Shine: The Circles Quilt
66″ square
First block started June 2014 • Top finished June 2015
I’ve finished my quilt top and am happy to release it into the world today. I started sewing these English Paper Piecing patterns after I’d finished Kaleidoscope and needed a new hand project. I was also sick of straight lines, and though I’d do some circles. Those of you who have followed along know that I took a lot of inspiration for the circles from a church my husband and I had visited while traveling in Slovenia, the art finding its way into fabric.
I named it Shine because of all those circles, those suns, those compass points, radiating out from the quilt. I could see this all done up in solids, too. I’ve seen a few of your starting your project. Please tag me on IG (occasionalpiecequilt) or drop me an email with a photo so I can see what you’ve begun.
I’ve now completed the instructions for this quilt, and have it available for purchase in my PayHip shop, listed as Shine: Circles Quilt Finishing Instructions, so you can finish off your quilt.
The last four circles — numbers 13 to 16 — are also available as a PDF download pattern: Final Four Blocks from Shine, but because the tutorials are image-heavy, I’ve kept the instructions for the circles on the blog. I’ve loved creating these and sharing them for free, so I hope you’ve enjoyed grabbing them and making them.
Where did I get the inspiration for the finishing? One day when I was walking around San Diego, I looked up and saw the facade of the building and thought, aha! — those crosses with circles would be perfect in between my circles. I ended up leaving off the circles as my quilt had a lot going on , but your quilt may be different, so you decide (the option is in the pattern).
And the border? I started here, in this archway from the church in Slovenia, with those triangles. But again, I wanted my circles — and all that handwork — to stand out, so I simplified it with trapezoidal pieces in between the triangles.
Refer to the main SHINE: The Circles Quilt page, for links to each block.
Thanks for all your support and EPP love while I’ve been working on this project. Happy Piecing!
OccasionalPiece--Quilt! 
A Ma Zing Elizabeth!
I’ve only just come across this (Pinterest is a danger) and it is absolutely fabulous! Gorgeous quilt and thank you so much for sharing the patterns! I have added this EPP project to the list!
Your “slow stitch” project suddenly developed wings and flew to a finished top. Love those bright colors. Can’t wait to see quilting decisions.
What a stunning finish Elizabeth. You have gone into great detail to border those circles to truly make them shine!! Congratulations- I love it!!
It looks incredible and I absolutely love your sashing on it. It is definitely a show stopper. Have fun quilting it.
Beyond awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing quilt. Original and creative. I want to see it!
This Shine quilt is just so lovely, Elizabeth! I love your inspirations 🙂 And I can’t wait to dig into a new detective… I’ve run through most of my favorites. XX!
Stunning. Your choices for the finishing and border are perfect! This looks like a Road to California quilt to me…
Elizabeth, I think this one is my favorite of yours. It shines already and I’m sure the quilting will be fabulous!
Your work is lovely. I looked at it and immediately oohed and aahed over the sashings. I admire how you find inspiration everywhere.
This is breathtaking. That isn’t a word I use lightly. And I hope it doesn’t sound too weird to say, I hope you are really proud of yourself. You deserve all accolades!
I have been watching from the sideline and enjoyed seeing your creativity, the top turned out fabulous, really fabulous, looks like shining jewels, also love your border and sashing which shows the circles beautifully, well done !
I’m new to EPP and want to start this pattern absolutely love it. Is there a way to download all the patterns at one time?
Thanks
Truly amazing and beautiful work. I love it
Elizabeth, I am off to a LQS to pick up some fabrics so I can start this TONIGHT! I am so excited…thank you once again for sharing your amazing talent with us. Its really, really appreciated! Happy 4th!
How fabulous! You did such a splendid job doing those circles
Hey Elizabeth . . . I’m catching up on reading and working my way back instead of forward. Absolutely LOVE how you brought all these great circles together. It’s a perfect setting for them and oh so colorful. Well done lady!!!
I am so in love with this quilt. It’s absolutely a masterpiece! It’s been fun to follow along–can’t wait to see what you come up with for the quilting!
OMG, Eliabeth, I just came across this and can’t believe I didn’t see it before. I thought I’d gone back through all of the posts I’d missed while my computer (and my hand) were out of commission. This defies all of my expectations. It is absolutely gorgeous, and the crosses linking your blocks, which were inspired by the Slovenia church, are perfect.
And there isn’t a single joke in this comment. But you are allowed to ask for my address.
Fantastic setting for these wonderful circle blocks! This quilt combines all my favorites: innovation, color, shape, movement, modern and traditional elements combined, geometry without rigidity, and lots of joy! I’m really enjoying making some of these (lkhomework on IG).
Thank you! These are beautiful and I have purchased the last ones from Payhip. I am a little puzzled that you are not selling to UK members through Craftsy, though, as I live in the UK and purchase classes, patterns and fabric from them…anyway, thanks again and I am looking forward to getting the time to make a start! – Caroline