Sunday, November 18, 2007

Color Wheel Quilt - completed!

The sun managed to peek out a little bit yesterday, enough for me to take a few photos of the color wheel quilt. Apologies in advance, this an image heavy post with cats and bad lighting - you have been warned!



Pattern - Color Wheel Quilt from Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts

I can only say that I am thrilled with the quilt! It was a complete joy from start to finish. I learned lots of new techniques like chain piecing and hand sewing the binding.

When I first saw the quilt, I knew I had to make it. But the first sentence in the description really threw me: "This quilt is really simple to make." What?!?!? How could it be? But trust me - it is! Between the templates and the clear instructions, the main part of the quilt was really fun and quick.

Most of the color pieces were from the Color Wheel bundle from purl. But I switched out a few sentimental pieces.

I got these as gifts from our trip to Japan.


Both of these I used in previous projects.

Some of you may be wondering what mods I made to increase the size. The only change I made from the original pattern was to increase the sides to make it a queen size quilt. The quilt as written measures 56" by 56". I used the dimensions in Denyse Schmidt's quilting book to get a queen size quilt - 86" by 93". After my original muslin cutting debacle, I was lucky enough to have some extra wide muslin (108") in my stash, so I ended up cutting two 15.5" by 56" inch pieces, putting them on the sides, and then cutting two 19.75" by 86" inch pieces and attaching them to the top and bottom. I then quilted down the sides three inches apart, and the corners have a square pattern to them.


Here's where the original pattern and my additions meet.


The longest part of the quilt was sewing the binding on. It took me about 6 hours (or seven episodes of Nodame Cantabile) to finish it. The finished result (to me) is well worth the time.

Pretty!

Ok, now for the bad parts. They all have to do with my addition of the panels. I did three things very badly. First, I didn't cut the long strips very straight. This created some biasing. Next, I didn't sew them onto the original quilt very well. The corners of the original quilt end at a bias, and I should have been more careful sewing a somewhat straight piece to a bias piece. Lastly, I didn't hand baste the sides, I pinned them. All of this created a quilt that has lots and lots of puckering (which you can see in the top photo). I thought it would get better after washing, but instead it's just more obvious. Yipes! So I've ended up with a quilt that may not be up to some people's standards, but it's totally fine for me.

Of course, in the middle of the photo shoot, who had to come and sit right in the exact center of the quilt?


And who had to point out my messy quilting? (I've bought a ditch foot for my next project)


And who just had to turn and pose when I moved to the other side of the bed?


Unki is so in love with this quilt that he got tangled up when I was taking the detail photos and wouldn't let go!

I wonder if there will be a day when Unki doesn't pose for the camera?

35 comments:

Shannon said...

That quilt is absolutely gorgeous! I love the design and how well it was exectuted. Lovely, lovely, lovely. The kitty is pretty darn cute, too!

Nettie said...

It looks fantastic Mari! I really love it, and the hand stitched binding looks great. I know you see all of the errors when you look at it but trust me it more than passes the quilt test with me!

shizzknits said...

I love it! And I think your "bad parts" are what make the quilt unique. I don't mind the puckering at all- the quilt seems more homey that way. You did a beautiful job!

Oh, and happy Birthday!

flanthrower said...

Holy cow! Your quilt is amazing! I see no bad parts. ;) It's always cool to see a project from a book actually come to life. The photos in Last Minute Patchwork are excellent but the concept looks so much realer and accessible in an actual home. No wonder Unki likes it so much.

peaknits said...

What a beautiful quilt - you did a wonderful job! PAt yourself on the back!:)

Anonymous said...

Wow, it's fabulous! You should be very proud of yourself.

Peacock Chic said...

Holy Wow!! That came out wonderfully!! I love it!! Congratulations

Unknown said...

Great job! It's lovely.

MinaG said...

Amazing!! Great job on the quilt, it looks fabulous!

MinaG said...

p.s. Is that Unki a professional cat model?

yaiAnn said...

I love love LOVE it. I must get that book and the bundle. You definitely should be very proud! I love hand stitched binding and just wish I had more time to do it =( But yours looks perfect.

Briana E. said...

Wow, lovely! You make me wish I was better at sewing.

Sarah said...

It's absolutely stunning, Mari! I have a completely untrained eye when it comes to quilts and I didn't see any issues, even after you pointed them out. So take that for what you will.

Unki cracks me up, as always.

Anonymous said...

That quilt is amazing - all the little details + your own creativity make it a wonderful heirloom. Great job! =)

Oiyi said...

The quilt is fabulous! You did such a great job on it.

Anonymous said...

It came out gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

The light may be subpar, and the kitty may be in the way, but the beautiful quilt shines through! Beautiful!!!

goodkarma said...

Mari, your new quilt is so beautiful! I love how the colors blend together so well and that the design looks technical but unfussy. If I were ever to make a quilt, it would be something like this.

Kristin said...

Your quilt is just stunning. I've asked for the kit for Christmas. I love that you made it queen-sized!

Anonymous said...

This is quite simply, stunning. Amazing job.

iHanna said...

Congrats on finishing such a big and beautiful quilt! It looks awesome

Anonymous said...

stunning work. i can only imagine what it must be like to walk into your room and see that each time on your bed. so rewarding and fulfilling.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous!!! I absolutely love it, puckering and all!!

goosefairy said...

wonderful quilt and marvelous pics. it has the unki seal of approval!

Marisa said...

Stopped by PurlSoho today on a visit to S. Cal, but didn't get a chance to meet you in person. I am still really enjoying your blog, and LOVE this color wheel quilt. Nice work!

Suzanna said...

wow, that's cool!!!!!

Di said...

The quilt is just great! I love the colour wheel and it looks so amazing on the white background! Congratulations!

Amy said...

Wow! This quilt is amazing, soo great! Just found your blog, I will visit again :)

Ellie said...

That is the coolest most inspiring thing I've seen in a long time!! Nice! Good cat photos too.

Knitterella said...

What an amazing quilt! What an amazing job!!! You should be very proud. It's gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the post. I'm thinking about making this quilt and I really appreciate the tips. you did a great job - I hope mine looks as nice! - Sjh

Broe said...

Beautiful work. Loved seeing this done.

Anna said...

Oh my god! Amazing! You're very talented!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful quilt! I would love to make one. How did you get the pattern? Or did you create it yourself? I am having difficulty understanding how I can either get the pattern or order a kit from the company.

TJ said...

Gorgeous quilt and gorgeous pussy cat. He looks like a twin to mine. Mine has a little white on his tummy too.
I wish I had the confidence to make that quilt.