Hello Dear Reader,
I’ve finished my latest quilt! To my shame, I started this in Spring 2012! I made the top quite quickly and made star blocks for the first time. I didn’t use a pattern nor did I measure correctly and nor was I good at quarter inch seams and had irregular sized blocks. I felt a total failure and as if my quilt was rubbish. I put it together and the blocks didn’t line up and it was skewed when I finally backed it and had it all together. Well, I got over all that, patched in where it wasn’t square it up and got on with it any way. I then started my first (and probably my last) free motion quilting. I was rubbish at that too! I couldn’t get the tension right, nor the stitch size and in places it’s so amateur! However, I got over that too and got on with it. It has been slow going this summer and it’s taken me ages and in truth, I haven’t enjoyed it. But, I got over that as well and now it’s finished.
The mutts always accompany me when I sew. They don’t mind the sound of the machine. The quilt they are lying on (now the dog quilt) is the first ever quilt that I made. I keep it as a reminder of how far I’ve come. It’s not long ago that I’d never made anything, least of all a full sized quilt.
Below is the texture of the quilt with lots and lots of circles it makes the quilt look as if it is covered in bubbles.
The quilt is made of a collection of fabrics that I bought at reduced rates at the 2012 South West Quilt Show and of course, interspersed with plenty of shirt fabric.
The quilt is for a single/twin sized bed and hangs almost to the floor.
It’s edged in a pink and green check that I bought as an off cut in the reduced price ‘bin’ when I went to Ikea and the backing is a vintage single sheet that I bought in the Salvation Army shop. As usual, I’ve used Hobb’s unbleached batting/wadding and the entire quilt is 100% cotton.
I machine stitch the binding by sewing it onto the back first and then using a decorative stitch on the front to secure it. I know most quilters do this by hand by I’m a strictly machine girl!
Here’s a close up of one of the stars.
I like the fabric in some blocks more than others. My inspiration originally from the colours of the Polyanthus flowers that are in all Cornish gardens in springtime.
You can see that my FMQing is not great, but as I’ve got over it and as I grow to like this quilt then I can forgive my first attempt. It can only get better.
I’m going to use this in the spare bedroom, which is where my daughter stays when she comes to visit.
It’s been emotional and I’m glad it’s finished. I now have FOUR!! other UFOs or WIPs to complete and I’ll keep you posted. I’m going to finish the baby quilt I’ve started first and then the baby quilt that’s being donated to an orphanage in Romania and I’m certain that they won’t take me six weeks each to finish!
Come on you quilters. ‘Fess up! Who else has quilts lurking that you started months or even years ago! Who else needs a size 6 Froogs’ boot up the back end to get it finished. Take the pledge here……….repeat after me, I will finish what I’ve started. I’m embarrassed that I have so many unfinished quilts so here is my pledge. I will not start any new quilts until I’ve finished the ones I’ve started. Feel free to leave your pledge, either about a quilt or craft project that you’ve started and now is just gathering dust. May be, it’s a DIY project or work around the house or garden. Come on, come clean and tell Froogs all about it.
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs xxxxxxxxxxx
Rainy day here and I am quilting too. Just finished a baby quilt for my grandson's birthday next month with applique alphabet and cars and raggy edges. This is the first one I've done. To say it's rough and ready is an understatement.I think of it as shabby chic!
The other one is a disappearing 9 patch. The backing and the batting slide a bit so there are puckers everywhere. Just can't be bothered to unpick it. I am going to hand quilt it whilst I watch TV. Be ready by Christmas I guess.
Yours look fab.
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I do hope the viewing went well dear froogs . I'm a quilter too, and I have to say I think this quilt is really nice. Very easy on the eye.
I do my own fmq too, I dislike it immensely, so I never do as much as you have done!
I have only made 2 quilts this year due to my personal circumstances changing, so I'm hoping that if you start showing us your quilting again it will give me the kick up the backside that I need to get me quilting again!
Have a great weekend dear lady and db. Take care.
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Oh Froogs it is ever so unkind to ask about our lingering projects (even unkinder to ask about fabric and yarn heaps). I have one ufo going back to when mk11 was about 3yrs old she is now 34yrs old. I look at it more as most of us crafterers have our PHD's - projects half done! Love your quilting style. Wish I had your eye for colour.
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If all that fabric gets in your way, or those unfinished quilts are too much, then send them over to me and I'll give them a good home 😉 xxx
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I love the effect of your free motion quilting; I will have to google that and see how it's done. Your attitude is awesome and I have just helped myself to a big plate of it, hope you don't mind 🙂
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That is beautiful 🙂
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I love your quilting. Looks great! I am ashamed of my unfinished quilts and the fact that my four children don't have a quilt from me yet. My weak excuse is I have four under five years old and smallest is only 3 months but had plenty of time before they arrived to finish them!
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I have at least four quilts on the go that I am making for other people but starting a new nursing jobs, doing nights and getting naff all sleep means my eyes are struggling. Soon going to be on days and have a weeks leave beginning of October and hoping to get the UFO's done. Your quilting is great Froogs. I Have been quilting a while and there is a knack to it. the more you do the easier it gets trust me.I am very lucky I have a grace frame with a Janome straight stitch with same throat space as your machine. Make s it a bit easier. I used to hand quilt but due to joint problems I can no longer hand quilt. I tend to make 3 or 4 tops and then quilt them one after the other, sew the bindings on them all with machine then sew binding down by hand as I can just about manage that but I like the Idea of using a decorative stitch like you have. I need to get the quilts for others done so I can make some for us at home to keep us cosy. I am going to have to try Bubbles on one of my tops. Not tried that yet.
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I have at least four quilts on the go that I am making for other people but starting a new nursing jobs, doing nights and getting naff all sleep means my eyes are struggling. Soon going to be on days and have a weeks leave beginning of October and hoping to get the UFO's done. Your quilting is great Froogs. I Have been quilting a while and there is a knack to it. the more you do the easier it gets trust me.I am very lucky I have a grace frame with a Janome straight stitch with same throat space as your machine. Make s it a bit easier. I used to hand quilt but due to joint problems I can no longer hand quilt. I tend to make 3 or 4 tops and then quilt them one after the other, sew the bindings on them all with machine then sew binding down by hand as I can just about manage that but I like the Idea of using a decorative stitch like you have. I need to get the quilts for others done so I can make some for us at home to keep us cosy. I am going to have to try Bubbles on one of my tops. Not tried that yet.
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I love your quilt! AND OF COURSE I have tons of unfinished projects lying about! You inspire me!
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I think your quilts are so beautiful , you are very talented , I just wish I had the patience to do something like this , hope you are feeling better , Eileen xxx
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its fab!i love the bubbles!
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So pretty! I really want to do a tutorial or similar in quilt making
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it looks good to me x and anyone who says otherwise can just go and make one for themselves xx
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I love the quilt! Just this morning I watched a PBS quilting show that they did the circle quilting by machine and they made it look so easy. I have started a comforter and new shams my bed so desperately needs but put it away several months ago as I couldn't make up my mind on borders backing and binding. I pulled it out last weekend and am going to get started on finishing it.
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sunshine in a quilt. Simply gorgeous
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Your quilt looks lovely, and is a testament to your tenacious nature and not giving up on a project. I've only recently started patchwork and quilting so don't have any unfinished projects lurking, but I am currently working on a hexagon pattern that I'm hand piecing but will most likely back and bind by machine. Not sure whether I'll do the actual quilting by hand or machine yet as, like you, my attempts at free motion quilting at a workshop were not at all successful…I think I lack the necessary hand/eye/foot coordination to operate the foot pedal and push the material about under the needle at the right speed to get a decent tension and even sized stitches. First I have to get the quilt top completed though, so I'll keep on with my hexies…that are strangely addictive.
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I think the quilt is lovely & remember - there are no mistakes in handicraft - just artistic license! Also the Amish always have a boo boo in their work because only God is perfect, & while i'm not religious it works for me. I started a quilt for my daughters wedding - it wasn't ready, so I thought i'd try for their 10th anniversary, they have been married for 11 years (so embarrasing) i'm aiming for their 15th, fingers xed. Love your blog, keep up the good work & good luck with selling the house, Deb M qld Australia
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I think your quilt looks lovely and you have to remember that most people aren't going to be examining your seam allowance or your stitch length when they snuggle up underneath it!
I have lots of WIPs (works in progress), some get worked on every now and then until I get bored and have to swap to working on something else, some are handwork that gets worked on when my machine isn't available and some need to progress to the UFO pile - where I need to admit that they don't work, I don't love them, and they need to become something else.
Some of my projects become 'experiments' or 'samples'. I won't feel guilty about small trials that are ugly. I can always use them as free motion quilting practice squares. So I won't pledge to finish everything I start! But I will pledge to have a clean out of my WIP cupboard and decide what needs to be worked on and what needs to find a new life as something else.
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Oohhhh - I absolutely love your free motion quilting, just gorgeous ! I too, have been quilting today as grand child No 12 arrived 2 weeks early ! I doubt I will have the courage to try FMqulting on it though !
Confession - I have a UFO in the loft which I started about 15 years ago. I had no pattern & didn't know much about quilting, but thought I would make a memory quilt from the duvet covers my children had on their beds when they were small - I will get around to finishing it - one day !
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I love the bubble/pebble effect and the colours too. At present I am working on a queen size and single size crochet blanket. Keep up the efforts to finish. It can be such a slog to get to the end.
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I'll bite! I have a child's cot quilt cut out and ready to sew but just never got rounded to it! It was supposed to be for our first great nephew, with the thought that I'd make one for each subsequent addition. There are four little ones now so I've given up on that idea!
But, as soon as I get the cast off my broken wrist and the weather turns colder, I'll start piecing it together.
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I think it looks wonderful! No I've been very good and I don't start another project until I finish the first. Thwt way I save the money to get the materials to stqrt another quilt.
So it's a two way win!
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This was a lot of work, my goodness. I think it is beautiful. I don't quilt at all just alterations and my shop is very busy! Love your money saving blog, but the prices you pay for meat scare me to death. Do we just have a surplus of food in America?
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Your quilt is beautiful, I love the mix of colours and the bubble stitching looks great-I tried it once and was hopeless so well done you for persevering. I've made about 8 quilts this year (after being inspired by you), for other people; they're far from perfect, wonky stitching, squares don't always line up, but they look good enough once completed and the recipients are always happy. Almost all of the fabric I use is from old clothes, sheets etc picked up at boot sales. I use old blankets for the wadding which works well and only costs a pound or two. I love your blog, it's the first one I go to when I log on!
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I've only recently started quilting and have just finished a double bedspread entirely from blue/white men's shirts and pyjamas (thanks for that inspiration, Froogs!)acquired from car boot sales, family & friends - and also from charity shops whilst on holiday in Cornwall. (Charity shop prices where I live in Surrey have become absurdly high, I think.) I assembled 6″ wide strips made from rectangles of different lengths which ruled out the need for the miniscule accuracy needed for squares and hexagons. Some of the stitching wouldn't bear close inspection but the overall effect is pleasing.
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I think there are two sorts of people in this life - those who are bothered by not getting something finished and those (like me) who couldn't care a jot (big grin) I will freely confess that I probably have upwards of 3 or 4 dozen, maybe more, quilt projects in varying stages of completion and I flit between them doing as much on any one as I can until I get bored. I am, however, a great one for working to deadlines so if something needs completing for the arrival of a new baby or for Christmas or a birthday I will pull all stops out and crack on until it's finished. It will be my baby sister's 50th in November - we will travel up north for a holiday just before her birthday and the completed quilt top she would love to eventually receive will now come out from the pile of other tops, be sandwiched, quilted and bound in time to take up for her - but not of course if I spend my time sitting here chatting on the laptop instead of stitching. My philosophy is don't beat yourself up about not getting one thing finished before you start another - if you work on them all in turn eventually they will all be completed
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Your quilt is beautiful, I love the bubble effect! It's hard not to focus on the individual mistakes when working a project. Only when it's finished can you really stand back and take in the whole glorious effect. As we say in our family, 'A man on a galloping horse wouldn't notice'!! I've made a cot size patchwork throw that I bound by hand but didn't add any quilting as I was too scared. I've started a new one with a Dresden plate design so may conquer my fears this time - although I may turn it into a duvet cover instead! I love your idea of binding with a decorative machine stitch, such a time saver. Thanks for the inspiration!
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I have far too many quilts on the go. Some smaller projects are just waiting for binding (I'll probably use some fabric leftover from a bigger project rather than go out and buy fabric specifically for the binding). Others are waiting for me to find the child-free time to decide on the layout of the blocks. It's often because they get put to one side while I do something with a deadline (e.g. Xmas/birthday presents)
I'm making a robot sampler quilt at the moment and have plans to do LOTS of free motion quilting on it. I've been practicing on scraps but the idea of starting on my lovely quilt top is terrifying!
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Oh how great to read that someone else really doesn't care about unfinished projects - i recently had someone try to pressure me into finishing something so i pledged not to start anything more until it was finished - Result? I haven't done anything in months…….not quite the result she was hoping for i don't think LOL!
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I love the quilt froogs, its hard not to be self critical at times, but i hope you have congratulated yourself for your work - if not its time you did 😉
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Your quilts are beautiful. You should be proud of both of them. And I have a quilt I started in a class when my daughter was 17 and graduating from high school. It still sits in a box. If I get going on it right now I could finish in time for her 35th birthday next July. Isn't that sad? It's applique and I have a number of squares completed. It could happen.
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A beautiful quilt. I love the bubbles.
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Beautiful!
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Remember way back when, in the early 1980's, Laura Ashley had a fabric collection in mint green and apricot…well… that quilt still needs finishing; then in the 1990's, long before Cath Kidston, there was a L. A. collection in pink and moss green roses…well, yes, that quilt still needs finishing. Needless to say, since getting married and having three children, I no longer even dream of buying Laura Ashley fabrics. But I am about to start a new quilt. Perhaps then I will be inspired to finish those long set aside UFOs!
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Well, your quilt looks quite a success to me, the quilting gives it a nice textured effect - FMQ requires some practice and it will get better over time 🙂
Well, not starting anything new until the UFOs have been taken care of is one of the reasons everything was on hold for at least 6 years. But this summer I went back to my machine and finished some little things and it feels good !
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I recognise some of those fabrics in the second quilt because they are in the baby quilt you so kindly sent me when Baby D was born.
I can honestly say it had stood up to the rigours of baby life extremely well, and the only thing that is different from when it was new is that is it softer from all the washings its had.
I use it everyday and I am still so grateful that you sent it to us.
Love you FQ
X X X X
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I love the quilts! But I also have to say…I love those dogs!
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I doubt there is anyone who is proud of the workmanship on her first quilt. That is not important. But it is much to be proud of that you did a first, then as econd and so forth. That is how we learn, and you have done it. Cheers to you and just keep going. One tip; make smaller projects-they are much easier to complete. 🙂
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