Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Finally Finished: Life Is What You Make It

Sunday was a great day! I got so much sewing done. At my family quilt bee on Saturday (more on that when I get the pictures from my sister - I forgot my camera!), I didn't do a ton of sewing on my own projects as I was busy helping others or letting others use my machine. So on Sunday I wanted to make up some of that time. I finally finished my Life Is What You Make It quilt. And just in time for Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival, and I'll have something to contribute to Amylouwho's sew & tell this week too!








This quilt measures about 67 by 84 inches. I opted to use a wavy stitch in parallel lines about an inch and a half apart for the quilting. I really like how it turned out. I'm learning though that the "quilting" part of quilting is not my favorite because of how time-consuming and awkward it can be. I love the look of it and feel that the scrunchy look is what makes a quilt a quilt, so I guess I just need to keep practicing and hope that I improve my technique over time.


And here's the back.


I did the binding a little bit differently this time. I made it 2 1/4 inches wide instead of 2 1/2. I definitely liked the smaller binding, but it was a beast when I got to the corners. Two of them I had to stitch by hand because the bulk wouldn't fit under the foot. I also found it helpful to make the binding ahead of time - not at the beginning of the process, but after the quilting was done. In the past I've pieced the binding, pressed it, and added it to the quilt all in one night. But this time I made the binding the day before and then wound it up. Then, the next day, all I had to do was pull out the roll and get to work binding the quilt. I think I'll do it this way from now on.


I really love how this quilt turned out. I was starting to get sick of looking at this fabric for so long and on a few separate projects. But, now that this quilt is finished and put to use (first time snuggle on the couch with the mister last night while we watched the LOST series finale), I love it as much as I did when I first saw it. Thanks Missouri Quilt Co. for the quilt idea.


21 comments:

Denise said...

Brooke, you are AMAZING! The quilt is so darling, and I am impressed at how quickly you can work a quilt up.

Mary-Kay said...

I really like your quilt. It looks like it's woven. Very nice!

Unknown said...

Love the quilt. Great job!

Kristen said...

This is a great quilt. Doesn't it feel wonderful when you use it for the first time?
I thought the LOST finale was great until I saw the scene on the beach and was slightly confused. I think I figured it out. I love that series too. Now I have to find another one to watch.

Anne at Film and Thread said...

That is a beautiful quilt and your quilting looks wonderful even if you didn't enjoy the process. Love the pieced back, too!

Paulette said...

Your quilt turned out great! I love the happy colors and you did a fantastic job with the quilting of it. I hear you on the awkward, not enjoying as much as the other parts part. Same here, but we're bound to only get better, right?

Ivory Spring said...

Brooke,

I can't wait to see your Tweet Tweet quilt! :)

I want to thank you for visiting me and leaving the kind comment! :)

Your quilt is LOVELY - the colors are all so cheerful.

Miri said...

Terrific quilt! Love the colors, the pattern, and the quilting. I use wavy line parallel quilting alot -I think of it as my default pattern...btw, it looks great too as a wide crosshatch-very crinkly!

pinksuedeshoe said...

oh those colors are fantastic together. Not too sweet, not too manish, but just right. And those little stars on the binding are super cute.

Melanie@Crafty Cupboard said...

Cute! I love it. What pattern or cuts did you use? I really like simplicity in quilting, and this is perfect for me :)

Sarah Craig said...

Beautiful quilt, Brooke! And I don't know how you do your bindings, but I found the Better Bindings instructions that is in the back of one of the monthly quilting magazines to be really helpful and easy, particularly on the corners! Keep up the good work, it all gets easier and better with practice!!

Leslie said...

this is a really lovely quilt.

Day before Michelle said...

Wow..you've only been quilting for 6 months? It's gorgeous! Well done :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! i love all those colours together - well done♥

Dayna said...

I love it! It's gorgeous!

Kim D. said...

Beautiful!! Love the back as well.

Lappedamen said...

Thanks for a great idea to use up scraps. The quilt turned out really wonderful.

rebecs said...

love your quilt! love how you did the backing.

Eileen said...

lovely quilt--really love the fabrics. i never would have chosen that green--just not my color, but it looks great in the quilt. it has really amazed me how many quilts in colors i'd never choose have spoken to me in this festival. thanks for sharing

Jess said...

How much would you charge for it? I want this for my bed.

Anonymous said...

I really like the color scheme and the way you combined them... and the star binding is adorable!

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