It's finished. FINALLY! And I don't think I'm going to do it justice in this post. I learned SOOOOOOO much doing this quilt.
The biggest thing I learned was not really about quilting so much but about myself. And I've known this somewhat already but it was totally reinforced. I AM NOT A RISK TAKER! If I haven't done something before I procrastinate doing ANYthing because I don't want to mess it up. That's part of the reason this quilt has been TWO years in the making. Really, if you added up the amount of time I spent on it, it's probably only about a really full week, not doing anything else. If you count all the time I spent hemming and hawing over it and thinking about it, it's totally a 2 year quilt!
Some things I did for the first time on this quilt:
- Put together blocks that other people sewed. There was some trimming and fixing to make them all the same size.
- Mitered corners for the window pane effect (that I'm not even really sure works).
- Free-motion quilting on my machine. This is the first quilt I've ever done the whole thing on my machine. (With the exception of a few block's I did at Kim's - who by the way, now has a BLOG!!!)
a little stippling,
a lot of loop-de-loops, (which I think hides more mistakes)
and I even tried my own pattern of leaves, trying to convey the birds in a tree idea. But this design was trickier and I only did a couple like that.
There are a few things that I would do differently if I had it to do over.
- I used a varigated green Gutterman thread. I love the thread, and I think it looks great on the back, but because of all the white in the blocks, some of the dark green REALLY shows my mistakes.
- I would scrap the shadow paned idea, since I don't think it really worked.
Sometime last summer I took a poll on how I should bind it. I took many of your suggestions and went with the Amy Butler Full Moon Dots in Cherry. And I LOVE it! And I really have learned to love hand-stitching down a binding. And Burt's Bees Shea Hand Repair cream works just as well as beeswax or thread heaven to condition your thread. In case you don't have the other two in the car with you but have some lotion in your purse!
My new goal: start and finish a couple quilts in a few months instead of a few years. But, oh yeah, I have another top I made 2 summers ago. I'm going to get on that.
What are you going to share with us today?
PLEASE READ THIS POST IF YOU ARE NEW TO LINKING UP! :)
NEW RULES FOR LINKING UP! Please read carefully. The delete monster will be eating non-compliant links.
1. Please write the post for sew & tell - or add a blurb mentioning sew & tell to a post written since the last sew & tell. If you are linking to a post with your own tutorial, please make sure it was a finish from this week and that the completed project is shown first.
2. One linky per person. (please put multiple projects in one post.)
3. Link to your specific post. (See here for permalink instructions - or email me.)
4. Link back here with a link or a button.
5. Be sure to visit and leave comments on other's posts!
31 crafty mcCrafters commented:
That is a totally cool one-of-a-kind quilt. The birds are so cute. Yay for sticking with it and finishing!!! Thanks for hosting Sew and Tell.
I love the birds, so cute!
Very cute! I linked up but for some reason I can access it!
LOVE the bird quilt! Personally I really like the look of the window panes, it adds some depth like you're really looking out the windows.
It's BEAUTIFUL! Great job, Amy! And thanks for sharing all you learned while working on it. :)
This quilt is amazing! I think you did a fantabulous job on it.
Oh, it's just beautiful! What a gorgeous quilt! And the story behind it is even better. Inspiring!
I linked up, and it says that there are 5 other sew and tellers so far... but I can't see their links or find their projects. So.... there you go.
In other better news, your quilt looks wonderful. I love how it turned out! And that backing is pretty fantastic too. Love it!
Adorable! Perfect binding!
Machine quilting your first quilt is a great milestone-it only gets easier and there's always more to try out.
I linked up but I can't access the other links :(
amy, it is gorgeous. your ocd skills definitely paid off.
why can't i see everyone's linky projects?
That's a great project! Good job...
Your quilt is beautiful! I'm like you, I hate taking risks due to the fear of ruining things!
Love the quilt!
It is really amazing. I love the birds. I love the colors. I love the free hand quilting. I love the funky blocks. You amaze me.
Amy! I am so proud of you! It looks amazing. Totally worth the 2 year wait! xoxo
Yay Amy, this turned out SO great! I love your binding choice, I love all the white, and your blocks are fantastic. Enjoy your new FINISHED quilt!!!
Beautiful quilts!
I am dying over the ikea fabric! dying! the whole quilt looks amazing!
and, yahoo! I just linked up for sew and tell friday!
Your quilt looks great - good for you for sticking with it! (I linked up, but the links are showing so I can't visit anyone, alas.)
PS- Creamie is in my lap while I am looking at your blog. And as soon as she saw your header she yelled out "It's CindyLou! And she has a Christmas Tree!" She fell and split her lip on the sidewalk 45 minutes ago and hasn't spoken a word since. Just stayed cuddled into my shoulder. So glad your blog broke her silence!
I love that quilt! Birds and modern quilting go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Yay! I was so excited to see the finished quilt! I think all the blocks look really really amazing together. I love the free motion, too, I maybe will try it one day? (scared) How did the pictures turn out today?
love it ! If it needs a ROOST it can come here!
It is really so beautiful!!!!!!! Pictures do not do it justice. It is an amazing quilt. I know you are thrilled to have it completed Amy! Great job!!!!!
It's just little ole' me #25.... but since I feel like I lived the bird quilt with you, I had to comment.
IT IS SO AMAZING! What a treasure. congrats.
Beautiful quilt!!! I adore both sides, and find the backing very eye-catching. :)
Its a gorgeous quilt Amy. Love your little splashes of colour on each block.Perfect.
I love this quilt! Those birds and that binding choice is amazing looking!
LOVE IT...LOVE IT....LOVE IT. I love it in person and on your blog! You are amazing!
Love, Love, Love that fabric... and quilt is fabulous too!
Love, Love, Love that fabric... and quilt is fabulous too!
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