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KYOTO STEPS quilt in rhythmic serenity

9/6/2019

4 Comments

 
Sometimes I just like to sew. You know, the hum of the machine. The forward motion and progress. Adding piece after piece in a rythmic order and just getting into my zen place of calm at seeing rows of color and pattern coming together. KYOTO STEPS takes me to this zen place.
Kyoto Steps quilt by Robin Pickens full
This quilt is easy to make- a logical cutting scheme and straight sewing- but still has a richness of activity and proportions. It is designed to allow some large prints to have a bigger block (yes, my common theme to show off my large florals) that are more centrally located. Then think of the other blocks as steps that skip and hop away from the center in light and dark.
Quilt Kyoto Steps baptist clam quilt by RobinPickens and Marion Bott
I just love the quilting on this one. I want to rub my hands over it and feel the texture of those fans! Marion Bott (@bottmarion on IG) did a fantastic job with adding the perfect layer of textural dimension to this quilt. The fabric here is from my Painted Meadow collection (shipping October 2019) and I made sure some of my fat bumble bees made it into the large blocks. I also put the large pink print with big Coneflowers on the back of the quilt so there would be lots of drama and excitement when you turned it over.
Kyoto Steps quilt Robin Pickens with Painted Meadow backing
I must admit I really don't like making quilt backs. And I REALLY don't like trying to match a print on a seam when making a back. I'd much rather add a panel down the middle so I don't have to see an unmatched print and use some extra pieces of fabric I have. In this case I made another row of rectangles from leftovers from the quilt top and ran it down the center. I think its stays in the style and spirit of the quilt front and gives a fun interest to the back.
Kyoto Steps by Robin Pickens backing Painted Meadow Moda
Kyoto Steps quilt by Robin Pickens on chair with hexies quilting
Kyoto Steps looks serene in these teal and green colors. This is a scaled down version of the quilt with slightly smaller rectangles. This lap version still gives plenty of room for a big print to shine while playing with those rhythmic rectangles. Sally Corona (@coronaquiltworks on IG) quilted this one in fabulous hexies. Quite a perfect shape with this chair!
Kyoto Steps quilt by Robin Pickens in Painted Meadow LAP size
For this quilt I chose a Moda Bella Solid for the backing- I believe it is Pistachio. I wanted to keep it serene and calm but with a pop of color! I like the way the painted lines coordinate print in the Painted Meadow collection make a good binding with subtle stripes of teal, green, deep red or saturated pink color families.
Kyoto Steps quilt in LAP size by Robin Pickens in Painted Meadow
Kyoto Steps Quilt sizes
KYOTO STEPS is written for three sizes- Lap 58" x 67", Twin 74" x 89", and Full/Queen 97" x 93". The placement of the rectangles is diagrammed out to make it easy to replicate this spacing of blocks. The quilt is made with 6 half-yard cuts plus background if you are making the Twin, mostly 1/3 yard cuts for the Lap (but get 1/2 yard if your main print is directional like mine is) and a mix of 2/3 and 3/4 cuts for the Full/Queen (also adding background yardage to the Lap and Full/Queen). 

If you want to make this in a scrappier way, you can use mixes of Fat Quarters for your pieces. If you are using a Layer Cake, the scaled down size of the Lap will work for those 10" pieces. This quilt is suitable for more beginning quilters.
Painted Meadow quilts by Robin Pickens
You can find KYOTO STEPS along with other patterns from the Painted Meadow release at my shop and the patterns are shipping to local quilt shops with the fabric collections! 
4 Comments
Deb Graber
9/23/2019 07:26:00 pm

I love pieced backs,even when I am just using up leftovers. I feel like it adds another chapter to the story ofthe quilt,

Reply
Kaholly link
11/7/2019 03:47:54 am

I hear ya'! I feel that same way. And....I love this quilt pattern!

Reply
Rebecca Williams
2/9/2021 06:21:39 pm

Really like the Step design and a great use of scraps. Love the others too! The color combinations are beautiful. And, I love to mix prints. Thank you for sharing.

Reply
Sherrie L Olson
5/5/2022 10:13:11 am

OMG! I like to never of found this material as I have to sit on things a bit before I fall in love. I do hope you continue to do the flowers, the same way you have done these and the lilies. You have a unique way! Love it

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    Designer of colorful florals for Moda fabrics. Modern to transitional quilt designer. Illustrator, sewist, crafter.

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