I've finished a quilt! I showed the progress I'd made in the Orbit QAL that Lindsey of LR Stitched is running a week or two ago and now I've managed to finish!
I quilted it using a spiral pattern with my walking foot. I drew the start of the spiral with a pencil and started quilting from the centre. I hadn't thought through the logistics of quilting a spiral and realised after one circle round that I was going to end up with almost the whole quilt in the throat as I got near the edges because of the direction I'd drawn my spiral. So I ripped it out and started again, drawing my spiral in the opposite direction this time.
Above is a picture of the easier direction in case anyone is thinking of doing a spiral.
I really like this quilting pattern, although I got a bit bored and started spacing my lines further apart as I moved out to speed up the quilting a bit. But I quite like the way it looks now.
After a consultation with my 9 year old son, I was advised that the binding should be smooth and soft like his favourite quilt (aka my favourite quilt that I never get a chance to use because he has adopted it)
So I used some Anna Maria Horner Voile to bind it. I have to give my boy his due. He knows what he is talking about when it comes to binding a quilt, and I LOVE this binding! It doesn't quite match any of the colours in the quilt and I think that makes it look better. The backing is an IKEA print I got for £2.85 a metre - bargain!!!
I tried to get photos of it on Friday when I finished but a certain rascal had other ideas!
My new quilt is now crumpled, covered in dog hair and what looks like chocolate, after a weekend of keeping my 3 little folk warm, and that's just the way I like it :) I'm going to let the kids and Murphy decide who it belongs to now ;)
Happy Monday!
Fiona x
Your quilts have the bestest home! Lovely x
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty one!! I'm off to Ikea on Friday to buy quilt backing, actually. A first for me but I see so many cooler than cool stuff from there that I hadn't even considered for quilts. And I'm intrigued about voile for binding, too. Is it awful slippery to work with?
ReplyDeleteLOVE that last photo. My couch quilt is much the same - cat hair and chocolate! But well loved and that's what washing machines are for, innit?
gorgeous, I just love that last photo, quilty things as they should be, in use!
ReplyDeleteIt's a gorgeous quilt! I'm trying to make sure that Archie doesn't see that final photo - he's not allowed on the settee without express permission ;o)
ReplyDeleteYou are such a good mother. I would have that gorgeous quilt pinned to the ceiling to keep their hands off it. But you are right, quilts are meant to be used. This one will be a firm favourite I am sure.
ReplyDeleteSo cute and already well used as it should be. Have not tried voile for binding but will definitely consider the option, thanks for planting the seed. Feels like forever since I pulled off a QAL... must...do.... :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt and that is how my quilts ened up as well, although the chocolate stains are normally my fault ;-)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Your son knows his stuff. I've been wanting to make a whole quilt out of voile, I hear it's a dream to handsew a voile binding. Did you think so?
ReplyDeleteAhh your dog is adorable!!
ReplyDeleteI also love your quilt, the spiral quilting and voile binding, perfect :) was it hard using voile to bind? Was it slippery to sew?
Rachael
I'd like to see the kids wrestle that off Murphy!! Gorgeous quilt Fi! Jxo
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!! Although if, as I found out the long, hard, painful way, you had just turned the quilt over, your spiral would have been going the 'right' way!
ReplyDeleteIt looks lovely and perfectly used. Stay snuggly xxx
I'd say its Murphy's quilt now! It's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOh, it's Murphy's and he is going to love it more than anything! So beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! Congrats on the finish :)
ReplyDeleteWow, its fabulous
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous Fiona! I am very impressed as my progress on the Orbit QAL is to print out the instructions! Thanks for the tip on the spiral quilting - really want to have a go at this as apart from the middle bit it looks quite do-able and it is such a lovely effect x
ReplyDeleteIt looks fab! I'd give it to #1 son so you can get your favourite one back ;o)
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely quilt and I sure love the colour choices you made. The dog sure is cute!
ReplyDeleteI'm really hoping it is choclate on your quilt ;) The quilt and the model are really beautiful - I love the colour scheme for both!
ReplyDeleteLoved this post, quilts are made to be loved :) I love it btw and love how your boy had an input - inspired input i might add!
ReplyDeleteLove the spiral and thanks for the direction tip! Thinking of doing my orbit the same way.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt looks great. The colours look really good together. I quilted my first spiral in January, yep I went the wrong way too! Live and learn!
ReplyDeleteI'm seriously in love with this quilt! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat finish Fiona! Maybe Murphy want his own blog??
ReplyDelete