The quilt took 7 months from start to finish. (Am I slow or what?!!) I began making blocks in September, 2012, and bound, washed, and dried it on April 1, 2013.
The blocks are cut at 5" and are 4 1/2" finished. There are 16 x 20 rows equaling 320 blocks. Each block has 5 pieces of fabric and four seams. All fabric was pre-washed.
The backing is a tone-on-tone natural/creamy print. (Brenna said she liked plain backs best.)
The batting is a Mountain Mist Cream Rose 100% cotton bat. Shrinkage was about 9%. It was hand quilted with an all-over arching pattern that, if it had been more orderly, might have been a clamshell or Baptist Fan pattern. The arches are about 1" - 1 1/4" apart. I used Connecting Threads all cotton "Cream" and a size 7 needle. The stitches are 4-6/inch. (I'm still a beginner but improving.)
Measurements:
before quilting: 72" x 90"
after quilting: 71" x 88 7/8"
after binding: 71" x 88 7/8"
after washing and drying: 68 3/4" x 85"
Reminders to self:
- When choosing quilt size, make the quilt larger to account for shrinkage, especially if using a cotton bat.
- Everything takes longer than you think it will.
- If you haven't quilted recently, it will take a while to build up quilting callouses.
I don't think any photo will show the richness of this quilt (at least not any photo I take!). I love it. I love looking at individual blocks and seeing what fabrics worked together to make an aqua or a tan or a red or a blue block. It's such fun. Some of the fabrics were scraps that were left over from someone else's project and I have no more of them. Some, I wonder where they came from because when I look at them they I can't remember ever seeing them before. Part of me wants to keep this quilt for reference. . . but I suppose I should give it to my daughter, huh? Especially considering that I made it for her.
I'm linking this post to the April 5 edition of Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts, hosted by Amanda Jean. Thanks so much, Amanda Jean.
--Nancy.
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What a beautiful quilt! Your daughter will love it and since it's staying in the family perhaps you can "visit" the quilt once in a while, too.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is stunning. I'm not fond of scrappy and I'm not sure why but when I look at what you have created I am reconsidering my position! I can't stop looking at it. Perhaps it is because it is made with a lot of saturated color but whatever it is I am inspired to start something similar. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue. If you make a scrappy quilt I hope you'll let me know so I can see it. (In fact, if you have a blog, I'd love to look at your quilts. When I click on your name blogger tells me that your profile is not available so I can't see whether you have a blog). Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. I appreciate your kind words.
DeleteCongratulations on finishing this quilt. It's stunning!
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteA real riot of colour. Fantastic.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gift for your daughter. I'm sure she will cherish it!
ReplyDeleteThank you on your fabulous quilt. It is enormous! I ams till working on a big monster myself... for over 5 months now. Hope it wont't take me 7 to finish! ;-)
ReplyDeleteEsther
Thank you, Esther. I hope it won't take you 7, either, but I was not working as energetically and diligently at the beginning as at the end. I was really motivated to finish the quilt because I participated in the Finish-A-Long. I'd like to see your big monster!
DeleteLovely. I find hand quilted projects always take longer. I'm sure your daughter will treasure it!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! The quilt is beautiful!
ReplyDelete