Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Hourglass Quilt Gifted

Happy birthday to the young recipient.

Here it is, quilted, bound, and washed. No quilting design seemed a good fit to me. Either they distracted from the colors or they seemed too prominent on the solids. Finally I simply stitched in the ditch along each seam line.

The quilt glows with color like stained glass and the QSTs in a range of colors sweep across the surface- red, blue, green, yellow, purple, lavender, pink, orange, and megenta.
Hourglass quilt in solids

The back really shows the crinkling effect of the quilting design and batting choice. Stitch-in-the-Ditch emphasized a gathering effect not seen on my other quilts. I think the combination of two threads (nylon monofilament and cotton) in the ditch and solids caused this. Other fabrics may behave the same but light hits every hint of a fold on solids.

Green quilt back has a wide column of turquoise cut by two narrow strips of violet runs across the center.
Hourglass quilt in solids back

Here's a detail of the quilting. I've said it before but I personally love the way the batting crinkles the quilt after washing. Hopefully you love your choice as well.

The stitch-in-the-ditch quilting shows on the green quilt back, diamonds and squares of stitches.
Quilting detail of Hourglass solid quilt

I was a bit hesitant when starting this quilt last year but it's become one of my favorites. I intended to make a video of this process but that has not happened. Given the current situation, it will not. It's still pretty. And fun. And easy.

Quilt Details
Size: 43" x 43"
Design: Original
Batting: Mountain Mist Cream Rose 100%cotton
Thread: YLI Nylon Monofilament on front, grey Presencia 50 wt cotton on back
Quilting: Stitch in the Ditch with walking foot

Previous posts:
  1. Picking the fabric
  2. Sewing the top
Enjoy the day, Ann

32 comments:

patty a. said...

It turned out so pretty! The quilting looks great too. I like it when a quilts gets all crinkled after washing. The texture is comforting.

Pamela said...

This turned out great! I love all solids, but don't manage to do it myself.

Marie said...

Great choice on the quilting, and love your backing too.

Rose Marie said...

Simply gorgeous! Everything you did is perfect!

Nann said...

The back design is the perfect complement to the rainbow hourglasses. Great quilt!

LA Paylor said...

It's brilliant with all the saturated color. It sings. I keep looking at it, to see that you've repeated color, which gives it movement. The quilting is perfect for it, it reminds me of the amazing scrap quilts my grandmother made always quilted in the ditch. I would run my hand over the puckered surface, look at the back, and pick out all the colors on the front. It's modern too in it's graphic appeal. You've shown us a quilt can be simple and dynamic at the same time. I absolutely love it. LeeAnna

Preeti said...

It is your favorite for a reason - Simple, Bold, Elegant!!! A very traditional, super simple block in solids. Does not sound like anything extraordinary. But it is the master who can take something simple and turn it into a work of art. You know what goes where and therein lies your mastery!!!

Janie said...

Congratulations on a great finish, Ann.
The quilting compliments the design, classic.

St. Anne's Sewdality said...

Perfect

Robin said...

Oh! It just sparkles. Such a pretty little quilt.

Quiltdivajulie said...

It was gorgeous before quilting and it is even more so after. Hopefully the recipient understands what a beautiful quilt they've received.

Ann said...

Thanks, Patty. I’ve always found comfort in color and texture. I bought new sheets last year after our old ones wore out and love the texture of these new ones.

Ann said...

I used to make all solid quilts years ago but only recently tried it again. Must explore this more.

Ann said...

Thanks, Marie. I worried quite a while over the quilting but like this very much. It’s always fun to piece the back a bit, too.

Ann said...

Thanks, Rose, although it’s not perfect. But is sure turned out well.

Ann said...

Thanks, Nann. Piecing the back a bit adds interest, doesn’t it?

Ann said...

Your comment is another example of your writing skills, LeeAnna.
I enjoyed using different amounts of the solids and think that gives it the feeling of movement. Your grandmother and I have the same opinion about seams coming apart. SID is a great way to stabilize seams. I remember how nicely crinkled my family quilts are. Always my favorite feel.

Ann said...

What a lovely compliment showing you really looked st the quilt. It is embarrassingly simple in design. And very traditional. I thought the Amish-style solids would appeal to my observant Muslim friend.
Then it turned out better than expected. I knew the colors would work but only got the glow when arranging the blocks.

Ann said...

Thanks, Janie. It’s a joy when everything works.

Ann said...

Thanks.

Ann said...

Thanks, Robin. I think I need to reprise this quilt.

Ann said...

How kind of you, Julie. She and her husband gasped when they saw it. I had it rolled as always with the outside up so they said the quilt unrolled like jewels.

Havplenty said...

It is truly a colorful treasure and the quilting choice works so well.

Ann said...

Thanks. The baby and her parents like it.

Mel Beach said...

It is a true beauty! I hope you will revisit this design/color palette again!!

Ann said...

Thanks, Mel. I ha e some more ideas for this. Super simple design.

Kaja said...

One of my favourites too. I always love these very simple, traditional blocks - they have so much potential and are very versatile. It seems like a good vehicle for your skill with colour.

Mystic Quilter said...

Congratulations on this beautiful finish Ann and I love that you just quilted in the ditch.

Ann said...

The older I get, the more I enjoy traditional one-block quilts. Invoking constraints can give freedom for exploration in other areas. That's why I'm enjoying your latest cross quilt. Thanks for the compliment, Kaja.

Ann said...

Thanks, Maureen. Now that it's ditch quilted, I can't see why I wondered what to do. Ha.

Nifty Quilts said...

Wow! Fantastic! Your color sense blows me away. Gorgeous quilt.

Ann said...

Thanks, LeeAnn. Your quilts demonstrate your sophisticated color sense as well. It’s always a treat to view them.