I've been working (off and on) on a quilt for my granddaughter. About this time last year, I settled on a very simple block, and then pulled all the pink fabric in my stash. I used the entire range from the palest to the deepest fuchsia. I made a simple four-patch center, outlined by one more row of blocks. The basic block looks like this:
I took four of those blocks and inserted my granddaughter's picture into the center in place of the four-patch. I used treated fabric in place of paper, scanned my favorite pictures and then printed them onto the fabric. In the center block of the quilt, I drafted a star, and used her picture for the center.
I decided that I would machine quilt this top by myself. I use a VERY old sewing machine, and our modern methods of machine quilting were not yet developed when this machine was created. I had to adjust the technique a little, and while the quilting is adequate, it's not the most beautiful job I've ever done.
I gave the partially completed quilt to my granddaughter on her second birthday, promising that I'd finish it for her and return it. I FINALLY got the machine quilting done, and the binding, and a hanging tube (stitched to the back). All I have left to do is sew the label to the back, and it's ready to be returned.
I'd hoped that my step-daughter would let her daughter play with this. It was intended to be used up and worn out and thrown out. But, when she saw it, she said, "THIS is going on the WALL!" So, I'm going to wash it, and warn her about sunlight on quilting fabrics, and hope for the best. I'll make another quilt that my granddaughter can drag around with her.
This is what the finished quilt looks like:
Comments (7)
That is awesome. I have hubby grandmothers quilt on the bed that gets a lot of direct sun. Oh well I'm going to use it anyway.
Posted by janet | February 3, 2007 5:17 AM
Posted on February 3, 2007 05:17
Ahhhh...just as expected: the finished product is beautiful! Glad that you got finished. It was weighing on your mind.
Posted by Cop Car | February 3, 2007 7:35 AM
Posted on February 3, 2007 07:35
It WAS, CC. I'm SO glad that it's done. I finished the hand quilting around the picture blocks this week, and I could hear this huge "TA-DAAA!" I hope my granddaughter enjoys it.
Posted by buffy | February 3, 2007 9:29 AM
Posted on February 3, 2007 09:29
That is just beautiful Buffy. I love quilts. My sister-in-law and neice have done some. I can understand your stepdaughter wanting to display it...it's really a piece of art. They are a lot of work, but they truly are treasures to keep forever. Beautiful work Buffy.
Posted by Joy | February 3, 2007 9:47 AM
Posted on February 3, 2007 09:47
Janet, light is really hard on fabric. If you can, turn the quilt over when you're not using it, or lay a comforter over it. Personally, I think I'd use it too.
Joy,
Thanks, for the lovely comment! This little quilt is not my best work, but it's encouraged me to get back into the swim. I hope to get more quilting done this year.
Posted by buffy | February 3, 2007 11:49 AM
Posted on February 3, 2007 11:49
Love it!
Posted by Susan | February 6, 2007 9:12 PM
Posted on February 6, 2007 21:12
Thanks, Susan!
Posted by buffy | February 7, 2007 10:08 AM
Posted on February 7, 2007 10:08