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For the past couple of weeks, during the Let's Bee Social, I have been sharing updates on my progress on my one and only UFO, which I found while making the transition to my new blue sewing studio. And today I am sharing the finish!
I found some leftover pieces of polyester batting and zig-zagged those together to make a piece large enough for this quilt. The first quilt I ever made, for my daughter Erin and the quilt I made for my son, Russell both contained a polyester batting. Guess I was trying to clean up all the loose ends I possibly could with this finish.
For the backing and binding I used this Tula Pink Astraea in Tart from the Elizabeth collection for Free Spirit Fabrics. This is the same print I used to back my On Point quilt.
What went wrong along the way? The fact that my heart wasn't really in it may have been the reason why I ran into so many little problems as I progressed from step to step, First up, my white background triangles that I had cut to add some negative space to the layout of these as asterisk blocks... Well, they were slightly larger and made matching up the points rather difficult. And the central area of the quilt top looks a little poofy in places.
I was determined to keep going and wanted to add all those off cuts to make an improv style border. So I pieced the off cuts into strips and laid them out along the sides of that central triangular pieced element. Then I decided I really wanted this to finish a little longer.
And this decision resulted in my second problem. To add to the length, instead of simply adding the extra strip to the top and bottom of the triangle element, I sewed an extra strip between the two pieces of improv border strips. Um.... Duh! Now my border strips are of an uneven width.
The solution would have been to forgo the idea of using a mitered border. But then I would have had to add length to those side borders and made butted corners. However, by this time I was loosing steam. Loosing patience. And just wanted to get her done!
HEY! I'm no quitter....
I'm a QUILTER!
"Gossip Girl" finished at approximately 58" x 74"
and was the 56th use of my 100 labels
and was the 56th use of my 100 labels
ordered from Ikaprint.
In retrospect....
Yes, I did want to use up these scraps and already had the strips cut.
But I did not realize how much Kona Snow I would end up using in the process.
It's hard to keep going on a project when your heart really isn't into it. And there were a few times I thought of how easy it would have been to toss this thing out or offer it away. But I did not give up. And as I went along, I decided this quilt would look good finished and laid out on my bed. Much better than that hand me down comforter. I decided this one would be a quilt for me.
This quilt is Bumpy and Lumpy.
A bit like me.
And when it came to the borders, it was not planned out whatsoever. Just so you know.... A walking foot is recommended for mitering borders with a mish mash of multiple seams. And mitered borders really should be of the same width for best results. As you can see... I was loosing my mind while working on this quilt. So much so that when I calculated how much binding I would need.... I divided the circumference by 20 instead of 40 to figure out how many strips I needed. But I got 'er done!
And have some lovely binding ready for another project some day!
It wasn't all hardship though. It was a joy to reminisce about the hours I spent with my daughter while we watched the Gossip Girl series on DVD together last year. It was a great time spent bonding. Just the two of us. And I can't wait for the new series of shows coming up this month.... Blood and Oil starring "Nate Archibald" and Wicked City starring "Chuck Bass".
Bye, bye Gossip Girl. Hello Blood and Oil & Wicked City!
Linking up to Finish it up Friday with
Have you entered my giveaway? You could win this luscious fat quarter bundle of Fusion Illusion and a copy of my Teddy Bears pattern.
By the way....
I been seeing lots of progress posts for the Dog Gone Cute quilt along blog hop. It's so exciting to see everyone's blocks! Don't be shy! I appreciate that everyone is eager to share their progress and it's wonderful that you are posting about the quilt along. The more the merrier!
Are you Dog Gone quilting along?
Keep On Quilting On!
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44 comments:
I understand finishing a project you just don't like. And finding others love it. Doesn't change the way I feel about the project but am glad it found a loving home :) My daughter-in-law fell in love with a wallhanging I just hated by the time it was completed. Happily I gave it to her. She still loves it these many years later! I love your Gossip Girl. I think the stars are great and love how you gave it negative space. Fresh and modern. Happy :)
One for you, and every time you look at it, lie on it,snuggle under it, memories of how it all came together will be there always. A treasure.
I think it is a very happy colourful quilt. Sometimes we can be too hard on ourselves perhaps? It's fun and looks great on your bed, thanks for sharing:))
I really, really like the end result of all your head scratching and frustrating moments...Job well done! Kudos to you for not pitching it! Woot!
Oh I love your quilt! I'm glad you perservered, as it looks wonderful.
Oh that border just makes it. Well plus your quilting, which I <3 !!
What a triumph that quilt is. After my recent error or trouble on my quilt, spending hours ripping out quilting stitches it is a joy to see you stick with this and finish up. Glad you shared all the trouble along the way because sometimes it pays to keep at it. This quilt is lovely regardless of the trials and errors. Great job and I love the asterisk appearance of this quilt.
Hi Lorna! I think this quilt is beautiful! Lots white and here and there bright colours makes it fun. And the small bits you made with left overs are great add. x Teje
I really like it! It turned out great. I love those little triangles sparkling along the border. Only you know the toils and struggles. We see a great quilt. And I like a great quilt story of memories behind the scenes. No one can appreciate that quilt like you. Thanks for sharing. And, oh how I wish I only had "one and only one" UFO.
It's so pretty Lorna! It's true that it's hard to work on a quilt if your heart isn't in it, ut look how great it turned out! Your perseverance has been rewarded, so enjoy snuggling up in your new quilt!
Love the quilt. So colorful. Grands would love
Oops forgot the shop. Back Door, Greenwood, IN
Hey Lorna. First of all, good on you to finish up this quilt. The little specs of colour in that inner border are brilliant! I love love the end result.
wow this turned out wonderful. I love the little color pops along the edges of the "jacks" There are poofs, Hey, isn't that why a wonderful handmade quilt is so special. It was made by hand with love. You did a fabulous job here.
I totally understand the 'my heart just isn't into it' feeling as I have a couple of those and I really do need to just get at them(someday). But don't cha feel just accomplished now that it is done, and it is really cute! I love the setting you did with it and the borders.
Glad you persevered! It looks fabulous!
I totally love it Lorna! You powered through it and got it finished and it looks great on your bed! It is hard to work on something you aren't totally behind. When you don't love the project it feels more like hard labor that love! When you improvise along the way, it can sometimes hurt your brain (my brain) with all the thinking! I think you made a beautiful quilt!
Your quilt turned out fabulous and looks so happy. Glad you persevered.
Debbie
Congratulations on sticking with it and having a finished quilt. I really like the improv border with the scraps!! Some quilts just challenge us from start to finish, but I have to say that from the outside the quilt looks fresh, modern, and lovely.
Glad that you are a quilter and not a quitter. This turned out to be a beautiful quilt. I love how the little triangles of colour look like ribbon that is woven in. Great finish!!!
I love this quilt!! :)
Love your quilt! I too enjoyed Gossip Girl. Are the actors on to these new shows or were they spin offs of GG? I will have to look them up!
Love, love, love the quilt. I am glad you keep going because it turned out to be a great quilt. Perfection is not always necessary!
Congrats on a lovely finish! I'm super impressed at your ability to keep chugging along on a project that doesn't hold your heart anymore.
I think it's a lovely quilt!! I really like the additions that you made, it takes it to a new level of awesome. I wonder if you weren't into making it because you were so busy otherwise? Because I think you're going to look back and really love this quilt :) I do!!!
XX!
I like the gossip girl quilt even with all it's issues. I love that wavy border. I'm glad that you shared it along with the bits that didn't work out the way you would like it. It's nice to know I have company.
This looks fantastic, Lorna!! The blocks, the borders, the layout, everything!! I love that confetti style inner border. Great job!
-Soma
I know you had difficulties this this quilt, but WOW it is an awesome finish. It's good that you kept to it.
Good for you for sticking with it! The quilt looks bright and inviting on your bed. I just cannot imagine having only one UFO...I finish lots of projects, but STILL have a pile of 'em! Congrats on a clean slate!
Its such an awesome design....so sorry you didn't enjoy the process. I really love that first improved border. :)
I think it's the perfect quilt for snuggling in on a lazy morning....not that we ever have those. I'm glad you stuck with it.
Thanks for sharing this - I always share my struggles and I sometimes feel like I'm the only one who struggles so much with my quilting so I doubly appreciate it. Also, despite the frustrations you had with this quilt I have to say that I personally LOVE it. I love the improve around the edge, everything. So I say way to go and awesome job, as usual!
Love the quilt! I find that I get all excited about a certain block and cut like a million pieces of that shape (seriously, enough for 10 quilts!) only to figure out later that one quilt of it was plenty and I'm over the block. Lol...it makes for good scraps though!
This is a beautiful quilt! I love the little triangles in the border - looks like little dashed lines but much more interesting. I think quilts like these that make us think and rethink what to do are more "us" than the quilts that easily flow from one step to the next. It shows our perseverance and our creativity. And I absolutely love your quote " HEY! I'm no quitter....I'm a QUILTER!" You should that put that into an image with your blog name on it, so people can pin it on Pinterest and print it for our walls.
Love your quilt, so bright and happy! May have to dig out an old wall hanging I hate and finish it up, ick.
Well done for getting finished up and on your bed Lorna - it looks fab! Sometimes I think the hardest won victories are the best!!! x
I love this quilt! I just made my first Dog Gone Cute block last night...it's such a great pattern!
What size quilt label do you use?
As far as I'm concerned you pulled it off flawlessly! It's very refreshing and even though it gave you some grief, you did get 'er done! Kudos!
Well it really looks amazing. You did great on sticking with it and finishing it up. And I love the I'm a quilter not a quitter. I'm going to have to remember that. :)
Well done you on your perseverance to get it done! I think I would have given up ashamedly! I especially love the ingenuity that went in it to your determination to use up your scraps! Great job!
What a great finish! I think the quilts we struggle with the most are the best. I especially love the borders on this. I'm always amazed by how much "background" fabric is needed - for any quilt. Sweet dreams!
I like it. it's a happy quilt and it's a finish. Yay!
Lumpy and bumpy look great to me! I'm proud of you for sticking with it until it was done. I don't always have that stick-to-it-ness.
Oooohhh... I adore how this came out!! Gorgeous, even with it's lumps and bumps ... which to me, makes it even prettier. Great job!
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