April 19, 2010

Perfectly Imperfect

Note before viewing: There are no special effects or smoke-and-mirrors magic tricks going on in these pictures. That's my hubby standing on a chair with arms stretched high overhead, holding my quilt up in our back yard. He was so patient and did such a good job you can barely see his fingers! Thank you, Sweetie. I wish that breeze hadn't been blowing through, otherwise i'd have been quicker and then your arms wouldn't have felt like they were going to fall off. I'll try to be a little faster next time : )

Many of you may already know this pattern. It's called Sweet Menagerie by Roslyn Mirrington of Bloom and it's on the Moda Bake Shop. I picked this pattern because i've wanted to try to make a nine-patch for a while — either the kind you can see or the disappearing kind. This pattern looked fairly straightforward (except for the borders), and I really loved how quickly and fun-ly it went together (except for the borders)!Uh, but as a beginner, there were no detailed instructions for the backing or measurements for the binding...so i winged it. Thank goodness for Google and a few clicks later this handy, happy binding calculator turned up.
One other quite mysterious thing happened...my finished quilt size was about four inches longer and two inches wider than the instructions had outlined. Hmm, anyone care to explain what i did? Beginner quilter magic maybe? It's perfectly imperfect and I really love how it turned out!

Looking at these pictures now, I suppose i could've ironed this quilt before photographing it, but that just seemed silly. Especially because those are happiness wrinkles formed from curling up under it since last weekend when i sewed the last stitches on the binding. Remember that. Happiness wrinkles.
Not crow's feet :)

40 comments:

  1. Yay for you Kate! It's gorgeous! You know, perfection in quilts is overrated, no one knows about mistakes unless you tell. ;)

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  2. it's beautiful! There are suppose to be mistakes in handmade quilts...that's what I love about quilting! You did a great job..it's amazing!

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  3. Yay!! I love it and the gentleness of the colors

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  4. Yay! And that fabric... it is one of my favorites. You should get to know the designer :)

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  5. This is so pretty! I'm finding you can't go wrong with Verna!

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  6. Turned out wonderful! And look at the memories you've all ready made with it - that's what quilting is all about - and the happiness wrinkles are just icing on the cake. - Marlene

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  7. It looks so great!

    bravo, bravo.

    (I never pay attention to how big they say a quilt *should* be...though it could have been just some shrinkage that changed the size... or a healthy 1/4" seam allowance) ;)

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  8. That is too cute!!! I just finished a small nine patch mix set in white. Now I am going to have to do this one with the frames and little squares border.

    Great job!

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  9. Kate, this is beautiful!! I think that you did an amazing job on that quilt!!

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  10. It turned out WONDERFUL!!
    This pattern is one of my favorites from the MBS. I love how easy it looks and the large results. Congrats for a gorgeous finish!

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  11. I can feel your pride! Well done. I especially love the back... and husbands willing to withstand aching arms long enough to allow the perfect shot to be taken.

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  12. Oh, I love this quilt in Verna! I made a baby version of this pattern and just love it. Great job!

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  13. if I didn't know you already...and that you are a beginner...I would have never known you struggled. It's looks great. I think it is just the beggining for you. I can't wait to see what you sew with Fandango! Oh...and 12 days. Btw, I have used a few of my layer cake squares of 12 days. I used the duplicates...because I was afraid to use the singles..in case I need them for something else. Is that funny? I know I can buy more. Anyhow, now I patiently wait for yardage to finish my projects. They will be Christmas presents for my staff. I have a HUGE project this year for them. There are 7 gals. I want to make them all quilted items. Have I bitten off more than I can chew?

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  14. Congrats! That quilt looks awesome!!! You've done such a great job! But, then again, ANYTHING in Verna looks awesome!

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  15. Congrats on making your first quilt! It is a beauty. You realize that this makes you an official quilter :0)

    Can't wait to see what is next!

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  16. You did an amazing job! Your quilt is so pretty! :)

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  17. OK, let me get this straight. You are a famous fabric designer but a beginner quilter? LOL, priceless! Your quilt looks great, good for you!!

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  18. ..we wanted to see the lucky man!!!!
    That quilt is gorgeous my lady!! Nice work from one not efficient with the sewing machine to the other !!! I am blown away..Blessings on the quilt and the hubby!!! Lucky Man!!

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  19. Way to go! Looks fabulously snuggly. What are you going to make for your next quilt??????

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  20. I love it! The colors are so nice and warm and the design is great. I truly love your borders. They can be a pain to do! Lynne

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  21. Very nice Kate! Well done!! And I love that pattern. Off to MBS to check it out!

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  22. Pretty quilt! I love the pieced back too!

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  23. Gorgeous Kate! You did an absolutely fantastic job!

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  24. your quilt looks lovely........I love that pattern.......

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  25. I must have this pattern! I'm not familiar with it, but I *love* it! The quilt turned out great. The backing is wonderful too!

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  26. It's wonderful -- and I love the pattern. Can't wait to try it for myself.

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  27. It's absolutely beautiful, Kate!!! I especially love "happiness wrinkles"!

    A friend taught me this binding trick many moons ago.
    The measurement of all 4 sides:
    67+67+91+91 = 316
    316 ÷ 40 = 7.9
    Round up... you need 8 strips for binding. So simple even I can do it. And it doesn't matter if you do 2¼" or 2½" binding.

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  28. PS... I love the back as much as the front!!!

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  29. I LOVE that you came back and edited this post!! LOL You are too cute. ;)

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  30. This post is my 'Excuse me while I fall off my chair' moment for the week! I follow your blog and was so surprised & tremendously excited (!) when this came up. Your Sweet Menagerie is divine in Verna. And beautifully sewn. Yours makes me want to race out, buy some Verna & make another one! Congratulations on such a successful & very beautiful first line of fabric. We all await Fandango with much anticipation. Kind regards, Ros Mirrington.

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  31. You have done a Fantastic job.
    It's Awesome!!!!!!!

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  32. Patterns without backing/binding instructions are a pet peeve of mine! Looks like you did a fab job :-)

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  33. Kate! It is beautiful! The whole thing is gorgeous, and I especially love the border -- and the back!

    natalie

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  34. Kate! It is beautiful! The whole thing is gorgeous, and I especially love the border -- and the back!

    natalie

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  35. I love this quilt. It is so pretty. Great job. Don't you love the MBS? So inspirational.

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