Last Sunday afternoon I appliqued the last leaf onto the border of Hearts & Wreaths.
I didn't think about wind when my son put the display line on the northwest corner of the house. There always seems to be a breeze coming around that side. This was the best I could do but I assure you the right bottom corner is finished!
I took the flimsy inside the house and laid it on the bed but the borders don't show.
The flimsy measures 80" by 96".
The next step in the process is to mark the quilt for hand quilting. I know how I want her quilted, marking just takes time. Wouldn't having her in the quilting frame by New Years day be an awesome way to start the new year? However February 1 is a much more realistic goal.
Here is a link to my first post about Hearts & Wreaths back in August 2021. Here is a link to the pattern for Hearts & Wreaths which is found in Quiltmania magazine, issue 138.
Linking to Kathys Slow Stitching Sunday, Stitching Stuff, Oh Scrap, Handmade Monday, Sew & Tell, Design Wall Monday, Craftastic Monday, Magic Crafts, Monday Musings
So many leaves in this quilt! So beautiful, Gretchen! Gail at the Cozy Quilter
ReplyDeleteawesome accomplishment and oh so pretty
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a finish with a lot of "WOW" factor. The backing you've picked is perfect. Congrats on the finish, fingers crossed you can get it on the frame soon.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful Gretchen, and I can’t believe you have it ready to quilt. When you first showed the magazine photo of this quilt, I thought it would take many YEARS to appliqué and prep this top. You inspire me to make a more determined effort and be consistent in making progress. I think your success is in working hard on something, but also making time to do the faster, “easier” quilts in parallel with the higher stress project. I really respect your time management skills. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful hand quilting on this leaf quilt. Best wishes and Merry Christmas! To you and all your family members!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt so much and the backing fabric you chose is wonderful! I can't believe how quickly you did finish the top. Amazing! Have a wonderful holiday and wishing you and yours all the best!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt flimsy finish and can’t wait to see what plans she’s speaking to ya on how to be hand quilted!
ReplyDeleteI looove the backing in a way to appreciate it ;)
Kathi
Hearts and Wreaths is beautiful. I am looking forward to watching your quilting progress in the new year.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous quilt!
ReplyDeleteWow that backing fabric is perfect. Love your quilt, and the leaves on the border remind me of Christmas lights!
ReplyDeleteit looks great. A time or two I tried drawing my quilt design on before putting the quilt on the frame and it never really worked out right I just don't have the room to lay it out for marking so I do it in bits on the frame instead.
ReplyDeletePerfect backing fabric and you purchased it at a savings! Life is GREAT! Your finished top is stunning. I've enjoyed each and every post you've shared. Best wishes on getting the marking completed before February 1!
ReplyDeleteDear Gretchen,
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful and I can understand why you want her on the quilting frame by New Year to begin the hand quilting. Marking the quilt and quilt it the way we want always takes time but is so worth it in the end. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
This is so beautiful. Love the hearts and the lacy vines make such a sweet border. The backing matches perfectly.
ReplyDeleteSo fun to watch this one get to a top, and now we get to watch her get quilted!
ReplyDeleteoh yes that is a stunner....you inspired me to make a wall piece, 4 blocks..
ReplyDeleteWonderful finish! You keep me motivated to do the big projects, the ones that take months. I love the backing, it was meant to be. Kismet~
ReplyDeleteIt's a gorgeous top, congratulations on finishing it. I'm sure you are looking forward to hand quilting this beauty.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a beautiful quilt, Gretchen! Lots of pretty color and hand stitching in it. The backing you chose for it is really perfect, too. It will be fun to see how the quilting goes!
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt. Despite the wind, your outdoor photo location has great lighting!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful and joyful quilt, and I like the photo with the wind ;) The backing fabric looks pretty too.
ReplyDeleteReally spectacular! I agree with another comment - the lighting really is good in the outdoor photo.
ReplyDeleteYour hearts and wreaths quilt is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHaving a display rack outside for photographing your quilts is a great idea. Lighting is usually really nice in photos taken outdoors.
Congratulations on sewing on the last of the leaves!
It's a beautiful flimsy and is going to be stunning when quilted. xx
ReplyDeleteGretchen, your quilt is absolutely beautiful. I love the colors you selected and the back is going to blend in so beautiful I know how much work this was and you’ve got an absolutely perfect job on this quilt. This quilt is on my list for 2024 and I believe in early 2002 I made a quilt very similar to that from the original pattern that was in the book. I gave the quilt top away because I had used Fabrics and that I really did not like.Not sure what color way I would go with mine but yours is just absolutely beautiful. I know you will be excited when you get it loaded on the hoop and Star Quilting it and of course you will quilted beautifully. I am really beginning to miss being able to do anything but 12 more days and my pass comes off and I can start the lovely physical therapy and of course I will push the envelope as much as I can so that I can get back to doing something, you have a joyous and merry Christmas and a happy new year and I hope 2024 you are as productive as you were always have been. I know that you have finished a lot of UFOs and that always feels good. I’m just lucky that I have all of mine completed with the exception of my turn – blocks completed before this hand surgery , you take care enjoy and see you in 2024. Hugs. PS I dictated this post because it’s my left arm is getting tired of doing everything take care, so if it doesn’t make any sense, that’s why I.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is simply breathtaking! Great job in getting the flimsy done! She will be even more of an heirloom when the hand quilting is done! Merry Christmas to you.
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to see this amazing project at the flimsy stage. Lots of hours spent with tiny stitches to accomplish this beauty. Slow and steady wins the race. Your quilting will enhance the top. And I love the backing fabric! What a special addition to it. Hooray on all the works you have made. And what a assembly of people to make all those comforters. WOW!
ReplyDeleteSEW happy for you to have gotten it this far, and having the perfect backing for it too... was it inspiration for your leaf fabrics?
ReplyDeleteYou have done a beautiful job on this quilt Gretchen. And the backing seems perfect - that was a good find. I wonder if you got it into a frame by New Year's Eve or not?
ReplyDeleteStunning, just stunning. And I really love the way you've done the leaf border, it's perfect. This is going to be a feature over at Handmade Monday this week :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful.... Great to have it finished..... Have you got it on the frame yet?.....
ReplyDelete