Monday, August 30, 2010

Grace is Back in the House . . . . .


A present for me!!


I picked up State of Grace from the quilter, Dawn, at The Sewing Basket, right before I left for vacation.

I could not be happier with this finished quilt.

I went back and read my posts from when I was making this top, back in March. As my daughter loves to say, "You're a doodle, Mama". I was a nut! Remember how I got all worked up about the fabric, the placement, the block size...to the extent that I even renamed this top "State of Chaos"!


Well it was worth every new wrinkle and every gray hair!.

The quilting is amazing.


It's hard to describe, but Dawn outlined all ends of the buzz saw blocks to make hst's and give the quilt an interesting motion that flows diagonally, from corner to corner. This formed two blocks set on point. In each block she quilted a whirly gig pattern spinning out of the pinwheel.


Here's a view from the back, I think you can see the detail a little better with this shot.

This is why I do not quilt my tops, even if I could have come up with this design, I know I would not have been able to execute it this perfectly. Isn't it amazing how a good quilter can really make the difference in the overall look and feel of the quilt?

This was the first quilt where I added a flange accent to the border. Remember how I called it a peeper, and couldn't figure out why there were no tutorials on the web for a "peeper border"! Well I still call it a peeper, and it makes me smile every time.

This is the quilting design in the border, from the front, I think it has the look of a bumble bee, flying from flower to flower.

I made the buzz saw blocks smaller, from 8 to 6 inches, so this quilt would fit right here.


Ah, perfect fit, and perfect timing. An ideal quilt to have out as the season transitions from late summer to early fall.

This is lifetime quilt number 56, it has 732 pieces and finished at 61" X 72".

22 comments:

  1. I'm glad you've fallen back into love with this quilt. It's gorgeous and you've hung it in a perfect spot!

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  2. Beautiful finish! Definitely kick back your feet and enjoy!

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  3. Thelma it is absolutely beyond belief GORGEOUS!!!

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  4. #57 was great as a flimsy but even more fabulous as a finished quilt. Lovely quilting! And perfect for that railing.

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  5. Gorgeous! The colors are wonderful and the quilting just fits it perfectly. What a treat getting to finish and being able to sit back and enjoy. congrats on a job well done.

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  6. That one was defiantly worth the aggravation! It looks wonderful Thelma

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  7. It is a beautiful quilt and the quilting is fabulous!

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  8. I think this quilt was worth every fit it gave you It's fantastic!

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  9. Well worth all the agony! Your math skills never cease to amaze me. The quilt is gorgeous.

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  10. Just beautiful! Both the piecing and the quilting. Your quilter does an amazing job and really has an eye for what design will really make the quilt.

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  11. Wow, it's beautiful, Thelma. I love it on the railing.

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  12. Gorgeous! You don't happen to have any extra of the outer border fabric that you'd want to sell would you? Is it Shangri La...looks like it...I need some for my jelly roll sampler quilt border and have been looking everywhere for the brown floral!

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  13. That really is gorgeous. I am going to have to look for your original posts so I can catch up!

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  14. Did you put your quilt in a LV box? You ARE a doodle, Mama.

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  15. Sometimes it's just worth battling through the minor irritations and doubts about a work in progess. This finished pieced is beautiful!

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  16. That quilt is worth all the problems you went through ...and yes the quilter did a marvelous job! It looks perfect where you have it hung...gorgeous:0)

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  17. Absolutely beautiful! I always thought that it was a great pattern. It looks stunning all done and quilted! All troubles behind it now!

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  18. It rocks Thelma and if you need someone to "WILL" it to...I volunteer! LOL Just kidding cause we're both gonna be around for a long time yet! Have to...gotta use up that stash! LOL

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  19. Oh my goodness - how did you stage that first picture? It's adorable. I'm glad you are so happy with the final result of this quilt. As well you should be - it's fabulous!

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  20. That is one amazing quilt! You really understand not only color, but value and scale too.
    It looks so perfect in your living room!

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