This is a quilt I've had in the hoop probably since the end of July? The goal was to have it finished by the end of September, but alas, there have been way too many interruptions. And distractions. Plus too much time spent reading the latest election coverage really gets in the way of my evening quilting time.
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| Loving the stitching... |
I've closely mirrored the stitching on this quilt to what
LeeAnn did with her 'Eyelashes' quilt. The minute I saw her finished quilt, I said to myself, 'Gotta bookmark that quilt because the stitching is
perfection!'. Thanks LeeAnn for the great inspiration! So many times we need a nudge in the right direction to solidify what we really want for our own quilts. You know it when you see it!
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| My little bit of applique that just HAD to be included |
I'd only been stitching on this quilt for a short while when I realized that something kept nagging at me. It didn't feel finished. Not 100% complete yet. So I considered. And thought. Wondered to myself. Really? It needs applique?
You must be kidding me.
But yeah, I finally relented and experimented with a few things until coming up with a simple silhouette in the bottom, far left corner. It looks vaguely like a weather-vane to me, but whatever. I LOVE it and that's all that matters.
You might think the quilt is too busy for that little bit of applique, but it makes me smile. And you should have seen me grousing as I pulled all the sandwiching pins out {in that particular corner}. Then, I had to fiddle around with the
weight of the entire quilt, all while trying to applique that little dab of fabric. Yep. That's how I roll.*sigh Knowing if I allowed myself to say, 'Nope! It's too late for that!', I'd bitterly regret it for like, forever. Plus the quilt would haunt me and cry and whine every time I used it in the future. And I'd know in my heart--it could have been
better....
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| Working on the border |
I do think there needs to be a little more stitching in the side borders of the quilt. Just too much area left 'undone'. So I'll be adding in one more orange peel in the middle of each diamond shape, which should hold the borders just fine. Yeah, I know it looks close to a finish, but there's still lots left to do as always. These borders generally take more time than we ever expect!
Wonderful quilt and the bit of applique makes it totally you!
ReplyDeleteThe applique is a lovely touch. It looks great along with the hand stitching.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean by the Haunting. Best to just do what the quilt wants. Kinda like whiny kids on a bad day.
ReplyDeleteBut, the quilt looks amazing!
Borders take forever!! 😀 This looks
ReplyDeleteamazing! The texture as always is fabulous!
Even without being finished, washed, and dried, your quilt looks wonderfully crinkly and cuddly, Audrey. It used to be that when I finally got to the border of a quilt I thought, oh, just another day or two and I'll be finished. Not! I suppose if we measured the square inches of a border compared to the rest of the quilt it might be a third of the whole. I wish it weren't so because by the time I get to the border I'm usually ready to be done with the quilt.
ReplyDelete--Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)
I made a quilt using this pattern and machine quilted it. I am in away over yours!
ReplyDeleteA quilted orange peel or an applique orange peel? Anyway, the extra touch of applique tells everyone "Audrey was here," even before they read the label! Just right. :D
ReplyDeletethe applique looks good and as for your hand quilting such tiny stitches I am practising on small quilts but have not got the accuracy like you what a great quilt you will have when completed
ReplyDeleteLove the hand quilting! I would have added the appliqué too, you'll regret it otherwise!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful quilt with wonderful stitching and that applique just puts more 'You" into it! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is perfect! I love the applique addition!
ReplyDeleteThe quilting is perfect!! And it absolutely needed the applique to give it the perfect finishing touch! I love it!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful!! Looks like you'll have it done for a cozy winter quilt. I love your appliqué and your stitching. I admire your courage to add something even after basting. Part way through my quilting, I realized I should have added borders. Then it would fit my bed! Seemed too late. After I did my stitching, I looked at Kathy Doughty's similar quilt, "Gypsy Kisses," and realized that I had copied her stitching without knowing it. Somehow, the design just made sense.
ReplyDeleteJust like the weathervane so much and the quilt looks great, very beautifull quilting. Like so many times, your quilt are a joy to look at and they inspire. Thanks for sharing. Greetings
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! It is Gorgeous! Your applique reminds me of the little Goldfinches that land on my dead Purple Coneflowers at this time of year, to feast on their seeds. :) A very nice addition!
ReplyDeleteOh your Pickle dish is so sumptuous...I think I would find myself in a "pickle" trying to make one of these--but I (of course ) just love this pattern...I like your choice of the centers a lot--makes a warm statement...hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteThe big stitching on your eyelash quilt is great. I like what your adding in the border. The quilter always knows what's best for her quilt.
ReplyDeleteThat bit of appliqué is just the perfect touch for this quilt!
ReplyDeleteIt's looking fab and I do love that touch of appliqué.
ReplyDeleteAudrey, I love that you had to go back and add that little bit of appliqué, even if it was a bit of a pain.
ReplyDeleteIt works! I applaud your commitment to listening to your powerful inner design voice and going with it. I think only we can tell when our quilts are truly done - brava!
ReplyDeleteit looks great. I always like to see quilters make their work their own.
ReplyDeleteA pickle dish is on my to do list. I love the look of these quilts. You're always so good about the quilting part. I would normally just say "enough" and be glad the darn thing holds together. Beautiful quilt.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see you working on the Pickle Dish quilting. That is one of the quilts you pieced that I like very much.
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand, don't you hate it when a quilt gets all bossy and starts telling you to do things that you know are going to push you past your finish deadline and patience?!? On the other hand, you know you have to listen because you just know in the end those changes are going to make the quilt special, unique, memorable and treasured! That's what you have here --- Way To Go (literally and figuratively) and wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteI love how you take charge and don't let your quilts bully you! LOL This is going to be a favorite for years to come and I am so glad you added that little "Audrey" touch of applique. You always find a way to make your quilts special and this one is no exception!
ReplyDeleteThe quilting is really bringing this quilt to life! Nice work!
ReplyDeleteI think the key to loving the quilts we make is following our hearts and listening to the quilt when it has something to say. Your applique is the quilt's way of saying 'I belong to Audrey.' I love the simple quilting motifs too, perfect with the pickle dish complexity.
ReplyDeleteThat applique is the perfect touch!
ReplyDelete