Monday 11 November 2013

A Big Ta-Dah!


I have finally, FINALLY done it! My very first quilt is finished!

TA-DAH!


My Happy Spring Quilt, with a disappearing nine-patch design and diagonal quilting through the center of each square.

It’s only taken about 16 months from when I first bought the Moda Dogwood Trail Charm Pack...sheesh!


Truth be told, I could probably have completed this in a few weekends. But I was extra cautious with my first project; I would work on it only when I had a chunk of time to myself when I could spread out the project, measure carefully, gather the courage to rotary cut the fabrics, learn new techniques...and I can count on one hand the number of occasions when I actually have those few spare hours for sewing!


You know how it is, in the evenings sometimes it’s just nice to pick up a familiar hobby, something that doesn’t require intense concentration, that is more meditative at the end of a long day. Crochet and embroidery offer those relaxing elements for me. Sewing is still too new. But I really, really enjoyed making this quilt! Here’s the back:


It is by no means perfect, but the kiddies and even Darling Husband have been snuggling under it since I finished it! I have learned a lot from this project – mainly just to chill out a bit, it’s only fabric and thread! I had some wonderful guidance along the way from quilting friends, even if they were just patting my shoulder and telling me to get on with it already...


To those of you who are accomplished quilters, did you feel this way in the beginning? I know my confidence will grow as I do more, and believe me, I want to do more...


As soon as I finished the final stitch of my first quilt, I dug out the panda fabric I used for Bunny’s lampshade, and I bought a few coordinating fabrics. A simple patchwork quilt, with big squares and stitch-in-the-ditch, is what she wants.

And I’m making a bold statement here and now: This will NOT take me nearly a year-and-a-half to complete! I am experienced quilter now...


Chrissie x

33 comments:

  1. Love love love it! Well done, it is delightful. The fabircs and colours are stunning. x

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  2. Wow, Chrissie, you clever thing. I have never made a quilt because the thought of it is a little overwhelming. What a brilliant job you've done.
    Happy snuggling !
    Kate x

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  3. It is fabulous! Well done! It looks perfect to me.

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  4. Wow, it's gorgeous - I love it. You must be so proud of yourself! My Goodness where do you get your energy from Lady?! I really want to have a go at quilting too...I've requested a rotary cutter and cutting mat for Xmas and my birthday (Boxing Day). If my first one ends up looking like yours I'll be a very happy bunny! X

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  5. A truly great tada!!! So pretty Chrissie, you might have taken longer than you hoped to, but you did a great job. The colours are so pretty. xx

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  6. Congrats on your first quilt finish, you did a great job :D

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  7. Well done! It is absolutely beautiful. And such pretty fabric. Anna x

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  8. It is beautiful, and your first one, really that is amazing. I can not sew a straight line, so quilting is not for me. I am so proud of you.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  9. Well done Chrissie, it is really really amazing for a first quilt!! I hope it makes you feel better when I tell you that my attempts of my first quilt is still lying in the same place it was months ago and it will stay there until next year, so I might be moving in the same direction that yours went. I think it is the overwhelming size of it all, that makes me think twice before picking it up every time. You should be really proud and yes of course you are an experienced quilter now!!! Love the fabric, really pretty!!! xoxo

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  10. Oh it's gorgeous I love the colours and the fabric, you did a wonderful job with it.
    Clare xxx

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  11. Hello you experienced quilter you. What a pretty, delicious quilt, it's hard to believe it's your first, beautiful :) xx

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  12. Wow - you wouldn't think that was your first quilt - lovely!
    Maria x

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  13. I didn't even know you were spinning that plate as well. It is fabulous and quite a complicated pattern for a first go. I am yet to start my first quilt - it is in my head - but it will be big squares and really easy. Jo x

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  14. Beautiful fabrics in your Spring quilt and a stunning finished project. Looking forward to seeing how your panda quilt turns out, A

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  15. It's beautiful! You did a great job with it. I definitely would have thought you were much more experienced because it really is very well done.

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  16. It's beautiful ... I have a little heap of squares made up but not joined yet but the bit that really terrifies me is the quilting ... I will have to man up and get going :) ... Bee xx

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  17. Wow, it's gorgeous! I love the colours, the pattern and the fabrics. I only ever made one quilt and the back looks NOTHING like yours - in fact, the back of my quilt will never make it into any photo as it's so horribly ruckled and scrunched, But I love it all the same. Your quilt looks perfect to me. x

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  18. Oh well done Chrissie - it's gorgeous and I love it; you have every right to be proud of yourself with this beautiful result, and it doesn't matter how long it took - YOU DID IT! I love those fabrics, so gentle and sweet! Now all the best with your next one which I imagine will appear quickly now that you've chosen your lovely fabrics and gained confidence - and with Bunny in the background prompting you, haha! Love, Joy xoxo

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  19. Well done you, it's fab-u-lous daah-ling! (to quote judge C R-H!) Love the fabrics too and your quilting is very neat. You deserve to be proud and bask for a wee while in the joy of your first quilt, and I'm sure you will whizz through the next one in no time ;-)
    Happy new week,
    Xx

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  20. Well done, it's gorgeous. I love the fabrics you've chose for it, very pretty. Have a good week. Deb x

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  21. Congratulations Chrissie! The quilt is beautiful. It must be really gratifying seeing the family enjoying it. That panda fabric is adorable and will make a really cute quilt too. :)

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  22. I'm completely in love with this quilt! My daughter Hannah looked at it (she's 8) and wanted to know how you did it!! I'm sure she could make one for her dolls if she put her mind to it :)
    Your work is absolutely wonderful!
    Much love,
    Tammy

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  23. Brilliant. It is really super. Lovely fresh prints indeed.

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  24. Well done, such lovely colours, well worth the wait. Never done a quilt. A couple of cushions took me over 25 years to finish - not even a year and a half, that is some going.
    S xx

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  25. Clever you! It looks great! And perfect to me. I've never made a quilted blanket myself I should set my mind to it one day. Yours is gorgeous and lovely to hear its getting some snuggling action xx

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  26. You did great! I'm working on my 3rd and 4th quilts and I still feel apprehensive ;-) I hope to make more in future as I've got to get rid of the small stash I have. My problem is buying little bits of fabric and not having enough when I want to move forward. I'm afraid I'm no good at working with tiny little pieces. I want to finish much sooner than little pieces will allow. Now that you've made one, I'm sure you will happily make another. I think quilting goes much quicker when you buy pre-cuts. Happy crafting.

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  27. Anonymous9:26 am GMT

    Well done on completing your first quilt - it looks great. I've now got to the point where I daren't count the number of quilts I've made - who NEEDS that many throws! But it is addictive so don't say you haven't been warned!!

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  28. Oh wow, what a pretty quilt. It really is lovely and you should be so proud. I still have a lot to learn with quilting and find you tube and blog posts really helpful, being very grateful to those who have taken the time to put them up. I know what you mean about having to be in the right frame of mind to tackle challenging things, and it's so much easier after a hard day to sit down and do an easy granny square or something that doesn't need too much thinking about. have fun with your next quilt. Sam xx

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  29. ~ It's a rainbow of colour and very lovely, Chrissie! You should pat your self on the back...hehe! Wish I had the concentration to finish a project once i have started.... Sending kind thoughts and twinkles ***** your way...Maria x

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  30. Oh Chrissie this is wonderful! Well done you, fantastic job! :) x

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  31. Chrissie it is absolutely gorgeous! I really love all the colours and fabrics you have put together, it is just perfect, well done you! Thank you got joining in with the Christmas swap! You have been partnered with Carol at Tales from Spring Cottage - more details and links on my blog. Happy swapping!
    Marianne x

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  32. Well done Chrissie! It is lovely and you have chosen some gorgeous fabrics.....sew pretty! Enjoy making your next quilt now!
    Helen x

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  33. It is perfectly lovely. I wonder how many people, in it's lifetime, it will keep snug :D

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