Friday, January 23, 2015

Silent Snowmen Quilt (not quite) Finish!

This beauty is my BOM 2014 from quiltdoodledesigns. and you'll see other quilts on the blog hop over the next few days, when you visit her website.

My husband says I always think I can get more done than I really can. I thought I'd be done with this by now but life, is just so... daily!
The blocks are all done and if nothing else, trying to finish the quilting got the cutting table cleared off!
YEA!! (Wish it stayed like this)

This post is really picture heavy, but I was excited to get this far in the process and wanted to show you.



Why do a Block of the Month?     It was FUN!
This one was so cute. Doing a block or a row each month allowed me to make a really big quilt, one step at a time. I got to use scraps almost exclusively. It was fun to see Cindy's free design each month.

I am probably one of the last people to quilt their own bed quilts on their domestic machines. 
 Folks, I am a quilt maker. I like everything about making quilts.

 Because of my physical limitations, I must think ahead with big quilts, breaking the pieced sections into smaller units to quilt. The center unit ( shown above) is about 28.5 X 58.5. Since it's a winter quilt I decided to back it with flannel I already owned that was 64" wide.

I'm using Hobbs 80/20 batting, both pre-washed and dried.
 Look at this cute little house...
It's going to have more applique's lots of threadwork and texture. Right now it has the words, laughter, happiness and gratitude on it.
The window will have satin stitched wood sashing to look like a craftsman house. There will be a half moon window and peak in the roof. 

The tree appliques came from the vest someone gave me, that I cut up for fabric....
See?
I think using lots of scraps, with different values makes this quilt sparkle.
I was going to only quilt it with cotton thread til my need for shiny sparkly overcame me! It now has silver and gold metallic threads as well as shiny multi colored poly.
I got a chance to use my special Christmas cow fabric and lots of my snowy blues collection. 
 I mixed in purples too.

I chose two border fabrics out of my stash. I'm more than sure I could have found a new snowy fun fabric to use but wanted to finish the way I started, using what I already own.




I started quilting the top section, 18.5" by 58.5", cutting the backing and batt larger.
The quilting is done and it's ready to join invisibly to the center after it is quilted...

I used a silver metallic fabric for the blades and button hole stitched around them.
Check out the little cow! heehee I love a cow.

 Please! Click on the photos to enlarge them and see the cool little details. The light bulbs are quilted with gold metallic thread, I like YLI the best. The caps have silver YLI and button hole stitch.
I used a double needle, mutlti colored poly and cotton threads to create the cord connecting the lights. <==
Don't look too closely. I noticed after the row was done, that I set them wrong. Oh well, I wasn't about to rip it all apart as it didn't matter to the look.

(enlarge the pics, the details do show better)
I am used to lots more quilting on art quilts but a quilt meant for the bed needs to be soft. I hope this level of quilting will be enough.See the back??
    This is the bottom third, 28.5" X 58.5" and like the skate section, the quilting is already done.


Here's a close up of the Silent Snowmen, with their wee little button eyes. I mostly used my waking foot to do varied straight line quilting but have done some free motion in areas, including these guys.
I love the mix of white/cream fabrics and the snowy blues. I also love the little row of candy.

I have gone ahead and put the first border on the top and bottom pieces and quilted them in. The same inner border will go on the sides after they are quilted.

The cup handles have button hole stitch again, and the steam is done with silver metallic thread and the white fabric sparkles with it's own metallic paints. I cut out a heart out of freezer paper. I ironed it to the cup and quilted around it, pulling it off when done, and re using it for the other cups.

I got hurt quilting the first two sections so I had to stop for now. When the center is quilted, I'll add heart buttons and other appliques. I so wish I could have been done all at once to show you.

The borders will be quilted THEN joined to the center after THOSE sections are joined. It minimizes the heavy pushing and pulling. Years ago I took a class in how to quilt as you go 12 ways. It has proven to be one of the best classes I ever took.

This quilt will be about 80" X 90" when done. BIG! Not big enough to cover the king sized bed but enough to lay across the top. Cindy has designed another BOM for 2015, so check it out. She is generous and her instructions are clear. Thanks Cindy for the fun year!!

Are you new to my blog? 
I write about living the Creative Life. I like to laugh and try to entertain readers as well as inspire them.
I hope you had a good time, and check out the other categories on the side. Lots of fun here.
Feel free to sign up to receive notices of posts ( usually MUCH shorter) by e-mail.
LeeAnna


35 comments:

Dee D said...

I'm showing my quilt on Sun. so I enjoyed a little sneak peek at someone else's quilt. I am working on quilting mine and hope to finish the quilting on Sat. I hope you get to feeling better soon.

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

Love what you have done! It looks amazing! It is such a fun quilt

Joanne said...

It's beutiful LeeAnna!
I've seen dancing snowmen, little birds on branches, fun cows, trees and snowflakes! What a fun winter quilt! And it's so big and cuddly looking! Great quilting!
Take care,
Joanne

Joanne said...

It's beutiful LeeAnna!
I've seen dancing snowmen, little birds on branches, fun cows, trees and snowflakes! What a fun winter quilt! And it's so big and cuddly looking! Great quilting!
Take care,
Joanne

Sheri said...

Very nice with all your special touches and i especially love the way you stitched that double thread for the light cord! Your quilting looks very nice too.

Turid said...

Fantastic! I love to experience all the details in your quilt. It will take me many days and give me great inspiration. Thank you. Then again this long post will also raise my skills in English, and I'm getting better every day. Have a nice weekend!

Kathy S. said...

LOVE all of your little details! The little trees around the cabin are adorable. I LOVE the metallic thread on the light bulbs and the double needle stitching. Great job!!! LOVE it!!!

Quilt Doodle Designs said...

Love your added details. I like how you quilted the snowmen, adorable. Thank you for sharing today!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I love how you used the fussy cuts and mix of fabrics for your backgrounds - fun added element to the quilt.

Norma Schlager said...

What a great quilt, so happy and cheerful and I like the way you're quilting it. I also quilt my big quilts in sections, but with my new Sweet Sixteen I hope I can do big ones on that.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Wow that is turning out gorgeous. Love how you changed it up to make it your own Can't wait to see it finished, since you do such wonderful touches.

Joanna said...

Looks great. You used your fabric so creatively. Lovely quilting as well.

Mari said...

Your quilt turned out dazzling! I love all your artistic touches and the quilting is terrific. It turned out beautifully! Congratulations!

Scrappy quilter said...

Looks wonderful. I too use my machine to quilt my quilts. I use my darning foot and get creative. Love it. I really like the title of your blog. I will definitely be back to visit.

Angie in SoCal said...

What a darling quilt! I have a big one that will soon go under the domestic needle for quilting. I think it is just right quilting for a soft quilt especially with that 80/20 that is so forgiving of larger spaces. Your quilting ideas are great - very inspiring. I invite you to link to WIPs Be Gone - your progress will delight and encourage readers like you have done for me.

Nell's Quilts said...

Not only a quilt but a work of art. Great job and all on a domestic machine. What great fabrics. They make the quilt just sparkle even without all the fancy threads.

Muv said...

So much detail, LeeAnna! The cows are delightful. I love the way they keep popping in and out of the scene.
I'm a great QAYG fan. It's so satisfying when the whole quilt is eventually joined together. I'm looking forward to seeing yours in one big piece!
Thank you for linking up with Free Motion Mavericks!
Love, Muv

Marly said...

I admire the way you've made the BOM your own by adding quirky details to the piecing. The cows are a wonderful addition. I hope you are soon feeling better and up to continuing the quilting.
Incidentally you're not the only one left quilting bed quilts on a domestic machine; there's another one here, and I shall be doing QAYG as well!

carla said...

Hi!!!! Wow!!! That is some amazing work!!!! I always enjoy your blog posts!!!! I am going to have to check out the qayg methods!!!!! Thanks for the fun!!!!

Jennifer said...

looks great!

Anonymous said...

I loved seeing all the pictures of your quilt! It's gorgeous!

Laura said...

This is so pretty! A perfect wintry quilt!

Snowcatcher said...

I love each of the little elements on this quilt! How fun it must have been to work each little character, and with scraps, too... That's awesome!

Jill said...

Your quilt is adorable! So creative! The quilting on your snowmen is great! Can't wait to see it completed....very nice!

Jennifer said...

hi! thanks for stopping by! I probably got the tute for the D4P from Missouri star QC, yes. but it's been awhile, and I don't remember. my squares are 3", and I make the cut 1" from the center. it's a bit smaller than what I normally do, but it's a nice change, and I like the block.

Sheila said...

Oh my. Love your quilt!

Ann said...

LeAnna, You've included so many charming details in this quilt. How kind of you to show them to us in these photos. You'll enjoy this quilt for years!
I also quilt on a domestic machine. As you said, it's much harder since we switched from a queen to a king bed.

Debra said...

That is gorgeous. My mother-in-law makes amazing quilts, too. I wish I had the patience for sewing, but I so don't. Nice work!

Wonderbunnie Designs said...

This quilt is Gorgeous!! Absolutely love the evergreens with the snowmen dancing underneath. The details make this quilt extra special.

usagypsy said...

Wow, so much detail! Beautiful!

scraphappy said...

Beautiful progress! So many fun blocks.

Shannon said...

I love this! So fun. I'm also a fan of the YLI metallics. I like the glide metallics as well- you might try them if you never have.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Your quilt is beautiful LeaAnna and the perfect amount of quilting!

Dz Dog Mom said...

I'd love to learn how to quilt. I graduate this June and i'm going to my grandma's for a week to learn some beginner stuff. :-) She makes beautiful quilts like you. Love the snowmen!

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