Thursday, January 30, 2014

Four Patch & Friends

I am so excited to share this finish today! Four Patch & Friends is DONE! and I could not be happier with it after all this time. It's too big for my usual floor photo shoot so I'm using our bed since it is a nice sunny day. The quilt is draped crosswise to show off of as much of it as I can.

I saw a sample of this in a quilt shop on my way home from Minneapolis/St. Paul during the winter of 2002 and fell in love with it. The shop had a starter kit containing 40 floral 2.5" strips so I bought it along with the book "Open a Can of Worms" by Debbie Caffrey.
I was a new quilter and scrappy was kind of scary at that time. I am certain that had I not seen the sample quilt I would have never attempted it! I paired up the strips and started cutting. Each block has a small print floral and a larger scale floral. The background is a delicate white on white floral that is very hard to photograph.
Photobomb Part I

During March Madness in 2002 I pulled my sewing table out into our family room from my closet in the laundry room and pieced about 3/4's of the blocks. I have no idea what derailed me until I picked it up again in the fall of 2012.

This UFO has appeared on my blog several times - click hereherehereherehere and here if you want to read more about the assembly process and my challenges!
Photobomb Part II
Four Patch & Friends reached flimsy status in late September 2013 and was sent to Kathy at Stitch by Stitch Machine Quilting. I have been following Kathy's blog for about a year and really admire her quilting. We had a great conversation on the phone to discuss ideas in December and she got to work.
I wanted the quilting to enhance the romantic feel of this quilt and Kathy certainly delivered! The swirling vines along the white X's are just perfect. The patchwork sections are done with loops and leaves. The detail on the borders adds so much to the quilt... I just love it. Thank you so much Kathy for making this quilt even more special to me!

I had a large chunk of this backing fabric in my stash so that was an easy choice and I found enough of the inner border green at my LQS last month to use for the binding.
Four Patch & Friends measures 68" by 84" which makes it my biggest quilt. This one is a keeper for sure... some things are worth the wait. It will find a home draped over our living room sofa this spring.

Elsa gives it four paws up! She was testing my binding stitch last night as I rounded the last corner... thankfully she settled in for a nap shortly after this picture.
Finishing this quilt was my January goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes which always provides a large dose of Lovely Motivation.  I'm also linking up to Needle and Thread Thursday@My Quilt InfatuationTGIFF@Riddle and WhimseyCan I Get a Whoop Whoop@Confessions of a Fabric AddictLink A Finish Friday@Richard and Tanya Quilts, Feline Friday@sarah did it! and Finish it Friday@Crazy Mom Quilts.

And, this UFO was on my Q1 Finish-A-Long goal list HERE so I will be linking it up in April at The Littlest Thistle.

40 comments:

  1. The flimsy was pretty but the gorgeous quilting has really made this a beauty! I can understand why you are keeping it for yourself. Wonderful finish!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a beautiful finish.
    So glad Elsa approves too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Deb, this quilt is gorgeous! Your photographs look great, too. Congrats on your largest finish. This will be perfect on your sofa. Your photo bomber agrees with me. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh wow Iam in love with this quilt. Just beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is really beautiful. I love those lime green strips--they really make it all come together with the white background...hugs, Julierose

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very nice! I love the quilting. It all goes so well together.

    ReplyDelete
  7. How pretty is this!!! I love the change up that you did in the setting. For sure, it is a keeper with that beautiful quilting....not too much, but just right.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Way to go Deb!!! Now, draw a deep breath and then pat yourself on the back!!! It takes all kinds of fortitude to finish up a UFO that old, and I know you are so glad you did - it's lovely!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Deb, that is lovely indeed! And a great story going back to 2002!

    ReplyDelete
  10. It's a beautiful quilt for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  11. love this Deb! All of the colors are so happy!

    Thanks so much for linking up with Needle and Thread Thursday!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is a great finish, to go along with sunshine (something that seems to be hiding for days at a time around here). Love the quilting done by your quilter--thanks for the great photos showing it so well.
    Our LQS hosted Debbie Caffrey for a weekend a few years back. Great ideas, friendly gal, lots of super books and patterns (many of which I now own). Nothing complex or too challenging with her quilts, but her inventive mind has created so many lovely ones.
    Be proud of this finish. It's a beaut !!

    ReplyDelete
  13. A great quilt with lovely quilting. Good to see it finished.

    ReplyDelete
  14. That is one amazing quilt. The quilting sets it off beautifully!

    ReplyDelete
  15. That's a wonderful scrappy quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Stunning and I love the quilting xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is just such great eye candy!!! I love all the fabrics together!! Your quilting is stunning too!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a gorgeous quilt! I have both can of worms books and I can't remember the last time I even looked at them - need to pull those babies out soon! Sew glad your quality control officer granted the quilt 4 paws up - I agree whole heartedly with little Elsa :^)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Deb, You've inspired me to purchase Debbie's Book! What a wonderful use of floral fabric! It's always wonderful to fall so in love with a quilt that we keep it for ourselves!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wowow
    I am drooling over here
    You can be proud of this. Would you please move next door to me right now?
    Good grief, the pattern is gorgeous. I do not think I could ever attempt this unless I had the quilt police standing over me.
    I want to make this.
    Your friend did a very nice job with the quilting too

    ReplyDelete
  21. Very pretty and a wonderful accomplishment!

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a beautiful finish!! Hugs Bambi

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love your quilt and Elsa is a very beautiful cat!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wonderful quilt, beautifully quilted ... and adorable kitty! ... Thanks for sharing ... :) Pat

    ReplyDelete
  25. Absolutely stunning, I love the colours you've chosen and the way they go together. What a pleasure to visit your blog.:)

    Peg x

    ReplyDelete
  26. This is beautiful and the quilting is fab!

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a beautiful quilt. Inspirational. I also hope you'll enter this in the Pets on Quilts Show, hosted by Lilypad Quilting every summer. Fun event and great way to show off beautiful quilts and pets too!

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. just gorgeous - and what a luscious little kitty....

    ReplyDelete
  29. Your photographs are BEAUTIFUL! Thank you for your compliments - I'm thinking we make a pretty great team! so lovely....

    ReplyDelete
  30. So beautiful! The quilting really does enhance the design and fabrics. Love it! Love your little photobomber too!

    ReplyDelete
  31. What a wonderful finish...the colours are great and the quilting compliments it perfectly!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Absolutely gorgeous quilt! And I love your quilt tester.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow! What a fabulous finish. It certainly sat around waiting for a long time. I love that design and the quilting really adds to the look. I hope you have had it out where you can see it.
    valspierssews

    ReplyDelete

I really enjoy reading comments! Thanks for taking the time to leave me one. I try to respond to all comments except during big giveaways.

I have had to turn off anonymous comments for now due to a sudden increase in spam. Please send me an email instead and I will respond to you.