I've been waiting to show you my finished Swoon for aaaaages now, but finally this weekend I managed to snap some pictures. Cat fluff and paw prints included.
I made this quilt at the beginning of December last year for my parents for Christmas. I think I finished the whole top in about 3 sessions. It helped that I did all the cutting at once, and sorted everything I needed for one block into little ziplock baggies so I could just grab and go! I was trying to chain piece and production line the blocks, but I think I discovered 4 was my limit for one day. After that I got bored and started making mistakes. 2 at a time is the optimum amount I reckon ;-)
I wanted to make it bigger than the 80" x 80" original patterns, so I cut my sashing at 3 1/2" and added corner stones. I also added a skinny 1" border around the whole things to make sure the edge corner stones stood out (that was Audrie's idea. Clever girl), and then a 5" border in my favourite print around the whole thing. Oh yeah, and I mitred the corners on each border. Fancy huh? ;-)
The whole thing finished up around 95" x 95", which I was NOT going to quilt myself (especially with the time constraints) so I sent it to Long Arm Chris to work her magic. Which she of course did and it looks fabulous. I chose a leafy/feathery traditional kind of design to complement the organic-ness of the prints. It just melts into the background which is exactly what I was after.
For some crazy reason I got it in my head I wanted to hand stitch the binding. So I practiced on my (much smaller) Christmas quilt, and got stuck in. 380" is a lot of hand stitching let me tell you!! I thought it would either make me or break me, you know? Luckily, I totally fell in love with the look and process of a hand stitched binding, so unless I'm in a bind (bad bad pun), I wont be machining it again!
So there we go, a finished swoon quilt. I can say hand-on-heart it won't be the last swoon quilt I make. I have one planned for me using my Flea Market Fancy and grey Moda Crossweave. Sigh. So many quilts, so little time.
I made this quilt at the beginning of December last year for my parents for Christmas. I think I finished the whole top in about 3 sessions. It helped that I did all the cutting at once, and sorted everything I needed for one block into little ziplock baggies so I could just grab and go! I was trying to chain piece and production line the blocks, but I think I discovered 4 was my limit for one day. After that I got bored and started making mistakes. 2 at a time is the optimum amount I reckon ;-)
I wanted to make it bigger than the 80" x 80" original patterns, so I cut my sashing at 3 1/2" and added corner stones. I also added a skinny 1" border around the whole things to make sure the edge corner stones stood out (that was Audrie's idea. Clever girl), and then a 5" border in my favourite print around the whole thing. Oh yeah, and I mitred the corners on each border. Fancy huh? ;-)
The whole thing finished up around 95" x 95", which I was NOT going to quilt myself (especially with the time constraints) so I sent it to Long Arm Chris to work her magic. Which she of course did and it looks fabulous. I chose a leafy/feathery traditional kind of design to complement the organic-ness of the prints. It just melts into the background which is exactly what I was after.
For some crazy reason I got it in my head I wanted to hand stitch the binding. So I practiced on my (much smaller) Christmas quilt, and got stuck in. 380" is a lot of hand stitching let me tell you!! I thought it would either make me or break me, you know? Luckily, I totally fell in love with the look and process of a hand stitched binding, so unless I'm in a bind (bad bad pun), I wont be machining it again!
So there we go, a finished swoon quilt. I can say hand-on-heart it won't be the last swoon quilt I make. I have one planned for me using my Flea Market Fancy and grey Moda Crossweave. Sigh. So many quilts, so little time.
Quilt Stats
Size: approx 95" x 95"
Fabric: Field Study for blocks, Ruby Dot in Cream/Grey for background
Size: approx 95" x 95"
Fabric: Field Study for blocks, Ruby Dot in Cream/Grey for background
Pieced by: Me
Quilting: Feather leaves by Chris.
It's beautiful - I had thought of a Swoon for my Field Study and it really does look gorgeous - the border really brings it all together. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteOh, it is a stoater!!!! I love the cornerstones and border and that fabric is perfect for it. Don't you love the satisfaction of a hand stitched binding? It takes for-ages but looks so good - I machined one binding once and never again.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful and with the cornerstones and border totally massive! I think that hand stitching the binding down is so satisfying. Di x
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning. You created something beautiful. I really like those corner stones. I shall have to file that away in my mental database for if I ever manage to piece my very first sampler quilt!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the loveliest Swoons I have seen - every block is a stunner! I love the addition of the cornerstones and the border. Gorgeous stuff x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, great work well done, and when you say handstitched, I take it you mean machine the front and then hand sew the backing, right??? :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful gift for your parents! Lucky them.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, it's beautiful! I bet your parents are thrilled with it.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! The border and cornerstones totally look perfect! I love hand binding too :)
ReplyDeleteOoh it's lovely!
ReplyDeleteIt is glorious and you have very lucky Parents!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful quilt. I love the additions you made to increase its size. I also love hand stitching the bindings but they do take a while.
ReplyDeleteIt's perfect!!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteI love it! I would have never thought to use Field Study for a Swoon quilt. The prints all seem too big to chop up but it looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteIts really beautiful Lauli, massive too!! Well done you :-) x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt! I love a hand binding too. Hand tacking it to the back is my very favorite part of the quilt making process.
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic - looks wonderful with the outer border. I've only got 4 of my blocks made so far - I'm just not loving the fabrics, but am hoping that when they are all together I will like them again (and if not, it might forever remain just a top!)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I really like the border you added. It frames it the whole quilt so nicely.
ReplyDeleteYou should be so proud of this! It's beautiful and the corner stones are a great touch!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! I love how you made it your own
ReplyDeleteOh my giddy aunt Laura that is incredible - the border and floating cornerstones are divine additions
ReplyDeleteOh that looks fab! The hand stitching of the binding might actually have finished me off though, you are a far better woman than I!
ReplyDeleteWow Laura, it is fantastic! Love it
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful and love the cornerstones and border. Lucky parents!
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is beautiful! My favourite part is hand stitching the binding, that last stitch is so satisfying and gives a far better finish (in MY opinion!) I save mine for a Sunday evening in front of Ripper Street or something that I really want to watch. Well Done!
ReplyDeleteShe's a stunner LJ! Missed you at the w/e! Jxo
ReplyDeleteIt looks amazing. I really should make mine soon.
ReplyDeleteTurned out beautifully! I like the extra touches you did, I guess I will be giving in and making one soon.
ReplyDeleteField Study is one of my absolute favorites, and this quilt is PERFECT.
ReplyDeletewhat a gorgeous gift. The fabrics compliment this pattern so well. Perfection. I love the little changes you added to make it special for your parents.
ReplyDeleteLove your Swoon quilt, Laura Jane! It's so beautiful - your fabric choices and little changes to the pattern make it perfect.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous - love it!
ReplyDeleteIt is stunning, I love it all!!! I don't know how you gave it away, I'd never have parted with it.
ReplyDeleteI can't handle it. TOO GORGEOUS.
ReplyDeleteI'm swooning at your swoon! I've just started one though it took me 2 hours to make one block so I really admire your speed to get this done in such a short amount of time. I'm rubbish at machine binding so always finish mine by hand, like others have said it just feels right to do it that way.
ReplyDeleteWow what a beautiful Swoon - one of the loveliest I've seen.
ReplyDeleteSimply gorgeous . It is on my bucket list but the more I see of this pattern ever closer to the top of the list it creeps. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteIt's an exceptional quilt. Love your colour choices. Hand binding is the best, I find it easier than machine stitching one.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful! And I love the cornerstones and smashing you've done. I only have one swoon block made but I think I'll add these extras if I ever get around to making the rest! Lucky parents!
ReplyDelete