Monday, March 11, 2013

March is Finishing Month #1

Over the last few months I have become quite adept at starting projects.  Hell - I could start projects for Australia. Finishing - not so much.

Back in February when I started, oh, my millionth project, I decided that March would be all about the finishing. If a quilt was unquilted, I would quilt it. If it was in blocks and just needed to be sewn together before sending to the professional quilter, I would sew it. If there was a skirt cut out and pinned but not sewn together I WOULD FINISH IT.

So here we are, on the 11th of March, and I have just my first finished item to show you. Watch out - it's a doozy.

Scrappy Trip Around the World quilt

Last Wednesday night, in a fit of madness, I decided to baste this quilt top (which has been a quilt top for about 2 months).

Scrappy Trip Around the World quilt

I pin basted it in about half an hour (WHAT?) so just decided to start quilting it in a concentric circle pattern that night.

Scrappy Trip Around the World quilt

And hour and a half later it was done (WHAT?).

Scrappy Trip Around the World quilt

By lunchtime the next day (WHAT THE WHAT WHAT?) the binding was hand sewn on (I was quite the sight in the park that day). I showed it at Canberra Quilters that night and I was so damn happy! Even if I felt like I was on quilting meth (which is totes illegal!)

Scrappy Trip Around the World quilt

I didn't get it washed until yesterday, though. And I sewed the label on this morning. And we all know a quilt isn't finished until the label is on (I was taught proper). We will ignore the fact I started this quilt in December 2012 and therefore the label is not correct. I doubt in 50 years anyone will care.

Scrappy Trip Around the World quilt

I like how in the shade you get to see the piecing and the pattern of the blocks.

Scrappy Trip Around the World quilt

But in the sun you get to see the quilting.

Scrappy Trip Around the World quilt

This is my favourite block. I think every quilt I make should have this tape measure fabric in it (I surely have enough of it in my stash), and the hexagon fabric by Cam is just extra special to me because she's an extra special lady and I'm lucky to be able to count her as a friend (you should go over to her blog and check out what she's been up to lately).

This quilt is going to hang on the wall in our entry way, but not for a little while. I am in the process of organising the demolition of a wall in there, and hanging this quilt will be the cherry on the cake once the building, plastering and painting is done.

So "March is Finishing Month" has it's first member. Wonder who's next?


Details (edited since the quilting details were a bit confusing)

Pattern: Scrappy Trip Around the World (tutorial by Quiltville)
Size: 48 " x 48 "
Fabric: Scraps, a random Momo jelly roll, and some special pieces in my stash
Quilting: Machine quilted concentric circles with a walking foot, using Aurifil Mako 50/2 thread in off white (2021)
Batting: 100% cotton
Started: 30 January 2012
Finished: 11 March 2013


33 comments:

  1. Love this quilt. Love the circular quilting. I don't know how you got it so even, I would be sure to make ovals if I tried that!

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  2. You are sewing with just an ordinary machine? You know you should lower standards a bit so the rest of us can stand a chance. Absolutely superb and "I hate you"- in the nicest possible way....suffering from quilt envy.
    The centre of the quilt must have been a pain to quilt. Did you start with a circular template and then just work your way out?
    Well done you should feel proud!

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  3. Good work Michelle - it looks great! I want to see it at the Modern Quilt meeting this week! Regards,

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  4. You go Girl! Congratulations on finishing it. It truly is beautiful.

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  5. Oh wow, that's just fabulous. I love the fabrics and especially the circles of quilting. It makes me want to do circles too!!

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  6. That quilting- the bomb! Awesome!

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  7. Well done. i think April might be my finish month. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I love that quilting

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  8. Holy Moly, I'm impressed! You sure rocked that out fast, and it's beautiful! What is it about March? I've had the same feeling about finishing things!!

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  9. OMG Amazeballs! The concentric circle quilting is absolutely gorgeous and I'm quite honoured that a little bit of my fabric is in there!

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  10. What a knock out!! Love, love LOVE the quilting!!!!!! I may have to "borrow" that idea on a couple of tops that have been calling my name for a bit.

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  11. Dang. Now I really want to do one of these! Nicely done!!!

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  12. Amazing and gorgeous! please, please, please tell us how you did the circular quilting?

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  13. Yes please do tell how you did your quilting! You said you quilted it as concentric circle pattern and then you said that it was straight line quilting. I am just a bit confused.

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  14. I love it!! Want to do one too. Did you free motion or use a walking foot?

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  15. I love all these scrappy trips I'm seeing, and really love your quilting. Did you mark it all before you started, or just start with the middle and work your way out?

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  16. I saw this posted on Facebook by Quiltville and it is beeeeeautiful!!! WOW!

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  17. saw this from Quiltville Facebook and the pieced top and the quilting are show-stoppers! I am like so many other commenters....what was your process for the quilting?

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  18. I love the quilting! Do you think I could quilt my king size quilt like that on a regular sewing machine?
    missysaprons@gmail.com

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  19. Beautiful quilt. The quilting makes it shine!!
    XOXO Subee

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  20. Saw this posted by Bonnie Hunter. Love the quilting! Had to pin it! I have a scrappy trip im finishing and I think one big spiral might just work!

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  21. I have hand quilted circles before, now I want to try this by machine. Please tell us the scoop how you did this.....thanks for the inspiration!

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  22. That is a beautiful quilt!! It was worth the wait on finishing!

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  23. Wonderful how the circular quilting just makes this quilt!

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  24. Not a quilter, but loving your quilts. Amazing.

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  25. Love this, you made the entire quilt with your finish of the circles, it is awesome! =)

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  26. Wow! That quilt is amazing and the quilting really adds another dimension. I laughed so hard at the quilting meth :)

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  27. I love love love this quilt Michelle..well done!

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  28. Great quilt Michelle and I love the quilting. Onto the next....

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  29. Fran N From Vancouver Island Canada ,March 19, 2013 at 1:45 PM

    Boy oh Boy that is beautiful ...my friend from our group sent me the site and picture ...I just luv luv luv it ...I can't wait to try the circle quilting on one of mine ...You go girl ...

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  30. My Scrappy Trip top is hanging on my design wall waiting for borders and on to the quilting, seeing your quilt is giving me the push to finish mine up too!

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