Funky Apples

A new record time for a quilt start to finish 4 weeks!

I used a couple fabrics from Aneela Hooey's "Little Apples."  Because it's scrappy and oddball, I'm calling it funky. PLUS, it's for a fun and funky couple - John and Jenny (mine and Zack's bosses) who are getting married in two weeks.  Congratulations to them! Not a large quilt, but enough to cover two pairs of feet on the couch, or it'll be great for an intimate picnic blanket.

Top, Posing with the gift before the wedding
Bottom, Back detail

Front

Back

Hot damn!

A new record! Quilt blocks finished in one week!

I recently surprised myself with the speed of block making. And of course it comes right after writing that it takes me so long to make a quilt.

Over Friday night and all day Saturday I studied various quilt blocks and drew them out in my notebook. Then I colored the blocks in according to the color schemes that I liked best.

On Monday I started cutting into the fabric and created 12 "Sets" for the different quilt blocks.
Between the mornings and evenings around work, I finished all of the blocks that I wanted.  (This might not be much of an accomplishment to anyone but me because I work so sporadically.)

Today, the following Monday I am going to add sashing to the blocks. And hopefully before long, I will have the quilt top all finished.

The Patience of a Nun

People ask me how long it takes me to make a quilt. And I never have a right answer. "A long time," "Weeks. Months," "It depends." I know that I could make a quilt from start to finish in a month, but the size, the pattern and my "inspiration" all play major roles in timing.

During my most recent project I have started to keep track of the time dedicated to it. It's 45 minutes  to a couple hours here and there. I am shocked to see that I spend an hour and a half just ironing those little 1/4 inch seams. I understand now why so many people joke that I must "have the patience of a nun" to quilt. Yes, it does require a lot of time, solitude (if you choose) and repetition. 

In January a friend asked for a quilt. Luckily I've learned that it takes me at least a month to just mull over the concept of a "specific" quilt, so I gave myself several months to complete the project.  The "specifics" of this one are rather simple; he asked for a quilt with some orange in it. Something to hang on the back of the couch that looks nice but can also be used for warmth. (ah, a lap quilt.)
Three weeks ago (so late February) I found the pattern I'd use and bought the fabric.
Now, I'm about to sew the pieced blocks together to make the quilt top. (A big accomplishment.)
Then, I will sew three layers (top, batting and a backing) together. That is the quilting aspect. It's a bit of hump for me to get over.  I want to use my home machine, but that limits me to straight lines. And aren't straight lines boring? Devising a way to coordinate the lines with the quilt's pattern is one the larger challenges. Despite that mild setback, I'd say, I'm two thirds of the way through.

It is a worthwhile process. I enjoy the time alone. The repetitive tasks of pinning, sewing, pressing, and trimming are relaxing. It is my way of meditating.

Square Over Square

Last year around May a man named Michael requested that I make a quilt large enough for his queen bed. Sure! I'd love to! He had no color preferences, and was very vague in general as to what he wanted. (Luckily this is very liberating. I still feared of course, what if he hates it?)

It took me about two months to decide on the color scheme and pattern. If it wasn't for a weekend away with my quilting buddy Megan, I would have never found the right inspiration. Thank goodness she had her own quilt of this pattern; and thank goodness for Moda Bakeshop tutorials!
(A note on my creative process: I originally chose green and brown fabrics and a pinwheel pattern but found that the tones that I was drawn to were altogether too pukey. Oops! So I went out and bought new fabric and chose a totally different pattern. And making all these choices takes time!)

Laying it out to measure in the dining room, furniture removed

This quilt is made up of 9 large blocks. I actually had them all finished right before the wedding.
 But then it took all of November for me to cut sashing strips, to plan the layout, and make all the pieces one single piece. Then it was easy. I used a single fabric for the back, sent it out to be quilted and then sewed the binding on after Christmas. I even added a quilt label-- my first.

This is the biggest quilt I've ever sewn. Not sure if I'll ever make another quilt of this grandeur again.  I hope to... and I hope to eventually make time to create quilts that I keep.

Inside Hotel Oregon, natural light was better than at my house

On the rooftop of Hotel Oregon for kicks

How does it look on a bed?

Ready to deliver!

Quilt Label

The quilt is SOO big!

Wedding Quilt

Entering my freshman year of college I was set up with two roommates. I hit it off just fine with both of them. But I am especially glad that I am still friends with one of them, my Megan. We've traveled together, had heart to hearts, and now we both quilt! It's just another bond that ties us together. Who else can appreciate sewing puns? "You're sew rad!" or " You're hot" set next to a picture of an iron.

I wasn't surprised by her wedding gift (I'm sure she told me it would be a quilt), but I am in awe of her workmanship. She makes quilts in a jiff. She keeps a busy schedule. And yet, she was able to whip up this gem in time for the wedding.

We even used it for a the backdrop of the cake cutting.

Newlyweds and Megan

Cake and Quilt backdrop

Me and Megan

Seven years that we've known each other now. Crazy!
 For kicks, here's a pic from when it started. Fall 2006:

Summertime baby quilt

It's December and I'm only now recapturing the quilts that I've finished in the past months.
 In August, I finished a quilt for the grandmother who ordered Primary Alphabet.  It turns out that she wanted her own baby blanket to keep at her house. I used the exact same pattern, but varied the fabrics. What I enjoy most about this photo is how summery it is. (The background, really. Zack has his bicycle out, there are lush green leaves on the tree. Ah, summer.)

Front

Look at the quilting!

Oh my gosh, the funnest thing on this quilt was that I switched up the quilting. I quilted the two halves differently. Look at the above photo, and you can see how I changed directions.

Back

Elephant Alphabet

Fourth of July weekend a friend asked me to make a baby quilt for clients who just welcomed a grandbaby into their family. I was excited, accepted the project and then as life seems to go, things got busy. Zack and I went on vacation, got engaged and then were married a short two months later.

So I am absolutely thrilled to finally be done with this project... in late November... a good five months later...

 I've been holding on to this bright elephant fabric, just waiting for the right idea. I knew I wanted to use it, but didn't know how to. There are so many "novelty prints" that I love! But it's difficult for me to place them in a quilt. I suppose, that it's the idea of cutting through the fabric that holds me back.

But I had the adorable elephants, I chose some equally bright orange and teal alphabet prints and then just pieced as I saw fit.  I didn't use a pattern, like I normally do. I just chose matching green/blue and orange and "went for it."

Instead of quilting on the machine, I chose the more peaceful option of hand tying. Traditionally I think I would have kept the knots on the front side, but I wasn't sure if the little ties would be bothersome to the baby lying on it. So all the knots and loose ends are on the back, which leaves a refreshingly clean front amidst the chaos of color and print. ; )

Back

Front

Barely see the light blue thread from the ties, right?

Ready to be shipped!