Thursday, October 12, 2006

Done!


I finished the top today and had enough squares left to make a matching pillowcase. As you can see Sam takes his role as head of the quality control department very seriously. Of the 6 or so pictures I took he managed to be in all of them. Guess that means it passed inspection. :-) I plan to take it to work next week so I can get it basted. I think I'm going to use it to practise my free motion quilting as I'd like to meander the center, then maybe do some kind of viney thing in the narrow blue border and stitch in the ditch around the squares in the last border. It just so happens I have a piece of orange I bought to back another quilt then forgot I had it so I bought another backing for that one. I would have probably prefered a blue backing but I have this and it will work so I'm going to use it. The binding will be the same blue as the narrow border.

This will be used on my couch. I live in a very blue world. I don't mean depressed blue but blue EVERYWHERE in my house. It's my husbands favorite color and I like it too so it's at least something we can agree on. But blue couch, blue chair, blue curtains (all thru the house!) on top of gray carpet means sometimes it can just get to be too much and I'd like something to liven it up some. That's why I really liked the sample of this kit that the quilt shop had made up. The center fabric is a lovely orange (which I love!) with bits of blue and gray that I thought would be pretty with my navy sofa and gray carpet. And the squares in the border pick up more of the blue.

Remember this fabric? Back in December Finn asked us to post our favorite Christmas fabric and this Twelve Days of Cat Christmas was mine. I bought it a few years ago and haven't been able to find a use for it since I didn't want to cut it up. While I was making the quilt above it hit me that pattern would be perfect for this fabric. I can use a nice red for the narrow inner border and then go thru my Christmas fabrics and see what I have that will co-ordinate with it for the squares. I really thought I'd never find a use for this fabric other than to take it out to pet it occasionally so I'm really happy to find a way to showcase the lovely fabric without cutting it into little pieces that would lose the design. I'll probalby start previewing fabric for that this weekend. But first I need to make a few Red/white blocks to send to Clare for her leukemia project. And while I have the reds out I need to cut some charms to send to Paula for a project she's working on. I swear, Ladies, I haven't forgotten you! This weekend I promise.

25 comments:

dot said...

Nice quilt, that went togeather quickly. Have fun learning to quilt on your machine. It is fun to do. Just remember to be gracious with yourself and as all things they take time to learn. You will get it.

Tazzie said...

What a great idea for those 'can't bear to cut it up' fabrics! Super nice. I'm with you, I love to have blue everywhere, it's my favourite colour!
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

Hedgehog said...

I love that orange fabric. I have a blue and orange idea kicking around - thanks for the inspiration.

Anonymous said...

I love the new quilt. I have a blue sofa too, my cat has taken to sitting on the arm of it and covering it with hair. I'm thinking a small orange quilt over the arm would look great.

Linda C said...

Cool quilt and your Sam almost blends into it with all the lovely oranges. This will definitely go well in the blue house and provide that spark of fall color.

Good pattern too for your Christmas print so you don't have to whack up the lovely design into unrecognizable chunks.

Darlene said...

Nancy, you've been sewing!!! WooHoo! Very pretty quilt.

Libby said...

Your quilt looks great -- you're right, the pattern would be perfect for your Christmas fabrics. Look forward to seeing it.

Susan said...

Didn't I copy that book title down immediatly?

Great quilt and what a wonderful way to use those pieces you don't want to cut............

Fiona said...

Effective quilt - NOW I know what to do with fabrics I wouldn't want to cut into. And what's more, now I can go and buy some, because up to now I haven't been able to think what to do with them.

bingo~bonnie said...

WOW you are super fast Nancy! Your new sofa quilt is gonna look so nice with your blue furniture. And you are right, this is the perfect pattern to use with your Christmas Fabric! As fast as you are, I am sure you will have that one done too in time to use during the Christmas Season. :c) ~Bonnie

Texan said...

Your very pretty new quilt for your sofa should be perfect from what you described of your other colors in your house!!!....
LOVE the piece of chrismtas fabric too...

Cynthia said...

nice quilt Nancy. I like the fabric you've used for the centre.

The Christmas cats fabric is so cute. I have never seen a Christmas print like that one.

Silverthimble said...

What a fabulous design to showcase a large print fabric that you just can't bear to cut up!

Sweet P said...

That is a good design to showcase a great print fabric. I think you cat wants to be movie star though! Can't wait to see your Christmas quilt.

Sweet P said...

PS - No rush on the red squares. Since I'm hand piecing the project it will be awhile before I need more pieces.

Laurie said...

Your kitty looks just like mine! She's ten but doesn't act it.

I like the quilt top. Very cheerful colors!

Paula, the quilter said...

Blue and orange are complementary colors and when used together make the other color brighter. Our sunrises around here are blue and orange. Nice quilt.

Cher said...

way to go Nancy! please post the size of the middle of this top...it sure makes for showcasing a fabric you want to not cut up too small! very well done.

Lois R. said...

Yes, from the way you describe your house, that will look perfect with your sofa. Since I'm in a free motion quilting mood lately, I'm anxious to hear about your free motion quilting. Are you doing it on a longarm or on a standard issue sewing machine? I'm all ears...

Finn said...

Hi Nancy, I love the way your quilt from that kit turned out!! And to have enough to make pillowcases, even better!!
I think it would be such fun to do that pattern with your 12 Days of Christmas in Cats...LOL

*VBS* I do hope you go for it!! Hugs, Finn

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

It is a great pattern for wonderful fabric that you don't want to cut! Hooray for finding such a fun kit!

Cheers!

Evelyn

Pam said...

How fun, what a great way to use up some themed fabric, kinda reversed with the blocks on the outside and solids on the inside.

Unknown said...

Your kitten is very well camouflaged in those border squares - great idea for using an 'I can't cut into that' piece of fabric

Patty said...

I really like the quilt Nancy. And adore that christmas fabric. How cute !

Anonymous said...

It looks wonderful- glad to hear it passed Kitty inspection!