Wednesday, May 16, 2007

A very large UFO project

After seeing how quickly my mother crocheted me a granny square afghan, which is in the mail now on its way to me, I decided the quilt for our bed had to move from UFO to finished status. I started quilting this by machine yesterday and have it almost at the halfway point now.

I do not like quilting on the machine but this was the only choice seeing how large (2,70m square) and very heavy this quilt is. If I did this with hand quilting, I think it would fall apart within six months of use. I kept putting off the quilting even though it laid batting and all ready to start for about half a year. I was certain it would not work or look okay and I would quilt a few lines and rip it all back out again. I have been pleasantly surprised with how nicely it is quilting on the machine. No, it does not have that special quality that I think only hand quilting can give but I am overall happy with it. I planned from the start that this quilt would have a simple and vintage look to it. I wanted to quilt little x's in each square when I started the patchwork. If you click on the photo, you can see it in more detail.

Some time ago, I was searching on eBay for a quilt for our bed. I found one which was $240 plus the shipping to Europe. While really looking closely at it, I thought to myself that I had many fabrics in my stash that looked similar to that quilt. I got out all that I had and added some more that I felt enhanced the floral fabrics with this being the result. I did not spend a penny as it was all fabric I had and was pleased with myself. But then comes the time for quilting and I have my moments that I think, why did I not just buy a quilt.

Seeing how it is coming along is encouraging and I know it will be worth the struggle to fit this large quilt under my sewing machine in the end. I hope to be able to show you the finished quilt on my bed in the next week.

8 comments:

Nancy said...

Hello Heidi,

This is so beautiful! I love the fabrics you are using to make your quilt, and I think the X design in the squares is a nice detail. I'm sure it is a lot of work to finish this, but just think how proud you and Jos will be when it's in your room. I'm sure both of you will treasure this so much more than if you bought one. I will look forward to the finished quilt!

Nancy

Joanne said...

Heidi ~ The quilt is coming along beautifully, and I love the fabrics you chose. I'm glad the machine stitching is coming along better than you had thought. The "X" design is a good choice.

Anonymous said...

I think this is just beautiful! AND, I think you will be done with it in no time, now that you have set your mind to finishing it. The fabrics are gorgeous, so warm and comfy looking. I picture it on a bed at Hilltop Farm. : )

Stitching Cat said...

Your quilt is beautiful. May you have many wonderful dreams whilst sleeping under it!
Deb from CT USA

Lizzie said...

I love the quilt! (and the granny squares afghan!). This will be lovely on your bed. Hmmmm, I just love a quilt in the late summer and early autumn...

Anonymous said...

It's really pretty, Heidi. I love the colours you've chosen. Some of those look like ones I have in MY stash! If nothing else, machine quilting is fast and you don't have to worry about your stitches coming undone. Your lovely letter arrived today ~ thank you so much! *hugs* ♥

Rhonda said...

You are right! that is a very large WIP. I know it will be a lot of work but it will be so rewarding when you are done.
"when you sleep under a quilt, you sleep under a blanket of love"

Anonymous said...

Heidi,
your quilt is looking absolutely beautiful. The end is definitely in sight. I really enjoyed reading the snippits on BP and your sampler is really beginning to take shape.
Hugs, Angela