Prior to today, other than choosing my fabrics, nothing much had been accomplished on my Regatta quilt. I’m participating in Roseanne’s quilt along over at Home Sewn By Us. She started the quilt along at the first of this month. The quilt along is a go at your own pace kind of project. There’s no pressure to share updates and no etched-in-stone deadline. Although I believe she may have given us a suggested deadline of December 31, 2018.
The Regatta quilt, according to the instructions, measures 57″ x 74.” Not wanting to make another large quilt right now I decided to cut the size in half by only using strips that are 2 1/2″ x 21″. In the pattern the author used varying shades of blue for her color choice. While I thought her quilt was beautiful the blue just wasn’t something I was interested in. Instead, being the vibrant color lover that I am, I selected a rainbow of fabric strips for my project. I’m also swapping out the white filler strips and blocks with black fabric. White is also not on my top ten list of colors. By making these adjustments I have exercised my right to add my own flair. 🙂

Day two of my experience began with converting the patterns template to fit my strips. I am fortunate to have tubs of pre-cut 2 1/2″ fabric strips. Just about every time I purchase a piece of fabric I cut a 2 1/2″ strip from it and stash it away in my color coordinated strip bins. Then when I have a need for random strips of fabric I already have an inventory to draw from.
The first thing I did was to read through the instructions. I can’t tell you how many times I haven’t, only to find myself confused and making mistakes. Of course, even if I do this step, it doesn’t guarantee my project will go perfectly. Who never makes a mistake! LOL! Included in the instructions a page with a grid of the quilt diagraming the measurements per strip. I found this to be soooo helpful!
After reading through the pattern and seeing how they assembled the individual rows I decided to calculate how long each segment should be and cut them accordingly.

As you can see from the photo above I first calculated the measurements as prescribed by the pattern and then refigured them to fit the size I wanted to make. You can tell from my scribbling that I had to readjust my numbers several times. I’m so glad I did these calculations because I knew before hand exactly how long to cut each 2 1/2″ strip. Cutting them to size meant I would not have to trim them at the end. It also made for less fabric waste.
With my plan all mapped out it was time to cut my strips and begin sewing. Before calling it a day I had all of my colored strips cut and laid out on my table. I also cut the black filler strips and blocks. I was even able to stitch together eleven of the colored rows with their black filler blocks.

Day three was the grand finale. After picking-up where I had left off I chained pieced the remaining rows.

The rows of colored strips were then joined together with the black filler strips. Thankfully I only made a few mistakes while stitching them together. A couple of the sections were sewn together in the wrong direction. With this pattern those kind of mistakes are easily spotted. No big-deal though. 🙂 All I had to do was remove the stitching and turn them around.
By the end of the day I had my Regatta quilt top assembled and pressed.

Here’s my finished quilt top.
With my quilt top already to go it is time to cut the backing, batting and binding, then get busy and do the quilting.
Looking back over the process and the outcome I achieved I am pretty pleased with the quilt’s appearance. If I had it to do over again I would make a few changes in the arrangement of the colors. I probably also would either reduce the number of strips used or cut the strips narrower. If you remember my original goal was to make a smaller quilt. I did achieve a smaller quilt by cutting the width of my strips in half. However, I failed to consider the length of the quilt and therefore didn’t reduce that size at all.
So, that’s where my Regatta quilt top is at. The next time I share an update I will be finished with the quilting.
Thank you for sharing your time. I look forward to our next visit. 🙂
I like it a lot. The rainbow of colors is wonderful with the black. If you wanted it shorter, you could always take off some rows and make two quiltlets. =) Looks good with black.
Thank You! That would be an excellent idea. I really like the black too. So glad I decided to go that route. 😊
Wow! Look at those colors! I love your version more than the one of the pattern photo!
Thanks! Shhhhh! Don’t tell anybody but I do too! 🙂
Oh I think I might need to make this one!
Super easy!
Me too.
The brights on black was a fabulous decision! This looks like it would make a great table runner, or if it’s too wide for that, a bed runner for the foot of a bed. Looking forward to seeing how you quilt it!
Kitty, Thank You for sharing your thoughts and for the compliment! I really like the black as well. I’m so glad I didn’t use white. Across the end of the bed would be a great idea! I have a plan in mind for the quilting. Now all I have to do is apply it. Keep watching! 🙂
Your color selections were excellent. Looks great!
Oh Thank You So much! 🙂
This really pops! I love the black and brights…isn’t it great that we have the right to choose and change up a design to personalize it? You had a good idea!
It is awesome to be able to customize patterns! Thank you for your very kind compliments! I’m so glad you took the time to share them. 🙂
Very eye catching! Now, you have to decide on the quilting. I love the black! The colors make such pleasing transitions.
Thank You Grandma! 🙂 I really like it with black too. I’ve been thinking about the quilting and I’m pretty sure how I’m going to do it. Just have to get going now. 🙂
Stunning!
Thank You! 🙂
Love your basic idea to translate the blue/white regatta quilt with black background & bold colors….in many ways, this could be dubbed a contemporary take on an Amish style quilt.
Can’t wait to see it quilted-up by you, the master longarmer!
🙂
Awe, thank you! You are so sweet! I can’t wait to get it quilted! 💃
Hi Cindy,
WOW – that black really makes each color shine and stand out so nicely. I was with you all along, thinking it would be a smaller quilt. I forgot about the length, too. Shoot. It’s still a fabulous, modern quilt and one that I can’t wait to see how you quilt and finish it off. ~smile~ Roseanne
Roseanne, Oh thank you so much! 🙂