I did it! I finally finished my center star for the Aviatrix medallion quilt. I have to say I really love it, is it okay to say that about your own quilt?
I really love making medallion quilts (so far I’ve done the Marcelle Medallion and Midnight at the Oasis). This pattern is called Aviatrix Medallion and was created by Elizabeth Hartman. (you can buy the pattern here and see how the original looks).
Now, I do have some explaining to do because if you are familiar with the pattern, you know mine looks different. While I love the original quilt, I really wanted mine to have a larger, more emphasized center star compared to the subsequent borders. To keep things simple, I still made the star with the birds according to the pattern, but I used prints instead of solid colors.
The pattern calls for cutting each diamond individually, and they are really tiny. I thought I could manage it better and keep better accuracy if I paper foundation pieced the diamonds. I drafted a pattern for myself from the measurements of the diamond template on the pattern, then labelled the paper to keep track of which fabric went in each spot. This did require some imagination since paper piecing is actually the mirror image of regular piecing. As you can see, I pressed my seams open, keeping fingers crossed the entire time that the seams would match up!!
As I said, I wanted to create a larger central medallion, so I designed a chevron pattern that surrounds and expands the central bird star. I like how it kind of radiates out because I started with a light print, then medium, then darkest on the outside. These chevron pieces were made using strips, then cutting at 45 degree angles to make diamonds.
The next step is my first border! Since my star block is so big, I will be skipping the half-square-triangle border that comes first on the pattern. I’ll have to enjoy it as is for now, though, at least until after the holidays and kids get back to school and we return from family visits.
Have a great week! Linking with Lee for WIP Wednesday
Sharon
If you haven’t tried Paper Foundation piecing and want to try it (you will love it!) I have a beginner tutorial Here, and bit more advanced one Here.
Getting sharp points in the center where so many seams come together can be tricky, see how I do it Here
Gorgeous!
Wow, I don’t have any words…just amazing
Totally amazing – precision quilting and quite lovely!
Wow, this looks fantastic, Sharon! I really like your idea to expand out the central star block, I think it will really help the quilt pattern pop.
OK, you totally rocked that! I love the rainbow birds in the prints. Very nice touch.
Love it! I have this pattern and didn’t notice it was birds until seeing yours! I’ll have to reconsider my color placement. Love your fabric choices too!
The center looks like four birds coming together! Or they could be turtles! Lovely progress!
I remember seeing those birds some twenty years ago in an old quilt, and love how they become modernized! Good idea to paper piece that center–you are always full of good ideas, I think. Beautiful final project, overall!
This is just stunning!
Perfection!!!
Just gorgeous!
you better say you love your own quilt! isn’t that why we do this – love? if we didn’t like the outcome, we’d not be doing it long. =) love the colors in your star points!
Absolutely, you should love your own quilt! The additions look good, they really accent that star. I did a medallion quilt recently and I like how they look like a real quilt early on and then grow.
(This was mine, hope you don’t mind the link: http://theironandneedle.blogspot.ca/2014/07/st-andrews-medallion-quilt.html)
Of course you can love it! Why would you not love this and hat is awesome to just foundation it instead (I’m sure it wasn’t as easy as you made I sound! )
Just beautiful! Great job!
This is stunning! All of your extra work paid off!
Love this! Really like the changes you made and your fabric choices. Looking forward to seeing this quilt grow!
This is so inspirational! It’s just beautiful! Can’t wait to see the entire quilt finished!
Beautiful!! I might try making this by sewing strips then cutting them on the diagonal to get the diamonds.
Votre travail est remarquable, félicitations
Hermosos tus trabajos
I just found your quilt on pinterest and wanted to buy the pattern but it seems it’s no longer available on Canyon website. Any thoughts as to where I might find the pattern? Thanks!!
Sharon, I pinned the “Aviatrix Medallion” block to my Quilt board in Pinterest but wanted to take a moment to tell you that I love this block and admire very much your work. It’s very clean, crisp and very precise…I think you’re VERY brave to use the white as a background and maintain the “crisp” in my list of attributes above. Great job. Anna (Edmond, OK)
This pattern quilt and company and designer of pattern no longer exist. Can you point me in the right direction to find this pattern please.
Would you sell the paper piece pattern that you created?
Awesome. Did a Dove In the Window block not too long ago and paper piecing the birds does make the process easier. I love your take on the design.
Would you sell the paper piece pattern that you created? Just the actual template would be fine. I have done a lot of paper piecing and could probably figure out the sewing sequence, without written instructions . Thanks !!!!
I love the pattern. Is it available.
I would love it if l made it. Nothing wrong with giving credit where credit is due. Dang, that’s purty. Glad I got to see it. Can’t wait for more
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where can I get the paper pieced pattern for the birds and chevron block
i am also interested in getting the paper piecing pattern for the birds and chevron block.
I would love to have both the pattern and the paper piecing pattern if possible. I just love this and I agree paper piecing is the way to go!!! I tried the Elizabeth Hartman site and the pattern is no longer available. 🙁
I just saw your quilt on Pinterest. It is beautiful. As mentioned previously by “Sam” I believe the center star is called Dove in the Window. It is tradiorally paper pieced and templates can be found easily on the internet (at least for the center star portion). It was the quilt made by Laura Ingalls Wilder which she mentioned and referred to in the “Little House on the Prairie” books series. I have to wanted to piece this quilt since I was as a child but is still on my long list of projects. Even though I can say I am an experienced quilter this is definitely an advanced quilt. You should be very proud of your success.