Epic Medallion Quilting Progress

About a month ago, I decided it was high time to try and finish up a long time WIP - my medallion quilt, following an original design. Some of my readers might remember me throwing this quilt in time out in 2014. It totally deserved it, and now, my excitement has been renewed. It would be great to actually use the quilt on our bed before the weather gets warm!

Above, you can see how I quilted the middle using my domestic machine (a Janome Memory Craft 6300, since I know someone will ask! :) ). I found fast that with an almost king size quilt, it's MUCH easier to quilt in detail than in long strides (something like large connecting spirals, loops, etc. are very difficult). I decided not to quilt this in an all over pattern because quilting is my FAVORITE part of the process, and I hope to keep this quilt forever. I want it to be perfectly mine - also, a main reason I didn't send out to a longarm quilter (which I've never done, actually).

Here's when I decided to start quilting "the beast." My husband documented the moment - mainly because I moved to the dining room for extra room. Even with one large table and lots more room to adjust the quilt, it's really been a workout (hence why I've since taken a quilting break - I'll work on the last two borders soon).

Below are a couple progress pictures. I vaguely planned out what motifs I would use in each section and then just went for it! Pebbles and echos repeat on purpose, to echo the middle.

Detailed feathers (pattern by Anna Maria Horner - I only made four of them though!) surrounded by woodgrain.

 The latest - that second to last border with the cats (which are for my husband because he loves cats) was really difficult. I definitely got my arm workout that day! And baby orange peels in the white!! It just made sense. You remember whose blog you're reading, right? ;) There's a hidden one too - do you see it? Oh yeah, and I don't mind sharing all those threads I have to bury.

The back is Anna Maria Horner's Echinacea flannel in Boost. We have one quilt with flannel ("Allons-y, Allonso"), and it's the warmest/most comfy quilt we own. I've been planning for this print to be the backing since it came out a couple years ago! It's one of my all-time favorites.

I can't wait to see the full quilt when it's done. Even I haven't seen it completely!! Excitement.

I'm documenting this quilt on Instagram using the hashtag #epicmedallionjs - there are more pictures there if you want to check it out!

Linking up to: Needle and Thread Thursday @My Quilt Infatuation