2187 pieces of fabric
















It is finished, the big quilt I have been working on since last summer. I am really happy and I am not even sad that I can no longer work on it.

I follow Amanda's Crazy Mom Quilts blog and have found the inspiration for my quilt here. Amanda herself was inspired by a vintage quilt, which belongs to a member of her quilt guild. I fell in love with this quilt when she first wrote about it in June 2016. I eventually worked up the courage to cut into my considerable stash last summer, when I decided to wash all my fat quarters, iron them and sort them by colour. I wanted my quilt to be a riot of colours and I am sure you will agree with me, I have achieved this. I just spotted not one but two pieces of fabric that both Amanda and I used! Isn't that funny? I didn't set out to copy her quilt but our quilts look remarkably similar, although I have maybe chosen slightly darker colours. If I use an analogy from nature, I would say that Amanda's quilt represents early spring leaves, mine the same leaves at the height of summer.

Here some numbers because this quilt is truly mind boggling. I usually quilt in inches because my quilting rulers are imperial only but I give you the metric measurements, too.

Total size of the quilt is 82 x 82 inches. This is 210 x 210 cm if you are not familiar with the imperial measurements. It is funny actually, although all my quilting and in fact most of my sewing is imperial, I have a poor grasp of the actual length of an inch or a foot etc. I can immediately see a metre in front of my imaginary eye but I cannot do the same for a yard. Inches are worse still.

The quilt consists of 729 three inch squares made with 2187 pieces of fabric. Yes, that's 2187 pieces of fabric. I didn't count them at the time of course, just plugged the numbers in my calculator. It didn't feel like that many either. A tendency for self punishment meant that I did not batch sew any of the squares by sewing longer strips of fabric together and cut the squares to size. I made each and every square individually. I'd like to say that there is no duplicate square in this quilt but I can't be sure.

I didn't buy any fabric for this quilt and I am ashamed to admit that I barely made a dent in my fat quarter stash. You may also recognise bits of both Annie and Sam's quilts, and there are a few of my dressmaking remnants in there, too. I had to buy wadding, this is not something I keep. I think I deserve a little luxury and splashed out on a silk/cotton/bamboo/tencel blend. A quick Google search tells me that tercel is made from wood cellulose and is apparently eco friendly. It should be sumptuously warm and I really hope it is because our bedroom is like a freezer. I made the binding from a semi sheer cotton lawn that I had intended for a top but I didn't fancy wearing it in the end as it wasn't as soft as I expect cotton lawn to be. I doubled the fabric up to give it some substance.

I quilted this beast by hand with Aurifil 12, a thickish cotton thread. I wanted to make big visible stitches. I like big stitches. After days and days of expert procrastination I opted for chevrons diagonally across the squares. I spent a lot of time stitching during the Christmas holidays, some days, when every one was at school and work, I stitched for several hours. This didn't go unpunished, I have repetitive strain injury of sorts. My right wrist is sore and sometimes the ache runs back to my elbow. I usually enjoy stitching the binding on by hand but I did find it quite painful and was pleased to finish.

All I have left to do is stitch a label on. I promised James I would make him a quilt next. I hope he finds enough fabric in my stash, I really need to stop buying quilting cottons.

Thanks for stopping by and saying hello. Have a great weekend all xx


P.S. I am linking this post to "Finish it up Fridays" on Amanda Jean's blog

Comments

  1. It's fabulous, well done you. I can't imagine how many hours it took. Love that the inspiration came from a vintage quilt as well. You have reminded me that I never posted any pictures of the quilt I made for my bed. I really should dig it out and do that. Fingers crossed James finds the fabric he likes in your stash, I shall look forward to seeing what he chooses. CJ xx

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  2. It's so pretty, what a massive job it must have been. It ought to feel good in the cold, cold night.

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  3. It is a real work of art and is very beautiful indeed Christina! I am sure that you will love it for a very long time and get a lot of use from it. Enjoy making the next one which I am sure will also be treasured. Just to let you know that I am sort of back blogging again by the way too.

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  4. Glad you posted a close up, so I could see the hand stitching. Beautiful, colorful and amazing!

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  5. Wow, that looks really impressive. It also looks warm.

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  6. This is stunning! I love the colours so much, they work really nicely in that pattern too. It’s amazing!

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  7. Wow, just wow. That is absolutely beautiful, well done on making it. Hope your sore hand improves quickly.

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  8. That is a beautiful quilt, so cheerful and colourful.

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  9. It really is lovely Christina. A labour of love. You’re inspiring me to have a go, one of these days :). Have a lovely weekend. B x

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  10. Phenomenal quilt, Christina! Really wonderful x

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  11. A true feast for the eyes, it is beautiful. The fabrics are stunning. I have just made a start on one for Hector and then finally a big girl one for Honey. Hope your wrist is feeling better.

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  12. I love it Christina. is a work of art - beautiful and useful. The back looks fabulous too and your orange sheets are scrumptious. Sorry about the RSI, hope it gets better quickly now you've finished quilting. I can only hand quilt in 15 minute bursts otherwise the pads on my fingertips become too sore. I've got my current quilt started spread out in pieces on the sitting room floor and I'm playing with the arrangement - I have 80 six and a half inch pinwheels and they are taking some arranging! But looking at your gorgeous colourful quilt is already inspiring me for my next one.

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  13. OMG.that is just Awesome.You must be so chuffed with it.Such a Beautiful design and love the colours.x

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  14. Wow, that's awesome Christina. Love the colours, hope it helps keep you warm. My bedroom is like a freezer at times too. We usually have a thick duvet and a quilted cover on top. We're in the process of boarding up (brick and plaster first to repair and strengthen) 2 of the bedroom fireplaces. Very draughty. Cx

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  15. Fantastic work, it looks amazing!

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  16. Christina, it is stunning! What a fabulous quilt that I'm sure will keep you warm and make you smile every time you look at it. A wonderful achievement xx

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  17. AGGGHHH! Christina I have been waiting to see it and it is totally amazing!!! You have made such a great job. A testimony to not procrastinating and just sewing everything together. I absolutely LOVE it. Congratulation of the highest order you awesome lady. Jo xxx

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  18. So beautiful! Wow. It's just stunning, Christina. Wonderful job!

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  19. Oh my goodness you have knocked my socks off, the quilt is gorgeous. I love it Christina, you did a brilliant job with it. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.

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  20. Wow, bravo on the quilt finish! Isn't it nice to know your son will treasure it the rest of his life and it will be a family heirloom? Now on to the next one! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  21. What an awesome job you did on your quilt! It's beautiful!

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  22. It's absolutely beautiful and something which, I'm sure, will be treasured for ever. So many pieces of fabric all stitched together, it's mind boggling to someone who doesn't sew. A family heirloom for sure.

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  23. Wow Christina, what a masterpiece! It is a riot of color, but it all jives - I love the backing fabric choices. What a huge sigh of relief to say, "All done!" Awesome!

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  24. That is a work of art! I love all the colours and you have made me want to make a quilt. I haven't made one for years. I like that you did a lot of it by hand, watching the series Alias Grace recently also got me thinking about doing more hand stitching, as well as reading more Margaret Atwood. xx

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  25. Oh, well done, it's fabulously colourful (and so apt for your blog!). I can only imagine what it's like to work on something so huge. Looking forward to seeing the James version.

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  26. While not talented as far as sewing projects, I can admire and appreciate this work, Christine. It is very colorful and bright all in good ways.

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  28. I just found your blog through Hooks and Needles and what a welcoming post you had waiting for me! The quilt is absolutely fabulous! In fact, it is even more than that. It is divine! You must be proud beyond words.

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  29. Did you hear me say, "OH, MY! I love it!

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  30. oh wow.. that is so impressive!

    http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com

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  31. Such a stunning quilt overflowing with gorgeous pattern and colour. Love the back as well. Well done on such a glorious finish!

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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