Sunday 8 January 2012

Sunday Sit Rep

First off, where does all this snot come from, you'd think after two boxes of tissue I might have blown it all, but it would appear not!

So having finished one UFO, and feeling less than human, rather than tackling the UFO that was already on the table ready, no, I decided to delve into the archives and resurrect THIS little beauty :)  

Yes, shamefully, I started this back in November 2009, and got the top pieced together Here in December 2010,  so all that was left was cut and piece borders.  For those that are not aware, Bonnie's patterns use scraps, and frequently have tinsy whinsey pieces, so I'm not surprised I ran out of steam at this point. 


but I did have a plan, as I knew at this point I was at the limit of my frame set up at the time.  That plan arrived in January 2011 in the form of a studio, which means my frame is now extended to a full 10 feet. 

And this weekend I have used it for the first time to it's fullest in anger (well with quilts that stretch the full length of it anyway)  After a basting job, (which I learnt the best settings for vanishing thread) I decided it was time ....

You see, last weekend I did the cutting, and some piecing  ... and with an hour on Thursday evening when I was feeling more like me ....


I got it all together  :)  It now measures 92" x 92" a monster of a quilt, even for me! 

When I counted and calculated the backing,  ok, my brain hurt, depending on how many seams and how tight I was going to be, that was anything in the region of 6.5 meters to 7.5 meters - ouch! 

So I went for a rummage in my stash, well, this quilt was made from stash to start with!  And miracle upon miracles, not one, but two BIG pieces, one of which was lovely and soft and just beautiful, cream on cream.  Perfect!  at 108" x 122" just perfect! 



ok, so the backing is a bit wide, but I set everything to one side and so it's a good usable chunk of cream on cream for later.  Bonus!

Although I have a roll of Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 it was late and dark and I didn't fancy heading to the other office and bundling a new roll out of it's packaging ... and it's a beautiful quilt ... I love it already :) 

So, once again I headed for my stash, and dug out this ...


Perfect, and it quilts like a dream!


It's such a busy pattern that an all over quilting design is ideal, so being as I am teaching feathers at the retreat this coming weekend, I thought I better get my hand in! 

(by the way, if you are interested in learning how to do this in a workshop or retreat, let me know, there are still spaces available for the weekend and for the March retreat)

I've used a Superior King Tut Papyrus which is a very subtle variegated that just about disappears on top so it does not detract from the pattern of the quilt.  After 3 1/2 hours of quilting today, I think I'm about half way ...

I have to get this finished by Wednesday! 

So that's what I've been doing, and today, in between the quilting I made one of the blocks for Miss January of the Brit Bee, but I'll save that for another day :) 

This week, busy, busy, busy, lots to get done, lots going on, I hope I have the stamina! 
I hope I can get rid of this bloomin cold and chest infection too! 

The Sunday evening Ironing marathon is done, ready for another school week, the cupboards stocked with fresh supplies, and the house in a relative state of tidiness,  so I guess I'm good to go for some well earned sleep  :) 

Happy Quilting!


18 comments:

Canadian Abroad said...

That quilt is stunning. I absolutely love it but would never, ever tackle something that big because I am just too much of a chicken!!

Anonymous said...

WOW...that is gorgeous! Sew pretty...I can't wait to finish my big one...and see how it looks all together!

Donna said...

Beautiful! I love your quilt.

Anonymous said...

It's a beautiful quilt Trudy. I hope you feel better soon. I think I'm finally at the end of my "cold" that has lasted three weeks.

sweetypie said...

stop whining about your cold, you whinger....... silk batting? I bet it feels like you died and went to heaven,, being cheeky here but couid I beg the offcuts of you pleeeeeze? and can you bring the quilt next week to show and tell?

Sarah said...

Holy Moley Trudi its gi-normous! Its going to be absolutely fabulous, the silk batting sounds wonderful too.

Katy Cameron said...

92" square? Holy cow! Well good luck in getting it done on time, and hope you're feeling much better soon :o)

Kate said...

Ooooh! That quilt is absolutely stunning in those soft colors! Carolina Christmas is on my list of things to accomplish this year, but now I may have to rethink my perky Christmas color scheme! Gorgeous!

Judith said...

It's a stunner in every way and I love your extended frame. What pattern are the blocks made of ?

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Wow now I see what a whopper that is, I may have to scale down my Made in Cherry aspirations!

Hope you wake up raring to go xxx

Judith, Belfast said...

Oh my! That must be like wrestling a rhinocerous! Looks amazing though! It's still snotsville over here too, but on its way out thankfully. Hope you can breathe easy soon! Jxo

QuiltSue said...

It looks amazing Trudi. I have wondered before about that wadding, so was interested in what you said about it.

Hope you feel better soon.

Manda said...

That is one giant quilt! And it looks amazing!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Gorgeous quilt and perfect quilting! Can't wait to see it finished :o)

ScissorsandThread said...

Oh my this is one big quilt, looks great.

Pippa Parsons said...

ohhh I keep thinking id love to go on the retreat, need to have some frame quilting help...might check out flights to uk :)

Lizzie Allen said...

Glad to know that I am not the only one to have a 'monster' of a quilt! Though I will be hand quilting my 'monster'.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Wow, it's a beauty! Hope you're feeling better by now!