Blogger's Quilt Festival - Milkyway Medallion

This quilt, which I named the Milky Way Medallion, is my first entry for this years Blogger's Quilt Festival at Amy's Creative Side.  I realize I risk tiring everyone out with the same design (especially since I am working on a second version for pattern testing purposes) - but I just truly love how this quilt turned out in the end. 

Inspired by the medallion quilts I have been seeing pop up here and there around the internet and I decided I wanted to try my hand at designing one myself and this quilt was my final result. 

Color inspiration

For color I wanted something fun - something to take my mind off the long MN winter and the final palate for this did the trick.  I was inspired by a layer cake I created for my quilt shop out of the above fabrics.  While I didn't use all the same fabrics pictured above I did use a range of oranges, yellows, and greens and tried to make them flow from one color to the next (including taking the green back into orange).  I then paired the bright colors with low volume grey and white background pieces. 

Close up of quilting - the variegated thread is noticeable, from far away it isn't as much.

For quilting I did an all-over meander in a yellow, orange, and green variegated thread, something I have never tried before on anything larger than a pillow.  The thread blends in wonderfully and really helps tie the whole quilt together. 

The finished quilt measures approximately 70" x 70" and I am entering this into the original design category - although I think it meets a few other categories as well.  I am currently working on a second version of this quilt while I write up the pattern for it.

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to vote on the 24- 30 of May and go check out the other beautiful entries!!