Saturday, October 8, 2011

Crafturday!

So, I don't just read and write lame, amateurish book reviews all the time. Sometimes I do lame, amateurish crafts, too!

I quilt! I've been quilting since 2002, although I've just come off about a three-year hiatus. That's how long the quilt above had been sitting in a heap in my living room, until I decided to dust it off, brush off the cat fur and finish it last week. Before, it made me sad, sitting by itself, unfinished and unappreciated. Now, I love it.  For the quilters of you out there, I pieced this quilt by machine and hand-quilted it using both black and variegated quilting thread.

The pattern is called "Jacob's Ladder" and I like the video-game look of this quilt with the rich black contrasting with the flamboyant brights and exuberant floral border fabric. I had a lot of fun going through my stash for the brights I used in the quilt's interior.
Instructions came from one of my favorite pattern books, More Nickel Quilts, by Pat Speth. Basically a "nickel quilt" is one made using 5-inch squares of fabric as the basic unit of construction. This premise allows for a very scrap-friendly approach, and this book features patterns that are very easy to do for beginning quilters and up. I consider myself an intermediate quilter and for me the patterns combine ease of construction with beautiful results. I love traditional quilts and this book has gorgeous, straightforward traditionally-pieced patterns that you can make to suit your home decor or the taste of a gift recipient. The final look you get depends on the fabric you choose; you can use brights like I did with this quilt for a contemporary look, or vintage-inspired fabrics for a more traditional look. As long as you're consistent with theme and palette, you'll get results you or your friends will treasure!

14 comments:

Laura said...

What a fabulous quilt! I love the bright colors, and that border is amazing -- both contrasting and complimenting at the same time. I'm so glad you finished this project!

JoAnn said...

That is gorgeous!! I love the colors.

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Oh that I were that "lame and amateurish" on both counts! LOL

bermudaonion said...

You are anything but lame and amateurish! I'm very impressed with your quilt!

Sandy Nawrot said...

If you are lame and amateurish, then what on earth am I? I'm doing good to sew buttons back on my clothes. That quilt is gorgeous! What an accomplishment.

Anonymous said...

That quilt is really lovely. I like the bright colors and the black really sets them off. Since I can barely sew on a button, your "lame and amateurish" is wonderful to me! LOL

Zibilee said...

Oh, I beg to differ with that "lame and amateurish" idea! I love this quilt and the colors are so vibrant and wonderful. Would that I could also learn to quilt in that way! Way to go, it looks excellent!

Erin said...

That's gorgeous! My mom quilts, and I've always thought I'd like to learn, but it seems like an overwhelming hobby to just take up. I'm a knitter instead :-)

J.C. Montgomery said...

Beautiful quilt!!! I just love nickel quilts.

I have both Nickel Quilts and More Nickel Quilts and don't foresee myself making any other kind of quilt for quite a while.

Especially since I took all my fat quarters and cut them into 5" squares. Ahem.

Bookfool said...

That is sooo not lame!! Gorgeous!!!

Alexia561 said...

Gorgeous! I tried quilting years ago and didn't have the patience. Maybe I'll give it another try, as I do remember it being relaxing.

Anna said...

I can't believe you'd call it lame and amateurish. It's absolutely stunning! Great job!

ChaosIsAFriendOfMine said...

That's a great quilt - I love the colors! I'd love to learn how to quilt someday.

Anonymous said...

As a failed quilter myself I am very impressed with this quilt. I still have my pieves and parts thrown in a box where I abandomed them years ago. Takes more talent than I have!