Blatant AW of Quilt

[aprilsails]

I finished this last night as a 4 month late wedding gift and just went by an island nearby to take photos.



The back - the husband is a pilot



And yes. It snowed in my neck of the woods last night.

[TrickyBob]

Pretty. But please tell me you're going to wash it. lol

[missanne]

That's beautiful!

[janiejones]

Oct 30, 2013 12:01:28 GMT -5 TrickyBob said:

Pretty. But please tell me you're going to wash it. lol

I think after AprilSails spent all this time labouring over it she's probably going to hand it over dirty.  That seems like something normal.

[spitforspat]

I love it! I want it!

[MixedBerryJam]

That is gorgeous! I can't believe you made it. You're so talented, and patient. And ... GETITUPOFFTHEGROUNDOMGBRUSHITOFF!!!

[caddywompus]

Looks great!

[TrickyBob]

Oct 30, 2013 12:04:33 GMT -5 janiejones said:

Oct 30, 2013 12:01:28 GMT -5 TrickyBob said:

Pretty. But please tell me you're going to wash it. lol

I think after AprilSails spent all this time labouring over it she's probably going to hand it over dirty.  That seems like something normal.

You'd be surprised at what some people do. 

No, I don't think she is going to hand it over dirty. It was supposed to be a joke-ish comment about it being on the ground. It IS very pretty and a little part of me died to see it on the ground. 

[aprilsails]

To be honest my plan is to 'gift' it to the couple tonight. I will then bring it back home with me and wash it properly, and then return it to them when I see them to play frisbee next week. They are having a housewarming/halloween potluck tonight so I put the pedal to the metal to finish it on time.

I always wash all of my quilts myself before handing them over since I am terrified that the colours will run if they aren't washed properly. I also include 10 colour catchers and a full instruction sheet with each quilt. I've got a system.

[Deleted]

That is beautiful! So well done!

[aprilsails]

Oct 30, 2013 12:13:48 GMT -5 @themommymonster said:

Beautiful! I love the color and patterns.

I need to start a quilt for my BFF who got married 1.5 years ago. Oops.

My new guarantee to my friends is that I will get it done within 1 year of the engagement or the wedding date, whichever comes latest.  In this case, the couple got married after 7 months engaged, which I flat out told them was inadequate.  I have another set of friends who married 3 weeks ago after being engaged 5 months. I don't even feel bad about not having started theirs.  I'll probably make it over Christmas.

[TrickyBob]

Oct 30, 2013 12:18:56 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

To be honest my plan is to 'gift' it to the couple tonight. I will then bring it back home with me and wash it properly, and then return it to them when I see them to play frisbee next week. They are having a housewarming/halloween potluck tonight so I put the pedal to the metal to finish it on time.

I always wash all of my quilts myself before handing them over since I am terrified that the colours will run if they aren't washed properly. I also include 10 colour catchers and a full instruction sheet with each quilt. I've got a system.

I think this is awesome. I never know how to wash quilts and am always scared I'm going to fuck it up, I think the people that receive your quilts appreciate the instructions as much as the quilt itself. 

[Blueper]

That is so unique!

[walterismydog]

I love it!

Talk to me about beginning quilting. I'm looking for a project for this winter in addition to my fly rod building classes I will be taking. I can sew decently, but I'm not like some ultra-talented seamstress. I just have a regular sewing machine (not a cheapy, not some badass machine, something in the middle). Do I have what it takes?

[aprilsails]

Oct 30, 2013 13:45:48 GMT -5 walterismydog said:

I love it!

Talk to me about beginning quilting. I'm looking for a project for this winter in addition to my fly rod building classes I will be taking. I can sew decently, but I'm not like some ultra-talented seamstress. I just have a regular sewing machine (not a cheapy, not some badass machine, something in the middle). Do I have what it takes?

You definitely have what it takes. I started making quilts 3 years ago on a $200 Kenmore machine I received as a wedding gift.  I drove it into the ground, so to speak, but that was 8 quilts and a billion other sewing projects later.

As far as how to start learning - Blogls are your friend. I learned everything from blogs, and I've reached a point now where I know more techniques and tools than my Grandmother, who is a very accomplished seamstress (my hand sewn quilting will never look like hers though). I love the designs from the following three blogs a lot and I come back to them often:
Oh Fransson
Fresh Lemons Modern Quilts
In Color Order
All three of these sites also have multiple tutorials on how to select fabrics, what tools you need, and how to put together a finished quilt. They also have free patterns and I love the books from Elizabeth Hartman (Oh Fransson).

Other than the basic machine, I would highly recommend that you buy a rotary cutter, cutting mat and a good acrylic ruler if you want to pursue quilting long term. It makes a big difference being confident that you are actually sewing squares together. Total investment here is about $100.

I could go on about this stuff for hours.  If you have any questions please let me know!

[walterismydog]

Oct 30, 2013 14:25:33 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

Oct 30, 2013 13:45:48 GMT -5 walterismydog said:

I love it!

Talk to me about beginning quilting. I'm looking for a project for this winter in addition to my fly rod building classes I will be taking. I can sew decently, but I'm not like some ultra-talented seamstress. I just have a regular sewing machine (not a cheapy, not some badass machine, something in the middle). Do I have what it takes?

You definitely have what it takes. I started making quilts 3 years ago on a $200 Kenmore machine I received as a wedding gift.  I drove it into the ground, so to speak, but that was 8 quilts and a billion other sewing projects later.

As far as how to start learning - Blogls are your friend. I learned everything from blogs, and I've reached a point now where I know more techniques and tools than my Grandmother, who is a very accomplished seamstress (my hand sewn quilting will never look like hers though). I love the designs from the following three blogs a lot and I come back to them often:
Oh Fransson
Fresh Lemons Modern Quilts
In Color Order
All three of these sites also have multiple tutorials on how to select fabrics, what tools you need, and how to put together a finished quilt. They also have free patterns and I love the books from Elizabeth Hartman (Oh Fransson).

Other than the basic machine, I would highly recommend that you buy a rotary cutter, cutting mat and a good acrylic ruler if you want to pursue quilting long term. It makes a big difference being confident that you are actually sewing squares together. Total investment here is about $100.

I could go on about this stuff for hours.  If you have any questions please let me know!

Wow thank you! This is all great information. I really appreciate it  

[snickers]

Beautiful!

[Redpoppy]

That is a beautiful quilt! I'm a fan of those blogs too. Color catchers are the best invention.

I like washing mine before giving so the people don't panic after the first wash when it get a little crinkly. I tell them to have no hard feelings to ask me to repair it either. I'd hate for something to come loose and they not use it.

[Deleted]

That's really beautiful!

[aprilsails]

Oct 30, 2013 14:46:14 GMT -5 Redpoppy said:

That is a beautiful quilt! I'm a fan of those blogs too. Color catchers are the best invention.

I like washing mine before giving so the people don't panic after the first wash when it get a little crinkly. I tell them to have no hard feelings to ask me to repair it either. I'd hate for something to come loose and they not use it.

I also offer repair services - my Mom keeps me going full time since my Grandma hand sewed all of her quilts (even the piecing) and my Mom puts them through the washer monthly. It's brutal.