Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Done…and done!

Well, it's done -- and I mean really done.  I had thought I would add some borders out of the neutral sashing fabric but when I auditioned them, they didn't do a thing for it.  They only made it bigger and didn't seem to frame it like I saw it in my head.  So, surprisingly, this lap quilt is finished and ready to be quilted.
Because I chose to go with sashing that finishes at 1/2", I actually lost about 7" across the width of the quilt (compared to sashing that finishes the same size as the blocks -- 3/4").  Don't ask me how I could even think that a 3/4" sashing looked clunky -- but I did.  I made two sample blocks and left them on my design wall for about a week.  Every time I looked at the one with 3/4" sashing, I didn't like it as well as the one with smaller strips controlling the little 4-patches.  Seriously.  It makes no sense to me, either.
I originally thought I would count the pieces in this top and then I thought again.  There are 960 4-patches that finish at 1.5" plus all kinds of sashing strips.  I'm probably better off not knowing.  It finished about 60' x 64' so it will be a good lap quilt with lots of fabrics to look at if I get bored.
The "underbelly" is a bit of a hot mess.  Most of the seams are pressed open -- or at least started that way.  Talk about "the good, the bad, and the ugly!"
As I mentioned in previous posts -- I really like it.  But not enough to do it again!

I hope you are working on something that is unique and challenging!

Jan




34 comments:

Pat said...

Well, it looks amazing.

Debra said...

wowzer!

Paula said...

Wow! That is beautiful! (Well, ok, maybe the underbelly isn't so pretty, but .....)

I can't imagine working with something so small and detailed, unless it was a few minutes here and there, taking me a couple (or more) years to do!

Really really beautiful!

Nann said...

It looks great! I admire the dexterity of you and your fellow swappers to work with 1" pieces.
I think I'll stick to 1.5" postage stamps...and your design would work very well with that size.

Ellen said...

Fantastic!

Michele @ Undiscovered Optimist said...

Stunning! Nice job!

Cara said...

That is an impressive quilt. Pat on the back to you!

Paulette said...

Wow, that's a beauty! I love a scrappy quilt where you can always finds interesting fabrics to look at.

Quilting Nonnie said...

Fantastic! It's so beautiful that I think, "I want to make one!" But then I read that you'd never do another one. And I'm pledged to working through my UFOs until they're gone. And then they're a bunch of patterns and kits I have that I love and want to do. I'll have to be contented to look at yours and sigh!

Afton Warrick said...

Oy vey, that's a lot of pieces! I think you'd better not count. The proportions are nice. Once the back is sealed inside of the quilt, no one will need to be the wiser about which way you pressed, or intend to press, the seams. Well done! I'm not going to follow in your footsteps though.

Snowcatcher said...

I've long had a dream of making an entire quilt of tiny pieces; you've made me believe it can be done! This turned out awesome, and I totally agree with your sashing thoughts.

Judy@Quilt Paradigm said...

WOW! Congrats on finishing this amazing quilt!

Cheri the Quilting Nanny said...

Am I reading it right..the finished 4 patch measures 1/=.5"x1.5"? Or is that the size of each square IN the 4 patch? I am in awe at those that can quilt with such small pieces! And I can relate to "the good, the bad and the ugly"!

Unknown said...

Wow, this quilt is amazing and shows hours and hours of work. Great job!

Podunk Pretties said...

Well everyone else has just about summed up everything I thought, so I'll just sit here staring with my mouth open.

Ramona said...

LOVE it! Just gorgeous.

Laura said...

Great quilt! I love all the little pieces!

Deanna said...

I had no idea the pieces were so tiny until I ready the post and then all I could do was say "wow" and look at the pictures again and again. Well done.

ps--The narrow sashing was worth it.

canuckquilter said...

This looks great! I think the narrower sashing was the way to go for proportions. As for the "hot mess" on the back - who's going to see that once it's layered and quilted? :) Enjoy your new gorgeous lap quilt.

Bonnie said...

I'm quoting Debra: "Wowzer!" It is terrific. Just curious... did it make a dent in your fabric at all? Or maybe just the scraps? I think I'll pass on the opportunity to do one like it though.... I am tempted!

Rhonda said...

Wow, this is an amazing quilt. You did a great job. I think the narrow sashing works very well!!!

Candace said...

Very pretty. You were brave to work that small.

Unknown said...

Wow~!! I am seriously impressed!!! There is a lot of detail work there! Thanks for linking up to The Creative Exchange! ♥ DavesWife

viridian said...

Love it love. I am doing something sort of similar. 4 patches made with 2 inch squares, alternating with plain squares of unbleached cotton. Not as tiny as this - wow!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Great quilt! Can't wait to see it quilted!

Sandra said...

Looks great but the tiny blocks would have driven me insane.

Kristie said...

BEAUTIFUL! How tiny are those blocks? It turned out really nice.

Have a wonderful and Blessed day
Kristie

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Wow!! Love your quilt and the sashing size does look perfect! Thanks for sharing at Linky Tuesday! Freemotion by the River

Run 'n Stitch said...

Oh man...what a lot of work. Your time and energy are well worth it because it is BEAUTIFUL. Pinned!
Thank you for sharing.
Kathi

Nancy said...

It's such a fun quilt. You have a lot of commitment to work with such small pieces!

Marsha Cooper said...

That had to have taken a LOT of time!
I've been struggling to get 4 patches made and then 16 patches with 2 1/4 inch squares.
I still have thousands of 2 1/4 inch squares in my can to do.

Kate said...

Beautifully done! Gorgeous quilt!

Ruth said...

Oh my goodness, what a great quilt. I think your decision about the sashing was right on!

Nicky said...

I don't think I could do it but I do so love this quilt ! Totally stunning and thank you for linking up to Scraptastic Tuesday so I could see it!