Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Two More Blue Finishes



I finished up both of these blue stash busting quilts this week.  I am on a roll!  They are both part of my January goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes. 


The first quilt is named Winter's Joy.  I made it with 10 strips of 5 inch wide blue fabric.  Then I added a thin border of the white, cut 1.5 inches and another border of blue, cut 5 inches wide.  I like how much bigger it was with the borders, but I had to piece the back. 


I would have pieced the back anyway, because I was trying to use up my stash.  But I had to add that white strip to the side as well.  It works, but it is not my favorite. 

I quilted it with a large stipple, and did something a little different.  Normally I would have used the walking foot around the thin stop border, and then quilt the outer border separate.  This time I pretended there wasn't a border and just quilted all over.  I was worried about it while quilting it, but now that it is finished I like it. 


I also did the binding a little bit different.  I used a zig zag stitch to attach the binding to the front.  I love it on the front...


But not so much on the back...


Oh, well.  It is done.  I am not changing it, but I probably won't do it again.  All in all, I am very pleased with how this baby quilt turned out.  I will be donating it to a local charity.

Confessions Of A Fabric Addict

Edited to add on June 1, 2014: 

Because I have not found a home for this quilt, I have decided to donate it to Happy Chemo as part of the Hands2Help challenge. 


Quilt Stats #80
Name:  Winter's Joy
Pattern:  Just made from 5 inch strips and set in a diagonal pattern
Fabric:  Blues from my stash
Amount used:  5.25 yards
Batting:  Warm and White
Size:  about 47 x 56 inches
Date finished:  January 2014
What I learned:
  • I don't like the zig zag stitch on the binding.
  • I can sometimes ignore the borders when FMQ.
  • Light blues are so sweet!


The other quilt I finished is this Double Slice Layer Cake quilt.  I did do something different than the tutorial suggested.  I made both cuts on each square before piecing it.  First, I cut a couple in half...


Then I rotated my cutting mat, and cut at 3.5 inches. 


Then I stacked them all up.  I thought I was more accurate cutting this way. 


I also quilted this quilt with a large stipple. 


I used the same fabric for the binding as I did for the backing, because I had several yards of it.  It is a blue paisley.  I did bind this one by machine by sewing it to the back first, then stitching it to the top. 


I like it a lot better this way on the back. 


My husband and  I have been thinking about giving this quilt to a friend who is going through some health challenges.  I am not sure what to do, becuase I have never just given a quilt to someone (not family) before. 

**I just want to give a BIG thank you to everyone who commented.  I feel so much better about giving this quilt to our friend, and I will be adding a label saying it was made for him to bring comfort (or something else like that). 


(For some reason the beige was hard to photograph.  The color is the most accurate on the snow picture above.)

Quilt Stats #81
Name:  Seeing Double
Pattern:  Double Slice Layer Cake
Fabric:  Blues and a beige from my stash
Amount used:  8 yards
Batting:  Hobbs 80/20
Size:  about 63 x 72 inches
Date finished:  January 2014
What I learned:
  • I like cutting everything first and then sewing. 
  • I like my traditional way of machine binding a quilt better, but I prefer stitching it down by hand on the back. 
XX,
Jasmine

P.S.  I will be linking up with Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts (my first time), Needles and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation, and Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. 

16 comments:

  1. Wow - so many great finishes - love all the blues!!

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  2. Winter's Joy is so pretty and has such a soft, even tone. Quilting over the border totally worked, it looks great! I think you should give the one to your friend. When you have health challenges, a gift like that, or any kind gesture is so HUGELY appreciated, I know! I love that paisley and I don't think it's too feminine at all. I would do a label that says, "Sending You Comfort" or something along that line and add your names. I don't know him obviously, but i have to guess if he is having health troubles, it would probably be so much appreciated. Great finishes :)

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  3. I completely agree with Christine and comment above. That quilt would be a wonderful gift for you friend. Nice work on using stash too I am impressed! I like how you list what you learned and liked with each quilt.

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  4. I too agree with Christine. It will be a wonderful gift.

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  5. What a fabulous post! Your photos are incredible - especially love all the close ups. I enjoyed reading how you felt about each of these wonderful finishes and seeing what their stats are. Also, what your thoughts were on what you liked and did not like about the processes. I do my binding just as you did for Seeing Double. Definitely, your friend will appreciate the quilt! Who wouldn't? It is perfect and will be of great comfort both for body and soul! Thank you so much for sharing! I sure enjoyed the visit today.... And I'll be back!

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  6. I love these blue quilts, I agree, light blues are so sweet!! I think your friend would love the bigger quilt! About labels, I have been reading a lot about labels lately and from my readings, I would say label them! Even if you just put 'made by Jasmine' and the year. We never know where our quilts will end up or how long they will last (hopefully a very long time!) and who might want to know who made the quilt and when it was made.

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  7. I absolutely love, love, love Winter's Joy! And your friend will love, love, love Seeing Double! I would suggest that you put a label on it, with a sentiment (Here's a hug or something sweet) to (his name), your name, place and date it was done. At the bare minimum, sign your name in thread (front or back), somewhere subtle, and the date. He will treasure the thought I'm sure. Well done!!

    http://www.busyneedle.ch

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  8. Wow! You have been busy! Congratulations! Both are lovely but love Winter's Joy! The colors look great and your all-over quilting is perfect!

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  9. Beautiful quilts! I do my machine binding like you did on the 2nd quilt and think it works great. I don't think most men pay attention to fabric details to be quite honest! I'd give it to him. I avoid pink and too many florals when I make boy quilts for Project Linus. I'm surprised at how many florals I have even in blender fabrics so now I buy more geometric fabrics.

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  10. Great job! Every quilt...EVERY quilt should have a label. Minimum info would be your name,city & state, date.
    Additional info could be why it was made, person made for, etc. I typically frame my labels with fabric from the quilt. Good Luck - your friend is very lucky to recieve that quilt.

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  11. Your collection of blue quilts is just beautiful. I've been wanting to make a primarily blue quilt, and now I'm really inspired!

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  12. Hi Jasmine! I'm returning the visit and added myself as a GFC follower!!! Next time ya stop by...I'd love for ya to follow...looking forward to keeping up with your wonderful sewing!!!

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  13. both of your quilts are just lovely. I love to do all over stippling as well. There is something so relaxing about it! I also like the white stripe on the side of the backing. It looks very cool and modern!

    Thanks so much for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  14. Pretty, comforting blues. I Like the second one I think. Winters joy? I've been working through my blue stash too. I've got a lot done lately. Take care. Have a good week and happy quilting.

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  15. Both are beautiful but I really appreciate and love Winter's Joy - you did a great job with the quilting! Thanks again, Jasmine!

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  16. I love the first one, there's something about a blue quilt that is so calming to me. Great job.

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