- the fabric...
- the colors...
- the randomness...
- the journey...
- and that the top is done.
I have talked about this quilt and what it represented in my Quilting as Therapy post as well as this one.
This past weekend I decided it was time to get all the four patches out and put them on the design wall. It was so fun! If you haven't been on this journey -- the blocks are 2.5" (finishing at 2") and the sashing is 1" (finishing at 1/2").
Lots of pinning. At every single intersection.
Lots of ironing.
And a reminder of why I do so love all the different shot cottons. They sparkle a bit more than homespuns -- but of course, not nearly so much as silks. That's a dream for a different day (or year!). This had a blue and peach in the warp and weft - and it changes color depending on the light.
When I was putting this together -- I just started sewing (after LOTS of cutting). I tried to be as random as possible and not over-think the color placement. I basically sewed up every square I had cut and here is my waste. Eleven of the sashed 2.5" squares, 3-4 partial strips that were cut so far off grain that I couldn't bring myself to put such crooked squares in the quilt, and a tiny bit of Aurafil thread. This top required almost a full spool of Aurafil -- that gives me some perspective on how much sewing this little beauty actually has in it. It has done exactly what I needed for various periods of transition in my life in the past two years.
And finally -- as I was heading back upstairs this morning (after taking a picture in 16 degrees!), the light coming through the beveled window in the front door caught my attention. I threw the top on the steps, stepped back, and let the fractured light and prisms dance on the fabric. Oh my!
I hope you are working on something that makes your heart sing!
Jan
Thanks for sharing. I am in a "transition" part of my life right now and can identify with the sewing being all about the journey and not a race.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is gorgeous and simply sparkles. Enjoy!
Judy
WOW!! that has to be one of the prettiest quilts I have seen in a long time :):) hugs
ReplyDeleteStunning
ReplyDeleteBeing a huge fan of shot cottons and wovens, this quilt makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt! Thanks so much for sharing this on The HomeAcre Hop!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/01/the-homeacre-hop-5.html
This is amazing! I can just imagine all the time and love that went into this thing :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous quilt! It reminds me of a stained glass window!
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is so beautiful and colorful!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! Thanks for sharing it. (Hopped over from the Clever Chicks Hop)
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I really admire your patience that must have been needed to complete this beautiful quilt!
ReplyDeletevery beautiful, I love it! Can't wait to see it quilted.
ReplyDeleteLOVELY! And, oh, what a lot of work. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done. :o)
ReplyDeleteWow! such a terrific quilt!
ReplyDeleteThat is a marvelous quilt! I love the simple look, but I know how much work that 'simple look' takes.
ReplyDeleteJan, What a beautiful and colorful quilt! Doesn't it feel good to get out something started and begin again toward the finish? What an amazing snapshot with the bedazzling light across the quilt!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love this!!! And I love the brown sashing. So inspirational!! Just gorgeous, and love the pic of the fractured light. :)
ReplyDeleteLove this! It's beautiful. And I can so relate to your transitions story. I recently came upon a big stack of aplique circles I'd sewn a couple of years ago, over time, with no purpose in mind---I think sewing was therapy for me. I had to laugh! Anyway, I donated them to friends making a charity quilt---I felt like I didn't need them anymore. ;-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Lotsof work, but well worth it!
ReplyDeleteFantastic. It just goes to show what happens when you just relax and allow a quilt to evolve. I'm still having trouble with that myself. Maybe someday I'll do a really random quilt without fussing about placement. (Then again, maybe not)
ReplyDeleteLove it Jan, specially the last photo, I'm sure it would look stunning hanging over a stair well were the sun would shin from behind it, it would look like a Hugh stain glass quilt. Cheers Glenda
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt, and a stunning last picture!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, I can see why you love it. It is sunning
ReplyDeleteThis is just beautiful and a work of art.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I love the use of brown for the border, it really does highlight the other fabrics.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely beautiful ... I SO admire your patience. The colors are stunning.
ReplyDeleteAnything I quilt makes my heart sing ... that's for sure. Thanks for letting us peek ~ Mary
This is such a special quilt top. Really beautiful with all those shot cottons.I admire your persistence!
ReplyDeleteWhoa, that *is* a really picture in the light bars. :) Congrats on finishing this prize!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is incredible! Good job!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful yet simple quilt! I certainly understand quilting as therapy. Sometimes sitting at the machine and letting it take over the chatter in my brain is the only way to unwind and relax. The fractured lighting is beautiful as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful - you are so talented! I would love to have you share this at my link party today. Hope you can make it!
ReplyDelete-Angie
www.easylivingmom.com
Unbelievably beautiful! A true labor of love. I am glad it helped get you through your transition....change is never easy but it is sometimes good.
ReplyDeleteI love it. I think your sashing frames those blocks without overwhelming. What a gorgeous quilt, and I love that last photo!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt and the photo with the sunlight.....stunning! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFreemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday
Wow, that's a lot of work! Reminds me a little of Rubix cubes, with the bright squares on a dark background :)
ReplyDeleteWow. It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow. It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat's not to love about your quilt. Simply stunning! I've never heard of shot cottons. I like them and will have to keep an eye open for them now. Perfect last picture.
ReplyDeleteOh my! This is sooooo gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI am so amazed....
I can't imagine how much time it must have taken. Beautiful, though!
hugs x
Crystelle
http://www.crystelleboutique.com
This is really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, when you look at a quilt, it pulls you in and makes you want to see and touch every fabric. That's the way I feel about your quilt. I just want to reach through the monitor for a closer look. It's a wonderful quilt. All of those skinny sashing strips and tiny seams carefully ironed present as much beauty on the back as there is on the front. It's amazing that all of the colors, stripes, and plaids give such a harmonious feeling. I think your choice of brown really works incredibly well as the sashing.
ReplyDeleteThe last photo with the sun filtering through is gorgeous.
That last photo is AMAZING! Such a gorgeous quilt! Thanks for sharing this at my Pin Me Linky Party.
ReplyDeleteWhoa. That is amazing. Even a non quilter like myself can see all the hours that have gone into this. Very impressive. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletep
Your beautiful quilt is amazing and I would love to stand in front of it for hours if it was hanging in a museum. Enjoy quilting it!! A true testament to your sewing abilities!!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a lot of work!! You did an amazing job!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at Artsy Corner! Hope to see you again this week :)
From one quilting Jan to another, this is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge fan of "found" fabrics at garage sales and flea markets and I frequently come across squares and triangles cut for a quilt that was never finished. This is a perfect way to utilize these pieces.
Now I just need to decide on the color that will pull them all together.
Jan
You did an amazing job! It's lovely!
ReplyDeleteSomething so basic as a 2 1/2 square and some sashing with shot cottons make for a beautiful quilt! Thanks for sharing the beauty of your creation! I also love shot cottons and have bought them when I find them. Love how they change colors!
ReplyDeleteMarsha
Wow wow wow! Stunning! That last photo goes in a gallery!
ReplyDeleteOh, wow!! I love how this looks like glass tiles. Your fabric choices are spot on.
ReplyDeleteSo impressive - quite the visual impact!
Love it! I bet it looks much more amazing in real life with all those gorgeous shimmering shot cottons!
ReplyDeleteAn absolutely stunning quilt!!! That last photo is an amazing effect.
ReplyDeleteGreat way to show off those shot cottons!
ReplyDeleteYum! As pretty on the back as on the front! Love that you wrote "life is good" in your profile! :)
ReplyDelete