Friday, April 22, 2022

The Most Fun I Ever Had Making a Quilt

Truly, making Cheddarback as a sew-along has probably been the most fun quilting I've ever done (though Baskets of Plenty is right up there, too).  It was challenging, frustrating, not fun, but when I look back at the whole experience of making this quilt, I think of it as fun.


This was a sew-along offered by Gay Bomers of Sentimental Stitches.  Many thanks to Gay!  It began in March, 2019.  We received five patterns each month, one for a 12" block and four for 5" blocks.  Gay recreated all the blocks from an antique quilt which she called Cheddarback because the backing of the quilt really was cheddar-colored fabric.  She also created a few more blocks and offered an adapted arrangement, which is the one I chose.  You can see the original quilt in the sidebar, to the right and down a little.  Some of us who made this quilt attempted to recreate it using fabrics as close to the originals as possible; others made the quilt using whatever fabrics and colors they chose.  There was a Facebook page for the quilt-along where we shared our progress.  It really made it feel like there was a group of us working together. 
 
In the version of the quilt I made there are 16 12" blocks and 54 5" blocks.  Most are pieced, a few required paper piecing, a technique I learned with this sew-along.  This paper-pieced block, at right, was the very hardest of all the blocks (for me) and I think it was the first paper-pieced block I made.  It did not endear me to the process, but I persisted and finished the other blocks that were paper pieced, too. 
The quilt has six 5" basket blocks, or seven if you count the 12" one at the top of this post.  There are three letter blocks; several paper-pieced blocks in both sizes; a few applique blocks; a few blocks that are just odd; and some traditional blocks.
For backing fabric I used Paula Barnes's "Rose Basket" from her Madison Square Collection by Marcus.  For binding I used fabric from a red shirt.  It seemed in keeping with the original quilter's choices:  she used clothing fabric for some of the blocks.

The information below includes details I like to keep track of:  Which batting did I use in that quilt?  How much shrinkage was there?  What size did it actually finish at, etc.  And, of course, how long did I work on that quilt and when did I finish it? 

Timeline for this quilt (and measurements--the quilt lost ~3" in width and nearly 4" in length).
~3/01/2019  Began
 4/21/2020  Final blocks finished    
 5/11/2020  Blocks sewn into top   (72" x 86")
 9/11/2021  Layer and basted
 9/12/3021  Began hand quilting
 3/29/2021  Quilting finished   (71" x 83 3/4")
 4/14/2021  Binding finished   (70 3/4" x 84 1/2")
 4/15/2021  Washed and dried--finished!   (68 7/8" x 82 1/4")

From finished top to washing and drying, and due to quilting and washing & drying, the quilt lost ~3" in width and nearly 4" in length!

I used Mountain Mist 80/20 cotton/poly batting.  It was one the company sent to replace one of their wool battings that was a fail.  I had it on hand and decided to use it.  It was easy enough to hand quilt and the fibers didn't come through the front or back of the quilt.  I would probably use it again.

 Below are two of my favorite blocks.

This is a 5" block, a pattern I hadn't seen before or since.  It was appliqued.

This is another 5" block.  It was paper pieced.
I'm thrilled to have this quilt completely finished!  I think the quilt needs a new name, since there is no cheddar on the back, but I haven't come up with one yet.  Ideas?

I'm linking this post to
> Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts
> Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More
> Beauty Pageant at From Bolt to Beauty  
Thank you for hosting, ladies.

--Nancy.

19 comments:

  1. This is just a fabulous quilt in every way! I am currently working on one of her free patterns quilts - Poppy's Polka Dot Garden - and loving it (although I'm behind). I like how you've recorded the "stats" of your quilt- a really smart idea!

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    1. Thank you, Cynthia.  Now that you mention it, I remember that you're doing Poppy's Polka Dot Garden.  I know it's sometimes hard to keep up with the sew-alongs, especially when there's a lot going on that's not quilting--and I think you do just now!  I think you're husband's home now?  And those babies coming!  So exciting!

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  2. This is a wonderful accomplishment, Nancy! You did a beautiful job!
    That is quite a tricky paper pieced block to make as your very first one using that technique.
    I have no ideas for a name, but something will come to you. :)

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    1. Thank you, Janet.
      I suppose, if I'd started with a simpler paper-pieced block, I might have grown to like that method. Haha

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  3. Wow, what a beautiful quilt and a great accomplishment! Thanks for sharing and happy quilting!

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    1. Thanks so much, Quiltpiecer. I appreciate your kind comments.

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  4. Bravo!! Your quilt is stunning. Hugs

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    1. Thanks so much, Cathy. I appreciate your comment.

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  5. I wish every quilt could have the level of satisfaction that this quilt has for you. Now that it's done, are you going to keep it, put it on a special bed, hang it out for all to see. . . A few of my reproduction quilts were named for people in my family line who would have been alive during the time these prints were first produced. One was named for an ancestor who fought in the Civil War and another was named after a Utah pioneer. Maybe there is someone in your family that you could name this quilt after. It's a wonderful accomplishment.

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    1. Thank you. You know, Robin, it's not that I love the finished quilt so much as that I loved the process of making it. Though I do like the quilt a lot. I don't have any plans for the quilt. It seems my family isn't really much interested in using quilts I make. It'll probably go in a cupboard or on an unused bed.

      I like the idea of naming quilts for family members. I'll have to give that some thought.

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  6. [my long comment disappeared or went to moderator limbo?] Just in case, I'll say this again, Beautiful, what an accomplishment!

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    1. Oh, Lizzy, it's so frustrating when you've taken the time to write a comment and then it's deleted. It's happened to me before, too. I'm sorry not to read your original comment but thank you for giving it a second try for your kind comment. I appreciate it.

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  7. Ohhh m’y goodness! I love your quilt Nancy, it is just gorgeous. This is something I’d love to make, you’ve made it up so beautifully, you must be super proud!
    Hugs
    Tazzie xox

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    1. Thanks so much for your enthusiastic comment, Tazzie.

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  8. It is a real achievement to persist with a challenging patchwork. I enjoyed following your posts about sourcing the fabrics and making the blocks. I'm glad in the end that you can look at the quilt, remembering all the frustrations as well as the joys, and know it is the most fun you ever had making a quilt.

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    1. Thank you, Allison. Sometimes I wondered if the progress posts for the blocks were a bit too much but, really, they are a record for me to see what I did and how.

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  9. Congrats on an awesome finish!! I bet it was fun making all those blocks and then figuring out how you wanted them!! its beautiful!

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I appreciate your comments and look forward to reading what you have to say. Thanks for stopping by.

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