Welcome back to this "Alysson Tells You About Our QuiltCon Samples" series. :-) We've arrived at our PENULTIMATE (to use my son's new favorite word) quilt, our sixth of seven samples, the Marco Polo Orchard Stars.
Orchard Stars was one we knew right away we wanted to make a new sample of to bring to QuiltCon. It's quick, it's fun to make, and we'd been itching to do another Two Color Design sample since making our Satsuma Orchard Stars. There's just something really striking about this pattern in two eye-popping colors. It's so good. We made the Large Throw, which finishes at 68" x 74".
We used Bella Royal as our Color 1 and Bella Bright Sky as our Background. These two blues together immediately gave us all the scholarly vibes; think Rory Gilmore at Yale, ivy covered brick libraries, and mornings grabbing coffee from the student union. "Marco Polo" felt very collegiate, not to mention a clear nod to the watery blues in this palette. Additionally, Meghan and I communicate constantly through the Marco Polo app, so that was a fun little inside bit as well.
Marco Polo was actually the first sample we completed for QuiltCon, and we were so excited to be starting in on this ambitious project that we completely neglected to take any process photos. So, you'll just have to trust us when we say that this is a super quick and satisfying make. On to the finished photos!
I just love how crisp the Two Color version of Orchard Stars turns out. Those star points are popping, and the courthouse step blocks really get their moment against all the negative space. We've made samples of all the versions of this quilt, and there's just something about a Two Color.
Emily at So Sunny Quilts quilted the Infinity 1 pantograph into Marco Polo, after we backed him in a Polar Speckled wideback. Bella Electric Lemon was the perfect choice for binding. It sort of brings the "party school" to our very studious quilt.
Of course we had to add an Orchard Stars label from our TCJ x Sarah Hearts Star Twist Labels.
If after all of that, you want even more Orchard Stars, you're in luck! We have a black and white Orchard Stars tote in our shop that you must check out. I use mine literally every single day to tote all my junk to and from the studio. Check it out, and stay tuned for our very last QuiltCon sample!