I am going to tell you the unbelievable right now. I actually finished the mini from the contest I held last July! Can you believe it?
The winner was Jill, with her idea for the Oregon Coast/Highway 101, and here is the resulting mini:
I was originally thinking I would make something more abstract and less literal, but I couldn’t get the idea of a quilted road sign out of my head.
I found a sign image in the “Oregon Coastal News” and created a life-sized template in Photoshop for my quilt pattern. I couldn’t find definite proof that this was ever an actual Highway 101 road sign (I even scanned Google Earth for an hour looking for the current sign.), but it’s art, so I get to take license!
Since it’s an Oregon quilt, I definitely wanted to use an Oregon based fabric designer. I chose Madrona Road by Violet Craft. I love every fabric line she has released and this line is so iconic to the Oregon countryside. Madrona Road also goes well with my very favorite color right now; Empire Yellow by Art Gallery Fabrics.
I love how the hand stitching on the letters looks like dashed yellow lines on a road. That was a very happy accident.
I debated on the quilting and decided to do swirly, floral doodles, to mirror the graphics in the fabric.
I really want to make more of these. I would love a Pennsylvania Turnpike and California 101 version to hang in my home.
I hope you enjoy your mini, Jill!
Jill R. says
I didn’t even think about the handstitching looking like the road, but you are totally right! And I love that it’s an Oregon based fabric designer. You did an amazing job! Can’t wait to get it hung up 🙂
Jeifner says
It’s so great! Graphic and pretty all at the same time. I’m sure she’ll love all the thought that went in to this.
Carla says
Very very cool. What a great mini
Hilary says
That turned out really gorgeous!
Renee says
It turned out fabulous! Great job, I love your choice of fabrics and quilting!
Erin says
This is gorgeous!! I love Madrona Road, and pretty much anything that is made with it, but I really love the combination of square patchwork with the sweeping curvy sides of the sign. How on earth did you piece that???? It is a really lovely peice.
E xx
Gertie Pye says
This is fabulous x
Michele says
Love it and such a great idea.
Lauren aka Giddy99 says
This is brilliant! This inspires so many home-related quilts I could do! 🙂
Sarah @ Berry Barn Designs says
Oh I love this idea! We move all the time and I might just have to make something similar for all the highways we’ve traversed in our travels. And your quilting on this is just perfect for the design!
Terri says
It’s wonderful!!
Melissa says
It turned out beautiful!
Love Natalie says
What a fabulous idea! Just crying out for Route 66 if you ask me
Kate G says
So awesome! Great work and I agree with the others, a Route 66 is in order, too!
Shari says
This is very very cool.
Vicki says
Whoa…lucky Jill! This is beautiful, Janice.
Christy says
Ooh, so awesome! I just discovered your blog a few minutes ago and I’m already squee-ing over some of your projects. I can’t wait to read more!
Christine Sherman says
This is so awesome, love it!
Susan @TheBoredZombie.com says
Perfect. I. love. it.
Linda says
Lucky Jill! It must be great fun to see your idea translated into a design by someone we admire, and then to get to hang it on your wall! Madrona Road was a perfect choice, Janice, and the whole idea of making this and giving it away makes me totally happy! Lovely, in every way!
Amanda says
I love this so much Janice!! You did an absolutely fantastic job!