Spring 2010 Blogger’s Quilt Festival
Now this is exciting!
It’s like show and tell!
I’m Showing and Telling about Urban Nature.
My sister-in-law asked me to make her a quilt last summer. I was very flattered because I had only been quilting for about 6 months. I figured it would be a lap quilt, which I could totally manage, but she requested a queen size quilt. Even though I had never made anything that large I was up for the challenge. She purchased some hand painted fabric scraps from an etsy store (I can’t remember which one), and in July she gave me the scraps and we brainstormed about what to do with them. Over the next few months I searched and searched for the perfect coordinating fabrics. Believe it or not it was a bit tough finding the coordinating fabrics…the fabrics had to be solid, with no pattern, and I didn’t want to venture away from the earthy browns, greens and creams, but I also wanted there to be variety and contrast. I love that she gave me so much creative freedom and trusted my choices.
I absolutely love how it turned out!
The big thing I learned while making this quilt is that I could actually quilt a 95 x 95 quilt on my home sewing machine. How’d I do it? With a method called low carb quilting. What’s that you ask? I made the entire quilt top, and when I got the quilt sandwich ready I cut the batting into thirds. I place one third of the batting down the center and quilted the center, about 36 x 100. It made it so much easier (and lighter) to maneuver the quilt. Once I finished the center panel I used a joining foot and joined the right side of the batting to the center batting panel. I used a zig zag stitch, which is very secure, and by using a joining foot, there is absolutely zero seam bulk. After I did the right side I did the same thing to the left side. And viola!
My sister-in-law also asked that I make a pillow, but I couldn’t just make one, especially since it was for a queen size bed, so I made 3. The pillows look so cool with the quilt.
I love the quilt and pillows so much, and am very proud of myself for designing this quilt and actually quilting it all by myself!
What lovely colors!
margaret
http://www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com
Very much good work!
Marika
beautiful work! And I adore the pillows!
Love the colours and the whole simplicity of the quilt
What a pretty quilt. I am amazed that you had the energy to make the pillows after getting such a big quilt finished.
That is a really interesting technique with the batting. Hmm…
What a wonderful quilt – I love your colours. Absolutely inspiring. I have made a quilt with pretty much the same colours but much stronger variants. I will try out something like yours!!
What a beautiful quilt! The colors are stunning and I think you did a fantastic job designing, piecing and quilting.
and you are right to be proud of yourself, it is a lovely quilt!
Wow thanks for the low carb quilting technique! I’m going to have to try that! Your quilt turned out wonderfully!
Wow, love the soft colors and big graphic effects you got with those huge squares. I am very impressed with your technique (and willingness to make such a large quilt!). The pillows are wonderful. Fantastic collection of bedding your lucky sister in law got! Thank you for sharing this quilt’s story 🙂
Oh My Goodness! Your quilt is stunning! The fabric (of course) is divine and the pattern is awesome. I love the cooling, calming effect of the patten and colors! Stunning!
and those pillows are soooooo kooooool! Again…STUNNING!
hugz
I love the quilt. You did such a great job of quilting it and the colors are wonderful. The pillows are perfect with the quilt. Your sister-in-law must be so pleased.
This is just gorgeous and you should be so proud ! thanks for inspiring me that I can quilt also ! I love the pillows ; you can NEVER have too many pillows !
Very soothing quilt and pillows. Love them and the “low carb” concept 🙂
Just lovely! I’m not usually a big fan of neutrals, but this quilt is just gorgeous. I think adding the turquoise to the neutrals does the trick. I’m going to remember this color combination. Way to go on your first queen-sized! That was no minor undertaking.
Lovely and modern quilt! Your method of piecing the batting after the center is quilted is so clever!
Wow. Your quilt turned out awesome! You made great color choices. I absolutely love the pillows!
You did a great job. And your “low-carb” quilting is a great idea. you could write a book about it. People write books about anything and this could be your ticket. The pillows are beautiful. I hope your SIL keeps these forever.
I love that quilt! The colors are fantastic and you did a beautiful job designing! love the pillows too!
this is very pretty!
I love this quilt. It is so simple yet has great movement. Good colors. You did a great job on your first large quilt.
Oh, I like this…you did a wonderful job with it….and the cushions. You can see my entry HERE.
Wow– the idea of low carb quilting is one I am going to have to try. I quilt all my own quilts on my home machine, but I have been leery of making a really big quilt so far.
Nice cool color choices. This is a restful looking quilt! Thanks for sharing it.
http://galesgoodies.blogspot.com/
Wow, this is an amazing quilt. It’s so serenely beautiful!
You should be proud it looks so gooood. That’s a great way to reduce the bulk while quilting. I have never heard of that before. Pillows are cute.
these are not my colors but i sure do love your quilt and the story is so great!! the pillows are such a nice addition. what a nice thing you’ve made for a loved one
You SHOULD be proud; the quilt and pillows are fantastic!
I am soooo impressed! That is just gorgeous and looks like a seasoned professional made it, including the pillows. Fabulous job!
It is a terrific quilt- it is challenging working with solids and you did a beautiful job. I love the colors together and the pillows are a great decorative touch.
Thanks for sharing your quilt.
Isn’t the festival grand? I sure have enjoyed the show.
Regards from a Western Canadian quilter,
Anna
http://quiltmomsjourney.blogspot.com/
Wonderful quilt and pillows! Thanks for sharing.
I love the quilt, I love the colours, I love the quilting.
Love the modern colors & design with the yummy crinkles of a well washed quilt. The pillows really set off the design too. Thanks for sharing the “low carb” idea – definitely on my list to try!
what a fresh and beautiful and modern quilt, your sister-in-law is lucky to have you 🙂
Hello,
I was so sure that I had left a comment before, but maybe I commented on a earlier post…I love your quilt and it is so relaxing and calming colored….Simply BEAUTIFUL! lucky SIL!
hugz
Thanks in favor of sharing such a good thought, piece of writing is fastidious,
thats why i have read it entirely