Now that I finished, I'm left with feelings of happiness, joy and sadness. In case you don't know this, Britt was the one who introduced me to quilting...reluctantly at first. She guided me through everything in the beginning. Which blocks to try, fabric knowledge, tricks and techniques and color combinations. We would collaborate on quilts, design quilts, make quilts together. Eventually her interests changed leaving me carrying the quilting bag!
I miss the days we spent together sewing. Two machines humming along on the dining room table, fabric flying, steam from the iron blasting, laughing and being together. So while I'm excited and relieved that this last quilt is finally finished, it also leaves me feeling sad that this is it...the last quilt! We've made a quilt of two together in recent years, mostly she says I have an idea, would you make it?! The progression of life!
 |
| BRITT'S QUILT 57.5" x 57.5" |
She pieced, pinned and started quilting and then it was in limbo hanging on my quilt ladder for a couple few years...literally! I pulled it out a few times and quilted a few places, but it always ended up hanging on the ladder.
I was more interested in the scraps from this quilt! In January 2016 I made a small version and a mini with them in what I called 'Take Two & Three'.
The fabrics are a combination of Kaffe Fassett Shot Cotton, Gees Bend Solids and the print is Anna Maria Horner. I don't think I could have come up with the color palette, that was all Britt!
The four center squares were free motion quilted with pebbles and lines before I took it over. I added FMQ zig zag, funky triangles and kept the pebbles for the remaining square-in-a-square blocks before it ended up back on the ladder.
The next go around of quilting ended with 1/2" straight lines in the solid stripes (or logs, I guess), more zig zags and ending with loops around the border.
I could have done something more interesting with the quilting, but at this point having it finished was more important.
The backing is woven stripes and it's glaringly clear that it is not straight! I'm going to chalk that up to the fact that it's woven stripes, it's been hanging pinned for years and not pinned as good as it should have been and the batting is silk, bamboo or a combination.
The good news is this quilt will be staying in the family and no one will have to know!
The quilting detail in all it's glory! Tiny pebbles take center stage in this one!
All I did was fill in with any design that was quick, easy and painless! When I look back at quilts I've made through the years, I see so many more imperfections than I did at the time. Some are more glaring than others, but it shows growth.
I don't think it would be very fun or rewarding if every single quilt was perfect. Imagine if that were true. Isn't half the fun of quilting learning, growing, experimenting and testing the waters?
Once this quilt is washed it will be perfect! I might be a little sad that this is the last Britt quilt, but I'm more happy that I've finally reached the end. The monkey is off my back and I get to concentrate on other projects now!
LINKING:
OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ● MONDAY MAKING ● LINKY TUESDAY
LETS BEE SOCIAL ● MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD ● TGIFF
LETS BEE SOCIAL ● MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD ● TGIFF
I agree that the fun of quilting is learning, growing, experimenting and testing the waters and you Jayne, are a master of that. Isn't it also interesting that your daughter got you started on this journey which she is no longer travelling...who knows she might come back one day. My daughter who has never shown much interest in making things, just made a cat bed out of a sweater and the batting from an old comforter.
ReplyDeleteI may not always do things the proper way when it comes to quilting, but I do what works for me! My daughter has always been an inspiration to me and I’ll be forever grateful that she forced me to start quilting! I relied on her quilting knowledge until the day she said ‘Mom, you know more than me’! Your daughter might be on her way to more sewing and who better to show her the ropes than you?!
Deleteoh this is lovely! forward you go!
ReplyDeleteHi Jayne! I sure hope now that this beauty is finished that it stays OFF the ladder for a bit. Not that it didn't look just stunning there . . . but use is nice too, no?! It is so funny to me - I can easily see the four patch in the center on the ladder but when I look at the whole quilt top, I don't see it at all. I had to focus and concentrate after three looks to verify it was the same quilt in all the photos. All I could see are the stripes and diamonds above them. And you have discovered my secret - I never EVER use stripes in a large area because no matter what I did, they would always be off kilter. No doubt about it so I just avoid them. I think the backing looks lovely, showing off all the quilting. ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeleteAfter washing the quilt last night, I promise it won’t be hanging on the ladder. It turned out to be super soft and cuddly. I was surprised considering the dense quilting! It seriously isn’t easy using stripes and having them come out perfectly straight!
DeleteWhat a great design! How lovely for you to have shared such special times at the sewing machine with your daughter.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I had some great times gathered around the dining table! Hopefully we’ll get to do that again one day!
DeleteBe it a Britt project or a Quiltcon challenge, you show who is the boss. Love the back even more the front. Wishing you a happy new year 2019, hoping that you continue to create and inspire.
ReplyDeleteThe whole point of this is to play, learn, experiment, and have fun. Otherwise, I think we'd all have thrown in the idea of quilting a long time ago. Congratulations on finishing up all of Britt's quilts and I hope you have more sewing dates in the future with her in some form or another. <3
ReplyDeleteI thought this quilt was finished long ago!
ReplyDeleteYou have done such a great job finishing older projects. Please send some of your motivation my way. My UFO list is still too ling.
Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
I always love your sense of color, and evidently your daughter has it, too! I learned to sew from my mom, but never wanted to quilt when she did, and now that I am she has given up sewing. You just never know where life will take you! That is a beautiful finish, and I'm glad to hear it's also soft and cuddly!
ReplyDeleteOh what fun memories you have of the two of you sewing together. Who knows? Maybe someday she'll pick it up again. Either way, you have some cherished quilts with loads of memories. This one is particularly lovely; those colors with that floral pop now and then. Love that! I'm glad Britt got you going on quilting too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a good Mom you are!! Kudos for finishing up Britt's quilts, since she's moved on to other endeavors. Maybe one day the two of you will return to the dueling machines on the dining table. For now, it's a wrap!
ReplyDeleteI love her design and that you completed it. It is striking!
ReplyDeleteI like your positive attitude toward finishing her UFO's. It is so awesome that she got you quilting and you continue to do it wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteLovely bright quilt. You know, it might not be your last Britt quilt, daughters have a habit of going back to old hobbies, like bringing home their washing
ReplyDeleteWell done on getting it finished. You'll have to find a project that the two of you can work on together in the future.
ReplyDelete