Thursday, October 04, 2007

Mini quilt

I'm battling a slight cold but all in all staying on top of things. Between naps and aspirin I've done some sewing (of course) and I finished a mini-quilt last night.

Remember last week someone gave me a bolt of light green fabric? I decided to use it and make a mini-quilt to give the person as a thank you gift. This served three purposes. I could see how the fabric works up, I could get an idea of how a word quilt gets put together for my own quilt in Tonya's class, and I could make a surprise gift for the fabric giver.

The fabric is lovely and the light green is a very nice change from beige. I'm sure I'll find lots of uses for it.

As a trial run for Tonya's wonky quilt, I think I learned a few things. One, the letters are legible when put together but there is a lot of background fabric that really wants something else in it. With this mini I probably should have put some cute blocks or something in as a focal point. I debated making trumpets or drums or something for this quilt but since I was hurrying to get it done and it was sort of an experiment I put aside the perfectionism and finished it as is. My Wonky quilt is going to need something to make it more interesting. Object blocks or wonky crumb blocks or strings or something...

Once put together the dilemma of how to quilt it. Since this was a rush job, there was no way I was going to hand quilt it so I did peacock feathers by machine. Hmm. I don't think I have a great understanding of machine quilting yet. My feathers are so cramped and rather than being an overall design, they tend to be filler quilting spread over the quilt. I probably should have given them more breathing space but I'm not sure how to do that yet. And this sure used up a lot of thread! I'm pretty sure I don't want peacock feathers for the Wonky quilt and if it is quilted by machine I'd like to do hearts but I haven't tried those. (I know, I should have tried with the mini.)

So there's my evaluation of this quilt. Since the recipient doesn't expect anything I'm sure when I give it to her tomorrow she'll be thrilled.

15 comments:

Shelina said...

This is so nice - and so quick! You should get sick more often! Seriously, I hope you avoid a full cold, and hope you recover quickly from all your ailments.

andsewitis Holly said...

I think your machine quilting is incredible. I can't machine quilt worth beans. Cute quilt. Blessed recipient. Hope you kick the cold soon.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

Awesome. You did well, very well; the recipient will be overjoyed! It's truly wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Your machine quilting is lovely! Nice quilt!

Kathy B
Yolo, CA
USA

CONNIE W said...

I like the quilting design, it looks really nice. You have very good control. Machine quiling on a DSM seems difficult to me but you make it look easy.

Lazy Gal Tonya said...

I like the simplicity of the design and how it glows. I don't think it needs extra blocks at all. And the quilting is beautiful and fills up the space wonderfully. As always, you don't give yourself enough credit.

Clare said...

It is so simple it is gorgeous. YOur quilting is amazing.

Hedgehog said...

It's gorgeous! Your quilting is great, too. I agree that throwing in a few other blocks is a good idea, but it's all a learning process, right! Can't wait to get back to my fish on the weekend!

anne bebbington said...

Tanya - you're being way too hard on yourself - it's terrific. The machine quilting is absolutely fine and I love that background fabric, you're right it's a really good alternative to beige as a neutral, you'd never have thought you could say that about green would you. What a lovely surprise for your friend

Nancy said...

I'm not in T's class, but I think she should give you an "A" for this one!

Laurie Ann said...

I like it! I don't think it needs anything else but the words. I think anything else might distract from the message and make it too busy.

Laurie Ann said...

I like it! I don't think it needs anything else but the words. I think anything else might distract from the message and make it too busy.

Patti said...

Looks great to me!

Diane said...

We quilters spend too much time with our noses just inches away from our work. But stand back and get a better perspective. Your work is beautiful and the quilting is expertly done.

atet said...

Tanya, it's lovely and I'm sure the recipient loved it! That quilting is better than anything I've ever done -- and it suits the quilt. As with anything -- you learned what you like and what you don't -- but it is lovely!