Sparkleworks – Turn Me Over, Turn Me On

Hey lovelies! Last week I introduced you to Sparkleworks, my take on Freshly Pieced’s Bloom Bloom Pow quilt along. I promised you I’d show you the back, in all its technicolor glory, this week. I only lie 5% of the time, and lucky for you, that was not one of those times!

So I think you’ll now understand why this quilt took me ten months to finish. The front was a piece of confetti cake compared to the back. If you’ve worked with the Bloom Bloom Pow pattern, you know that it generates a lot of odd-shaped scraps. It was my mission to use all of them! “Waste not, want more,” I always say!

As the front was a semi-literal interpretation of fireworks, I wanted to achieve an abstract, cubist approach to the back. It is representative of that massive, last colourful bloom you expect at the end of a fireworks extravaganza. Embers fly through the sky, and a cascade of light reflects off the horizon and water below. If you were in Sydney for the New Year, I’m sure you experienced this!

The large bloom sections were constructed by sewing hundreds of similarly-coloured scraps together. I did this in a vague, improv, sort of way (and this way too). At the time, I had no definitive direction about the final outcome, but once I let go of the control-freak wheel, I allowed it to just take me where it wanted. “Yes, papi, take me!” I screamed! Seriously, just scream it out loud, I’m positive you’ll get some satisfaction.

The large bloom sections were constructed by sewing hundreds of similarly-coloured scraps together. I did this in a vague, improv, sort of way (and this way too). At the time, I had no definitive direction about the final outcome, but once I let go of the control-freak wheel, I allowed it to just take me where it wanted. “Yes, papi, take me!” I screamed! Seriously, just scream it out loud, I’m positive you’ll get some satisfaction.

Well and there’s my glitter-flecked binding, which I positioned near the orange bloom, as if orange sparks were flying off the quilt. Would anyone like a tutorial on this? If so, I’m happy to spread the glitter! While we’re here, how fantastic is that dragon tears print (I just made that name up, but I’m totally calling it that). It has to be my favourite batik print in the history of ever. That teal combined with copper… mmm… show me a quitling cotton that can do that!

Jane Davidson’s quilting (Want it, Need it, Quilt!) really adds to the pulsation of the quilt pattern, whether it be from the fireworks or them hitting the water. For me, it also references the sound waves as they echo across the sky. You can tell I’ve thought a lot about this quilt!

I hope you can appreciate how many seam lines are in this quilt with all these scraps. It’s definitely a heavier quilt, and needs to be scrunched up and thrown about the room to get it worn in. I’m hesitating to put it in the wash for the first time as I don’t want to lose any of its saturation levels. (I didn’t and don’t prewash fabrics). You should see me flailing it about the room as I spin in circles. Fabulousness, personified.

The triangle, colour gradient is just another favourite part I just can’t get enough of (LR!). I had made this strip as one of the first parts of the back, again, not knowing how I would end up using it. (See it in its naked glory here). I think it is a bit of alright. Ya know, just a bit.

I so enjoy how colourfully intense it is on both the back and front (or is that the front and back?) Which side do I like more? Ugh, don’t even. But I will tell you I love my middle child the most.

I made my own label for this quilt by folding over a scrap piece, and sewing it into the binding. I then wrote on it with my Sharpie Stained pen. Some quilts I love the handwriting, others I want to eschew it for professionally manufactured labels. This one works for me, though.

And who’s that handsome man? Oh, it’s Mr. Sparkles holding Sparkleworks. My cup runneth over! He’s hating me for posting this picture, so show him some love! Mwah!

Some quick quilt facts:
Title: Sparkleworks
Size: 57″ x 80″
Quilt Design: Designed by Molli Sparkles
Quilting: King Tut Superior Threads by Jane Davidson (Quilt Jane) of Want it, Need it, Quilt!
Binding: hand stitched with Aurifil 28 weight
Backing: Or is that the front!?
Label: Hand-written, sewn into binding.
Favourite Part: The pure, creative journey.