Tuesday 25 March 2014

The {pretty} behemoth

In the midst of all my soy amadoing  a friend celebrated a birthday with an '0' on the end and I asked for present ideas.

She said she'd like a quilt which is always a compliment because then you realise people quite like what you do for a hobby.

In my head I was thinking a lap sized quilt and then she uttered the immortal words 'Super King size.'

My head was saying 'you've got to be kidding' but my mouth said 'fine, no problem.'

She provided me with colour ideas and some quilt patterns she liked.

I ignored the patterns, took note of the colours and decided the only way I was going to get this done was QAYG improv log cabin blocks.

So off I set.



Somewhere into this process, I realised I'd been a little too enthusiastic cutting out fabric strips and came to the bonkers decision that I would improv log cabin the back of each quilt to get a true double-sided Super King size quilt.



When it came time to assembling the rows there was a bit of quilt wrestling going on as it got heavier and heavier but nothing compared to what it would have been like if I'd tried to man-handle the whole thing through my machine's small harp space.


I quilted each block with a variegated thread with the No.4 stitch on my Bernina with a long stitch length, which gives the effect of wavy lines.



It's absolutely impossible to photograph all in one go, especially with no unpaid quilt holders on hand.



Even my go to washing line prop doesn't really work as it's pegged round to the next row on the right.
I can safely say I've never made anything this big before.


And I can safely say I won't be making another one again!

48 comments:

  1. Oh, my goodness! That is really HUGE! It's beautiful but I don't really know how you managed it even with a QAYG.

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  2. WOW! It's good to know that it can, in fact, be done! I've never made anything as large as even a twin sized quilt and think I can using your QAYG method. Now that I've made so many blocks for Soy Amado I plan to try actually making a few others for another donation project and try joining blocks and see how I do.

    Did you assemble your jumbo quilt in 4 squares first and then join them, and if not, do you think that might be a bit easier than going row by row?

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  3. Wow, that is quite a quilt! I can see why you don't want to do it again haha but it really turned out LOVELY. So beautiful. Your friend is a lucky one!

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  4. Hugely yummy. Well done making such a mammoth quilt for your friend.

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  5. And what a very generous gift!!!

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  6. I think you are indeed a little bit mad, especially about making it a reversible quilt as well as a ginormous one, but, it's very beautiful and I'm sure she'll love it. Why is it that we yes when we mean no???

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  7. Ha, ha, ha! The phrase "King size quilt" is magical. On the one hand, we're pleased to hear that someone loves to have our works in this size, but on the other hand - you know:) all that quilting! I wouldn't be so kind as you - I would say that I could make a lap:)))

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  8. It has a charm all of its own, quite delightful.
    Most QAYGs I've seen have only QAYG top to batting. Did you have sandwiched the back as well?

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  9. It's absolutely wonderful (and huge)! Your friend is going to love it - has she seen it yet?!

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  10. I am afraid all I could come up with was a string of expletives!!
    Well done!!

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  11. Seriously! She asked for super king sized?! Amazing you for coming through. Love the antique look of the colours. It already looks like a well loved quilt.

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  12. Amazing friend. That's all I have to say! Well and that the quilt is gorgeous. :-)

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  13. You are a wonderful friend indeed! That ginormous quilt is really lovely! It looks so soft and cuddly!

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  14. Very bonkers. But amazing! You are truly an expert at QAYG now!

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  15. Quilt as you go is clearly the way forward! Fab well done!

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  16. Absolutely gorgeous! You are getting great at this QAYG stuff.:)

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  17. Wow, that is an amazing quilt. You are an amazing friend.

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  18. Just beautiful - I hope she and her family treasure it.

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  19. oh myyyyy, but isn't it so beautiful. A work of art and heart for sure!!!!

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  20. wow - what a friend :-) Amazing!

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  21. It truely is a labour of love, but soo lovely :)

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  22. your friend must be over the moon with this it is lovely,

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  23. Wow! The quilt is awesome! Love your colours. Lucky friend. My very first quilt was QAYG. You have inspired me to do another one. I think it would be a great way to use up small batting leftovers :)

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  24. wowser!!!!!! Lucky friend :-D

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  25. She's very luckyto have you as a friend! Super King Size Friend!

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  26. She must be a very good friend! It's a beauty.

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  27. wow! that is BIG!! well done .. hope she realises how much you have put into it xx

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  28. Oh your creation is absolutely gorgeous. You should be very proud and your friend will have no idea how much work went into that lovely beauty. Congratulations my dear, you done good.

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  29. Well that is just amazing!

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  30. Wow, she must be a really great friend and I would say that all her future birthdays have been covered with this one enormous pressie.

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  31. Wow what an achievement! I'm now scared as I'm making a similar quilt in a similar size myself.

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  32. I can't believe kng size AND reversible! I like the pastels. My first QAYG was log cabin, but it was before improv was popular (or maybe before it was invented).It was one step piecing and quilting, and I had trouble getting the center square placed right and never went back to it. However, now I am finding quilting 12.5 inch blocks quite appealing.

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  33. It turned out wonderful! Your friend will be very happy with this present.

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  34. This is amazing and you are crazy!

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  35. Fabulous!!! Seems silly but it reminds me of Tales of Winnie the Pooh, all those wonderful sweet colors! What an incredible job you did! I hope your friend realizes how blessed she is to have such a gift!

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  36. Yes, it is FABULOUS! You inspire every one of us. Thank you for sharing your success and your honest opinions!

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  37. Wow, your friend is so lucky! I can't believe you found time to do this! What an amazing, beautiful gift!!

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  38. OMG. This is a true beauty, and you are a true friend to your friend. Bravo for brilliantly pulling off a monumental task!

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  39. spectacular quilt i love the soft romantic lived in loved feel to the quilt.

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  40. Even if you don´t want to make another one, this is AMAZING!!!! It absolutely makes me want to make one myself!

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  41. That is amazing! Congratulations! I haven't tried QAYG techniques, can you tell me how you joined the completed blocks together please? Is it narrow sashing?

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  42. Holy crap. That is insane. But also really beautiful. You are a better friend than I!

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  43. WOW! Big and beautiful. I have tried to make o QAYG and have not finished it yet. So a Super King fantastic and then to not even keep it double fantastic!!

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