I love hand quilting. I find it relaxing, soothing, and I'm awful at it. That both front and back had so many seams didn't help, either. This is worse than any other (smaller) attempts. Much worse.
This project waited for months to get quilted because I couldn't decide what to do. Finally, I just started, used the only hand quilting thread I had, and tried to do it as simply as possible. Hmmph.
At first, I really tried and took out stitches and tried again. At that rate, the thing would never have been finished, so I bowed to the inevitable and just plodded on doing the best I could.I should have stuck to my second decision which was to make 2 different quilts and use a solid back on both - at least there would have only been seams on one side to deal with. I like the colors, but the quilting stinks!
ooo, with all those seams I never would have considered hand quilting...you're a glutton for self abuse I see! Did you hand piece also?
ReplyDeletethe colours are cool and I like both sides but I think the bottom photo (the back?) is my fave.
Karoda - you betcha! The whole thing was an example of not thinking. I started machine piecing all those tiny strips without knowing what I was going to do with them. Don't ever think ahead is my motto! I like the back better, too.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is greatness. "Don't ever think ahead!" Wonderful motto!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a candidate for Quilt National--and I am not joking!
ReplyDeleteThis is very Gee Bendish. . .I totally love it. You meant to have wonky hand stitching (really) and that was part of the design. I actually like to have all sizes of stitches on my handquilting, which I am going back to in 2007.
Colors and quilting are both great! Very bold of you to hand quilt it.
ReplyDeleteNicky - Ha! It is a motto after the fact!
ReplyDeleteDebra - I love you! Gee Bendish - why didn't I realize that was what was going on? You are so sweet...
Kim - Thanks! Bold? :0
Didn't anyone check out the Helsinki Complaint Choir? Really funny-
I think "not thinking" is the way to go. I think you're onto something!
ReplyDeleteGee, I wrote this already but it went out into cyberspace when I hit the post button...??? Oh well...I LOVED the choir! Did you notice the woman at the end after they'd finished singing wiping the tears from her face? The singing gave me goosebumps, regardless of the words...which were GREAT! And what are you talking about?? Your quilt is wonderful! Handwork is supPOSED to look like it was done by a human. I applaud your use of the contrasting thread and sticking with the handquilting. It was a bold choice given the seam allowance issues. If the thread had not been contrasting we would not even be having this discussion. We are our own worst critics...and I love both sides of your quilt =-)
ReplyDeleteRian - I have 2 modes: the debilitating, indecisive, wishy washy and full speed ahead, make decisions when the time comes, and live with the outcome.
ReplyDeleteDebby - I loved looking at the faces as they went throught that litany of common complaints...well, with the exception of the ones about the sauna. Saunas are sort of out of my common experience. Thanks for the support on my quilt!
Loved the complaint choir. But must challenge you to define "stinks". I enlarged the images and couldn't find "stinks" or anything close.
ReplyDeleteLooks good to me, too. What more is there to say? It's all been said very well.
ReplyDeleteI just listened to the Complaints Choir and loved it (trying to send it on to my DDs but no luck yet). I too noticed the woman wiping the tears--she must have laughed so hard she cried. I think saunas are extremely important to the Scandinavians, so it would be annoying to have someone show up early for their turn. My kids think it's a hoot that their mother loves U Tube!
ReplyDeleteWhat's wrong with it??? We ain't machines---I like it! I enjoy handquilting as well but no time. I barely have time to machine piece.
ReplyDeleteOh my Gosh! The Helsinki Complainers Choir is singing my song--they're right! Things are tough all over. Wow! Whodathunkit? All the way over there they put up with the same crap! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nellie!
ReplyDeleteJane Ann - Can you imagine how hard it must have been to keep straight faces during this? Thae sauna bits, although not in my experience, cracked me up because it is so typically Scandanavian. I am definitely a U Tube fan, myself.
Carolina - We need to remind ourselves of our similarities more often, don't we? Sharing a laugh at the same frustrations is so much fun!
Jen, I'm sure you're being way too hard on yourself. It looks great!
ReplyDeleteI gave up hand quilting because I'm the same way. Too picky for my own good. But really, yours looks great!
Your quilting is beautiful, and now that it is over you can say that it was worth it. I too have made double sided quilts, and thought that I could have gotten two quilts out of them instead, but aren't they twice the fun? Especially when they are already finished.
ReplyDeleteOMG, those are so wonderful. dont you think the quirkiness of hand stitching is what makes it so! And of course you choice of colors and design. All marvelous. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteShelina - I really started it as a pieced back, but when I finished, I liked the back as much or more than the front. :)
ReplyDeleteKim - Thanks! I love the word "quirky" ! Books, poems, art, music - I love that slightly off-center, eccentric feel that quirky implies...in a positive way.