocks in the middle, I decided to unpick and start over after adding in an extra row of smallers blocks.
After unpicking all 56 blocks, I ironed them again and I removed the bits of fluff/thread as best as I could.
Of course, when adding in an extra row, the size of the quilt grew again. My bed is not very large, so a 240x240 cm quilt would dwarf my bed, making it very cumbersome to move and use. With the additional rows, I can now change the design from a 4x4 block finish (240x240 cm) to a 3x3 block finish (180x180 cm), which also made picking and choosing the KFC fabrics for the middle slightly easier.
I have one new block finished, the other 8 blocks have been pinned out ready for sewing. As I'm progressing, I'm starting to think of the binding for this quilt: I do not want to add a border, and a scrappy binding feels too busy. I am leaning towards a plain color. I have two options for the backing, both would work great with plain colors as well.
First up: continue to finish the eight large blocks!
Many choices to make (backing, binding, quilt stitch pattern) before I was able to finish my quilt, but I am happy with the end result.
Waiting for its name label and a short turn in the washing machine, but I consider this quilt finished!
Meet "Stukkie-Bij", the quilt I started on my first sewing machine towards the end of 2024 and finished this week on my (new) current sewing machine. After I decided to adjust the initial design (I almost had a finished quilt top!), I added new rows to the main blocks which my carpenter grandfather would have called a "stukkie bij".
I've found the Trip Around The World block a fun but fiddly block to make, and I love the secondary designs you can create when playing around with colors and fabrics designs.
A next quilt is not yet planned, but I have ideas running around in my head.
