Modern Plus Sign Quilts Book Hop: Message in a Bottle

I'm so very excited to share my version of Message in a Bottle from the Modern Plus Sign Quilts book by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander.  If you've headed over from Meadow Mist Designs or Quilted Blooms thank you so much for stopping by.  Cheryl and Paige have hit it out of the park with this exciting new quilt book based on the plus block.  There are so many great projects that you're guaranteed to find something you like as soon as you get your hands on a copy, which I recommend you do!

Photography by C&T Publishing

Message in a Bottle is a simple quilt that makes a big statement.  It's wonderful for using up larger pieces of fabric that you may have in your stash.  At 48 inches square it makes a perfect lap quilt or playmat for a baby.  You will love how easy it is to put together.  Below is the book version of Message in a Bottle.  The large center plus with the red border really pops against the background for maximum graphic impact.

Photography by C&T Publishing

For my version of Message in a Bottle I chose four fabrics from the Maribel collection by Annabel Wrigley and I love how they look together in the quilt.  Yellow is my favorite color and I was happy to incorporate it into this special quilt.

This pattern also gives you lots of opportunities for great quilting with all of the wide open space and its simple motif.  I decided to have this quilted with an allover edge to edge floral pattern by Allison at AB Quilting Studio.  I think this is the third quilt I've had quilted with this design...I love how pretty it is.   I like the way it mimics the floral background print.  Allison chose a matching aqua thread and the results are spectacular.

With such a simple design your piecing really shows in this quilt, so when you make this quilt (and I know you will!) it's important to pin carefully where the plus seam joins are.  I recommend that you sew a few stitches to secure them in order to ensure that when you sew across everything lines up perfectly.  Since it is the only piecing in this quilt, you'll really want it to be right.  My friend Michelle at From Bolt to Beauty has a quick tutorial on this technique, which works well when you want to match things up precisely.   

For other great versions of Message in a Bottle check out:

Tish @ Tish N Wonderland

Emily @ The Darling Dogwood

You can purchase a copy of the book here, or for a signed copy and a bonus pattern from Cheryl click here, and for Paige click here.   

Congratulations to Cheryl and Paige for creating a wonderful new quilt book.  You'll want to check out all of the book hop participants and their work here.  Happy sewing!  

Linking up with Sew Fresh Quilts, My Quilt Infatuation, Busy Hands Quilts, and Crazy Mom Quilts.