Mini group challenge quilts

I think it was last May when we went on a retreat and on going into a local quilt shop we ALL fell in love with this line of taupe dots and houndstooth fabric.  We bought pieces from the whole line.  Nancy then challenged us to each come up with a quilt using these fabrics to be revealed at a later date.

There's a lot of fabric here.  

I took the challenge literally staying with just those fabrics.  

At this point, I was pretty much hating it. 

So, I added a couple more solids, white on white dots and white on white houndstooth.  As soon as I added the white and the extra solids, then it was speaking to me.  

I have been wanting to try the straight line stitching on my Millenium with the channel locks.....a very modern look.

So I did straight line......after straight line...... after straight line....get the idea?

I used a medium tan thread almost throughout and where you see wider spots, I went back and added either a dark gray or white line of thread.  You may be able to see that in the next picture.  I would have used a variegated thread if I could have found one that was taupe-y enough.  

Finally the stitching was done and I do believe it was well worth it.  

Looking at the backing, the quilting almost gives the effect of Linen or Dupioni silk.

I then bound it in one of the solids. 

Now my challenge is done.

Now I have to show you Nancy's challenge quilt.  It is stunning!  She threw in only ONE fabric and that made this quilt a winner in my book.

I now wish I had gotten a picture of this one in its full glory.  It really was amazing.  

As for Sharon's, even though it was not finished at this point....she threw in a ton more fabrics.  She is our Bonnie Hunter queen and .....well, I'll let you decide.  I think this quilt is going to be amazing, too.

I can't wait to see it finished.