Beacon - A Quilting Jetgirl Pattern Release

I am so excited to share with you my version of Yvonne's (Quilting Jetgirl) newest pattern! When Yvonne sent a picture of the quilt and asked if I wanted to test, it took me about two seconds to say, YES!! All that negative space! Are you kidding me?? :)

As with Yvonne's other patterns, the instructions are clearly written and the graphics and pictures included provide the maker with the information needed to get those points pointy and to have those seams match up. When working with the high contrast between background and feature fabric, it is kind of important to have things line up properly. I think Yvonne has done a great job in giving you the instructions and tips you will need to make that happen. This is not one of those patterns in which you might decide to go rogue (raising hand as someone who does go rogue often!) and not follow the directions for making the beacon and angle blocks. . . Trust me (and more importantly, Yvonne!), you'll save yourself a lot of time. :)

In Yvonne's launch post, she wrote "My goal with the Beacon quilt pattern is to encourage you, the quilter, to incorporate a mindful story into the quilt." I'm not sure a pattern designer can anticipate exactly how their pattern will be interpreted and how a story might develop. . . And this quilt tester definitely did not anticipate the intense interest and story my husband weaved into this quilt! As soon as the flimsy was finished, he started sharing the 'story.' His story included ancient civilizations, ufology, and a fight that is very personal to us both, his fight against Lyme disease. Thank you, Yvonne for letting me test this pattern and for giving me the chance to 'work out' this story while quilting this quilt! Want to see Breakaway?

Ta Da! :) There is likely going to be some post wash quilting going on with this quilt. What is that green motif in the large triangle on the right? That would be a crop circle. I found a really cool picture of one and recreated it on the quilt. I think I need to add some more diagonal lines to provide a little more stability to that area. The dense green thread used for the actual crop circles is pulling in, more quilting will rectify that. . . I think ;)

Those are spaceships in the middle diamond. I think these need a little more definition as well.... The ship on the left is my quilted version of the UFO Kenneth Arnold saw in 1947. And the ship on the left is the Horten flying disc. The diamond on the right is a rendition of the Vitruvian Man drawing by Da Vinci but in my drawing, the man is an alien. . . :)

The motif in the upper right is a Sumerian Eagle. The symbols above the eagle are from the Roswell I-beam and from the Nazi Bell.

I am particularly proud of how this one turned out :) This is the Eye of Horus or the Eye of Ra.
The Eye of Horus was believed to have healing and protective power, and it was used as a protective amulet. It was also used as a notation of measurement, particularly for measuring the ingredients in medicines and pigments. The symbol was divided into six parts, representing the shattering of Horus´ eye into six pieces. Each piece was associated with one of the six senses and a specific fraction.

Sun and Moon Yin and Yang. This was the last space I needed to fill with a motif. I needed something cool looking and quick. I think it filled both requirements. :) I will likely be adding more quilting to this section as well. . . Seriously, someone should just stop me! haha

The top diamond (under the Eye of Horus) includes and outline of Plumb Island, the Lyme Spirochete and a paperclip. . . I could write a book about the significance of this section of the quilt but I won't. If you are interested in learning more, this book is well written and most well researched I've found on the subject (not an affiliated link). The man below is the Nazca Man. Loving how he turned out too!

I had the flimsy finished in January. That's when my husband shared his vision with me. Then we hit a bit of a rough spot with his health and life in general. The quilting was not started until Renee sent me an email and asked me if I realized the quilt needed to be finished in 11 days..... Whut??? How did that happen??? Crap, must get a move on!! So in the midst of a five day visit from family, I worked through the motifs he had chosen for the quilt. There were many times I thought there was no way I was going to get this quilt finished! It is mostly finished but as I indicated in some of the descriptions above, I will likely be adding a bit more. If you are interested in any of the symbols or motifs I've included, a quick search on the key words I have provided will provide you with days and days of reading or shoot me an email. :) Once I do more quilting, I will likely do another post. And since this post about the launch of Yvonne's pattern, I didn't want to write a book and bore you with a ton of details. :) I do want to mention that the fillers in the top left and bottom triangles (corners and middle) were some that I saw on Hillary Florence's blog when she first posted them. I never forgot that piece and knew at some point those designs would come in handy! I think they fit perfectly into this quilt.


Speaking of the pattern! Want to create a story of your own? Yvonne is offering this pattern for $7 through April 3, 2016 and you can get it at either her Craftsy or Etsy stores. And while you are there, check out her other fabulous patterns!

Also, make sure you check out the other awesome quilts made from this pattern at:

• Monday, March 21st – Introduction by Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
• Tuesday, March 22nd – Audrey @Hot Pink Quilts
• Wednesday, March 23rd – Judy @Quilt Paradigm - You are here!!
• Thursday, March 24th – Renee @Quilts of a Feather
•  March 25: More Beacon Awesomeness at Quilting Jetgirl and Sew Mama Sew!

There is so much room for interpretation with this quilt! I highly recommend the pattern and if you are looking for that perfect quilt to practice your doodle quilting, graffiti quilting, crazy quilting. . . whatever you call it - this is the perfect pattern! The pattern gives instructions for three sizes, baby, lap and queen.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday!

Until next time, keep on quilting!!