Chloe
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/8260c72c-6cc5-4401-aec7-575e27245ee6_rw_1920.jpg?h=f15718b0819a663ffbe5e28313a03403)
“Chloe” quilt, 60″ x 60″, made in July 2019.
This is a quilt I designed from a photo of my daughter Chloe. This photo of her when she was 8 years old was my inspiration. I just love how fair her face is, the contrast of her pretty eyelashes and mouth, and the way the light is bouncing off her face and hair.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/defe9bc1-749e-4d9a-82d2-0474c4ebefb7_rw_1920.jpg?h=ff797dc3b3f2af34d31eab58991f0f74)
I simplified the image and created a digital illustration. What’s really special about this project is that Chloe sat right next to me at my computer and helped make design choices. We opted to add a bit more blue to the piece.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/2611dd13-c6ad-42e3-9c12-aa087ff59c68_rw_1920.png?h=e1219ae54db6310e4d1ba450f2af4d96)
I made foundation paper piecing templates and had them printed on 36″ x 48″ sheets of paper at my local print shop.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/7bb47853-0f50-4874-aa85-04552f936e52_rw_1920.jpg?h=c37977f9151f0bf066d58b162ee257ef)
I used my fabric swatch magnets to help choose colors, and nabbed the Kona Cotton solids from Sewfinity.
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![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/70407acc-be3f-4650-a7d0-db0af27757f3_rw_1920.jpg?h=8d495a20e7d231964b52fba01fdb37cf)
I always sew the largest shapes first. Here’s the design wall progression:
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/2f55f178-7af6-4fe6-947c-5d1d09f4d458_rw_1920.jpg?h=1515ee4d08291a10bd9d203810544354)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/58cc3cd1-953e-4f63-9a02-db4f5675bbc7_rw_1920.jpg?h=2bed2d3a74a7e4b0d81770a1f645e54f)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/53f0865c-e654-4f06-85a2-db469923bef4_rw_1920.jpg?h=59354f88cdda8ed2bc04534532d02e71)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/e222e9d8-735d-45f7-88c0-b7d0ef0a00a8_rw_1920.jpg?h=3f36307c9915c445574283c5a0e83558)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/228b4960-c324-4dbf-b66e-d608a28ee266_rw_1920.jpg?h=a2125ee1db310737381f1c978ed794c5)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/017c8062-fbac-42c8-9eaa-43c1ed342b39_rw_1920.jpg?h=c1685644a18358c66a3b4237d0fbfec7)
Here’s the quilt back, before I removed all the paper.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/3339100b-5457-4419-b83c-349569214913_rw_1920.jpg?h=92906d07bcb3a4e454ec1988f9621bb6)
Here’s the backside of one of her eyes. For the thread, I used Bottom Line 60 weight in Silver by Superior Threads. This thin, strong polyester thread reduces bulk for an intricate design like this, plus its poly-strength keeps the seams intact while ripping off the paper.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/e1a32192-c95f-44f4-9d30-3c10e3e74c7d_rw_1920.jpg?h=7db20e8663b774603a24d6426a73504a)
For quilting, I chose a simple diagonal cross hatch using Aurifil 40 weight thread in Dove.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/bdc47d53-f6a1-4cd5-a83b-7bb99d181fce_rw_1920.jpg?h=d88309f24c063f6418b8f3eb76b5913f)
I loved every step of making this quilt. When I’m gone, it will be Chloe’s, and I hope she’ll remember designing it with me.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8d93778d-e6bc-4866-a233-4e8542265981/e50481ea-c044-48f8-acb2-4f89bf1f2b35_rw_1920.jpg?h=27f7625e8e60f1c40b6ef037515db009)