"There are 12 hours during the day and above fifty in the night" - Marie de Rabutin- Chantal
Although it is not unusual for me to burn the midnight oil, this week has seen me stay up late to create every night. And I mean really late - I think I may have found those 50 hours. It was worth it.
Finished Quilt measures 51 inches x 65.5 inches
I have finished the Little Folks Quilt and am super pleased with it. It is so soft and dreamy, and drapes so beautifully. Even when you fold it, the creases just fall out.
Piecing with the voile fabrics was daunting at first, but my fears were very much unfounded. I used a little spray starch to settle the edges when piecing together the long strips of fabric. (Remember Little Folks Voile is extra wide at 55 inches). This ensured that the strips did not stretch or curve.
I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that machine quilting voile fabrics was a not as difficult as anticipated. As the fabrics are smooth and slippery they cause less friction and move through the sewing machine easily, gliding effortlessly. What I did do was change to a thinner needle, using a Microtex 60/8 needle. This is a sharp needle suitable for lightweight and fine fibers. No broken needles to report.
This quilt was inspired by a quilt made by Debbie from Calico and Ivy. Debbie used some perle cottons to feature some colorful hand quilting, and I was easily tempted to do so as well. My experience with anything hand sewing is limited indeed, but I was very pleased with how my stitches looked. I might have to start stashing some Perle cottons ...
The back of the quilt is also a voile fabric from the Little Folks range by Anna Maria Horner. I think having used all lightweight voile fabrics for both the front and back of the quilt certainly helped make the decorative hand stitching a little easier, with the needle gliding through quite happily.
The binding fabric is again more voile, and similar to the inspiration quilt, I used perle cotton to blanket stitch around the top and bottom edge of the binding (although I think I may have done it upside down?). It adds a touch of interest and a feel of luxury.
Lots of pictures here today, but my words alone are insufficient in describing this quilt.
All the colors of Little Folks by Anna Maria Horner
As you can see I have enjoyed every single quiet moment late into the night.
