River Rock Quilt Along…Better Late than Never
When I signed up for this nine-month quilt-along in 2016 at my local quilt shop, Cut Up and Quilt, I had every intention of creating it month by month as it was released. Instead the months kept piling up in the corner and the quilt-along passed me by. I finally found the time to finish this baby. River Rock was designed by Sarah Maxwell of Designs by Sarah J and uses the River Rock Primo Batiks by Marcus Fabrics. Such rich colors!
Each month contains enough 10-inch batik squares to complete two blocks and spacers. Cutting takes longer than a normal pattern because units are cut one at a time. Add to that, I heavily starch each square before I cut. Slow going it was but cutting was wonderfully accurate as a result. It made piecing a breeze.
Here’s a photo breakdown month by month.
Once I was ready to quilt, I needed a thread that would go with all the lovely earth tones. Jamie Wallen to the rescue. Over the years I’ve watched his wonderful YouTube videos and one of the threads he loves to recommend is Isacord #0232 Seaweed, which he affectionately refers to as the “baby poop” color. I can testify it is closer in color to baby poop than seaweed, but does in fact, go fabulously with every fabric on this quilt!
Here’s a link to it on his site: Isacord “baby poop”. You can probably find it at a better price elseware, but I’m so darn grateful for his recommendation, I continue to buy it from him several spools at a time. My Gammill Charm, finicky baby that it is, loves it. If you decide to give it a try, do not be put off by the color it is on the cone. It so much better than that, promise!
I ended up quilting this do death, one block at a time. I won’t inundate you with every block but here are a few closeups…
And the final reveal…
This quilt along was so generous with leftover 10-inch squares, I was able to make a second quilt (different pattern) with them, which I promise to share shortly.
