Cupola Views

Today is Earth Day, and as part of the celebration I’m thrilled to introduce the Cupola Views quilt! I wrote this pattern in cooperation with former astronaut Karen Nyberg. Her Earth Views fabric collection with Robert Kaufman highlights the photography she took during her time on the International Space Station in 2013.

Aurifil has also released a coordinating thread collection that pairs perfectly with the fabrics, and today several other Aurifil Artisans are joining me in sharing our Earth Views fabric and thread creations!

The design of this quilt is based on the ISS cupola. This module was added to the ISS in 2010 and features a large circular center window surrounded by 6 trapezoidal windows. It provides stunning views of the Earth below, and also serves a very important function as the robotics workstation for the astronauts. They use the 360-degree views from the cupola to help drive the station’s robotic arms.

You can purchase the pattern here, along with two other Earth and space-themed designs that show off the fabrics. Print versions of Cupola Views come with a commemorative cupola sticker! This is an intermediate level pattern with two layout options in 3 sizes for a total of 6 quilt possibilities.

I finished my quilt top a couple weeks ago and have considered dozens of quilting options. I’m leaning towards straight line quilting in the background using Aurifil 50 wt #2692 (black, which is also what I used for piecing). Inside the windows, I’ve narrowed my options to a couple angular designs that would echo/highlight the shape of the windows and evoke the idea of stars.

But which thread to use?! Do I color match to the fabrics, or perhaps use monofilament thread to add texture and a bit of shine? I’m leaning towards the monofilament, but since I’ve never used monofilament in my longarm, I need to do a test first to make sure they get along.

I prefer the more minimal “Modern Stripe” layout, but we also included instructions for an alternate layout called “Kaleidoscope.” If you can’t get enough of the blues and tans and greens of Earth, this one is definitely the layout for you.

This quilt was so much fun for me personally to design and make, since I spent 10 years supporting the ISS program myself — including working as an operations safety engineer during Karen’s time in space. The ISS is such a special resources and significant human achievement, and it was incredibly satisfying to capture a small piece of that in this quilt.

Again, you can purchase the Cupola Views pattern here. Enjoy!