Tuesday, December 30, 2014

And - ta da! (and some kitten photos too)

And

I'm so happy to show you a finished quilt today. I named her And. And - for what comes next, what is added on, plus.

She is about 60" square -  that was the measurement before I washed and dried her, and all but two of the photos here are after washing.


I made this quilt with the left over pieces - after I made another quilt top that is not yet finished into a quilt - of the fat quarter blogger's bundle that I curated at Fabric Spark. So I'm calling this a scrappy project for Scraptastic Tuesday, too. I'm not sure if Nicky has anything scrappy to share over the holidays, but do check her out.

In fact, it was the lack of large chunks of left over fabric that led me to the idea of leaving the centre of some of the giant pluses blank, also led to the less cluttered layout. I am now convinced that there is room for another giant plus pattern out there, with this layout, so watch for it here soon. In fact, I am hoping to use some of my time this week to write up a couple of patterns.

And - detail

I love how the lighter grey and low volume fabrics work in this quilt, a very subtle colour scheme which I just love.

And - detail

As this quilt is for a friend, I used my most favourite quilting - well except for matchstick quilting - straightish lines randomly spaced in different colours of thread. I used Aurifil 50 wt 100% cotton thread in yellows and aquas.

And - detail

The different thread colours add yet another subtle point of interest to the quilt, changing the warmth of the fabric colours, especially on the background Kona Snow. Although I used my long arm to quilt it, this quilting and effect are easily achieved on a home machine using a walking foot.

And - detail

Every time I set out to quilt these lines, I feel like I am somehow taking the easy way out, yet when the quilt is done, I just love it. That photo above was taken in darker lighting so you can see the crinkle from both the quilting and the washing even more.

I used one layer of a 100% cotton Quilter's Dream batting for this quilt. I have batting on the brain as I have run out, ordered a new roll, and am waiting, a bit impatiently, for it to arrive - very poor planning on my part, that.

And - back

For her back, I picked several of my favourite prints and pieced width of fabric chunks. I have grown more and more fond of these large pieces of special fabrics on the backs of my quilts. They come together relatively fast, are specially chosen for the quilt, and give interest without competing with the front too much.

And - before washing

Here is a photo of And before I washed her. You can see the difference that the wash and drying makes to the crinkle. What you cannot see is that the drape also changes dramatically. With this many quilting lines, the quilt becomes fairly stiff but the wash just removes the stiffness completely. Also you will see that this quilt truly has no real top side, all orientations look good.

Butch - Christmas 2014

It's also time for me to show off the kittens again. They are now about 5 - 5.5 months old, their date of birth is a bit of a guess. That one above is Butch. He has the mittens and is noticeably larger than his brother.

Sundance - Christmas 2014

Here is Sundance. He was the runt of the litter and has just started to look more like a teenage kitten than a baby.

Butch and Sundance

They are curious and are becoming quilting cats.

Butch and Sundance

They do photo bomb too (that is another before washing corner of And). It is very hard to get nice photos of these two when they are awake as they are on the move all the time.

Butch and Sundance - Christmas 2014

This is how they often look. I was not thrilled to see them on the dining room table but who can resist this cuteness. By the way, that quilt drying on the chairs was made by my spouse's grandmother for his mom. I need to show it off properly here one day soon.

Well, tomorrow I plan to post my 2014 round up and get my Q4 FAL finishes organized too. I hope you are enjoying the holidays, I sure am.

Best,

Leanne

38 comments:

Lisa C said...

I agree - I really enjoy all aspects of this design of quilting. Great job. Happy new year!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

This is a Tah-dah for sure. I love the colors the layout and the quilting.

Lucy | Charm About You said...

It's beautiful! Lovely colour scheme and amazing quilting, I must try using different colours because I love that subtle effect. The kittens are adorable!

Svetlana said...

What a gorgeous, gorgeous quilt. I so love everything about it, that layout is just perfect!!! And your kittens, beyond adorable, of course.

Unknown said...

I love this!!! The colors are amazing!

Terri Ann @ ChildlikeFascination.com said...

I love your straightish line quilting, it reads so well in both the far away photo and the closeups. I'm envious of your long arm and your kittens. I don't like cats but I love kittens and they seem so helpfully un-helpful in your studio!

Catherine said...

Absolutely gorgeous quilt, and such cute kittens!

Katherine said...

And is a beauty, Leanne. Love the colour palette and the wonderful use of negative space. May have to start doing my quilt backs like yours - so striking. ;o)

Enjoy the rest of your holidays!

molly b quilts said...

amazing! congrats on such a beautiful quilt!

Cathy said...

I really do love it! and I also wonder where you order your batting from? The kitties are adorable!

Rachel said...

Love the back of this quilt!

Saija said...

This is the most beautiful plus quilt I have ever seen. Also my favourite colours!

Nicole said...

Beautiful, Leanne! I love the negative space you used. Another wonderful finish!

Anonymous said...

Love the kittens! The look like they will become quilting assistants like my guys.

Kirsten said...

I really love the negative space on this one Leanne - and of course yorr quilting is amazing!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Congrats on the finish! I like the way you dd the centers!

Sarah said...

And finished beautifully. I hope your friend treasures her.

Judith, Belfast said...

It's a beautiful quilt L! And those kittens are 2 cute bundles of mischief!! Jxo

elle said...

Lovely finish. Here is to a creative new year!!! :)

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I think I would ban the kitty's from the quilting room - they could do some damage up there in the quilting machine area! beautiful kitties though.

Spontaneous Threads said...

And is gorgeous and a testament that beauty can come from what is left rather than what you start with. I also love that you used contrasting threads and that heady matchstick quilting.
The kitties are lovely- thanks for sharing.

Katy Cameron said...

Love the colours in the quilt, sneezing just thinking about the kitties ;o)

Debbie said...

oh I love And. Big surprise there, huh? I do really like the 'empty' centers for sure, as well as the subtle grays...

Karen said...

Such cute quilting kitty's you have. Love the quilt too :)

Marleigh said...

Love the quilt Leanne your friend should be thrilled with it. I really like the straight line quilting must give it a try. Thanks for the update on your kittens they are just soooo cute, mine are long past kittens but still love being in the sewing room watching what goes on

QuiltMusings said...

I love the effect of the straight line quilting on that quilt. I just started using similar quilting on some practice placemats, and I love the impact it has. Your kittens are adorable as well!

margaret said...

quilt looks great and like the use of 3 different colours in the quilting. Such cute kittens but watch out you do not want cat hairs getting into the machine. They must give you lots of joy and pleasure and watching all their antics a good laugh too

the running hare said...

Another fabulous quilt! And I love the back as much as the front.

Michele said...

I really like this one and of course the kittens are simply adorable.

Amy at love made my home said...

I hope that you had a great Christmas and that your New Year will be wonderful too! Best wishes for all good things in 2015 to you and yours! xx

dutchcomfort said...

So much quilt and kitten goodness in your blogpost! Best wishes for 2015!

Ramona said...

Such a beautiful quilt and a wonderful take on the Plus quilt. Just loving the low volume and color scheme

Unknown said...

I absolutely love this quilt!! Love the subtle, beautiful colors and the openness it has to it!! Amazing quilt, cute Kitties :)

Vera said...

Beautiful texture! I always love the texture on all your quilts!

Vicki said...

So beautiful! I love straight line quilting also. I like the different colors of thread.

Joy said...

And has a beautiful, fresh feeling. One would not know it was a scrap quilt. When quilting, do you always quilt in the same direction or do you go back and forth? I'd like to try this type of quilting myself.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

Really like the plus quilt. The kitties grow up way too fast don't they?

pennydog said...

Another great finish, I like the gaps, it stands out from the other plus quilts out there.