The constant happiness is curiosity
~Alice Munro
Quilting
Straight lines with the walking foot are one of my go-to quilting designs. They are relaxing, quick, and easy. There is something meditative about repeatedly halving the distance between previous lines. It makes a good time to think.
I moved the darkest set of hatchets to the center and divided the swans and goldenrod into two rows each.
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| Blue Hatchet quilt 4 |
When some friends and I made a trip to Berkeley for Freddy Moran's Face the Year exhibit, we stopped by Stonemountain where I purchased the back for a "future quilt." The day has arrived. It works perfectly with these hatchets and there was just enough leftover for the binding.
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| Front and back of Blue Hatchet quilt |
Don't you love it when things work out so well? It's a good change from being a smidge too small... or yards leftover.
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| Blue hatchet quilt folded |
This was supposed to restart my baby quilt stash but within a couple of days was needed for one of DH's co-workers. Actually, I love sending them to their forever home so quickly. While everything is fresh and new. So a sweet baby boy slumbers on it.
Quilt Specifics
Size: 38" x 38"
Design: Hatchet
Batting: Mountain Mist Cream Rose cotton
Thread: Metler light blue cotton thread
Quilting: Walking foot parallel lines
Approximate yardage: 5.625 yds
Previous post: Laying out the blocks
Reading
Somehow I haven't read Laurie King for a while but just picked up the next in her Mary Russell series, A Letter of Mary. Archeologist Dorothy Ruskin visits Mary and her husband, Sherlock Holmes leaving them with an old manuscript concerning Mary Magdalene. When Dorothy is killed soon after, Mary and Sherlock question, murder or accident?
Monthly FUR (Fabric Use Rate)
March came in like a lion. Two baby quilts and napkins used 15.875 yards this month. YTD = 17.875 yards.
What a lovely finish!! And that backing is just perfect--you are right;)))
ReplyDeleteI am still struggling to get myself M O T I V A T E D !! Now that we can get out a bit more, perhaps my energy level will rise...hugs, Julierose
Wasn't that lucky! I'm really trying to use up my stash so I look several times for anything that might work. And here was the back, just waiting. I run out of energy quite a bit more these days, too. Hopefully yours will improve soon, Julierose.
DeleteThat made a beautiful baby quilt!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pamela.
DeleteThis quilt turned out so darn pretty! The fabric you used makes this one happy quilt and the backing looks great! I guess you will get another quilt underway soon to try and get your baby quilt stash built up. So far My stash of baby quilts is in good shape. I haven't had but a couple requests for baby quilts this year so I will be ready if any needs arise.
ReplyDeleteThese blues are so calming. Wanda's use of blues in her quilt gave me the idea. And I had enough of these colors to use. Whoo hoo. Another set of remnants gone.
DeleteSome day there may be less call for my baby quilts but I'm happy they fly out of here as soon as they are finished.
How lovely to be able to gift your new quilt so quickly. Lovely quilt and the backing is such pretty fabric.
ReplyDeleteYes, Linda. It's delightful that the quilts find homes so soon. That backing fabric works so well with the top.
DeleteSo lovely! And so nice to know that it's already being loved by a little one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marie. It is good that it's gone to the baby already.
DeleteI like the way the hatchets drift gradually from one column to another. I haven't read a Mary and Sherlock book for a while, either. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it interesting how many series we lose track of? Sometimes I find a series late in its life and sometimes I rediscover one. So much more time for reading these day.
Deletebeautiful quilting and always an interesting book review... gotta check that out
ReplyDeleteYour work last week was delightful. I'm glad to get this baby quilt finished. We have been racing through books ,havent' we?
DeleteI agree, it's very satisfying when things come together so neatly. I'm interested to learn that you find machine quilting meditative - you almost make me think I'll give it another go.
ReplyDeleteNot all machine quilting is meditative but these parallel lines certainly are. I'm amazed that you hand quilt so many of yours. I'd never have any finishes if I had to hand quilt.
DeleteA lovely quilt, and so happy things came together smoothly.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. It's great that so many fabrics came together and left so quickly.
DeleteThis turned out great! I DO love it when a backing piece I already have is just right for what I need. What a bonus!
ReplyDeleteUsually I have too little or too much for the backing. But it worked out perfectly this time. Hooray.
DeleteGreat baby quilt, I love the way the swans are swimming up and down and the simple line quilting is perfect! I love Laurie King's "Bee Keeper's Apprentice" series. She really captures the flavor of Conan Doyle's classic character and adds the voice of a brilliant woman character!
ReplyDeleteHi, Claire. The swans are a remnant from a granddaughter quilt so they are extra-special. I’m finding these soft blues relaxing and need to think about quieter colors in future. The Beekeeper’s Apprentice was great. What did I forget to keep up with the series? At least I’m getting back to it now.
DeleteStraight line quilting can't be beaten, perfectly suits this quilt.
ReplyDeleteI quite agree, Maureen. So easy and practical.
DeleteAnn, this completed quilt is so soothing to the eyes. Soft, comforting, a salve - like quenching of the raging fires. Beautiful finish. I am a huge fan of straight line quilting.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Preeti. I forget to use soft colors but need to try them again. No more of these blues though. Straight line quilting looks good with those parallel lines. Like echo quilting. I guess that’s why we like it.
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