It's just like me "last minute Jen" to finish this quilt by the end of January with only hours to go! But I have done it :)
I have blogged about making this quilt here, here, here, here and here ... but you probably just want a little précis (I don't blame you) so, to recap: the lovely Tonya of Crazy Mimi Quilts for no other reason but that she wanted to, sent me a bag full of Moda charm packs last year and I immediately knew I had to pay it forward.
I know there are many genuine causes that would be very grateful for a quilt but I was really moved by the stories around Hurricane Sandy and so I decided to make a twin size quilt for a child who had been affected. I used two of the charm packs (Cape Ann - ideal for a little girl) and added some pink Benartex fabric in the front and bought the same fabric but in a soft brown for the backing.
Did my usual 'make it up as I go along pattern' so it's finished at 82" x 58" which I don't think is a standard size twin but is definitely big enough for a little girl to keep warm and snuggle under. It's the biggest quilt I've made so far and my little Juki really did a good job.
I wanted to try straight line quilting but I'm still really not very good at it so I did a little bit around the centre panel, then reverted to my stippling FMQ around the pink fabric and side borders. I used a raspberry pink cotton to quilt it which, being darker than the fabric, didn't forgive any of my 'mistakes' but quilting needn't be perfect to be beautiful ... a bit like life, hey?
I had enough of the backing material for the binding - 310" of folded 2 1/4 " - machine sewn on the front and hand sewn on the back - 4 hours! I'm not an experienced hand sewer so I'm sure others could do it quicker but I think this is my favourite part so I don't rush it. I also love burying all my threads during this phase - sat in front of the TV ... it's so relaxing :)
So, I will wrap and post this lovely quilt and say goodbye to it and hope that whomever it says hello to has a brighter future and knows that someone 4 thousand miles away cares about them and hopes they stay warm and safe. God bless you.
Sharing my finish over at:
and at Crazy Mom Quilts - Finish it up Friday
Glinda your quilt is beautiful and I am sure a little girl is going to treasure it
ReplyDeleteCheers Pauline
Well done on an excellent finish. I love how the quilting on the back has the tall radiator panels on it :)
ReplyDeleteJennifer, your quilt is absolutely beautiful. I think any little girl would be thrilled to have it. I especially like how you did the squares in the center and along each side; and that you used two kinds of stitching for the quilting. It's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have made a beautiful quilt. I love the quilting and your label on the back is so perfect. What a great finish and once again, you show what giving is all about.
ReplyDeleteThat's so lovely! I also really like the label :-)
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