The insanity of it all
No, I am not talking about Christmas or even the general elections that we just survived. I am not letting this stress me. I am talking about my Ice Cream Soda (by Tales of Cloth) quilt. After almost a complete year of choosing fabrics, cutting fabrics and glueing papers in and stitching the blocks together, I spent what seems like a very long time removing all 1738 paper pieces from this quilt top. English paper piecing is not the most time efficient way to make a quilt but I do enjoy the slow process of creating something pretty and practical with what is essentially a no-tech approach.
Would you believe me if I told you that I then ironed every single piece of paper and mended a few ripped ones with sticky tape? Well I did. The papers are now boxed up in their original packaging and maybe in the future, I'll feel like making another Ice Cream Soda quilt.
I pieced the back with various remnants from my remnants box. It is most satisfying to use up pieces of fabric that are too small for a garment but to big to go into the scraps box. I'll show you the back once I finish the quilt. I sandwiched the quilt on the floor, much to the detriment of my poor old knees.
I have not decided on the quilting yet. I have bought a few balls of embroidery thread, maybe I'll use this. Maybe I'll machine quilt. There is no rush, I have other things that I am working on and I like to mull such difficult decisions over for a couple of weeks.
How's life at your end? I have just one more day of work left, which is is pure brilliant. I look forward to choosing a Christmas tree on Wednesday or Thursday and I am planning to bake a batch of cookies and then eat half of it with a gigantic cup of coffee. A great opportunity to catching up with my favourite blogs! Thanks for visiting xx
Sensational! It looks amazing and with a border it will look even better. I have finished the topper of my postage stamp quilt and recognise some of your backing fabrics from it which is now making me want to finish it for the New Year.I have all the stuff I too need an afternoon on my knees and I am not quite ready for that yet. Jo xxx
ReplyDeleteIt looks absolutely gorgeous, a feast for the eyes. Hope you enjoy your time off work x
ReplyDeleteWow Christine, it is absolutely beautiful. Like a kaleidoscope, totally brilliant. I do so love paper piecing. I bought a Christmas tree yesterday. The children have put all the baubles in the top quarter so that the dog doesn't get them. The bottom three-quarters are completely bare. I am not stressing or re-arranging anything. Personal growth, right there. The cookie idea is a good one, I am going to do that too. Hope it's a good last week. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is WOW and BRAVO!! That is one amazing work of art, my friend! You should submit it to a craft fair and win a big blue ribbon! What kind of cookies will you bake? I want to do the same. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDelete****************************************
*M*E*R*R*Y* * *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
****************************************
Christina, that is the most stunning quilt top... what a joyful sight! We brought a tree home on Saturday. It was grown in our village and didn't look nearly so big when we chose it still growing in the field. Luckily we have a vaulted ceiling!Can I come round for cookies? xx
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks like so much work. It is amazing. I am a knitter, but I don't know how to quilt. Hope you are enjoying your coffee and cookies. It's so fun to cook and bake delicious foods at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteSince I don't know a lot about quilting, I can only see from this post how much work is involved, Christina. I do know about baking cookies and then enjoying them and hope you do that afterwards!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt! You are very patient do make a quilt like that.
ReplyDeleteYay! Your Christmas break is almost here. Have fun with choosing a Christmas tree and decorating. 🎄
Oh! I love that quilt! The patterns, the colours, a real feast for the eyes. Good luck with however you decide to quilt it. Love the idea of using up scraps for the backing. Enjoy your cookies!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful. You are a master of quilt making. Enjoy your time off with that lovely family of yours. B x
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing! I'm currently making my first EPP quilt at the moment and I'm quite excited to get to the quilting stage.
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely gorgeous! A real labour of love. Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteA huge amount of work but it's looking spectacular. Enjoy the cookies! xx Susan
ReplyDeleteWow, all those pieces, that's a real labour of love, but it looks fantastic. Absolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is so amazing, truly a work of art. Enjoy your time off. I am only work two days next week! Yay!
ReplyDeleteFabulous! A work of art. Well all the papers look complicated and mathematical and way too complex for me, I think I am maybe more of a play it by ear crafter myself. On the odd occasion I do use a pattern I use the pieces and throw the instructions to one side. I think you enjoy the orderliness of it all am I right? Have a wonderful Christmas all of you. x
ReplyDeleteIt's been such a long time since I visited your blog and it's lovely to see that it's still as calm to read and as wonderful to see as I remember. Quilting, beautiful photos ... one of my intentions for next year is definitely to find more time to read blogs as I have really missed that! xx
ReplyDelete