I had intended this quilt to my first finish of the year, but I got hung up. Honestly I really really disliked it for awhile. But that was when there were only about 2 rows up on the design wall and it just looked...weird. I don't know how to describe it. I wondered, are the squares too big? But I was too far into piecing it to really break them up. (My simple patchwork quilt method involves making 4-patches then sewing them into rows, then joining the rows. Kind of hard to change your mind when you've got most of your quilt already in rows!)
Once the top was pieced I was once again stuck on how to finish it. On one hand I really wanted to try quilting an orange peel with my walking foot (another version can be found here). But in the end I went with simple quilting, because I wanted it to be a simple quilt, plus I was a little lazy and didn't want to make a template and mark the whole thing (and how to you mark something with every color and shade under the sun?). Plus I've always wanted to quilt a simple patchwork quilt this way, so now I can mark that off my list.
I participated in a Liberty of London Bricks (aka 5" x 10" rectangle) swap last year. I've been drooling over Liberty since I discovered it, but it is soooooo $$$$ I didn't know how I'd ever manage to make a quilt out of it. The Brick Swap gave me the best opportunity, so I signed up for 2 slots which would results in Four 5" squares of each print. I ended up leaving out the brown/taupe colorway because it just didn't seem to fit.
I don't know if you've ever felt Liberty fabrics, but when I got mine I was a little surprised. They are pretty thin. On the lighter prints I could totally see my ironing board cover through them. Definitely not what I expected for the price. Because of this, I decided I wanted to use a flannel for the back, give the quilt a little more weight and coziness.
I was so happy to see this lovely shade of Sketch Flannel at my LQS (not known for having the trendy stuff - seriously they had no idea what Vintage Modern was *gasp* - and when I took the quilt top in with me I had to give them a major lesson in what Liberty of London was.) It's quite vibrant, but that shade is in a few of the prints and I really love how it brings the whole quilt to life!
The quilt measures 57" x 61" perfect for cuddling. I used Warm & White batting, and for once line dried the quilt after washing.
This was my January goal for the Lovely Year of Finishes. So happy I got it done!
your quilt is beautiful! I was very lucky to visit Liberty of London last summer when we were there on vacation. I only came away with a few pieces because of the price. The thinner ones are Liberty Lawn fabrics. Thinner than quilting cottons for sure! but oh so pretty
ReplyDeleteThat would be a fun place to visit! I'll have to add it to my "If I ever make it to London" list. =)
DeleteI had no idea about Liberty Lawn, do they have a quilting cotton weight?
There is a shop in London selling "last season's lines" of Liberty fabrics at 'only' £10-12 per meter rather than £20+. Still gets a bit expensive, as one (armm... not me then...) buy twice as much as....
DeleteThat's gorgeous! I love all the fun colors and patterns. :)
ReplyDeleteI am just a little excited by Sketch in flannel!! It's on my list of future quilt backings too. And one day I'll buy some Liberty (available locally here!) and make me a scarf. The most expensive scarf I'll have ever had yet, but pretty nonetheless ;)
ReplyDeleteThat quilt is beautiful, and I love the simple quilting you did! The colors are so fun.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Congrats on finishing it!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing your quilt. It has a very English feel about it, I could see it being used in Downton Abbey:-) And I love that pink back, good choice!
ReplyDeleteI am a hugh fan of Liberty and love the colours in your quilt. I am working on a symphony in blue at the moment and completed a quilt recently for my bedroon in Liberty. I would love to share some photos with you
ReplyDeleteHa - seems you got tana lawn (often considered some of the finest apparel cotton in the world - people sewing *clothing* happily pay a premium for the tightly-woven thin fabric with lovely drape!) instead of their new, thick, (relatively) cheap quilting cottons. The thinness is the cause of the high price, not despite it :) (And I have a bag of small scraps of it from Purl Soho that I keep wavering on using for a dress for the baby... they're really only useful for small-person clothing, being rather small pieces, but she'll grow out of anything soon...)
ReplyDeleteHowever, the patterns are the same regardless of the type of fabric you used, and it does make for a lovely-looking (and probably also -feeling) quilt.
This is beautiful!
ReplyDelete