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This past week I did something crazy. Something that kept me up until 3 in the morning twice! While I am a night owl, I'm too old to be staying up that late. Most of the time I'm smart enough not to try it because I know I'll pay for it the next two days. What kept me up?
That's right - hand quilting. This was one of the guilds I belong to brown bag challenge. Here's a post about the one last year:
This year we got a bag of ninety-six 5 1/2" squares. After doing this for a few years, I wanted to really like this one. I decided to channel my quilting ancestors. I picked a red solid and a white solid and made an irish chain style quilt.
I supppose it was because of the channeling of my quilting ancestors that the quilt asked me to hand quilt it. I argued. I don't hand quilt. It didn't work. It had to be hand quilted. I bought crochet thread and embroidery needles and got started. I used thin Quilter's Dream cotton batting, nice flannel backing, and spray basted it. I also didn't use a hoop. You can see from the picture above that I wasn't too critical of my skills. While I agreed to hand quilt it, that was the most I could commit to.
When I got to the end of one thread, I couldn't lose my place so I threaded another needle and put a couple stitches in. Next thing I knew I was at the end of that thread and had another one threaded. Next thing I knew it was three in the morning!
One interesting thing is that I have several kids who have claimed it. My nine year old says she likes it because it is unique. My four year old likes it because it has Mickey Mouse one it. My two year old likes it because it is soft. I think they like it because I was working on it around them. My four year old loved to "help" me pull the thread through.
I love how it turned out! Thank you quilting ancestors!
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17 comments:
I think you were suffering from "thread thrall". Some how movement of the needle are just hypnotic.
Very pretty quilt. I can see why all the kids want it.
I think it will be special to whom ever gets it, because you spent time hand quilting it. It is full of love.
Quilts are the process, memories you can wrap around yourself. So sweet!
Seems to me you need to make 2 more for the other 2 kids that don't get this one.. You have time till Christmas to get them done. The 2nd and 3rd ones always go faster than the first one did.
What a scrumptious quilt! Be proud...you've quilted an heirloom!
What a lovely quilt! The red and white Irish chain mixed with the other squares make for a truly unique quilt and one that I'm sure will be well used and treasured.
I love it!!!! The hand quilting must be in the air... my granny square is going to be hand quilted :) ....oooohhhhh, the quilting ancestors are busy :)
It's beautiful! The only way to have quilted this would be by hand; you did a great job.
Well worth the effort!! Just gorgeous.
What a fun quilt! Great way to use up scraps. I would love to know how you did it - could you give some instructions?
I'm speechless. This is really striking with the red and white.
The red blocks really make this quilt! Nice job. And the hand quilting adds so much!
Love it!
It's beautiful! It may need to be designated a Community quilt so the whole family can share it. Gorgeous work, kudos to you!
That's so funny, because I just posted about hand piecing! I have a hard time stopping while hand-stitching because it's really relaxing and therapeutic for me. I can listen to my favorite movies, or sit for hours during church conferences if I have something like this to do with my hands.
I love your Irish Chain. I want to do a Double Irish Chain.
It's amazing...love it! And so cool that your loved ones have laid claim to it!
I only do hand piecing. It is relaxing and I can sit outside on the patio, by the lake, or in the car while we travel. I have even made king sized quilts. Thank you for posting this, I was beginning to think I was all alone.....Holly in Wisconsin
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