Friday, January 02, 2009

Happy New Year!

Well, 2009 is off to a good start Chez Brainy: after almost exactly one year, I've finally finished my Flock of Triangles quilt!


(The big crease down the centre shows why we're not supposed to keep quilts folded. I haven't washed and dried the finished quilt yet, so I'm sure it will look normal afterwards.) I'm very proud of this. I love Denyse Schmidt's quilts. My previous two baby quilts were kits, with precut squares of fabric; this is the first time I've started with only fat quarters and a quilt pattern.


I sewed the pieces together for the top by machine and then did the quilting by hand. I didn't know what colour to use for the back, and I think I was influenced by Kris when I chose the grey.


The red quilt on the bed beneath my Triangles is yet another rescued vintage quilt, bought a month or so ago. It's lovely, but a bit fragile. So much hand quilting! The fabric is faded and thin, and at first I thought of packing it away for safekeeping, but what's the point of that?



Did you spot the approaching kitty tail in the top photo? About five minutes after photographing my quilt(s) -- which isn't easy to do! -- this was the scene in the bedroom:


Busted!

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's so cheery. Well done!

Where are you finding all these great vintage quilts?

knithound brooklyn said...

Well you can't blame Mr. Kitty, he just wants to cozy up on those lovely quilts!

Steph VW said...

I love the triangle DS quilt! It's on the top of my list if I ever decide to make a quilt. In fact, I even have the book.

Your kitty has such good taste in comfy spots.

ingrid said...

Your quilt is gorgeous! Hand quilting just makes it that much prettier.

And Mooky is such a ham. Will he only sit on handmade items?

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Alison! Your quilt is gorgeous. Bright and cheery is especially nice at this time of year!!

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful!

South Jersey Quilter said...

My cat's name is Miss Millie, and we call her Mooky! How funny is that?

Holly in south jersey
http://sjquilter.blogspot.com

Holli said...

Beautiful work!! I so admire a well made quilt! And the kitty tail -- 100% sweet!

Chris said...

I spotted the telltale tail - the quilt showcases Mooky's fur brilliantly!

Nadia said...

Looks great, oh Brainy One!

shannon said...

lovely.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful quilt! I love the fabrics you chose - slightly whimsical and perfectly coordinated. Wonderful job! I absolutely must make a quilt this year....

Anonymous said...

happy new year, alison! what a fab way to start the year - the quilt is beautiful! i love the red binding with the yellows and grey. congrats!

Teri said...

Congrats on the finish! The quilt is very pretty and looks great with the red and white rescued quilt. Happy New Year!

spajonas said...

that is one gorgeous quilt!!!

Knitting Linguist said...

The quilts both look great! I have vintage quilt envy (since I'm never going to manage to take up quilting myself!) :)

Unknown said...

You did a fantastic job! I would never have known it was your first quilt! Denyse Schmidt's book is so fantastic. In fact, I'm going to have to get moving on a baby quilt or two soon. I really love your yellow and gray combo very modern but it would still work for a litle one.

Anonymous said...

Well of course Mooky would go straight there. Happy cheerful quilt- and the old one under it is beautiful, too. Someday...

Anonymous said...

Love the quilt...I probably said it the last time I saw a finished quilt here, but I want to make one. Maybe 2009 will be the year.

Christy said...

it looks wonderful

Linda said...

What a fab quilt!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, me lovely! It'll be winter in just 4 months or so - just enough time to sew me a quilt! But since my house is mostly wood, and very small I'd like something in white (not beige). But seriously, when are you coming Downunder? I fear I'll be knitting before you make it. XX

Anonymous said...

I love the Denise Schmidt pattern- your quilt is lovely.

I hope to make one as well. Hope is the operative word as I find it difficult to follow through with my plans. Oh well, yet another resolution for this year.

Seanna Lea said...

The quilt looks great. I love the idea of working from a kit. I get skittish when I have to cut fabric (which explains my fabric stash which is almost all for work clothes).

Happy 2009!

La Cabeza Grande said...

Mooky knows a quality quilt when he sees it. You're amazing, by the way.

Happy New Year!

Ali P said...

Love the quilts, old and new! My husband has been hinting that I need to make him one since I took Caneron's from him...LOL Why can't he have a quilt made? Because he's not a baby was my answer. To which he crumpled up his face as if to cry and said "I can be!!"
I think I need to get the machine serviced (Halloween costume mishap) and get the fabric stash out soon.....
And I agree on the vintage quilt...keep a quilt packed away? No way dude!! Congrats on teh find...its a beauty.
I once visited an artists home back in NS and her windows were all curtained with quilts she had attatched tabs to (tab topped curtain style for the rods to slip through). It was so beautiful.