I’ve been feeling the tug of fabric again. I used to make quilts. I still do, but not nearly as much as I used to. I have a fair amount of fabric and I thought I should get some of it out of my craft closet (where I never see it) and put it on my shelf in the studio, where it will hopefully inspire me. I sorted through all the fat quarters, pulled the ones I wanted and then set up the iron and ironing board in front of the television. (It was humid and warm yesterday, so it might not have been the perfect time for this little chore.)
I usually sort my fabric by color. My goodness, I love color.
I notice that I have several designs in blue with cherries as part of the pattern. Who can resist cherries? Some of these pieces are several years old, others are of more recent vintage.
Now, that just might inspire me. I have more fabric stored in the closet. And my bark cloth and larger pieces are in the cabinet.
While searching for fabric in the craft closet, I came across this quilt top that I pieced together 3 summers ago in San Diego. It was pieced using a Featherweight that my friend, Ingrid, graciously loaned to me. I. Want. A. Featherweight. I’ve wanted one for what feels like forever. Brenda now has two Featherweights. That just doesn’t seem fair, does it?
Anyway, back to the quilt top. I threw it on our bed to show it to you. But keep in mind, the bedroom is the worst place in the house to take photos. It’s virtually impossible to get a good shot.
It’s a snowball pattern from a Kaffe Fassett book. And most of the fabrics are Kaffe Fassett designs. I loved the lush, old fashioned feel to that particular fabric line.
Excuse the wrinkles. It’s been folded up for a long time.
I’m thinking this needs to be on our bed. Which would mean that I have to make a quilt sandwich and then…quilt it. The last time I hand quilted a queen sized quilt top, I almost slit my wrists. Don’t get me wrong, I like hand quilting, but that much quilting takes a long time. I don’t machine quilt. But perhaps I could machine quilt a simple grid pattern? Or should I just tie it? I’m not a big fan of tied quilts. Hmmm. What to do?
What do you think? And don’t you think it would be perfect on the bed? That’s what I originally planned for this top. And you know I don’t mind a lot of pattern. I always find a way of making it work. I think that comes from my British ancestors. Cozy little British cottages with slightly worn furniture and all sorts of color and pattern are just my style.
Happy Wednesday.
Looks lovely, and I can just see it in a British B&B as a matter of fact. :-) My friend just made a fabulous quilt, full of applique, and then hired someone to machine quilt it. I think her daughter, the recipient of the quilt, doesn’t care that it’s not hand quilted. The face of the quilt itself is amazing.
Dear friend,
You could try to stitch in the ditch. I have done wall hangings and lap quilts,but nothing larger.
Happy Day,
Carol
Claudia, your quilt top is beautiful! I love the pattern, and the fabrics are so fun. It has a wonderful vintage, cottage look. However you choose to finish it, it definitely needs to be on your bed.
It beautiful, Claudia! I looks amazing as is.
S
xo
It looks lovely Claudia, it looks great on the bed! I do like Kaffe Fassetts designs and fabrics, he always has such great patterns and colours.
I can imagine you’re not looking forward to such a big job quilting this one, but it will look fantastic when finished!
Your stash of fabric is wonderful. I love fabrics anyway, but a stack of colour co-ordinated fabrics gets my imagination going! Ik keep mine the same way, in a glss fronted cupboard so I can see them :-)
Claudia, That would make a lovely coverlet. You are good girl. That is how my aunt used to quilt…all by hand. It’s a talent. Smiles, Susie
That’s one of the most gorgeous quilts I have ever seen! I love it Claudia and your fabrics are wonderful too…love the purples…my favorite color. How are you and your great hubby and the kids (dogs) doing?
That’s a beautiful quilt, Claudia, and looks so lovely on your bed. And the green edging is perfect and set off all those delicious Kaffe Fassett colors. (I splurged last year and bought two small balls of Kaffe Fassett yarn — on SALE.) What about keeping it as a ‘summer weight’ quilt and simply stitching it to a plain (or pretty) sheet and then tie-ing through here and there, little by little. A nice job outside on the porch in the summer!
That is a beautiful quilt, Claudia! It’s too lovely to be hidden. You should finish it. Perhaps you could work on it a bit every day.
It’s perfect for your bed, and matches all your pottery. You must do, so you can decorate around it (: Have we seen pix of your bedroom before?
That is a gorgeous quilt top! I love hand quilted quilts so much, but I understand how tedious the work is. I like the idea above about doing a stitch in the ditch- just follow the grid. I know that if I set out to hand quilt, it might not ever get finished! I can’t wait to see this quilt completed– it’s really, really beautiful.
Hugs,
Jill
I am a quilter. Although, I have not pieced a quilt in a while, I have done many! I love your snowball! I would certainly put that on the bed! So fun!! I always send anything larger than a twin out to be machine done. I love to machine quilt my smaller things though. I piece on an antique Featherweight, that I love. It is a fantastic work horse!! Check Craig’s List…they are out there, but dimey!
Good luck!!!
Kris
This quilt is sooooo beautiful! Don’t tie it! How perfect do you want it? Could you get a few friends over to help you hand quilt it? Like twice a month for a few months. Fun to get together and chat and quilt.
Oh that is gorgeous, can’t you just see it in a few years when after washing, and using it, there is a faded patina on the quilt.
Yes Brenda has gotten me addicted to Feather weights also….found out some were made in Canada. Bad bad addiction, since they cost a fortune.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
It’s gorgeous Claudia. I have been machine quilting simple grid patterns on my quilts lately because it is the only way to complete the project in a timely manner and move on to the next quilt. I love more elaborate quilting but unless it is a very special quilt I can’t afford the time it takes and sending out for quilting is too expensive. Whatever you decide it will be beautiful. Patty
That is a lovely quilt top! It does need to be quilted and not tied. I think it would look lovely in your bedroom! I keep thinking one of these days I will make a small quilt.
Claudia – that is GORGEOUS and yes, it needs to be on your bed! I love the colors and am in awe of your sewing skills (of which I have NONE)! … Donna
Hey Claudia – it’s gorgeous! I love Kaffe’s work. I’m sure it would be best quilted but if you don’t want to take on that huge job right now. How about a button in the centre of each square instead of tying. That’s what I’m going to try on my next quilt. J
What a beautiful quilt! It looks perfect with your headboard, too. I like the idea of having friends over for a quilting bee, but if that doesn’t work, I think machine quilting will be lovely. Hand tying is also an option. Whatever you decide, it is really going to make your bedroom come alive!
This quilt needs air and light. It’s good you took him out of prison. It will look amazing on your bed!
I have quilted many quilts by hand, but because of eye strain…I no longer do it. If nothing else…a tie in the center of those diamonds would look nice…I like the idea of buttons too. The colors are so pretty and a shame to have it hidden away.
Balisha
After years of feeling guilty about not wanting to hand quilt anymore I chose a great machine quilter and never looked back. Though it can be pricey depending on where you live, I think it is worth it, and equal in price to a Pottery Barn manufactured duvet so save that spare change and get it done. You’ll be so glad that you did.
xx
z
Your lovely work needs to be on your bed. After all your hard work, you should complete it–whatever route you take.
I’m not a fan of tied quilts but have to agree that hand quilting is tedious..a lost art..BUT..The value of the quilt is much greater…Love the topper..would be perfect on the bed..My step daughter machine quilts..So much quicker..
I’m not a fan of tied quilts but have to agree that hand quilting is tedious..a lost art..BUT..The value of the quilt is much greater…Love the topper..would be perfect on the bed..My step daughter machine quilts..So much quicker..
You should finish that beautiful quilt and keep it on your bed. It;s lovely. Love all you quarters of fabric too. Do I see a new project in the works?
That quilt top is gorgeous and definitely needs to come out of hiding. I love the mix of colors and pattern. But know not a thing about quilts or sewing. :) Have a great rest of the week. Tammy
The quilt top is lovely and do finish it in what ever manner suits you best. I like cozy British style too and seem to aspire to a mix of patterns myself. I enjoyed talking with you so much. It made my week. Thanks for your help, now I can visit everyone. Hugs, Olive
This is why I don’t make quilts anymore. It is too overwhelming for me to do. I used to like to hand quilt and I have hand quilted a large spread but like you…I was not having a good time after a while! I have an antique quilt top that I would love to have quilted but it won’t be me doing it. Machine quilting is not that easy either. Too much bulk under the machine. There are some church groups who will do quilting that you might inquire about at a nearby quilt shop or you can have them done on those big machines. Some quilt shops have them and do them for a fee. It’s very pretty and I am sure you will come up with something. Good luck! ~Hugs, Patti
YOUR QUILT IS SO NICE….ALL THE WORK
YOU PUT INTO IT…..BRAVO CLAUDIA….
LOOKS NICE ON YOUR BED TOO….
HAPPY QUILTING…..YOU SURE DO HAVE A STASH OF MATERIAL….ME TOO……I SHOULD GO THROUGH MINE…..HAVE A GREAT DAY…….RIZZI
It´s wonderful Claudia – love the fabric you have used. It´s so much work to do the hand quilting – you could also tie it with knots…
I love the fabric of your quilt top. I guess it depends on how much time you want to spend on quilting it. Maybe doing the ties would be easier. Yes, it should be on your bed. All those beautiful fabrics……will we be seeing a new quilt in the making. Are you enjoying your time at home.’Should we boycott Brenda since she has two feather weights…..hah.
It’s a beautiful quilt top, Claudia! I actually think this pattern is a perfect candidate for tying. That’s probably what I would do. Better than slitting your wrists. And I think the pattern lends itself to that.
Brenda
Your fabrics look delicious and having them out where you can see them is wonderful. They just add such a touch of summer sunshine. Your quilt top is lovely. I don’t even quilt so I have no idea what to do. Happy fabricing dear…
That is so lovely and vintage looking Claudia . I adore those fabrics especially the purple shades they would make a fabulous quilt. Cannot wait to see what you decide to do.
Have a great day,
Sue
hiya
i think the quilt top is gorgeous. and instead of being so hard on your self i think you could do that stitching that you just ramble along… without any meaning.. using an invisible type thread.. as you can see i dont sew lol , but i do adore quilts .. such beautiful things need to be seen and not thrown away or to be causing such aches for you..
and those piles of fabric are delicious.. the purple ones seem to call to me
thanks for sharing …
take care of yourself..
Stunning on your bed and would be a good one to tie I think. I think tied is fine when you use embroidery floss that is so pretty. My grandma used to tie with just plain yarn:)
Beautiful.
Terri
What a wonderful quilt top with so many fun and colorful fabrics! Like some of your other readers suggested, I would strongly consider taking it to someone who has a quilting machine and can do it quickly and in a patter that won’t detract from the piecing and fabrics. I am a quilter, but I only machine or hand quilt smaller projects. I will look forward to seeing how it turns out!
I love how it is an art statement in itself to just see the swatches of fabric. My eyes loved all the colors!
~Barbara
Oh Claudia, I luuuuurve this quilt! I had pinned one a while back that is similar, and I just loved it. The “all-pattern snowball” is what I’ve been calling it in my head. It’s definitely on my wish list.
I have a book that explains how to machine quilt large quilts on a regular sewing machine. I am hoping to employ it for my next quilt. For my last large quilt I rented time on a long arm — that was fun, but expensive and backbreaking (not because long arms are backbreaking, but because when you rent you can’t stop — you have to just do the whole thing all at once!). I’m going to try it on my home machine this next time.
I swear I have some of that aqua fabric in my stash! So pretty!
~Angela~