July 16, 2009

16 : : A Finish!

I have to tell you up front - I'm going to stray from my picture format for the month. I just have to gush about this quilt, and the journey it has taken me on!

Old Red Barn - Quilt-Along
The making/piecing of the top, was straightforward and a breeze!
Old Red Barn - Quilt-Along
More of the challenge came when it was time to select thread for quilting, decide on fabrics for the back, and mentally preparing myself to quilt it!
Old Red Barn - Quilt-Along
I knew that it needed curves and movement in the quilting - it was crying out for it. But I was determined to have a solid plan before setting to quilt it. In the end it was Cheryl's comment that made everything click for me!
"Take one of the floral patterns from your fabric and use as an inspirational repeat. You could do it in each block, or as a linear pattern."
Make it a flower! In my sketch book I had already been doodling ideas and practicing the movement - when I read her comment I was put into action - thanks again Cheryl.

It's really hard to capture the entire quilt and highlight the quilting - but here's a few details :
Old Red Barn - Quilt-Along
In the center, I traced five circles, big circles, and then filled them in with circles - Like the center of a flower. I would do some quilting, pull it out and lay it on the floor again, see where I needed more and go do it! It was in those moments of looking at it I felt like an artist, like more than a simple quilter! I knew that I needed to do this quilting, but was more assured of why as I was actually doing it :)
Old Red Barn - Quilt-Along
Then I taped (painter's tape) the diagonals working out from the center. There's a few rows quilted, that had all four sides included -- lots of repositioning!!
Old Red Barn - Quilt-Along
The loops just kept on going! But working on the diagonal was great - so much less bulk to deal with - at times :) Having the areas taped off helped me to have a clear idea of where I was going and how big to make my loops as I went. Also, I've mentioned recently the perpendicular sewing machine, while quilting - I remembered where I learned that! My friend Andrea has actually posted a video of herself quilting this way, go check her out.
Old Red Barn - Quilt-Along
All the loops are random heights and widths - some have little ones inside the big ones. To me it is very organic and flowery feeling without being over the top. Just what I was hoping for!
Old Red Barn - Quilt-Along
And it is right at home in our room!
Old Red Barn - Quilt-Along
Some of these pictures were taken outside in the heat of the day - thus the colors vary a bit. I was too excited to wait for the evening sun - Oh well :)

I'm sure that I have more to tell, but I have managed to stay up to late getting this posted :) I'm hoping to catch up in my reader a bit before the zig-zagging gets underway! See you soon~
Amy

ETA: It is 100x110" and 110 blocks, I used spray baste for the first time and loved it! More freedom to move while quilting - but it needed 2 cans, I only bought 1 :) Next time!

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38 comments:

Unknown said...

Don't you feel like you have accomplished such a wonderful thing? Way to go! It just looks gorgeous on your bed.

Terriaw said...

Wow, this is really amazing! And it looks so fantastic on the bed. You must be so happy with the quilting results - I loved reading about your process.

roseylittlethings said...

Love it! The aqua thread is perfect. I am not so scared to quilt mine now, kind of wish I could get started on it now! I like all the flowy loopies you did, so pretty! Love the binding and the solids too!

grendelskin said...

Wowee, it came out just fabulous! Give yourself a Super Duper California King Sized pat on the back!

sewtakeahike said...

It's perfect Amy! The monster is complete and I have to say now that you're done with it, you may have to choose another name since monster no longer seems to apply! Thank-you for the insight on how you quilted it, very inspiring!

Liz Jimenez said...

Looks wonderful! And doesn't it feel great to have such a big project finished? So proud, you just have to take a few minutes to pat yourself on the back. Congrats!

Liz @ teeny tiny quilts

Leslie said...

this looks amazing...i am inspired. it is a really huge quilt!!!

Dresden Quilter said...

It is a gorgeous quilt. The machine quilting is great. Thank you for all of the help and inspiration.

Kelly@ Charming Chatter said...

Oh, Amy -- IT IS LOVELY! You did a great job. You must love going into your bedroom, and seeing that! Your creativity is inspiring!

audreypawdrey said...

It is beautiful! I love how you quilted it, and I am intrigued with the idea of perpendicular quilting. Such an interesting concept!

marlene@ByTheSeam said...

It turned out beautifuly and looks nice on your bed. The quilting is great on it, I need more practice before I try it on a quilt.

Jaimie said...

I love it!! Great job! I'm sure it feels so good when a quilt is done and all your hard work has turned into a masterpiece. Looks beautiful! (And I love the color of the thread you used!)

Meg said...

Amy, it's absolutely fantastic! And huge! Go get yourself a massage--you've earned it!

Anonymous said...

I am so impressed...good work!!!!

Cheryl Arkison said...

I can't believe how fast you quilted that! You go girl!

Glad I was able to help. Now, when are you coming over to quilt my grass quilt?

You know what, there must be something in the air in Alberta, Andrea isn't that far from me at all. I'm trying her trick on my next quilt...

Mandy said...

Thanks so much for adding the video to show the quilting style you were using. I had never heard of quilting like this. It sounds so much easier than the usual method. I shall try it next time I have some quilting to do.
Thanks again.

Marrdy said...

This is amazingly beautiful!!

Mindy said...

Incredible! That says it all!

Susan said...

I've said it before and I'll say it again- Wowwee Wow WOW! And what a huge accomplishment, I am in awe of what all you get done in a day, or a week, or a month!

It's just beautiful and thanks for the walk-thru on how you quilted it!

Susan/FlossieBlossoms

Cheryl said...

Awesome! I love it! You did a great job!

amylouwhosews said...

You are truly inspiring! I'm going to the store tomorrow to finish picking out the backing for mine so I can get on it!

It's just lovely. Next time I come to Utah, I'm coming to your house so I can see it in person! And you of course. :)

Audrie said...

It's beautiful! And truly gigantic! Hehe kudos to you for managing to quilt it so nicely!

CJ said...

The quilt looks great as does your quilting! I love the free flowing, artsy style of it all. GOOD FOR YOU for doing that. That is a BIG quilt!!!! But you knew that. ;)

Unknown said...

Your quilt looks great well done! i have you in my reader and love your blog. keep up the good work!

Nichole said...

Wow - this is an impressive feat and the finished product is just gorgeous. I love the quilting you did. I've been waiting to see a finished picture and am inspired by your example to just jump in and get it done. I tend to let daunting project sit for awhile. Great, great job. enjoy sleeping under this beauty! See you in the zigzag group...

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

You have every right to gush Amy - it turned out just gorgeous! Some day I will take on machine quilting on something bigger than a baby quilt.

SaraVictorious said...

Amy you did such a fabulous job! I love you fabric choices, and especially the diagonal quilting! Be proud to have such a fun and lovely quilt on your bed! :)

jess said...

It's gorgeous! I especially like it on your bed. You're making me want to try that quilting technique!

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

wow that is a lot of quilting!! but soo nice.. and detailed... i'd be super proud of myself if i was you!

Artfulife said...

Amy it looks just amazing!

Georgina said...

Fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rebekah said...

AMAZING! I love it! I really like how you combined lots of different styles of quilting. You are a quilting marathoner for doing a king quilt like this. It looks fabulous on your bed :)

Tipper said...

So pretty! And I love love the loops.

Amanda Jean said...

what a beautiful finish! congrats on finishing a king size quilt. that's amazing!

bellsjo said...

It is wonderful! I could never imagine quilting something so big. I love the colours and it looks amazing on your bed.

Anonymous said...

You must be so thrilled. It looks awesome. Love the TG prints and the loopy quilting!

dutchcomfort said...

Wow, what an achievement! The quilts is lovely and the quilting is gorgeous! Good for you!

T@iy@ said...

I love it! Can't wait to get mine done! :D Woot!