Wednesday 4 July 2012

The Quilt That Nearly Killed Me

it is done....oh no hang on, it isn't! It is back in the wash! I tell you this quilt is cursed! The sun came out about an hour ago so I decided to go out and take some snaps of it, I tripped over the corner of the quilt and got our lovely local red mud on it!



I took the photo's anyway. I hate this quilt, I cannot wait to start using it, I wont mind roughing it up after the hard time it has been giving me!

in the sunlight you can really see the difference in the white solids I used, the problem with taking a year to do something and not buying enough to start with! It seems ok indoors though.

I quilted using a tiny loopy fmq within the white birdie blocks, with a zig zag in the coloured borders and fmq swirls with a couple of little feathers in the white borders


This is my glamorous assistant Ted, he is not showing the scale of the quilt as he is unofficially the worlds largest cat. The quilt measures in at approximately 52"x67" 


Backed using a spotty flat sheet from Asda, spot the rucks and gathers!

Quilt Stats:

'The Quilt that Almost Killed Me'
Little Miss Shabby Birdie Stiches BOM
Blocks made in Santorini by Lila Tueller from Moda
1 layer Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 batting
FMQ and Machine ZigZag
Single fold binding hand sewn down to back

I fmq in the large white outer border ' Some day i'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me where laughter falls like lemon drops away above the chimney tops thats where you'll find me' using my Aurifil 12wt cotton sample from the Fat Quarter Retreat

I had just enough! 
Now I may cause a bit of controversy here but I wasn't impressed with the Auriful. It keep snapping every few stitches which was most infuriating. I changed my needle to the one recommended on the Aurifil website and went very slowly but it was little help. I persevered because I had started and didn't want to unpick what I had done, but it did take 2 sittings over 2 days to do the very small amount of fmq in the outer border because of constantly having to rethread. It may be my pfaff but I'd be interested to know others experience of this thread because I do love the look it gave. I must say that when I used the 40wt to hand sew the binding down I could see what the fuss was about because it was so smooth and didn't snag once, something I usually do a lot!

Finally I just wanted to show you a little area of my garden that made me smile today whilst I was out taking photo's. I love the ferns growing out of the walls and the fushia's up the stone steps to the hayloft, presents from my lovely mother in law.



And I love the way the raindrops pool on the leaves of this ladies mantle, they are like water gems, so glittery!


19 comments:

CeLynn said...

Love that center block with the sunflower and birdie! Sorry you had such a time with the quilt,but it has turned out beautifully anyway :) Considering the fact that you ended up with mud/dirt on it,I would say it has now been broken in!

Just glad you didn't injure yourself when tripping over the quilt!

Isisjem said...

Your quilt turned out a treat. I love the lettering you did round the outside. You're not the first person I've heard complain about Aurifil. I've not used mine too much for machine sewing but as the 50wt is nice and fine I thought it would be great for hand piecing. It broke all the while - completely shredded. I even wondered if I had a faulty spool. Gardenn looks fab too.

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

I was having visions of the sewing machine blowing up in a last ditch attempt to sabotage this quilt!

I haven't put the 12wt in my machine yet, so not much help, but I have never had problems with 50 or 40wt.

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

It turned out great despite the setbacks!

I have had problems with Aurifil before, too. I bought it from Sewing With Nancy and I was less than impressed--the top thread kept snapping off. I like regular old Gutermann.

Catherine said...

well done, it looks lovely. I fell out of love quite early on with my birdie blocks!

Canadian Abroad said...

I love how you say you hate the quilt and therefore will use it lots. Made me laugh. I have felt like that about quilts before but usually gave them away so I didn't have to look at them again. That being said - I think you did a brilliant job!

Sarah said...

I used that thread in my machine, but it was for long straight stitches and I put it on super slow so it stopped snapping. Love the lyrics round the border :-) I bet when you start using it and being as rough as you please with it you'll love it in no time at all!

suzan almond said...

Oooh - that red mud ! Did it come out ? Such a shame if it didn't after so much hard work - give it time and you'll love the quilt after all !

Celtic Thistle said...

Obviously your birdie quilt knows how you feel about it, which is why it tripped you up on the way to take the photo! Maybe cuddling it a lot is not the wisest idea, you never know what it might try next :)

Despite your feelings I think it is lovely!

mammafairy said...

Well, you may have hated it, but you did a lovely job anyway!

Love the way the droplets form on the alchemilla, I have it growing on the drive, but we are being 'cleaned' so I expect it will disappear!

memmens said...

Well done, thought you'd been a little quiet, that was keeping you busy! I've not tried my aurifil yet but I've heard some negative comments depending on machine...time for a new one or maybe NOT!

Cherie said...

The quilt looks great even if you hate it! I see you already roughed it up a bit with the 'accidental' tripping. =D

Sarah Lou said...

It might have nearly killed you - but it looks amazing!

AmandaA said...

I can't believe you hate it, as it looks really gorgeous to me. Maybe you've hurt its feelings and it has become depressed and suicidal, hence hurling itself to the ground. Try being nice to it....

Annabella said...

Once you are using it, you will absolutely love it. It`s a beauty!

Nicky said...

Really glad you both survived! Haven't tried 12 weight but 28 is what I use and it sometimes snaps but not so much it has put me off!

Great show of perseverance and hope it grows on you! At least you will not be too precious about it and it can be enjoyed by the family!

Katy Cameron said...

I could just imagine the machine piddling oil on it too in a last gasp attempt to kill it ;o) Well done for reaching the end though, and love the quilting, plus I'm definitely not sure I could be script writing something that long (not least because I'm dyslexic and would probably mis-spell something really critical o.O )

Shanna said...

It's just beautiful!!! and I am with you on the Aurifil...I had the same problem with machine or hand stitching.

Run Quilt Knit Write said...

I had the exact same problem with Aurifil too Emily. my machine utterly hates it and won't sew with it at all! The quilt is gorgeous, even if it did nearly kill you!!