Sunday 27 January 2013

It's a humdinger!



Remember those 88 blocks I made from recycled shirts following the Squares and Strips Pattern? Well, DS and I spent a fun hour a week or so ago laying out all 88 into his quilt design.

Up until now, most of the quilts I have made have been lap quilts of a small/medium size with the largest measuring just 52" x 66".  To me, that was pretty big.  But this humdinger was planned to be for a single bed and is 64" x 88".  

To say that I knew in my head the expected measurements of this quilt but hadn't really translated that into quilt on floor space is an understatement, and I am learning lots about big quilts in this process.  


So big I can't get it all in the picture!

When I did get it all in, you can't really see it properly!
I have learned that while moving 20 blocks around for balanced placement can be tricky, 88 is a nightmare!!  DS did join in, scratching his head as he moved one block and learned that it can have a knock-on moving effect on 5 others.  After more head scratching and lots of laughter, we decided it was as good as it would get and checked a quick photo on the laptop to see if anything jumped out at us.  Nope.  Great.  Good to mark up into rows and lay away for joining another time.

Yesterday, "another time" arrived courtesy of some cancelled plans and this little birdie took to the sewing room for some peace and therapy.  There I learned that big quilts aren't therapy, they're endurance tests!  But endure I did, and it was so worth it to see DS's wee face as his quilt top came back downstairs in one piece.



He even helped me baste it and find a backing - I think he's secretly hopeful that I might get on with it faster if he helps where he can!

There then ensued a silent meltdown (so as not to disappoint DS) as I contemplated the 6" throat space of my machine and the acres of this quilt which would need to pass through it.  I began to feel a wiggle coming on. (As in wiggly, wavy line quilting in case you're wondering.)

And so, the third thing I've learned about big quilts is THEY EAT THREAD WHEN QUILTING!!  One and a half spools of thread and this baby is now officially resting on my ironing board until new supplies can be obtained.  How did I not anticipate this?  I only made it to the halfway point, too!  It was such a shame not to be able to keep going and finish the quilting while I was "in the zone", but hopefully I won't have to wait too long to continue the newly named "humdinger" quilt.

All in all very satisfactory progress for an afternoon when I didn't expect to have any sewing time!

15 comments:

  1. It looks fabulous Sarah, no wonder he can't wait!

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  2. Wow Sarah, take a bow girl! That is impressive work. Love how this is looking and can only imagine how happy it's going to make your son when he gets to snuggle under it! :)

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  3. This is really gorgeous! I love shirt quilts anyway but this one is really special! Sounds like you were in the groove! I hope supplies don't take too long to arrive or the moment may pass! Jxo

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  4. Oh wow! It looks so brilliant, and as someone else who miscalculated how much thread quilting could eat - I feel for you.

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  5. You were really in the groove to get that quilt all put together. It is a brilliant 'boy' quilt and your son obviously thinks so too. Good going Mrs. Di x

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  6. It looks fantastic! Can't wait to see it all finished :)

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  7. you have being doing trojan work. Love the quilt, great colours and fabrics in it. Can't wait to see the end result.

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  8. Gorgeous quilt! I use knew it would be awesome :-)

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  9. Really lovely, well done. I've just finished 16 star blocks, another 4 more blocks to do for Beks memory quilt.

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  10. This looks brilliant! And I envy you the space to lay it out. I'm only just starting to make 'big quilts' because there are only so many lap quilts one family needs! x

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  11. Looks fabulous! Hope the thread arrives soon, look forward to seeing it done very soon :)

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  12. Looks gorgeous, hope your thread arrives when you are still in the zone - big quilts just eat it don't they?!!

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  13. Looks amazing Sarah! And to think this is made out of stuff people would throw out!! I'm sure DS can't wait to snuggle on it!

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  14. It is huge! But it looks gorgeous! love it and can't wait to see it in all it's finished glory! x

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