It's been a while since my last quilt but am glad to have finished one more. The process of making this quilt started a while back when I made some improv blocks with my quilt guild. The blocks had very humble beginnings. You blindly picked from scraps thrown together in a brown bag and used whatever you pulled out. In due course some of the blocks were given away, others exchanged and the rest evolved into this.
I was left with one big block which I cut up into four pieces in a slightly off centered fashion. Then added a few colored strips here and there to balance out the quilt top. For the backing I used more leftover scraps from other projects. I also added a very skinny strip to the top left for some visual interest.
I was wondering how I should quilt it when I saw this post on Jacquie Gering's blog. I knew instantly that the wavy quilting would be perfect for this quilt. I used stitch #4 on my Bernina and the walking foot to produce this effect. The wavy lines are quilted 1 inch apart. I absolutely love the texture it gives the quilt. You will see a lot more quilts quilted this way in the future.
Labeling a quilt is a concept I have long struggled with. I wanted something that would enable me to sign the quilt but not interfere with the design of the quilt. I considered a lot of options. Scoured the internet for the perfect label, tried to print and embroider my own labels but in the end a dear member of my quilt guild Robin Buscemi provided me the perfect solution. Use the alphabet on my Bernina to stitch a message on the binding. It's perfect. Subtle, non intrusive and yet enough room to say whatever your heart desires. It adds a nice artistic touch. So here is my very first signed quilt.
While making this quilt I realized I do not like to work under any imposed timelines. I produce my best work when I work without any duress when I truly feel like working on the quilt. However I realize one can only have this luxury when quilting is pursued as a hobby. When it's ones livelihood...matters are a bit different.
Linking up to: Finish it up Friday & TGIFF
It's wonderful, Rachel! I love the colours and the layout. I've been meaning to try that piecing technique. Your quilt tells me that I'd better get on that. Thanks for linking up to TGIFF!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the quilting! It looks great. I'll have to try that one! I still need to use my charity scraps, lol. I appreciate your last paragraph very much - the feeling is mutual!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you put this together. And the quilting is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteRachel this quilt was beautiful in person. I loved the cream background you chose with the teals. Loved that skinny strip on the back too. Kathleen
ReplyDelete