I have a finish to report!
I'll wait until you pick yourself up off the floor.....
Okay. Ya' back? :-)
Yes, an honest-to-goodness finish!
I finished my little art quilt I'm calling Sometimes I Really Miss Iowa. You might remember that I made the block for the Texting While Sewing contest that Amy of During Quiet Time blog held. I posted about the process I used to make it here.
I had the block done in time for the competition and even started
quilting it. But I didn't finish it up until this weekend. (I had to
get some stuff off my cutting table and Cotton Club
and this were taking up some prime real estate!) The quilting on the
corn rows is perle cotton. All the other quilting is 50-wt Aurifil threads, and I used Aurifil
monofiliment thread for the invisible aplique. I am very happy with
it! It measures about 11.5" x 11.5". (It shrank up quite a bit when I
was quilting it! I had cut it to 12.5" x 12.5" before quilting, as the
regulation for the contest was it had to be a 12.5" block.)
I had had two other ombres that I had intended to use when I made the top, but they had been misplaced and then I forgot about them. Well, in straightening up one day, I found them. I used them for the binding and the backing instead.
I took Lynn's advice and quilted lines in the sky, like I did for the rays. I used this blue variegated Aurifil
thread and decided to use it in the purple fabric, too. I thought it
might help tie it all together nicely. I am pleased with the effect,
overall.
The
only thing I wish I had done better on is the arcs in the sun. They
got kind of oblong at the top. Not sure how that happened. Wasn't of
the mind to unpick it all, so I left it. Nature isn't perfect, right?
I
still like all the text I added, and the corn rows. Papa Pea asked me
why I used such big stitches here. I said, "Because I wanted it to
emulate corn fields." He replied, "Oh! Of course! I like it, and it
looks just like corn rows." Good! Accomplished what I had hoped to.
To bad I had to 'splain it to him!
And
here is the back. I have the hanging sleeve on it and everything. I
have no idea where I'll hang it... I guess I still need to sign it or
make a label. Guess it's not technically done. :-)
Since I took these photos, I washed it. If it looks much different after washing it, I may show it again, if you don't mind!
When I posted this in its earlier stages of completion, my mom and dad commented on how much they liked it. I think I'll take it to Florida with me at Christmas to show them in person.
We are having beautiful weather here, but it's supposed to get down to highs in the 50's by Friday. I'm not ready for that yet!
Until next time,
It's beautiful Stephanie!!! I just love it. The colors and the stitching are just unbelievably awesome.
Posted by: Rene' | October 02, 2012 at 12:57 PM
Wait...are you from Iowa...did I know that?! I have so many relatives in Iowa...my Mom was born in Cedar Rapids...and we've had ancestors there since the mid-1800's. My Grandmother and her sister still own the family farm there!
Gorgeous quilt!
Posted by: sherri | October 02, 2012 at 01:03 PM
Beautiful! I like the off kilter arcs on the sun - adds "character." I don't have any variegated Aurifil. Hmmm...I may need some for my thread stash!
Posted by: Lynn | October 02, 2012 at 01:26 PM
I loved it the first time, and now it is even better! The quilting between the rays is a good choice and adds interesting and I love the hand quilting for the corn rows!
Posted by: jenclair | October 02, 2012 at 02:53 PM
Oh, I love seeing it finished! It's lovely. This is the second "Texting" block finished into a mini this week. Did you see Laurraine's?
Posted by: Amy | October 02, 2012 at 04:24 PM
It is really pretty. The quilting really enhances it.
Posted by: Linda in Calif. | October 02, 2012 at 05:06 PM
That's really pretty, Stephanie. I do remember your earlier post about it. Nice job!
Posted by: Sue | October 02, 2012 at 05:45 PM
Nice work! I miss Iowa too and I only visited there! :)
Posted by: Deb | October 02, 2012 at 06:45 PM
What a beautiful quilt! I absolutely love it. If you can't find a place to hang it, I know I could! The hanging sleeve is a fabulous idea. I've not seen one of these before...admittedly I am not a quilter but I've long admired quilts and quilting.
Posted by: Kerry Willard Bray | October 02, 2012 at 07:20 PM
Oh, I love how this turned out. Your quilting is stunning! I'm impressed! You go gal!
Posted by: carolld | October 02, 2012 at 07:44 PM
I really want to see it washed. This quilt makes me so happy that you just went right outside your box and totally let your super creative artsy side out... hope I see a few more 'non patterned quilts' from you=)
Posted by: Jackie | October 02, 2012 at 09:14 PM
Love it! You accomplished so much and work outside the home too.
Hugs,
Donna
Posted by: Donna | October 02, 2012 at 11:28 PM
I love it Mama Pea! I especially love how you did the corn rows. And the ombre sky. Very cool!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | October 03, 2012 at 08:57 AM
Wow! That is a beauty!
Posted by: Johanna | October 03, 2012 at 06:55 PM
This was absolutely one of my favorite blocks from the contest. You did a beautiful, beautiful job!!! And I'm sure Iowa misses you too! :)
Posted by: Cindy | October 03, 2012 at 10:18 PM
I like it. I think it's wonderful, and I really really like how you quilted your sun rays and sky.
Posted by: Shelly | October 04, 2012 at 07:55 AM
This turned out so beautifully! I love how much thought and hand work you put into it. Definitely a masterpiece to hang on the wall!
Posted by: terriaw | October 04, 2012 at 09:21 AM
I am amazed at all the quilting you have done on this piece. And, I like the arcs of the sun - it looks like it is pulsating. I love the corn rows with the hand-written message. Very well done, Mama Pea.
Posted by: Grace | October 06, 2012 at 07:17 AM
I liked this piece when you originally posted it....it looks great! I've never been to Iowa but love your husband's comment on the corn field stitching. :)
Posted by: Deb | October 15, 2012 at 10:15 PM