Tuesday, October 5, 2021

A Finish for a Friend

Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace within difficulties.
~ C.S. Lewis

Quilting


The quilt is finished and gifted to a young man who's been waiting patiently a couple of years. The design looks masculine to me and blue is his favorite color. About a quarter of the squares are still scrap squares but the rest was pulled from my stash. 

Postage Stamp quilt with blues

I wanted the back to reflect his love of blues so pulled more yardage from my stash. The largest dark blue is a yard printed with boat-making blueprints. The rest of the navies are quarter yards that have been lurking around for a few years. On the left are several white fat quarters that continue the marine theme. More ships, crabs, and lighthouses. It was hard to pull them because they were intended for a different quilt... that has never been completed. 

The light blue is a remnant from the Shadow Star quilt back. It's long enough to join the different sections and reprises the back from a previous baby quilt. I like the way it outlines the different fabrics but I kind of wish the middle strip was as narrow as some of the others. I just used what I had. 

Back of Postage Stamp quilt with Blues

The blue and white stripe was chosen to bind the quilt. I thought about using some leftover binding strips but decided a single print here adds more cohesion. {Something this quilt could use.}

Postage Stamp quilt with Blues detail

A final view of the quilt.



Quilt Specifics
Size: 60" x 72"
Design: Scrappy Trip Around the World
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom Premium Natural Cotton
Thread: Aurifil blue cotton thread
Quilting: walking foot grid
Approximate yardage: 13.5 yds

Reading

I just finished the second Baby Ganesh mystery by Vaseem Khan and enjoyed the development of the characters. The Koh-i-noor diamond is stolen from a Mumbai museum while Inspector Chopra and his wife are in the room. With both India and the UK determined to recover it, Chopra and Baby Gansesh are drawn into the mystery.

PS: This wasn't my final view of this quilt. My son sent a photo of the quilt with its new owner. Utter joy for a maker to see how the recipient appreciates the work.

Enjoy the day, Ann

24 comments:

Linda said...

What a fabulous quilt. Love the front and the back equally. Good idea to use one fabric for the binding. It frames the quilt so well. I’m sure your gift will be welcomed with open arms!

patty a. said...

Such a beautiful, scrappy quilt! I am sure the fellow will treasure this! One more thing to cross off the list! Good job!

Carolyn said...

It’s beautiful.

Cindy said...

Fantastic quilt! Love the back just as much as the front. Who would not be thrilled to receive this!!!!!!!

Nann said...

The colorway is comfortable with a bit of spice. The diagonal orientation adds energy. And I like the "framed scraps" backing.
My husband has read a couple of the Baby Ganesh books. We'll need to get back into them.

Kaja said...

I agree that this has a nice, masculine feel without being too dark or somber. All those lovely, personal touches will make it a gift to treasure.

lmno said...

This gift appeals on several levels. It is personal. Lots of fabric. Graphic. Fine choice in a cotton batt.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Love your blues quilt! And so nice to be able to include a few personal 'marine' touches too.

Robin said...

This turned out great. And so satisfying to know the recipient is pleased. The binding is a delightful contrast to the rest of the blues.

Ann said...

Thanks for writing, Linda. The binding turned out well. It’s another piece I’ve had way too long so cutting into it was freeing.

Ann said...

So kind of you, Patty. Finishing this has been a joy. He’s wanted it for several years and been waiting very patiently.

Ann said...

Thank you, Carolyn.

Ann said...

Framing the pieces for the back is working out well. They look more polished and I wish I’d done this sooner. Thanks for your generous comment, Cathy.

QuiltGranma said...

What a lovely finish, and appreciated by recipient as well!

Mystic Quilter said...

What a quilt, a wonderful gift which will be much loved I think!

Ann said...

Thanks, Nann. Most men I know like blue; it was fun to work lots of extra bits in for spice, as you wrote. Framing the scraps on the back makes it look more sophisticated... or at least more finished.
Your husband and I share many of the same reading choices. There are more to this series and I need to get busy, too.

Ann said...

Blue works well with lots of different colors. Probably because we wear so much denim. It always amazes and humbles me when the recipients like the quilts so much. Such a compliment to us.

Ann said...

Thanks, Imno. Cotton batts work best for me. They "stick" to the front and back so there are rarely any tucks. Most of them are thin, too. Good for the hot weather here and easier to stuff under the throat of the machine.

Ann said...

I enjoy finding motifs to personalize or entertain! This is part of the reason I use so many prints. We need all the fun we can find in this long process. Thanks for writing, Linda.

Ann said...

Thank you, Robin. It's such a treat when the quilt is finished and looks better than imagined. And then, the recipient is thrilled. Who could ask for a better compliment than his effusive joy and thanks.

Ann said...

Thank you. Seeing his face light up was the best part.

Ann said...

Thanks, Maureen. He's been waiting a long time and has loads of plans to show it off. So funny.

Preeti said...

It is a handsome quilt without being overly masculine! Well done, Ann!!!

Ann said...

Thanks, Preeti.