So, yeah… I took a break. I took a few days to read, think, play and now I’m feeling a little better. I’ll be back at work full-time every day for the rest of the “break” because that’s what “breaks” are: time to get work done with a little better concentration with fewer folks around.
Anyway, it seemed okay to come back here for a moment too and show you something I finished.
I told you about these handdyed batik fabrics and their dyer a couple of weeks ago. And I might have mentioned how much I enjoyed working with these bright happy colors and the cotton and linen textures. The patchwork took a while because I enjoyed Lingering in the luxuriousness so much.
The quilting process was drawn out too. I had some tension issues with the machine and had to rip out about an hour’s worth of work, which took hours to do. And then I got gunshy and occupied myself with other projects while working up the courage to try again.
I just quilted in diagonal lines that I eyeballed. I really enjoy how the quilting looks nice and neat from afar, but close inspection reveals the human hand in lack of straightness and some moments when the stitch length shortens.
But I gotta admit that it’s time for me to grow up and learn how to do free motion quilting because the straight lines are boring. Some loops and curves might be more appropriate on my current tops.
But for now, I’ll just be happy to cuddle up under this for a little while and read a book.
Thanks again, Malka!
The Details:
Pattern: basic 4-patch using 2.5″ squares; the border is improvisationally pieced with batik scraps
Materials: Malka‘s handdyed batik fabrics and Essex linen/cotton (brown)
Techniques: machine pieced; machine quilted; handbound
Current size: 56″ square
Started: November 8, 2009
Patchwork Finished: February 16, 2010
Finished: March 15, 2011
Stupid me, I am amazed and sentimental about this being so beautiful. I really have problems accepting just blocks of fabrics shuffled around and sewn can actually become something like this. Next time I will trust you. I will. It is beautiful, C.!
Absolutely stunning! I have always admired her fabric, and this quilt is such an amazing showcase for them. I am also impressed with the brown Essex linen blend – I’ve seen it in shops but never seen it made up. It’s a great foil for the prints. Excellence all around!
It’s lovely! Simplicity works in amazing ways, doesn’t it?
I took a freemotion class a while back, but I know I need a refresher. I feel the same way. Though this quilt, I feel, just sings with the straight lines! It’s so deeply beautiful, C.
Gorgeous! I’m going to attempt some free motion myself, and soon! I imagine there will be swearing, but it seems people get the hang of it relatively quickly, so I’m hopeful. Good luck with yours!
Truly a work of art. My free motion skills are self-taught. It’s not perfect but I do get better with time and practice.
This quilt is beautiful, I adore Malka’s fabrics.
For me, I think free motion is so much easier than straight lines. I always, always, always get puckers when straight line quilting. Any secrets?
It is beautiful!
I suggest making some small quilt chunks and playing around with free motion. You can try writing. You could even try out some new poems!
It’s absolutely lovely C! I would linger over this quilt too… the grid of quilting is perfect on this! Congrats on finishing it… I hope the end of your break doesn’t mean that you don’t have time to linger under it!
you are an inspiration. i really need to finish my tree quilt.
What a feast for the eye!
Mind-blowingly gorgeous.
How pretty and cheerful! Glad you had a nice break to rest and recharge
and L I N G E R . . .
So gorgeous. Love everything about it!
You just make me proud, with all the finishy. How does it feel?
Wow C it’s another freaking gorgeous finish. You did Malka so proud!! And the improv border is the perfect touch.
You know the funny thing is I can free motion all day long and can’t straight line to save my life. I wonder what that’s all about?
Seriously, you make blocks and straight quilting amazing. The colours in this quilt are so warm and vibrant. I love how the border is set on two sides. I really should take you up on a swap!:)
Enjoy your restful break or is it a creative break?
another gorgeous quilt!! I love how colorful it is. free motion quilting will definitely be interesting to hear more about, so get to it girl :)
This is really lovely! I like both the color combination and the border is really interesting in the way that you pieced it. I especially like that some pieces look “straight” and some are pieced at an angle to the straight pieces.
Oh-my-freaking-god! That is beautiful.
Beautiful! You’re making me want to take up quilting. . .
You make me want to stop whatever I’m doing and start cutting and piecing. It’s an amazing quilt!
That brown fabric is a perfect foil for the other beautiful fabric. Yum! I agree with your sentiment regarding FMQ. Straight line is nice, but doing something extra with the machine is where I would like to go.
Amazing! I lovelovelove it.
Beautiful. I like the assymetry of the boarder.
Very Very Cool! I am inspired:) Thanks!
My aunt is a batik artist so it’s great to learn about other batiks out there. I love seeing you using Malka’s fabric and hearing you talk about them joyously. Beautiful quilt as always!
I love how alive this one is, there’s so much movement . First I saw it in some of the diagonals and then I saw that the border is actually dancing.
This is absolutely gorgeous! You picked such a great way to showcase these fabrics. I need to learn free motion quilting too. I’ve tried a few times before but can’t seem to get the hang of it.
I love it and especially the straight-line quilting! The unexpected brown goes so well with those brights.
A triumph.
Kay