Modern Service Quilts Scrappy Strip Dash Quilt
Did you see the blog post that went up on the Modern Service Quilts blog this week with all the info on the solids version of Strip Dash we made for this month’s collaboration? It provides a lot of fabulous eye candy and inspiration if you’re looking to make your own service-quilt version of the pattern. But if you’ve been following along on IG or this blog this month, you know I’ve also been working on another scrappy version, and I’m excited to share the finished top!
I’m in love with this quilt. After making the solids version, I wanted to try go for a scrappier look with prints in this version, and when I saw the red, white, and blue Cotton + Steel collaborative collection The Rain in Spain, I couldn’t resist snapping up a jelly roll. I went back and forth on the background color for a long time. My original plan was to use white or maybe a light chambray, but I went into my local quilt shop with a pretty open mind because I wasn’t committed to either of those options (seeing the finished top now, I’m so glad I didn’t “settle” for white, which would have been completely lackluster in comparison to this version).
When I stumbled upon this bluebell color of the Sugar basic by Sarah Watts for Ruby Star Society, I knew it would be perfect. The blue was close to the royal blues in the jelly-roll strips without being an exact match, so I knew it would frame them well while still providing a distinct break, which helps everything to pop. The small, scattered white dots create almost a sparkle when viewed from a distance. Once I’d settled on the background, I decided to double down on the Sugar print by also using it in navy for the accent strip in each block. It provides both continuity and contrast.
I’ve already made up a matching backing and packed this one up to pass off to Lilo at Trace Creek Quilting to work her longarming magic, and I can’t wait to see how it comes back! I’ve got big plans for a very scrappy binding to really reinforce the scrappiness of the pieced blocks. It was so fun and quick to put this jelly-roll version together that I’m really tempted to jump right into a second one using the rest of The Rain in Spain jelly roll. It includes more dark blues and grays, so it would be a totally different look. Depending on which layout and quilt size you choose, a single jelly roll (combined with background and/or an accent strip fabric) can produce two throw-size Strip Dash tops or up to FIVE baby-size tops. Think of the possibilities! The Strip Dash pattern is a perfect choice for all kinds of quick-quilting needs.
Just a reminder that, as this month’s MSQ featured designer, I’ll be donating 75% of the proceeds from the Strip Dash pattern for the month of September to the National Association of Minority Veterans (NAMVETS), so grab your pattern this month to stretch your impact for some very worthy veterans. Head on over to my shop to grab your copy of the pattern.
