Wednesday 27 May 2020

the big quilty finish


So nice seeing lots of UFO’s at the top of everyone's "to do" pile at present. These 3 older quilts of mine have been sitting around here for quite a while now. When I got them out late last week, I remembered why I'd started each one of them and how much I love the creative process of making a quilt.
My fabric choices at the time still make me smile, straight away I found myself checking out for favourite fabrics and thinking about why I'd decided to combine certain prints the way I had.




All three were quilted, just waiting for the binding to be added. Gotta admit though, the binding is still my least favourite part of the process. I usually LOVE picking out the #perfectfabric that looks great with both sides of the quilt, but after that ... I seem to stall. And despite my hopes, no finishing fairy turned up, so I've been busy during these lockdown days making bindings and getting these quilts all properly finished.
Maybe grab a coffee, heaps of photos to follow . . .

quilt #1
I'm really into simple quilts at the moment and this quilt caught my eye first. It actually had a binding on it, but I was never happy with how it looked. For some reason, I didn't want the quilt to end up looking like a 'green' quilt, green isn't really a colour I use alot. Anyway, I added a DS dusky pink & black stripe, but it was wrong, so very wrong . . . wrong colour, wrong effect, wrong everything!
So I've unpicked the binding and added a new one. Much happier now, even if it is most definitely a 'green' quilt! 
The fabrics for this quilt came from a show Glenys & I went to in Sydney many years ago, and the backing fabric was a very old Laura Ashley fabric. {and apologies, I can't remember who actually quilted it, it was so long ago!} Finished quilt measures 52" x 72".














quilt #2
Now this one is a very old make. "Rosy Nine Patch" quilt is a popular Kaffe pattern, nine patch blocks alternating with big blousy florals. And this quilt does have a little quilty story too . . . When our daughter married several years ago, we had a vintage-y theme. We used the quilt top as a backdrop to the pretty vintage cups & saucers and silverware.
I used a scrappy backing of light coloured fabrics and had it quilted by Wild Cotton Ltd Annette de Raat, and it was it certainly time for me to finish this one! Finished quilt measures 72" x 72".
















quilt #3
Some of you may remember me piecing this quilt, my not so pastel "Vintage Comfort" quilt way back in September 2017. It's a crazy mish-mash of old & new fabrics, a playful stripe, and lots of improv piecing, and finishes at approx. 170cms (68") x 200cms (80"). I decided on a gently used sheet for my backing and Leeanne from quiltmekiw custom quilted it for me.
Once quilted though, I just couldn't decide on the binding fabric. Every now & then I'd pull the quilt out of the cupboard, audition fabrics, and then fold it up and put it away again!

And in the end, I combined two fabrics for the binding and carefully add them to the quilt borders, a sweet cream & green light print to the green top & bottom borders and a Tula Pink print to the pink side borders.
















And there you have it, three different quilts,
quilts that give pleasure both in the making and again now, as truely finished quilts.
Linking up with Kelly for 'needle and thread Thursday' here


And speaking of finishes, 
my latest library book "The Big Finish" by Brooke Fossey is a warm and tender read,
 about the most unlikely people being hijacked by second chances. 
Meet Duffy, an old curmudgeon who lives in an assisted living home. 
Meet Josie, a desperate young woman who climbs through his window. 
Together, they’re going to learn it’s never too late—or too early—to change your ways.

Until next time, Linda


17 comments:

Kleine Vingers said...

Love all three quilts. And now these lovely quilts can be used.

karenbbsnow said...

Three gorgeous finishes. Your quilts always have such a lovely vintage vibe .... thanks for sharing and inspiring.

Marie said...

Love them all - the look like 'summer quilts' to me.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

love these quilts - each have such an old fashioned charm to them.

Linda said...

Lovely quilts. The Kaffe quilt especially calls to me... I love his work and have been fortunate to hear 3 of his talks and even share a table with him once at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham! The book looks intriguing, and from a library too. Forgotten what it’s like to be able to go into a library!

Juliana said...

I, too, love all three quilts!! Other readers called them charming and vintage, and I am sure that's what appeals to me. I especially love the first one--so simple (seeming), but such a great way to show off special fabrics! Thanks so much for sharing all with us.

MissPat said...

I have the perfect fabrics to use for the Kaffe quilt. Now to find the time. Really need to finish some before starting new ones.

The Joyful Quilter said...

THREE finishes!! Congratulations. LOVE them all!

Raewyn said...

Beautiful finishes, Linda and well done on sorting those bindings and getting them done! I love your photos too :-) The floral 9-patch is inspiring...hmmmm...an idea to tuck away...!

Karen S said...

Well done getting your quilts finished. Lovely to get the job of binding finally finished and out of the way. They are all looking lovely. I am impressed with the size of the pieces in the blocks of the first quilt. That works really well.

Mystic Quilter said...

Such a delight to see these three quilts Linda, I love the freshness of the fabrics you've used. The Rosy 9patch pattern from Kaffe has always been a favourite of mine, I've used this pattern twice and intend to make another one soon. Seeing yours has motivated me to begin thinking of fabrics.

Elizabeth V Kelbaugh said...

Congratulations on 3 fabulous finishes. That is at least one good thing about being stuck at home.

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Beautiful 3 finishes! I absolutely love your "green" quilt, so pretty!

gayle said...

All lovely! And I'll bet that tying off that last thread was enormously satisfying!

Ann said...

It's good to see your lovely quilts finally finished and ready to use. Thanks for the book suggestion, too.

audrey said...

I wish I lived near enough that I could come over and admire your lovely quilts! You have such a gift when it comes to putting wonderful fabrics together. I adore the floral touches in so many of your quilts. Simple but so, so sweet!:)

Suz J said...

I absolutely adore the first quilt... is it just a jumbo sized rail fence? Funny that I wouldn't call it a green quilt at all... sometimes it is all in the perspective. Binding is also my least favourite part... I break it up into small manageable chunks and do slowly get there!