Hope everyone's Fourth of July was as beautiful as ours has been here. Sunny, just warm enough--the kind of day we dream about in February. My son and his fiancee were here for a cookout--brats, Chinese cabbage salad, corn on the cob, and carrot cake. Yum.
But enough emoting about summer. Ta da--check out my my braid quilt, all finished.
The process on this one was fun--some nice mindless piecing, and LOTS of it--but I'm very happy to show it completed. At last.
This quilt, in the form of two boxes of strips cut from the dregs of my scrap bins, attended several retreats and came along on many sewing evenings with friends. Block by block and row by row.... I love the concept of making something from nothing especially when the something turns out to look as happy as this project did. And is this frugal quilt-making behavior justification for further fabric purchases?
Why yes, yes it is.
This was begun with a photo on Bonnie Hunter's site as inspiration. While the quilt was underway, her book Adventures with Leaders and Enders was published, elaborating on the details. My Braid is organized just like hers was--darks and lights, with the pop of the red center squares. I thought her idea was perfection; no reason to meddle with that.
I dug deep into my scrap bin for this one and was absolutely indiscriminate in what I used--batiks and novelty fabrics are playing nicely with repros and modern prints here. It all works and results in a quilt that's fun to look at. At least it is for me. I used ant fabric that my daughter and I made hair scrunchies from back in the 80s, as well as the cartoon fabric I based my Serendipity quilt on....and some fabrics date back to my stint in the quilt shop in the mid-90s. Happy chaos.
The details:
Braid Quilt
Dimensions: approximately 96" X 105" (16 braids wide).
Fabrics: 100% cotton
Backed with: a length of 30s-ish fabric that would never work anywhere else...
Batting: Warm and natural
Quilted by: Marge West
Begun early 2010, completed June 2011.
16 comments:
Bravo, Kathie!!! It's fabulous!!! Well worth the wait! Woooohooo!!
WhoooHoo! Kathie - - - You never cease to amaze me! This is awesome. I wish that I were so determined and PERSISTENT! Great Job.
it's beautiful!
omg this quilt is just beautiful
I love that you put all different fabrics in the quilt!
I have wanted tomake this quilt ever since I saw an antique quilt like this years ago and then on Bonnies' site. What a treasure, thanks for sharing.
Did you use 2" cut strips?
kathie
It's turned out awesome, I love it when there's a great pattern that you can use all and any scraps with. Congratulations on your fabulous finish.
hooray! i think i remember when you started this. and i love super scrappy projects; they are made the way my great grandmother patchworked way back when.
congrats on a pretty quilt!
It's like impressionism... up close it is a jumble of different fabrics, back up a step and it all comes together beautifully. Very nice!
What a wonderful quilt!! I like how you placed the colors and the bright red just adds zing to your quilt.
Looks great! Can't wait to get mine quilted - it is next on the list :)
Wonderful quilt.
Congrats on an awesome finish.
It looks great!
Kathie - I'm catching up on my must reads and was delighted to see your braid quilt. After seeing it in progress, it is so happy. I know your satisfaction of making this from fabrics on hand. Also read about your small (?) knitting project. Can't wait to see it - colors are wonderful. I missed the sewing evening and am hopeful to be there next time.
sue
It's wonderful!
whee! I love a great mix of all sorts of fabric too - definitely more interesting to look at.
Love your quilt! I'm working on one now. Four braids completed, 14 to go!!
I keep forgetting about looking at blogs..I am enjoying your this morning with my coffee..I love love love this quilt!!
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