I can finally share the project I've been working on most of December. This was a surprise for my sister for Christmas and since she's been known to lurk around this blog from time to time, I didn't want to tip my hand in any way. And it worked. She was totally surprised and, I think, happy.
The craziest part of finishing this quilt is that I actually quilted it myself. In case you haven't figured this out already, I feel like the quilting part is my weakness when it comes to finishing a quilt. Usually I take my quilts to the lovely ladies where I work and they do a beautiful job for a very lovely price. But this time I was determined to do it myself. (I've been practicing more lately on the Halloween quilt and the Robot quilt.)
Because I have never attempted anything bigger than a baby quilt on my own machine (and I HEARTILY salute all of you who work magic with you machines on giant quilts!) I took this one to quilt on the long-arm machine. I am scared of free-motion quilting (actually, I've done it, but I think my FMQ skills are so stinky) so I went with the straight line look. I was terrified of ruining the quilt and by the time I was finishing the machine and I were practically in a rumble, but by the time I bound the quilt and washed it, I was pretty dang pleased. In fact - I kind of love how the quilting looks in the solid brown on the back. I'm tempted to try it again. One day. When I can make peace with that machine again.
Stray Stitches
What a beautiful quilt. I like the front and back equally. I think the staight line quilting was perfect for this quilt!
AnneMarie
I, like you, am terrified of the actual quilting part. I feel like I will ruin all the beautiful piecing. This is my New Year's resolution...<br /><br />Love the colors of this quilt!
madebymum
lucky sister it is gorgeous.
Rhanda
Amy, this is absolutely beautiful. I have been wanting to do a quilt for our bedroom, but haven't really seen just the right colors. This, however, is PERFECT and is just what I have been searching for. I love the colors, the pattern and YOUR quilting. Gorgeous!
Judy Bagwell
I love this quilt. The colors are great. You did a fantastic job!
Melissa @ Happy Quilting
It is just stunning!!
Red Gingerbread
Beautiful Quilt & what a wonderful gift!!
autumnesf
Is there a pattern for this somewhere? I'd love to make one but am too much of a newbie to just figure it out!
Bonnie
This is absolutely stunning! I love the colours, and the pattern (and the pieced back is fabulous). Way to go!
AForestFrolic
It's amazing...what a lovely gift!!! And that backdrop, so beautiful ;)<br /><br />Jamie 🙂
Sheila
Beautiful quilt I am sure your sister was thrilled.
Jennifer
It's beautiful! I love how the squares "move". Your quilting is great!<br /><br />Jennifer 🙂
John'aLee
What a beautiful quilt!
Amy
Gorgeous quilt. what a lucky sister. I also love the mountain in the background..Thanks for sharing, and Happy New Year to you,Amy
Melanie
I truly appreciate your honesty in the post. As a new quilter I am completely intimidated by the quilting aspect of this craft and I'm glad to hear that it can rattle the nerves of such an accomplished quilter! <br />This is really stunning! Your sister is very lucky!
Diane
the quilt is beautiful as is your quilting. <br />You need to get over the quilting fears this year-your fine.<br />Merry Christmas and Happy healthy New year to you and yours!
Amanda Shih
That is one of the most beautiful quilts I have EVER seen! Stumbled onto your blog a few weeks ago and check in often! Absolutely gorgeous! Did you have a pattern?
MomBrose
That turned out beautiful!! I did the same thing to my mom. I promised her a quilt over a year ago so I finally bit the bullet and just made her one for Christmas as a surprise. It feels good to have it checked off the list too 😀
Kristine Hanson
what an awesome gift for your sister, you did a great job!
Jen
This is gorgeous! And the quilting is fantastic. I actually think straight line quilting is much harder that FMQ. Especially on a large quilt. I thought it would be easier until I did it and I couldn't believe how much more I wrestled with the quilt doing straight lines! You did a wonderful job and remember, the more you quilt, the easier it gets!
Connie204
The quilt is beautiful.
Quiet Quilter
I have decided to start piecing my backs with the leftovers from the quilt...It looks so cool!
Becky
Gorgeous! Great job quilting it yourself! And those mountains in the background? How pretty!
Our Busy Little Bunch
Beautiful! I'm just about to piece the top of a modern quilt for my sister too 🙂
Luv 2 Kreate
GORGEOUS!!! I just love the colors 🙂
tabbiegirl
Another fabulous quilt - the straight line quilting looks great!
Tara
I love it! The concentric rectangle quilting looks really cool on the back. I love the City Girl prints, too... just used some for a friend's quilt.
Aunt Spicy
of course I love it, it has glimpses of jp casey scroll! love!
Biz
That quilt is stunning! <br />I am starting a beginners quilting class mid-February so I can only hope to someday be as talented as you!!!<br />Biz<br />https://busybizblogs.blogspot.com/
em's scrapbag
You did a beautiful job. Love the pieced back and your quilting looks great! I'm sure your sister is thrilled.
Andy
I have a quilt made from that same line of fabric. It's always fun to see the same fabrics used in different ways, and I haven't seen City Girls stuff in awhile. I bet your sis loved the quilt - who wouldn't??
live a colorful life
Amy, this quilt is gorgeous! Very calm, soothing and kinda zen to me. Good job on the machine quilting. That is on my list for 2011. <br /><br />Happy New Year!
Kristen
It's beautiful and your quilting looks great. I'm sure your sister was over-joyed with it.
Mel
It is absolutely gorgeous!
Katy
Wow, that's really pretty! Nice job.
lifeinredshoes
Yet another winner! And what a thoughtful gift for your sister. I don't know about you, but when I am making something to give, I spend alot of time thinking about that person, good memories etc.<br />I think the back looks wonderful, and I'm just catching on the the pieced back, I mean how many fabrics are there THAT WIDE?<br />And snow and cold? I tell my husband, WHY DO YOU THINK
Blue Is Bleu
I love everything about this quilt! Just gorgeous! Good to hear you've gotten a replacement computer... I still have old files trapped in my old computer because I've been too lazy to retrieve them! Hehe!
Quilting Krazy
Oh how I love this quilt! The pattern and the colors. It looks very similar to one I did for my daughter. Which I also put on the back burner to complete quilts for others. I used the Squared Squares pattern. Did you use a pattern for this? Please share the pattern name if you did.<br />You did a wonderful job and I am sure your sister was very pleased!
angela
That's a fabulous long-awaited finish! I love all the squares - and the quilting you did is just perfect for it.
Sarah Craig
That is a spectacular quilt, Amy! And your quilting is lovely. But you can get over fear of FMQ - start by doing it on potholders or table runners - and relax, breath and have fun with it! The more you practice, the better you will get.
Heather
i lOVE, lOVE, lOVE this quilt and just stop it with your perfect mountain back drop already! dang girl... who can compete with those pictures!! LOL <br /><br />xo
Kristie
This one's a beauty. Great job, Amy!<br /><br />Also wanted to let you know that I received my ribbons in the mail today! They are lovely. Thanks again so much for the giveaway prize!
CJ
Beautiful quilt! I love that fabric line, in both of the colorways. Happy New Year!
ANudge
Great quilt! The straight line sewing is just right for it.
Lynn
This quilt is awesome! I love the colors and the pattern. Beautiful work!
Shasta
It is beautiful and of course your sister loved it! I too am afraid of each next step in my quilt - afraid I am going to ruin the already good quilt with whatever I do to it next. But usually I don't ruin it. Your quilting looks wonderful.
ScissorsandThread
Gorgeous - I love the colours and the back.
Sonja Poller
stunning quilt. I don't quilt (well, yet anyway) as I found that most quilts I saw were ugly in my opinion (the colors were just wrong) so I never wanted to quilt but this quilt is amazing, very inspiring, makes me want to quilt...thank you for the beautiful work.
Julie
This quilt is beautiful!
marciekoch
Please please please share where you got this pattern! I *heart* it! marciekoch@gmail.com Thank you!
Heidi
I would also love to know where you found the pattern. Love the quilt!!
Dresden Quilter
I love this quilt. I would say it is definitely worth the wait. Your quilting is fantastic!
Redheadharper
If you make a pattern, I will buy!
Michelle@Somedaycrafts
That is beautiful!
jen
Yes. It was well worth the wait, and I am very thankful for this beautiful quilt. I love seeing it as I walk into my living room. It is beautiful!Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! It is a treasure.
Staci
This is one fantastic quilt! Your sister must be just thrilled with it!
Kathleen
Amy, this quilt is beautiful. WOW. I have only hand stitched the few small quilts I've made and the thought of doing it on the machine scares me~ I might give it a try now that you've encouraged me. Thanks and keep up the beautiful work!
Tiffany
Absolutely GORGEOUS!!!<br /><br />Found you from Quiltstory : Fabric Tuesday.<br /><br />Now a follower, really like your tutorials, etc.<br /><br />:D
Shelley
Such a gorgeous quilt! Love how the quilting looks on the back.
Lee Ann
I'm loving the squares. The colors. Beautiful!
g
stunning.
Nichole
this is beautiful! great pattern and fabrics.
Valerie
gorgeous quilt!! I just found your blog... I don't remember who I clicked over from but I'm enjoying it here. 🙂 Excuse me as I go admire some more of your beautiful work.
Laura
Beautiful quilt! And I agree... The first thing I thought when I saw it was how awesome the quilting looked on the solid brown.
badlandsquilts
Looks wonderful! I'm with you on the no snow!
Quiltstory
Classically beautiful Amy! What an amazing gift!! I especially love the square on the top that kind of looks framed, so pretty!
pinksuedeshoe
Amazing, as always. Just gorgeous. But I'll have to disagree with you on the snow. I would be happy with snow from October to May!
Rene'
This quilt is totally fabulous!!!!! I love love love those fabrics and you did an amazing job on your quilting!!! I share your feelings on the subject, by the way 😉 I am sure your sister loves her quilt and is happy that you quilted it yourself.
Haylee
I wish I was your sister. LOL. Your quilt is beautiful!
Evelyn
Hi Amy! I'd like to use this quilt as my inspiration for my month in the "Inspire" circle of the do. Good Stitches bee on Flickr (for a Project Linus quilt). I just wanted to get your permission to use it, and to link to your photos on Flickr. Is that okay with you? <br /><br />Thanks,<br />Evelyn