Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Dust Off an Old Book: Cultural Fusion





Welcome! It is my time to dust off an old book for the blog hop.  Today, I am featuring Cultural Fusion Quilts by Sujata Shah. The subtitle is A Melting Pot of Piecing Traditions.  It shows you how to make 15 free-form block projects and has a lot of inspirational photos and ideas.

When I cleaned off all the dust, I discovered that it came with a project that I had already started.

Shasta Matova's Cultural Fusion Rail Fence blocks

I started this quilt way back in 2015.  In November 2015, I showed I was making the blocks.  I had already made one improv quilt based on Sherri Lynn Wood pattern and I was intrigued by Sujata's book because the blocks are improv, but once you trim them up, they are easy to sew together in a traditional fashion. It is an easier way to step into the world of improv without becoming overwhelmed.



By December 31, 2015, it was a complete quilt top.  I had a lot of fun making the blocks and the hardest part was choosing the fabric and the layout. I had another quilt that was ahead of it in line to be quilted so it was folded and put on the hanger.  And there it sat until it was time to dust off the book this year. I figured I could just quilt it in time for blog hop day.

When I laid it out again, though, I decided that the quilt was too small, which may have been another reason why it wasn't quilted yet.  I decided might as well play with some more free form design. The leftover fabric had already been put away or used, and I think I had tried to use up as much as I could for this quilt, so I had to get creative in the borders. I decided I could carry on with different fabrics that would go with the original fabrics.


I decided I wanted to add two borders, a rail fence border and triangles. After lots of thinking and auditioning, I decided the rail fence would go first.  Instead of making the rows into same size blocks, I cut them random sizes. I like how some of the skinnier rails look like they are folded. All this decision making took time, but I decided it was better to take my time so I would be happy with the outcome, even if it meant the quilt might not get finished by blog hop day.


After debating yet again about whether it still needed the triangle borders, I went ahead and added them. I only trimmed the part where they would be added to the quilt because I will need to trim after quilting anyway. I figure I can save myself the trouble of doing that twice.

The pictures so far make it look rectangular, but it really is more of a square quilt. 

For my efforts as a part of this blog hop, I offer you two additional borders. It gives you more insight to the ideas in this book than if I had just quilted it. I think this is now plenty big enough and is ready for quilting. I need to piece the backing and the batting as well as finish another quilt that is ahead of this one in line, so unfortunately, am not able to show you a finished quilt today.


This post is a part of the Dust Off a Quilt Book Blog Hop hosted by Beaquilter.  To celebrate, I am going to draw a name from all of the people who comment on this post and send them these two books of quilt patterns. I got them both from a library book sale. They offer a variety of patterns for the beginner and intermediate quilter. Let me know if you want them in the comments, and I will  I will draw a winner on Monday the 25th to give people time to find this post.


Thank you for visiting me, Shasta Matova, here at High Road Quilter. I've enjoyed our visit and you are welcome back anytime.

Here's a list of the other participants so you can continue your hop.

Monday Feb 18th
Turid at densyendehimmel
Pamela at Pamelaquilts
Selina at Selinaquilts
Kathleen at Kathleenmcmusing

Tuesday Feb 19th
Jennifer at curlicuecreations
Stephanie at stephjacobsondesigns
Kathy at Kathysquilts
Shasta at High Road Quilter (that's me!)
Theresa at bumbleberrystitches

Wednesday Feb 20th
Suzy at Websterquilt
Nancy at patchworkbreeze
Brenda at songbirddesigns
Denise at craftraditions

Thursday Feb 21st
Leanne at Devoted Quilter
Jennifer at Dizzyquilter
Lee Anne at Podunk Pretties
Lyndsey at Sew Many Yarns

Friday Feb 22nd
Bea at Beaquilter
Barbara at Bejweledquilts
Marian at seams to be sew

Also linked with:
My Quilt Infatuation

41 comments:

Betsy said...

Shasta, I love your cultural fusion quilt. It’s very modern and vibrant!

Turid said...

I,love that triangle border. This is going to be a great quilt. And I really wish to have those books. I have two girls sewing with me, and they would certainly love the beginner inspirational books.

tink's mom said...

This is a very cool quilt. The blocks are great but I really love your border choices. It will be a stunner when completed.

Julie in GA said...

Your borders are a great addition to that quilt top. I especially like the random rail fence blocks. Thanks for the great giveaway!

krisgray said...

The triangle border makes that center POP, love it! I really should make more quilts from my bookshelf, too, lol. Thank you for sharing and for a lovely giveaway.

Stitchin At Home said...

Those borders make the quilt, my fav is the rail fence.

Jan Snell said...

Improv! I love it. The blocks are regularly irregular and the border is an invitation to look more deeply. Thanks for sharing. I would love to win your books. Janice.snell@gmail.com

Anita Jackson @ Domestic Felicity said...

Great improvisation in your quilt! I must be doing some digging in my quilt stash and mix match up just like you have! Thanks for the chance at being awarded the books you've found!

Barb said...

Interesting quilt, love it

Jennifer Thomas said...

I love the way your quilt turned out! The extra borders really finish up the fun look. Thanks for the chance to win, too. Giveaways are always fun. Have a fabulous day!

Rozz01 said...

The borders really add the finishing touch to the quilt. I Would love the chance in the quilt book drawing.

works4me said...

That quilt is great. The rail fence border is amazing. Personally, I would use the triangle border as well since it lightens up the whole quilt a bit and adds even more interest. I would love to wins the books. Thanks for the chance.

@lutzcats said...

I love that border...it sizzles!

Deanna W said...

It always amazes me how you can take an older quilt and finish it months later and maybe modernize it a bit....wonderful quilt!

Lori Smanski said...

wow this has come out stunning. i love that it looks difficult but is not. thanks for sharing. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

Quilter Kathy said...

I love it! And your project reminded me that I have started this quilt project too!!!
I wonder where my version is?!?! LOL

Angie said...

Beautiful quilt! Nice colors! I actually have one of those quilt books so please don't enter me in the draw for them. Thank you anyway! Enjoy your day :-) angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom

Rosemary said...

I have really enjoyed this blog hop. Reminder of my stack (s) of books and do review them yet again. This will be my next project. Lovely quilt!!

Joyful Quilter said...

The added borders give the quilt more character...I keep trying improv but I think I'm too traditional. Fun blog hop, I should dust off (and get rid of) a few of my books.

Carol Swift said...

What a fun quilt...that border brings it all together and it looks fabulous! Thanks for sharing!

Robin said...

Your quilt is so creative and absolutely a joy to look at.

Emily said...

I think this is the most brilliant idea for a blog hop and I love that your "dusted off" book came with a started project!!!! How perfect. I really like your black and white triangle border, it's a lovely contrast to the colors in the center blocks.

Bobbi @ Snowy Days Quilting said...

I'm enjoying this blog hop so much! I love that you discovered an old project that you could pull out and bring to life. I really like your ideas for making it bigger. I think the triangle border really makes the quilt. I'm glad you decided to go for it!

Carla said...

Such a great concept and quilt. Very inspirational.

Joyce Carter said...

Beautiful top and I really love the borders. Sooo pretty!
Thank you for the giveaway. I would love the chance to win the books.

Karrin Hurd said...

Great quilt! Love the border!

GranChris said...

That's a fun quilt that will be loved. I truly like the color and the design.

Paulette said...

Your borders really take this quilt to the next level! It's beautiful, and now I want to play with that block (a book I have but haven't put to use yet). Thanks for the inspiration and the sweet giveaway. The books look great.

Calicojoan said...

Ohhhhh...this is such a fun quilt. I have to say the black and orange blocks made my mind run right to Halloween. I can so see it in a quilt full of pumpkins, ghosts and goblins! You rocked my inspiration today!

Michelle said...

How fun is this quilt! I love it!

The Joyful Quilter said...

I really like the border you chose for expanding your quilt! Thanks for offering a giveaway. I have quite a few quilting books, but don't own either of the ones that you plan to share.

Karen McMahon said...

I love your quilt. It has such wonderful movement with those great borders! I would love to win the books. Thanks for the chance to win.

Unknown said...

Love the way it turned out. I think the last border really holds it together. I would love to have your books. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

Barb Neiwert said...

I love the free-form borders that you added to this quilt. It really ties it all together in such a fun way! I'll bet you're glad you got it finished!

Sandyzoo said...

I really like the scrappy zigzags! This has been a fun blog hop.

Quiltsmiles said...

Shasta, I love how you finished this ufo and dusted off your book at the same time. Beautiful quilt, it vibrates and is really vibrant. Congrats and thanks for sharing.

Kay said...

I am just now getting time to dive into this hop, and it's been great seeing what's n everyone's bookshelf. Loving what you are doing with this quilt. The borders you are adding really jazz it up. I'd love to win these books. I am an intermediate quilter, and trying to build my skills this year by making comfort quilts and also QOV quilts. Thanks for participating in this hop and offering a give away.

Nancy said...

Your quilt is great! I like the original blocks. Then when I saw the additional 2 rows I thought, WOW! I think the border rows are just what is needed. Thank you for showing, it is inspirational. Thank you for the opportunity to enter and maybe get new books.

Leanne Parsons said...

I love the addition of the two borders! They add some real wow factor to the quilt :)

Kate said...

It's always worth the time to think through how you want to finish a quilt. The borders you added really add to the over all quilt. Congrats on a very fun and fabulous finish!

Andree G. Faubert said...

Hi Shasta, that is going to be a really great quilt. I love the wonkyness of the blocks and the borders. Those are really great ideas. I'm going to look for that book. Thanks for sharing!