In my lifetime, I have made more quilts than we, our kids, or grandkids will ever need.
But, I still get the creative urge to make another one. These days I try to make something simple using scraps from previous quilts. At least, it satisfies my love of playing with fabric. Also, I have always been a hand-quilter, but I'm trying to move into the modern quilting age where machine quilting is the norm.
I made this piece last week -- an example of my new-found "Hare" quilting mode -- simple and fast. Instead for a rabbit, it looks more like a quilt suitable for a snake!
I'm still learning the machine-quilting part, as I struggle with the machine tension, stitch length, and design of continuous quilting patterns. But, I'm getting there.
Since, fortunately, we don't have a pet snake; it is now a table runner.
Now, for the "Tortoise" -- that slow, persevering animal. Even though I'm working on learning to machine quilt, I still prefer to hand quilt.
This quilt has been in the making for almost 10 years. Granted it has been stored away off and on when life got in the way of quilting. However, I'm determined to finish it this winter.
It is large with 6l blocks plus sashing and borders. There are over 100 different fabrics in the quilt -- all fussy cut to produce different combinations of fabric designs. I spent a couple of years making the top using hand-piecing, machine-piecing, hand-applique, and paper-piecing techniques. Finally, the layers were basted together and the hand quilting began. It takes me about three evenings to hand quilt one block. I'm now over half-way done on the quilting -- this has definitely been my life lesson in patience and perseverance. My 75th birthday is tomorrow, but I'm still trying to learn that patience thing!
You can bet that when I finally do finish this "tortoise" of a quilt, I will blog about it!!
I'm joining the following:
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Creative Home Expressions for The Creative Home and Garden Hop Sunday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Better with Age for Give Me the Goods Monday
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
Cedar Hill Ranch for The Scoop Tuesday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday Treasures
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Cozy Little House for Tweak it Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
No Minimalist Here for Thursday Open House
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
19 comments:
My gosh! YOU are amazing! Look at all those quilts. You are a quilting machine yourself. Early Happy Birthday to you, too- xo Diana
Hi Sally! Oh, your quilted runner is gorgeous and Looks great! I helped my mom once and sewed the quilt squares by machine. I thought it was easy but I'm not a quilter. She always liked to do it all by hand. Your quilt is gorgeous and you're amazing with your pretty designs.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Your quilting is beautiful...and so many loving hours put into each piece.
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Sally!
You are such an amazing quilter, no matter the "speed". I really must get to work on sewing around here, but am not finished with the painting yet. One thing leads to another, I'm gone to either my mom's or Sarah's, or waiting for sunshine so I can actually see what I'm painting. So apparently MY speed is slower than a tortoise! But, I am having fun!♥♫
Wow, you sure are prolific!!! The quilts are beautiful and the hand quilting is always a labor of love. I love the piecing part not the quilting part.......I will quilt the smaller ones but the bigger quilts I send out to be done. And sometimes I am not fast or slow, but in reverse!!!!
Happy Birthday!!!
Oh my goodness!!!! Your quilting is absolutely divine...hand or machine quilted. Either way, it is so beautiful. I wonder how long the runner is? And wow, you definitely have the gift of perserverence I'd say.That quilt top is gorgeous. I hope you have a very very happy birthday!
xo rachel
OMYGOSH, Sally girl...those quilts are so colorful, beautiful and amazing.
Happy Birthday, dear one.
Mine will be on New Year's Eve....and I'll be 76, if the good Lord is willing to let me hang around awhile longer. :))
I always loved making the tops but HATE the quilting....
x0x
Your quilts are a work of art....you must have the patience of a saint....And I did not know it was a very special birthday....God Bless you at 75!
Happy Birthday! Enjoyed seeing your work.
What a great collection of beautiful quilts!
Hi Sally,
You never fail to impress. Thanks for playing today.
Happy Blue Monday!
from,
the "other" Sally
You are definitely a lady of many quilts. I admire and respect you for making them. I do make them, just buy. I have got to stop as no one else will appreciate and love them like I do. Have vintage and new. Wish I lived near you to enjoy seeing them.
I too prefer hand quilting and as to quilts you are a master...love seeing anything that you do! :)
Your quilt is amazing! I can't give you enough accolades. You have a lot of patience and persevere for sure. You are truly an artist and are to be admired.
Oh my goodness. Such fabulous quilts and that runner is amazing. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Your quilts are lovely!
Sally, your quilting talent is simply amazing! If I hand quilted mine they would never get done. Love the new runner and the truck looks so cute on it. Your cabinet of quilts is simply breathtaking! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
You are a beautiful quilter!!! They are beautiful. I love the table runner!
Good luck on the machine xxx My is still stowed away in my closet. All those knobs and things scare me, lol.
Happy Weekend!
Hi Sally, hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Hopping by to let you know that I will be featuring you at SYC.
hugs,
Jann
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