What follows are a random selection of images I took of the quilt, to try and give you some idea what fantastic texture dense hand quilting has added to the quilt.
I talked about the original seed of an idea for this quilt here where I set out to try and make a quilt that had an antique, muted feel to it, yet mixed in more contemporary, modern fabric with some of the traditional chintz.
The honeycomb centre pieces are entirely hand pieced (not EPP) and radiate out to darker shades at the edges,
The quilting was mostly outlining the shapes, nothing too taxing.
It was just the sort of project to return to every now and again.
Summer has been racing by and it's been too fun and too hot to spend any spare time indoors. Quilt related activities ground to a welcome halt - save for the odd evening when it was cool enough for me to feel the urge to sew and then I picked this quilt up and hand quilted my sewing compulsions away.
Soy Amado blocks have continued to turn up on my door stop so that's a scratch I'll soon need to itch and I've been dipping in and out of blog reading from time to time - this post in particular resonated with me- you should definitely read it- including clicking on the link she gives to the YouTube video.
Makes you think.
Overall, the lack of sewing machine activities has meant I've really enjoyed turning to what got me into quilting in the first place - slow hand piecing and slow hand quilting.
It's hard to beat.
Yes, I understand the summer break too. I have done very little quilting other than when I attend my quilting group and add a little more hand quilting to the quilt top I started back in February in New Zealand! Just spent a few days at the NEC, Birmingham, so now into quilting again. Actually I started a new baby quilt yesterday afternoon, using a pattern found in an Australian magazine. Then, of course, there are the UFOs in my cupboard! Oh dear!
ReplyDeleteWow! It's a beautiful quilt!!!
ReplyDeleteI've made some blocks for you, but unfortunaly, I've made a mistake: The nine blocks all need an extra half inch :-(
I think, I'll make some others, rather than give the 'old' ones that inch.
It's just so beautiful! I completely understand your love of hand-quilting and how you are torn when it's a beautiful summer day and want to be outside. It will be cool soon - enjoy the sunshine! Take care, Pam
ReplyDeleteYou've certainly been successful in achieving an antique look. You've given me inspiration to get on with some hand quilting this evening.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous hand quilting, wish I had that kind of patience! I hop from project to project, ha ha!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to that blog. It reinforced my thoughts about the topic and I have decided not to invest time in another social media as I am not on Instagram. Blogging, FB, it is enough! Thanks!!!
Esther
It is incredible! The hand quilting looks beautiful, what an achievement. I enjoy the slower pace too and have a few hand sewn projects lined up :)
ReplyDeleteThat quilt is gorgeous! I remember when you started it!
ReplyDeleteI just read the button tree lane post and it gave me the push I needed to uninstall Instagram for a while and see how I go. Thanks for the link :)
Your summer is sounding as laid back as mine. Loving your quilt, but I always love what you do. 100% original each and very time.
ReplyDeleteWell done on all the hand work. It is lovely.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back; I've missed you. What a beautiful quilt. It's almost (I did say almost) enough to make me consider hand quilting someday.
ReplyDeleteI've been pretty laid back, too. There are lots more cold and dreary days than there are bright, cool, clear days so I opt for outdoors on those and let the sewing room wait.
Welcome back; I've missed you. What a beautiful quilt. It's almost (I did say almost) enough to make me consider hand quilting someday.
ReplyDeleteI've been pretty laid back, too. There are lots more cold and dreary days than there are bright, cool, clear days so I opt for outdoors on those and let the sewing room wait.
Wow- you have every right to be proud of this amazing quilt. So beautiful and praiseworthy- especially with the focus and onslaught on everything having to be "quick" in the market.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is gorgeous and it must 'feel' amazing too! I hand quilt and can appreciate all the time that it takes but always worth it!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is really beautiful! Wondering if you do your hand quilting in a frame or a hoop., or loose! I would love to hand quilt more, but it's hard to sit under a quilt in our weather!
ReplyDeleteLovey post, and a great quilt.I too love to hand quilt.
ReplyDeleteAlison, your quilting is beautiful! One day, I will hand quilt a quilt. Do you use a hoop or do you just baste it as normal and then quilt? Bet your kids are well chuffed that there's a temporary lull in quilt-holding upping too :) Is this beauty staying with you? What's next?
ReplyDeleteit's so SO beautiful! I've been doing very little sewing this summer too - seems such a shame to miss out on the beautiful weather - and have started to get itchy fingers. I need some rain, immediately!
ReplyDeleteThis is really beautiful!! Such and amazing amount of work -slow and lovely. Worth it I think. I hope you enjoy your work for many years to come. :-)
ReplyDeleteWow Alison, just incredible! This is just the sort of look I love, and makes me want to make one just like it (or steal yours!!). So impressed with your hand quilting - I have hand quilted quite a few large quilts and know how long it takes (and I have my wrist strapped up as I type to prove it!), but agree that it is tremendously satisfying and you just can't beat the results. A huge well done from me!!
ReplyDeleteStunning. This quilt looks soft and inviting. Again, your hand piecing and quilting is amazing. I really must learn to do both as the idea of having an "aside" project to pick up and work on wherever I am sounds lovely. Thanks for the blog link re: social media. In particular the video was great. I worry about the loss of all social graces and conversational skills because of the new forms of communication. But then again, I am an old poop!
ReplyDeleteHi Alison, Your quilt is beautiful! Wonderful fabrics and the fussy cut fabrics are sweet. There is something so incredibly soft and snuggly about a hand quilted quilt. Thank you for the link to Button Tree. That is a very well thought out post. I think what is supposed to connect us has the opposite effect sometimes. You may enjoy this post from Hands Free Mama. I love the way she writes and how she shares her thoughts. http://www.handsfreemama.com/about-hands-free/
ReplyDeleteI'm working on a little quilt that I'm hand quilting and haven't spent much time this summer working on it. I enjoy hand quilting, it's very relaxing for me. Am working on another quilt that will be hand quilted and for this quilt I'll give big stitch quilting a try.
Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteGillx
Your quilt is beautiful and it really gives the impression that it is an antique quilt; the hand quilting really adds to that as well.
ReplyDeleteAs for Michelle's post: impressive and very right, although I don't agree with everything, but I don't have to. As long as it makes me THINK
Like you can make me do!
I love that
thank you!
It's a gorgeous quilt and I don't think you can beat the soft texture you get from hand quilting! Thanks for the link to the post about IG - I'm not on there (no IG-friendly gadgets in this house) and I'm beginning to think it's a good thing!
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely work on your quilt.. it really does have that vintage feel. I can't imagine the time and effort it took to hand quilt it.. wow! And thank you for sharing the blog post from Buttontree Lane. It gave me some real food for thought... I've been really considering joining the IG crowd, but feared that it might take over (I'm already on FB and Pinterest... and they are huge time sucks!). Her post was a great read!
ReplyDeleteAmazing. Both you and the quilt of course.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Love how the colors radiate!
ReplyDeleteVery Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt! I love the little baskets and the buttons, and the marvelous fabrics! My daughter has been telling me to get a new phone, get on Instagram, but I'm not so sure I want to. I checked out that post you linked to - food for thought, certainly. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNot sure how I missed this amazingness. Absolutely stunning. I want to do one now : )
ReplyDeleteI adore the colors and the look of this quilt! Wondering if you use a hoop when you hand-quilt?
ReplyDelete