I actually finished this on Sunday night, but we have had heavy clouds everyday and the colors in this quilt need sunshine to show their beauty. Finally the sun is out and I'm scrambling around my house trying to find the best light. I could also use a marching band or at least a drum roll...
Like all quilts, this one has a story. Let's cut to the chase and just say it involves a LOT of procrastination. Apparently this quilt loved life as a UFO. I think this was pieced in 2004. I do know that it was my first lap sized quilt top. I found the floral fabric used in the border and some of the star blocks at a quilt shop and fell in love with it. It's from In the Beginning by Sharon Evans Yenter. Her book "Blended Wall Quilts" is one of my favorite go-to books for inspiration.
At that time I was a newbie quilter and didn't have the confidence to tackle a quilt from that book so I went with a pattern called Island Star from "More Fat Quarter Quilts" by M'Liss Rae Rawley. I carefully picked out 5 fat quarters to match my floral and a background fabric, trying for the "blended" look but in a simpler way. I don't know if all new quilters struggle like I used to with fabric choices. So overwhelming!
The beautiful quilting was done by Nancy Clayburn of
Quilting by Design in April 2005. I know that because of her label on the back. Then, it sat in my closet until fall 2009 when my Mom who is a wonderful quilter (and a wonderful Mom!) took it home with 2 other UFO siblings to sew on the binding for me. One would think when you have a broken leg which puts you on your butt for months you would have ample time to do hand sewing. Well, I did one side of this quilt and back to the closet it went. Shame, shame, shame...
So, this is my first finish in 3+ years. See the
sparkly new tab at the top of my blog that says Finished Quilts?!?
Hopefully Sure to be the first of many. Tucker wants more quilts to love, he literally does not leave this one alone. For the other pics I had to quarantine him.
I'm linking up to:
It's a gorgeous finish! I love the colours in the large scale print. For that matter, I love the print, too. You did a great job picking out the fabrics to go with it.
ReplyDeleteYay! Congrats on a well-deserved finish! Isn't it funny what can stall a project? Great fabric selection, especially for an early quilt. Thanks for linking up to TGIFF!
ReplyDeletewhat a great quilt, glad you got it done!! Wonderful colors.
ReplyDeleteGreat finish! Your quilt is beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so beautiful!!! Well done on a great finish - love your fabric choices, Deb.
ReplyDeleteYour stars are beautiful. Nice finish.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful finish! Doesn't it feel good? Hopefully the first of many!! Whoop whoop!!
ReplyDelete