On Friday afternoon the sun was shining gloriously so I popped out to take a better picture of the quilt top (though it was a little windy)
and also a picture of the back
I don't normally piece backs for my quilts but I did for this one. And, at that stage Friday afternoon this quilt was breaking my heart because I wanted to keep it. I loved every little piece of fabric and every great big splash of Ruby colour on that backing, and had a little sigh in acknowledgement that this quilt will not be mine.
Then, I took it off the line and drove myself crazy trying to baste the quilt so that the front and back would be aligned straight. In the spirit of honesty, while I'd like to tell you I succeeded, I can't. That back was on again and off again and I just really struggled to get it right. It ended up being as good as I could get it and it's not too bad, but in my head I can't help thinking that it's not good enough.
Friday night and yesterday I had a go at quilting this baby and feel like I'm breaking my heart over it even more. It just didn't go smoothly and I think that I have kind of wobbled under the pressure of having to have this finished. There is barely a single straight line in this quilting and I really wonder at myself - don't I know better than this? Can't I do better than this? And why, when it matters so much, is this one of the worst quilting jobs I have ever done?
My one remaining hope is that after I get all those mosaic quilting ends taken care of and the binding on, a good wash and dry will disguise this ghastly quilting. My report card on this one should definitely read "Could do better."
Oh Ruby, forgive me!
Beautiful Ruby. She is breaking my heart too. I know what you mean about the quilting. If you really care about a quilt it is almost the trigger for it all falling apart. I hope that Ruby scrubs up well after her wash. Di x
ReplyDeleteI think it will be fine and that you love it so much you were wanting perfection. It is so beautiful, take a deep breath, finish it and fall in love all over again.
ReplyDeleteOn the pictures it looks perfect. And with the washing it will probably settle.
ReplyDeleteShe's beautiful! A good wash will hide a multitude of wonky quilting! :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks lovely from here, I am not surprised you don't want to part with it! Washing hides a multitude of sins!
ReplyDeleteRuby, Ruby, Ruby! You look wonderful! I would be over the moon to receive this! Please don't despair over it! Jxo
ReplyDeleteSarah, it looks amazing! No wonder you don't want to part with it!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great - only you will see where you went wrong- no-one else will! I love the fabrics, very fresh!
ReplyDeleteMy lines are never straight, neitehr are my pieced backs. It's gorgeous and once its all finsihed, I hope you see that too :)
ReplyDeleteI think you are mighty hard on yourself. The quilt looks beautiful and the back is just as pretty as the front, really love your piecing. I'm not brave enough to even attempt something like that! If it was a gift for me I would be over the moon!
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain. When I did my Hope Valley Colour Brick I discovered my machine couldn't cope with the quilting of it. I was heart broken. There was wonk and it ended up not even being straight when it was trimmed. I knew I could do better. However, once it was washed and used the quilting is only noticeable as bad if you study it and I'm probably the only one that will. The recipients will love it and the bits you see as imperfections are the bits they will love because it is hand made with love.
ReplyDeleteFirstly we are the hardest on ourselves, we are all the same in this regards it seems. I can't honestly see where the problem is with your stitching, now sure it might not be 100% but I can't see where it isn't. I think it's beautiful, the piecing is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI think it's absolutely gorgeous. Well done.
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