Sunday, January 4, 2015

Rumble - Ta Da!

Rumble

This is Rumble. I though of calling her Pop but she is not quite popping, more of a Rumble I think. She is about 45" by 57" after a wash and dry. There are many different fabrics in her construction, quilting cottons, shot cottons, linens and other interesting fabrics. I am totally smitten with this quilt.

Rumble

I asked my bee mates in the Free Bee to make me 15" blocks with a small pop of improv and some neutrals in the background. They sent these fantastic blocks  and then I dithered about how to make them into a quilt. I debated adding 4 more blocks, or adding just more neutrals, and in the end I settled on this simple setting with a small linen border. When she was done, I added the dark olive grey cotton binding.

Rumble - detail

For the quilting, I decided to use my long arm machine and free hand lines. At first I was just going to do some all over matchstick quilting, but as I looked at the quilt on the frame, I decided that each block should have its own treatment.

Rumble - detail

I repeated the basic quilting designs on more than one block, to ensure some level of continuity in the quilt. For the border, I did a squared off stipple effect, which I think works very nicely with this quilt.

Rumble - detail

I used a Superior Threads King Tut 50 wt and then an Aurifil 50 wt in light snow and tan. I had a lot of thread breaks quilting this quilt - about an equal number with both brands of thread - clearly it was my technique, not the materials. I practiced starting the quilting mid quilt - wherever the thread had broken - and after the wash you will have to look hard to notice the location of the starts.

Rumble - detail

The frame of the long arm limits some of the kinds of things you can easily quilt overall on the quilt. But these blocks were a perfect size to allow me to move in any direction without having to roll the quilt back and forth.

Rumble - detail

I outlined the blocks along their edges. I am getting much better at stitching freehand in the ditch, but I'm not even close to perfect. In fact, although I adore how the quilting looks, it is nothing close to technically perfect. It does not seem to matter on this improv quilt.

Rumble - detail

I am hoping you want to see all the details, I think this quilt is one of the best overall quilting that I have ever done, despite the lack of technical excellence, thread breaks, wobbles and all. The modern industrial look I strive for is evident.

Rumble - detail

I left the improv bits unquilted for the most part. They puff up, rumbling to the surface so to speak.

Rumble - detail

I also have to say I adore the improv nature of these blocks, and the use of so many neutrals.

Rumble - before the wash

The photo above is before I washed her. The areas of colour probably look a tiny bit better before the wash because they were not quilted. But the overall quilt improved dramatically with the wash. She was fairly stiff from all that thread and now she has a lovely drape and so much more texture.


The back is pretty simple, a Paris map print and a couple of Suzuko Koseki prints that I love.

Rumble

A huge thank you to all my  Free Bee bee mates who sent me blocks:
Finish Along 2014

This quilt is also my first finish from my Q4 FAL list (original list is here). I know, finishing the first project on my list this weekend is a pretty poor showing on the finish side, but oh well, there will be lots of things to put on my Q1 2015 list. If I am quick about it there might be time to finish one more before the Q4 link up ends.


I am going to show off this finish at Aylin's Monday Makers link too.



Best, 

Leanne

35 comments:

Catherine said...

I love the way the tiny coloured pieces pop out from the neutral background, and the dense quilting gives it an amazing texture. What a great souvenir of your Bee mates.

Scrappy quilter said...

Love your quilt.

Cindy said...

Your quilting is absolutely amazing! I love that each block has its own individual personality. Super finish.

Katherine said...

So much to love about Rumble, Leanne. To start with I could be happy solely admiring the simple beauty of the improv and neutral combination of the blocks but then there's your quilting. I'm so amazed at how quickly you have progressed with your long arm skills. This quilt is a beautiful testament to all your hard work paying off. Bravo, for a truly fabulous finish, Leanne. Your bee mates rocked those blocks and your quilting is the cherry on top!

Unknown said...

belíssimo trabalho......Parabéns....

Brenda said...

Very nicely done - looks like a fun project for all involved. Rumble is a great name!!! Great start to a great new year!!!

Mystic Quilter said...

I just love this modern quilt - from the pops of colour in the middle of the block, the amazing range of neutrals and last but not least - your quilting! It really is a stunner.

Amy at love made my home said...

Fantastic. I love all the different textures the different quilting effects give. xx

Annabella said...

What an awesome line up of bee mates! If Rumble was a person, she would be interesting and beautiful.She is a very stunning quilt.

M-R Charbonneau said...

Awesome! Love that quilting, Leanne! It's a great complement to the design. Happy New Year!

Debbie said...

Very pretty! I love that you left the improv bits unqulited - what a nice effect. And yay for a FAL finish! I just finished one too and need to post about it.

Rhonda the Rambler said...

The plus side of this being your first finish of 2014 Q4 FAL (regardless of how amazing it is)? It is 1 more than me! 😂😂😂

Carla said...

You're so good at improv. It's fantastic

grapes and hearts said...

Impressive quilting, Leanne! And yay for your Bee-Partners, they did an excellent job, too!

margaret said...

great start to the year with your first finish, love the variety of blocks and quilting here

Nicky said...

Great quilting to maintain the different personalities!

Laikabear said...

I love the quilting! What a good idea to leave the colorful centers unquilted. I would not have guessed it was a bee quilt.

Michele said...

It truly is wonderful. Congrats on a beautiful finish.

Sandra Louise said...

Love this. Thanks for sharing all those photos!

myBearpaw said...

She is lovely, subtle and complex and very 'less is more'!

Mary Menzer said...

I love how you are playing with the quilting lines - added depth to each block, making each one shine.

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

the different quilting in each section really sets this off, keeps it rumbling along I suppose

Nilya said...

It´s fantastic - love the modernaty (haha, does this word exist?). What a great BEe-Quilt!

Unknown said...

Hi Leanne, Love this quilt and many of your others! I would like to talk to you about working with some Windham Fabrics, could you please email me at nell@baumtextile.com? Many thanks, Nell Timmer, Director of Marketing at Windham Fabrics

Unknown said...

WOW!! Very Beautiful job..everyone involved! You did an amazing job of putting the squares in, sewing, quilting and binding. Just love it!

Unknown said...

I love this ! Love the quilting as well. It is all just perfect!

audrey said...

What a great finish! Love the little pops of color with your cream and grey. The stitching makes for fabulous texture!

Katy Cameron said...

Oh, oh, you have to take this to the cottage in the summer, then you can have a Rumble In The Jungle :oD

Vera said...

That is an interesting piece with lovely texture :)

Canadian Abroad said...

This is one of those quilts I could spend days looking at. Every angle and different light changes it.

SewPsyched! said...

Oh man! Be still my heart! This is just so inspiring!! rumble on!!!

a maidenhair fern said...

Wow! just so cool! I'm in love with this match stick quilting. It must have taken you a LOOOONG time! But so worth it. Beautiful finish.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

She's a beauty!

eva said...

OH i so-o-o love this quilt!!!!
and your quilting on it, is amazing!!!!
xo
eva

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

This is fabulous and you really knocked it out of the park with the quilting.