Saturday, October 30, 2010

Old Block, New Quilt

I am joining in the fun and participating in the Bloggers Quilt Festival 2010.  This is my first, so bear with me as I tiptoe along.  Here is my entry:
It is special for a number of reasons. 

Mainly, because it is finished.

I don't know about you, but whenever I finish a quilt project I have a certain satisfaction.  During the process of making the quilt it often feels like a gruelling task.   I have to push myself to continue on when I get to hurdles that require unstitching or revising my design etc.  Often the project gets stashed away into a dark corner where no one goes.  It may never come out...

So when a quilt is finished it is a cause for quiet celebration within.  It's not scaling Mt Everest, or discovering a cure for cancer, but it is solid evidence that I have persevered. 

What I have discovered is that there is no quilt that doesn't present me with problems, whether they are design,  stitching or time lines.

Another reason for this quilt being special is that I gave myself a few rules when planning it.  Simple block, on point, contrast in scale and value,  darker blocks towards the edge.  I am happy with the way it worked out.
Finally, I quilted this more quickly than usual.
 
It can take several years for my quilts to finish being hand quilted.  I'm always keen as mustard after they have been basted but then the long process starts to drag.

This time it was different.   I counted down every block.  It seemed to speed the quilting up that way.  The setting triangles had a different quilting design that made them more interesting.  I tried a few different designs in the border and eventually settled on something simple, reflecting the blocks.
Well, I am off to view all the other quilts in the Festival and I would advise you to do the same.  It's sure to be good!

11 comments:

Julie Fukuda said...

Oh Liz,How absolutely super! Thanks for the link. I looked over the process and I have a quilt I would love to display but I am such a dummy when it comes to using my stubborn laptop with it's connectivity issues. (actually this machine has other issues because it was a Japanese computer that my son-in-law disabled and re-did in English. It's all I can do to remember where the right keys are as the keybord is in Japanese still.)

Crispy said...

HOORAY for the finish Liz!!! A sweet time honored pattern that is just lovely :0)

Crispy

Sandra said...

Love the cheddar and pink shown in the close-up and the great floral border. Thanks for sharing.
I can see you are a fan of quilt history so stop by to see my entry: 1890 antique schoolhouse quilt.
I also have a new b/w & pink miniature

Jocelyn said...

Great finish! Love this pattern.

Zonnah said...

I love how you used the different fabrics. Beautiful!

Marit said...

Love your quilt! The fabric makes it glow, so nice and warm... We are making these rail fence blocks in my guild - as friendship blocks. Love to see your layout, as I am planning my top...
; )

Ann Marie said...

Finished was also one of my criteria when posting my Festival entry, and yours is definitely more than finished! I love the colors and that you decided to put the lighter colors toward the center. Blocks on point also bring more energy to the quilt. Congratulations on such a nice quilt.

Anonymous said...

I love how it has a "woven" look to it!

~ Meagan

Bill Volckening said...

<3 it!! If you're interested in seeing a vintage example that shares similarities, check my web site, silk and wool section. Bottom row, second from the left, Log Cabin Variation, c. 1910.

www.billvolckening.com

xoxo,
Willy Wonky

XUE said...

Didn't know this is called rail fence till I read a comment above :) . It's really a beautiful quilt!. I feel the same as you, about the dragging process once the basting's done. My dragging process also starts when my quilt tops are done!
Warm wishes from Tokyo where I found you in Julie's blog.

Anonymous said...

The beautiful baby quilt has arrived at its destination - in Finland where it is presently minus 14 deg with plenty of snow ! Baby Lumi, aged 10 weeks is the proud owner of this lovely quilt! A unique piece of craftsmanship that will be cherished for ever!
Thank you from one proud grandmother, Hanna.