This will be the last finished quilt for me for a while. The Splendid Sampler sew-along runs through next February so that one is months away from being done. And the machine quilting block party runs through December so that will also be also be next year before it’s completed. Patchwork of the crosses has absolutely no timeline at all; I work on it when I have time and the inclination. And as of today, I’m finished with the Bloom quilt.
I spent a few minutes at lunch and finished up those few inches of quilting that I somehow missed the first time around. Done with that, I threw it in the washing machine, then the dryer and voila! Complete! Here are some closeups of the quilting.
I started on Sunday’s 51st block for the Splendid Sampler but have temporarily put it aside in order to make some headway on catching up on quilting these other blocks.
I’m much more used to creating my own design for quilting. Sometimes it’s all freehand – swirls or hearts, circles or something else. Sometimes I’ll use a ruler; I did that extensively on the quilt I made for my sister although it consisted of several different patterns. But following someone else’s version of quilting? That’s a challenge for me, but I like it because it forces me to think about a block in a way that I wouldn’t have otherwise.
Some of my favorite rulers are from Top Anchor. I also have several from Quilters Apothecary. Some of the ones I use the most are from Handi Quilter. I think they have the best straight line ruler hands down. And when I saw the block I was working on had curved cross-hatch lines, I remembered that I have one of those.
There are probably some quilt police lurking who are saying “tsk, tsk; she has all different colors of top thread on that quilt” and they would be right. I used red Superior thread on this one (which needs probably the largest needle made on the planet because that is really thick). The last one had Sulky and I think it was a rayon or maybe polyester and super thin. The whole idea of the quilt is to learn new techniques so why not try out several different threads?
Oops! I must’ve gotten distracted – I forgot the last bit of cross hatching. I’ll knock that out tomorrow. I started quilting another block but finally hung it up for the night.
I’m really happy to see the hand appliqué went through the wash so well! I’m afraid when I wash mine, I’ll have a plain quilt with a pile of petals in the bottom of the machine. 😳
I hope that doesn’t happen! That is a good reason to go ahead and get it quilte and washed so that at least you know if you need any repairs before you give it to anyone as a gift.
It’s lovely! Really pretty, and so skillful
Thank you!
Looks Great!!
Thank you!
I truly do love this quilt! You do such nice work!
Thank you!
Lovely! Congrats!
Thank you! I’m going to attempt to catch up on reading your blog along with everyone else’s while watching gymnastics tonight. Wish me luck – haha!
😀
That’s a win-win for everyone!
Fabulous quilt! I’m not a jealous person by nature, but I think that might be what I’m feeling now…
It’s beautiful! Congratulations on a gorgeous finish. ♥
Haha! I get that! I see some of the Millefiori quilts and think – I wish that was mine (but without the work). And this one doesn’t have a home yet, so it’s nice to just have it neatly folded and ready to use.
A lot of work paid off. Beautiful quilt.
Thank you! I have it laid out in our living room right now; just seeing it finished makes me happy!
I know that feeling. It’s great.
That Bloom quilt is just so cute & happy! I admire your willingness to hand quilt…I just don’t have the patience for it 🙂
Haha! I totally get that! That block # 51 for Splendid Sampler just may do me in. And that’s only 6 square inches!
The bloom quilt turned out so well! And how lovely to get something finished and crossed off the list!
Yes – exactly! I’m almost caught up on my machine quilting blocks so there’s a huge weight off my shoulders since there’s a Christmas quilt I’m anxious to get started on.
I just love this bloom quilt, it’s scrappy and happy! Congratulations on finishing this! I agree with you, quilting is all about trying new techniques and ideas…you just never know where they will lead!
That’s so true! I’ve run quite a few marathons and there are a lot of similarities. It’s not about coming in 1st place, it’s about the journey.
Beautiful! Well done!
Thank you so much!
This is incredibly pretty. I really Really love it.
Thank you! My sister said it’s her favorite of the ones I’ve made so far.
Thank you so much! Now that I’m done, I could see hand appliqueing another one some day in the future.
Beautiful blooms..I love it!
Thank you – I appreciate it!
Beautiful!
Thank you so much!
What a gorgeous quilt!! I admire how much you get done, and your willingness to try new stuff!
Thank you! I wasn’t a big fan of hand applique but it grew on me. But I really enjoyed quilting this one.
And it shows!