Monday 30 December 2013

Shades of Blue – A finished Quilt

 For Christmas, I got a Quick Curve Ruler. Apparently my extremely subtle hints (i.e. sending links to where it could be purchased from) paid off. So on Boxing Day – I sent the kids to play with their new toys so I could play with mine. It was a win-win situation. Plus I needed to get a quilt made for my Dad’s 70th. A frenzied few days of sewing ensued.

With this result – Shades of Blue:

Shades of Blue

The pattern is Metro Medallion from Sew Kind of Wonderful (the designer of the Quick Curve Ruler). Yep – believe it or not, that is all curved piecing. Oh and not a single pin was harmed nor used in the making of those curves.

Pretty blocks

I have rarely attempted curves. And when I have, usually they resemble odd little hedgehogs during the sewing process – absolutely bristling with pins. But with the magic QCR – I didn’t need them. Yeah I can barely believe it either!

Shades of Blue quilt

No prints were used in the making of this quilt. It is solids only. All Kona blues and a little bit of jade thrown in for good measure. I was fortunate enough to find a nice grey homespun at the local sewing shop to outline the blocks – and enough leftover to bind it with. Love.

Quilting

I even got a bit more adventurous with my quilting! It’s still all straight line quilting – but definitely way more quilting than I would normally add to a quilt. I’m slowly quilting my way out of my comfort zone.

Quilting on the back

I looked through the Metro Medallion group on Flickr (there was a QAL earlier in the year) for inspiration on the quilting. While I’m nowhere near the level of awesome quilting displayed there, it did help me work out what I wanted to do for my quilt.

Shades of Blue back

A pieced fleece backing completes it! Promise I’ll get back to real quilting (i.e. 3 layers) soon but this quilt is for a nice lightweight lap quilt for the lounge so I didn’t want it to be too heavy so 2 layers it is.

Shades of Blue with backing

I started this on Thursday and finished the binding on it this morning (Monday). So when I say a frenzied few days of sewing, I mean it. And still, I have finished it with a couple of days to spare. Believe it or not but I did know my Dad’s 70th was approaching. I just wasn’t sure he’d want a quilt (he prefers lightweight blankets) but when I mentioned it to Mum, she said he definitely would.

 So… Frenzied sewing indeed – and of course it totally makes sense to tackle curves for a quilt when you have limited time. Why would you do anything else?!

Blurred but pretty

I packed the kids up this morning for a quilt shoot. I may or may not have bribed them with a promise of a trip to the new trampoline place next week. My 6 year old did a rather decent job of taking photos, I think! The above may be blurry but it’s still pretty.

What quilt

Okay so he –mostly- did a good job of photos. This one made me laugh.
Quilt? What quilt?


We live in a beautiful part of the world (east coast of Australia). We went up to one of my favourite spots and I was rather happy to find it deserted so I didn’t have to crop people out of my pictures. Or get stared at for being the crazy quilt lady.

Quilty helpers

These munchkins were very helpful, and just a little bit cute. They didn't even whinge about me putting a quilt on them in near 30C weather. Guess this is life in a quilter's family.

And so, my friends, if you have made it this far, through all the photos, I applaud you. I am ridiculously pleased with how this quilt turned out and found it far too difficult to limit myself on photos. Forgive me ;)

Shades of Blue by the river

46 comments:

  1. Your quilt is beautiful! And you do live in a beautiful spot of the world.

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  2. Your youngster takes better pictures than I do. The scenery reminds me of so many beautiful spots we saw when we traveled to Australia 6 years ago. The quilt is beautiful, I am sure your Dad will love it.

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  3. You most definitely should be ridiculously pleased! It's gorgeous! And i still can't get over how quickly you put this together, and finished it!! Congrats on a fantastic finish Kristy, it's beautiful! (and the shot of your littles wrapped in it, is so stinking cute!)

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  4. What a great job you did with this quilt!!!!

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  5. You did it!! well done:) I adore the quilt and the photos, and the kiddos are fabulous :)

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  6. OH WOW!! I love it!!! I'll even forgive the use of solids since you sewed it too fast to get bored with them. :) I'm going to check out that ruler.

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  7. Oh definitely worth all the photos! And the quilting sets off the pattern beautifully.

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  8. I love this quilt Kristy! Brilliant!

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  9. Loved every bit of your post! The story...the pictures...the cute kiddos...and the amazing quilt and view! So glad your not to afraid of curves anymore. My first curves were when I came up with the QCR. I new there had to be an easier way and I'm just tickled that others like you are sewing curves too!

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  10. This is so gorgeous Kristy! And that picture of your little ones is adorable :) I have got to get my hands on that ruler!

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  11. A beautiful finish Kristy! Good job, I hope that he has many a sweet dream and remembers a lifetime of wonderful under it each day.

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  12. oh wow - it is stunning, as is where you live. Nothing compares to prisitine Aussie beaches :-)

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  13. Gorgeous! Quilt, favorite spot and little helpers!

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  14. Your dad is going to love this. Lovely photos!

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  15. Wow I am seriously impressed on all levels. Your speedy finish, the beautiful quilt for your dad---curves, no less and no pins---AMAZING-- and the gorgeous day and location....If you can't tell I'm on the other side of the world drooling!!!

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  16. It is so beautiful and such a wonderful gift for your father! I love all the pretty shades of blue and you picked the perfect spot for photos! Your piecing and quilting looks fantastic. The QCR really is magic. It's amazing how much it improves the process of sewing curves!

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  17. Great quilt! You are making good progress on quilting as well. Well done! Love the pics :-)

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  18. Love the quilt, love the photos :)

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  19. Brilliant job, lucky Dad, tempted to try that ruler too, I have sewn curves before but with lots of pins!

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  20. Beautiful quilt, quilting, and photos!!!! Just a fab job all the way around!!! Now you will need to make another for you. Unbelievable how quickly you put this together!!!!

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  21. Wonderful quilt Kristy, haven't come across that ruler before but I think that I need to check it out! Great photos too, your kiddos definitely deserve their trip to the trampoline place :)

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  22. Wow! It is fantastic Kristy! I'm sure your dad will love it!

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  23. Lovely quilt and in all solids makes a big impact. Great photo shoot!!

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  24. Lovely quilt (and lovely quilt models too!).

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  25. Beautiful! I can't believe how quickly you got this finished! I need to take some pages out of your book for the next few days!

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  26. It's perfect, I love it! I love your views too - whoa. I knew it was boring here, but now I feel bad about it! :)

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  27. Lovely quilt and a nice gift! I'll have to get out my ruler in 2014 and give it a go.
    Barb@Witsend

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  28. It's beautiful. Go you! And kudos to your family... I'm not sure if mine would put up with 5 days of frenzied sewing (read - neglecting all other duties, at least in my case).
    Your dad will love it.

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  29. beautiful quilt. the more I see made with the QCR the more I am thinking about buying one.

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  30. Wow, such quick work. I'm sure your Dad will love it.
    I made my parents a cushion for Christmas using you Flowers in a Row pattern, they loved it.

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  31. gorgeous, I love the photo of the Quilt and Kids.. its really sweet.......... yes you live in a gorgeous place. and The Quilts is great and love the blog post, it was helpful for me.

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  32. What a gorgeous quilt you have created for your Dad! And he will adore using it!
    I love your pictures... and my heart tugged at the one with your kidlets wrapped up in it! (Pony tail sticking out over.... so sweet!)
    Your quilting touches are JUST right! Adding and not taking away from this strong design!
    LOVE IT, and so will your Dad!!
    Susie

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  33. Beautiful quilt! I quite like the 'quilt, what quilt?' picture. Exactly the sort I would have taken as a kid. I love the ocean, so any ocean picture is a hit with me. Can't imagine 30C weather right not...we're expecting 5-10cm of snow today.

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  34. Love this. I made the Metro Medallion with the QAL but don't have it quilted yet. I can't believe either how easy the curves were. I think yours turned out lovely.

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  35. Let me add to the Beautiful Quilt comments; it's beautiful! I know what you mean about being the crazy quilt lady when out taking photos. I always feel that way, too, but putting the quilt in front of that perfect backdrop means getting out of the sewing room and into the world. Your photos came out great and show it off perfectly. Great job and happy 70th to your father!

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  36. I love the quilt but love the glimpses of the ocean just a smidge better at the moment hahaah Its been a balmy 43+ last few days, but Im off to the check the ruler, you sure no pins, that gave me a wow moment :)

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  37. Wow I can't believe you did that in the time that you did! It looks awesome and the quilting looks great!

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  38. Your Dad will spend many a warm hour under the love of your quilt! Beautiful.

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  39. Absolutely beautiful! I can't imagine your father being anything but pleased.

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  40. that's fab, and the kids did a great job! I am a two layer quilter too: I love the feel of the fleece on the back!

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  41. LOVE it! You know, I am still yet to make a quilt entirely with solids. Seeing you photos makes me want to make one of these. Your quilting is superb!

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