Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Quilted!

I finished quilting the Block Party Quilt late last night, it may even have been Tuesday morning. This took a long time to quilt, and it became increasingly more difficult to keep myself motivated.

Quilt measures 60" x 64"

Here are some of the more intricate details of the quilt that a few readers have been asking for.

The main part of the quilt is made up of 9 blocks that measure 12 inches. Each 12 inch block is made from four 6 inch blocks (all measurements are finished size, seam allowances need to be added).


The sashing in between the blocks measures 3 inches.


The first white border around the nine large blocks is a 2 inch border. The second border is a pieced border made from 2 inch blocks.

The larger outer border measures 7 inches wide along the top and bottom of the quilt and 5 1/2 inches wide on either side of the quilt.

The 6 inch blocks were made at random, starting with a small center block cut without measuring, and then adding two borders around the center block. Each block was trimmed back to measure 6 1/2 inches.

Each 12 inch block features only two to three main colors. The fabrics used are almost all from the Flea Market Fancy collection by Denyse Schmidt. The solid white fabric is a linen/cotton blend.


The quilt is quilted with straight lines, I marked some lines at regular intervals to ensure that the quilting continued to run in straight lines. My son tells me there are 82 lines, and they are quilted approximately 3/4 of an inch apart.

I used Aurifil Mako 40/2 thread, and for the first time used a different color thread for top and bobbin. I quilted the top with white thread and had a light beige thread in the bobbin. I expected tension problem, but encountered none. This is the biggest quilt that I have quilted myself, and fitted comfortably under my sewing machine, however, it did involve much lifting and maneuvering of a huge bundle of fabric. I also stitched my way through 6 bobbins and 3 needles (to stop skipping stitches).

Quilt Back - Most fabric: Sweet Pea - by Jackie Shapiro

I am going to get the binding ready for this quilt today, as I have promised myself that I cannot start another quilt until this one is finished!


44 comments:

  1. Your quilts are so awesome. I love checking to see what you have done and what you are going to do next!

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  2. Gorgeous! I love the thought that went into the colors in the blocks, and the relative simplicity of the look (not that it was simple AT ALL to construct!). And that straight quilting looks incredible, even if it was mind-numbing.

    Liz @ teeny tiny quilts

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  3. Well done Rita - another fabulous quilt. Thanks for all the details...especially the shop with the linen/cotton ;)

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  4. quite honestly, my heart is beating faster after reading this and looking at the photos. I seriously need you to write a book Rita! I love all of the fabrics (especially the bits of green on the back ;)

    Awesome job. Where is this quilt going to live?

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  5. The quilt is wonderful, I love how you combine your colors! Just enjoy seeing your quilts progress. Well done!

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  6. Really beautiful! I love everything that you do - and I enjoy reading about another local who loves fabric (your links are VERY helpful). Your quilts are inspirational - thank you.

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  7. Rita - another gorgeous quilt! I loved reading the detail that went into this and your quilting looks fabulous. Thank you so much for your kind comments and encouraging words on my blog.

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  8. I adore all the white surrounding the blocks - it really makes them stand out! This is one of my all-time favorites!

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  9. I have LOVED all of your quilts and this one has been added to the list of quilts I love!!! Beautiful!

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  10. It turned out great -- you did a fantastic job on the quilting!

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  11. Wow! 82 lines of quilting! And they look so straight! Very inspirational, it looks fantastic!

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  12. Beautiful!!!
    Well worth all that effort.
    Andi :-)

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  13. i love it!! ... i really don't think i've seen one quilt of yours yet that i don't like... but i'm still blown away each time!

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  14. I'm so impressed. Your quilts are always so beautiful. What an amazing woman you are. I feel inferior, seeing that I barely get one quilt finished in a period of a year, maybe? What an inspiration you are.
    xxoo
    ~a

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  15. Such a clever girl - another little tutorial - that's nice, thanks!
    Hugs - Lurline♥

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  16. Congratulations! It looks great, and I love the back!

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  17. Fantastic! The quilt is awesome, great use of colors together and the quilting is nicely done. Thank you for sharing the details, I love scrappy quilts and white...my very favs.

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  18. The pieced border really sets it off nicely. What a beautiful quilt, Alison

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  19. You're insane! I can't believe you finished that already! I love it, just love it!

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  20. What a lovely quilt! I am glad you have spoken about the back of your quilt as I am gathering it's almost as important as the front. I haven't even given mine a moment's thought! I have no idea what I shall do with it.

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  21. Thanks for sharing all the details. It is a gorgeous quilt. Get 'er done!

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  22. It's absolutely gorgeous Rita - and yeah, those bigger ones sure give you a workout. It looks fantastic!

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  23. It's SPLENDID!!!!
    Aren't you keeping it for yourself;D

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  24. Sensational, fantastic,
    inspirational and all those adjectives used to describe creative work. Love the small outside border just sets it off.
    Lesley

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  25. Unbelievably gorgeous!!

    And so much quilting discipline!

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  26. Gorgeous!!
    I love the border you added,
    Well I actually love the whole quilt!
    And you work so fast!

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  27. Thanks for sharing another beautiful quilt - I love it! It absolutely makes my day when I see you've got a new post on your blog -- your quilts are an inspiration.

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  28. All that time has paid off! It looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing all that info and to your son for his details :)

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  29. It's really, incredibly gorgeous, Rita! Wonderful job. There are so many things too ooh & ahh over, but I love the red polka dot blocks going around the outside border. That is just the icing on the cake. Beautiful!

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  30. What a beautiful quilt! I'm marking these instructions, so when I get a bee in my bonnet while making all the other quilts I have lined up, I can try out this one. Love it!

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  31. It was so worth the effort. Beautiful!

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  32. It turned out beautifully. Congrats on another beautiful quilt!

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  33. Wow...this one is fantastic...thanks for the mini tutorial...that's all I need to know!:) It just is so amazing how great white sashing is!:)

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  34. FANTASTIC!!!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!!

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  35. thanks for all the info. It is gorgeous. That is a big quilt to quilt. Is this the biggest you have done?

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  36. That is one heck of a lot of quilting!! Looks amazing. What a treat to see all the FMF fabric all together in a quilt. Had you beens saving it a longtime?

    Who is the quilt for?

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  37. I love the quilt and the quilting!

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  38. This one is beautiful. I don't know how you kept yourself motivated with all that straight quilting. Just gorgeous. Thanks for your link to your frequently asked questions page...very helpful. xo

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  39. Another wonderful quilt - you are amazing with style, design and volume of work!!! And thank you so much for your info re stockists of fabric & generous details of your quilts. Many thanks, Christine

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  40. As always, I am amazed at the creative output and generosity so many quilters have. I started quilting with straight lines a few months ago after looking at your blog and it made me happy. I love your colour choices, and as I write, another quilt is waiting for straight line quilting upstairs. Thank you for taking the time to show us your art.

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  41. so beyond yummy....thanks for sharing all the details on the "how did she DO THAT?!" I want to make one NOW!

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  42. Very nice! Good use of a line of fabrics.

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