I made this quilt as a wedding present for a very dear friend and her husband. It was started many months ago just after they ran away to Italy to get married in a fabulously romantic rush. (A proper elopement.)
I had already decided that red would be the main colour, when she and I went for a shopping spree in Amitie one summer day. She oohed and ahhed as I oh-so-casually unrolled bolts of red fabrics across the table. 'Ohh, this one's nice! What do you think of this one?' Apparently, she didn't suspect a thing: I'd already bought half of the fabrics and had them in my bag. Little did she know that we were choosing the other accents to go with the red and large print floral. Should it be dark blue? Grey? Or even sage green?
I settled on a scheme of red and white with little bits of pale blue. Sky blue, a lovely colour.And then the sashing: I'd been thinking very dark grey, or that sage green, even maybe a linen or linen blend, but the black with a subtle pattern, well, that just sang.
So, lots of hand quilting in sweet silver perle thread, a backing of black and white check, and a white bird appliqued on the back as a label. Red, red binding. A red, black and white quilt to go with their modern apartment and their big red and black Italian poster. Yay!
I was sewing the last stitches on the bird label today when she arrived. Oops! After the presentation, I had to take it back and set the last few stitches. But that's quilting to deadline!
Faithful to the end. >Toby thinks: Perhaps jumping on the sofa right now would be a BAD idea. Can I have a biscuit instead?<
Whew. Now I can concentrate on trying to get ready to travel halfway around the world. Only 6 more sleeps!
B
17 comments:
Oh Bev, you are so talented ... not only at the sewing and quilting, but the way you match fabric. Its just stunning ... the most wonderful gift. Your friends are very lucky!
Just beautiful in every way Bev! Your friend must be thrilled.
It is just so beautiful. I love the combination of fabrics together and the red binding is perfect!
Wow, its gorgeous. What a great friend you are.
The quilt is amazing. The fabrics are gorgeous, so well matched. What a beautiful gift.
It's glorious! Makes me want to sing. Alleliua tra-la-la!
What a beautiful but sneaky present...your friend will be delighted Bev.
Ooooh, very pretty! Gorgeous use of colour.
quilt: beautiful
dog: adorable
me: wishing i was seeing you while you are in this hemisphere!!
Glad you got it finished Bev! And it is just gorgeous. Enjoy you holiday.
(And lovely to meet you last week....finally!)
BTW is this a pattern or your original design?
Hi Bellgirl -- not a pattern, just an idea I picked up from Karen in the 'other' sewing group....
The squares are chosen and cut at 9.5 x 9.5 inches, the rectangles randomly cut at 9.5 x 5 inches, and the rest filled in with little squares at 5 x 5 inches. Give it a go! The trick is to choose the big ones first as large scale prints or almost plains, then just cut at random from the rest, smaller scale prints, until you're about 3/4 finished cutting enough. Then lay it all out and decide what you need for the last few pieces. FUN!
Looks absolutely gorgeous Bev.
Have a wonderful trip north.
What a magnificent quilt - I love it! And a beautiful gift. Have a great trip away - very exciting! I'm overdue for one I think
Oh Bev - this quilt is gorgeous! Can I please hire you to be my quilting tutor? It's just the kind of thing I like. Even though Serena started me off on my first quilt earlier this year, I haven't managed to finish it yet....
:-/
x J
It is gorgeous, how inspiring. I love the colours, everything, what a huge gift. I hope the new owners love it. It's incredible.
Hi Again Bev, I've been looking for a design for some shot cotton I've got, and I remembered this beautiful quilt- I think I'll give it a shot! Thanks for the instructions, quilt guru!
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