Monday, September 20, 2010

up to par

I am not feeling up to par today....I think that staying up until the wee hours of the morning trying to get this quilt finished has caught up with me. I'm anxious to share it with you, but not really feeling the motivation to type...so forgive me if I am a bit blah today. The pictures aren't to great either....the sun didn't want to come out and I haven't really found a good place to take them yet.


It's actually upside down in this picture, but it was one of the few decent shots I got of it, so it will suffice. The details of this quilt are sad and long, including a weeks worth of paper piecing, a completely different quilt top, four attempts at quilting, more torn (no not ripped, literally torn) stitches than I can count and staying up til 5:30 in the morning to piece a new top at the very last minute.


It was all worth it to have created this beauty though. I enjoyed every late hour/early morning minute of piecing, quilting, basting and binding this quilt. It came together so nicely with no thought or plan but just going with the moment. I think that is just what works for me....whenever I plan a quilt I end up not really feeling/loving it. Weird I know, but it's me.


All folded and ready to be wrapped! It was actually hard for me to let this one go (really hard) but I was strong and gifted it to my girlfriend yesterday for her birthday and as always got my dose of satisfaction when she squealed with joy and got giddy over getting her very own quilt!

Fabric details: all patterned fabric is Hope Valley by Denise Schmidt
all solids are Kona cotton in Herb, Ash, and Snow

21 comments:

  1. Chris it's gorgeous and worth all that late night sewing! Your friend must be thrilled. I particularly love the pieced binding. I know what you mean about feeling blah these days - Lucy has not been napping well so I've been staying up waaay too late to get my sewing fix, and paying for it the next day. I'm trying to fix it with caffeine, probably not the best idea! Anyways, perfect quilt!

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  2. Beautiful quilt, and what a wonderful gift! I love that it came about without a real plan too! Sometimes those really do work out to be the best ones! :)

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  3. Beautiful quilt! I love Hope Valley. I think it was definitely worth all of your effort.

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  4. It's BEAUTIFUL! I know what you mean too... I always end up loving the quilts that were spontaneous much more than the ones planned out. How fun it must have been to see your friend's reaction; I'm sure it made all those late nights worth it.

    Jennifer :)

    PS Hope you get some rest!

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  5. Wow, that's a stunning quilt. I'm sorry for all of the pain and tearing, but in the end the result is fabulous!!

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  6. Very, very different. I love unique quilts and it'll be so special to your friend.

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  7. This is one of the cutest Hope Valley quilts that I've seen. I think the addition of the solids really made it fantastic! Congratulations!!

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  8. Very pretty. I love the randomness of it, and I love the Hope Valley. Nicely done!

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  9. very nice...love that herb kona!

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  10. such a great job. It's beautiful, and you are such a generous friend. :)

    I'm like you -- I don't tend to like the quilts I plan either... at least not until I change something (which invariably happens).

    Keeps us on our toes, right? ;)

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  11. A stunning top and what a good friend you are x

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  12. Such a beautiful quilt! It's a shame it was such a trial, but doesn't it seem that trials bring out the best in us?

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  13. What a lovely quilt! Your friend is very lucky to have you as a friend, and to have that quilt! :o) Beautiful.

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  14. Beautiful and original design. I think you are amazingly generous to give such a beautiful present to your friend. It's a present forever.

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  15. Wow! Just WOW! I love it! The colors are subtle, yet the quilt really makes an impact. Love the look!!!

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