Wednesday, July 25, 2012

window panes

This quilt has been finished for about a month now and we've been using it on our bed. Or I should say, we've been kicking it down to the foot of the bed every night because it's been so hot!
The fabric is cotton lawn, which seems extremely delicate and fragile, but in working with it, I've found that it isn't fussy in the least. It's so soft and it makes a great quilt! I mixed it with regular ol' quilting cotton (for the sashing) and the combination of the two worked surprisingly well.
I stippled the whole thing on my wonderful JUKI, and other than it taking me the better part of a week to quilt it, things went super well. I had been warned by a few people that the mixing of fabric weights could spell trouble with the thread tension, but I had no problems with that. Just another reason to love my JUKI! :) I should add, the texture after quilting this, front and back, is absolutely won-der-ful.
Since the fabric is 52" wide, I was able to use just two pieces for the back-on a king size quilt! That was sweet, let me tell you! It almost makes up for the fact that I pieced my batting unnecessarily. (I thought my quilt was longer than 90", so I pieced a 3" strip to the bottom of the batting, and when I laid out the quilt for basting, it fell short of where I connected it together by about 1". I was soooo disgusted that I pieced a length of batting 105" for nothing!  Doh!)
I used one of the prints from the line to bind it. What a treat it was to hand stitch through the lawn fabric. The needle glided right through and the stitches virtually disappeared, giving it a flawless finish...which I'll take any day of the week! It was so fun to hand stitch the binding.

My husband told me that this is one of his favorite quilts that I've ever made, which is so sweet. He loves the pattern....I guess it really appeals to his symmetrical sensibilities. :) I just love it because it's so darn pretty!

Now I just have to figure out what to do for the shams....history shows that can take me from 6-9 months. I'm hoping for a burst of inspiration much sooner this time.

Fabrics:
Prints-Matusri cotton lawn from Connecting Threads (I used 19 out of the 20 fat quarters from the sampler)
Pattern:
Free Tutorial, by Ashley of Film in the Fridge
Finished Size:
98" x 89"

58 comments:

Palak said...

I love (love!) that film in the fridge pattern! It reminds me of some cobblestone-ish 70's tile that was in my grandparents home.

The quilt is absolutely gorgeous.

Katie Fleming said...

I love this quilt! How do you keep sane when quilting a king sized quilt???

- Kate Fleming

Nicole said...

What a great quilt! Congratulations on quilting that big thing yourself!

Karin på Ösäter said...

A wonderful quilt! I have been looking at JUKI machines, how big is the sewingspace?I have a Janome now and it is a bit small for quilting big quilts I think, 6½ " space for sewing.

Karin på Ösäter

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

I love the quilt too! I just ordered some Matsuri from Connecting Threads. I wish I had ordered sampler now after hearing you had no problems mixing the lawn with quilting weight cotton. When you posted this earlier on your blog, a lot of people wrote ominous comments to watch out for mixing the weights, so I passed on the sampler. But I did buy a few yards (the pink floral print and the aqua feathers) to make myself two skirts for next spring. I already bought a pack of size 70 needles to use. Hopefully my order will arrive today! I got a ton of thread on their sale and then some of the new fall prints.

greelyrita said...

I love this one! It's very summer and at least cool-looking. I'd like my DH to 'love' my quilt too. nice.

Rebecca said...

This quilt is absolutely beautiful! I love everything about it. Thanks so much, too, for talking about mixing the different fabric weights - such good info. Just curious, I clicked over to Connecting Threads and didn't see an option for buying FQs. Did you cut them yourself or was there a bundle I was missing over there?

Tennjenny said...

It is lovely, and I love that you hand stitch the binding (and enjoy it!). Wonderful quilt!

Dirt Road Quilter said...

This one is on my list and has been since I first saw it. Your version is simply lovely...fabulous...gorgeous! I am working on a similar pattern now and the sashing is 1/2" finished. I may have to take a break before starting this one because I am tired of pressing seams open...however, the finished quilt makes it all worth it. Applause for another stunning finish!

Suzanne said...

I'll race you to the finish on the shams. You know those are my Achilles heel too!

I love the quilt construction and the hand peeking out the side of the top picture.

Anonymous said...

Love, love, love the colors!

Jennifer said...

It is just beautiful! I can see why you and your husband love it.

I'm working on piecing a top with lawns and quilting cottons so it's good to know that it wasn't an issue quilting it. I have had my Juki for several months now and I'm pretty sure I love mine just as much as you love yours!

Jennifer :)

Michele said...

Really, really, really pretty.

charlotte said...

It turned out beautiful! I am using those same fabrics for a summer quilt. What king of batting did you use? I was thinking of keeping it really light and just using flannel for the back with no batting. What do you think, since you have done one?

Wendy Wiesen said...

LOVE THIS!

Schulz Family said...

This is gorgeous. I love the symmetry of the quilt. But quilting a King Size!! I still have not quilted my double hour glass quilt made with your pattern - here - http://madewithmytwohands.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/double-hourglass-quilt-finally-finished.html

Cherie said...

That is such a gorgeous quilt! I love the pattern and subtle colours. Will so pop over to grab the tutorial =D

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Just beautiful Amanda Jean - and in use already!!

Lea said...

This quilt is so cozy looking, and I especially love the fabric prints. It makes me want to rush out and buy some lawn fabric! And the binding in red is a really nice touch...I can see why this is a fav of your husband's!!!

CitricSugar said...

It's gorgeous. I haven't gotten my hands on any lawn yet since I'm on a strict fabric diet but it's definitely on my to-try list.

And I detest piecing batting - I feel for you!

Lauren said...

I love this quilt. I am consumed with envy, actually. I would love something like that on my bed. Great job!

car54 said...

Oh my, I am so obsessed with Lawn right now. We have a local fabric store that sells bargain fabrics--a lot of it is not very nice but a lot of it is really lovely and really inexpensive.

They have a pretty wide selection of solid lawns at $2.99 a yard and 54 inches wide.

I have backed two quilts with it so far this spring and they are the softest thing to sleep under! So light and comfy. And I agree, a dream to work with. I love your quilt! I want to order some of the lawn prints you used--they are lovely!

Anonymous said...

I love this quilt and the prints that you chose. I haven't worked with lawn. That's going on the neverending list too.

Rachel said...

Fabulous!!

Sarah Craig said...

That is such a gorgeous quilt - and isn't it wonderful when our hubbies love what we do? Congratulations on another great quilt!!

Tracey Jacobsen said...

it's just so perfectly pretty...

sulu-design said...

Symmetric sensibilities, huh? I bet your husband and I have a lot of favorites in common! I just love this one.

Peter@ QuilttemplatesM said...

Very nice quilt, I like it a lot. would like to try making something similar!

pcflamingo said...

So pretty! I appreciate your giving all the particulars about the fabric. I had bookmarked that pattern from film in the fridge previously - just love it.

quilthexle said...

What a pretty quilt - I love the randomness of the pattern, and how the white ties it all together. No wonder your husband loves it ;-))

ECKDesign said...

Such a pretty quilt! Why not just have simple shams so that it doesnt take away from the quilt? Why not just one large piece of any of the colored fabric bordered by the white. Then the other sham with another color. Then make a small throw pillow for the front middle with a play on the colors of the quilt. =o)

Barb N said...

What fun fabric to use for this quilt! One of these days the cold winter will descend upon us again and you can cozy up with it. I think that's great that your husband likes it!

Jessica Christensen said...

I got some of this fabric, haven't used it yet, but I do love it. Your quilt turned out beautifully.

Susana Neiger said...

Absolutely beautiful! I love the windowpanes! Now you've got me adding this one to my list of things I'd love to make. Maybe I can turn it into a scrap-using project, which is always a good thing! Really great work!

Christa Marcotte said...

I love your quilt! I just finished that one and was wondering what to put on it for quilting - that looks amazing!! Love Lawn!!

Briana said...

That is gorgeous! I aspire to make such beautiful and advanced quilts in the future. Right now I am still on simple squares. :)

Just a thought, with a window pane quilt, why not a roof for shams?

Cristin said...

Its really gorgeous!
The quilt on our bed is slightly smaller than a queen so it works for summer (and also gets thrown to the side since its been so hot!) I'd kill to have one this big, to use for the winter... I just finished a KING (custom order) size quilt and have no desire to tackle a queen just yet... but I'm not ruling it out.
Cheers!

Tiffany said...

Love the quilt - it's gorgeous! I'm sure it feels lovely also.

Patty said...

I really love this quilt. The pattern would work well with scraps too. You are such an inspiration; I so need to start another quilt.

Anonymous said...

I like the symmetry AND the colors. What a pretty quilt.

Thimbleanna said...

Wow. It's just gorgeous CrazyMom! You'll have to let us know how the cotton lawn holds up to daily use!

Chris {frecklemama} said...

It's gorgeous! Thank you for sharing the details of working with mixed fabric types. This pattern of Ashley's always draws my attention. I also appreciate you using and raving about the fabrics from Connecting Threads. They are so affordable and I often forget about them!

Amanda Jean said...

Karin,

the sewing space in my JUKI is about 9". it's so nice to have the space for quilting larger quilts like this!

hope that helps!

aj

Amanda Jean said...

katie fleming,

how do i keep sane while quilting a big quilt like this? well, lots of breaks (i have 3 little ones, so the breaks are built in, hee hee!) and just take it one bit at a time. also, pooling the quilt rather than rolling it up helps when managing the bulk.

hope that helps!

aj

Amanda Jean said...

Rebecca,

yes, they do have fat quarters sets. the link is here:

http://www.connectingthreads.com/kits/Matsuri_Fat_Quarter_Sampler__D5012.html

:)
aj

Amanda Jean said...

charlotte,

i used warm and white batting. the quilt is still lightweight enough. i had considered using poly batting because generally it's lighter, but it doesn't breathe at all. so, warm and whilte it is. and i'm happy with my choice.

hope that helps!

aj

Michelle said...

UGH...Amanda Jean, you are KILLING me ;-) ;-)...another great project I want to make! Beautiful!! Thanks for the link. Too much I want to do, too little time...*sigh*

Live a Colorful Life said...

Absolutely gorgeous quilt. And so soft too.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a beautiful quilt and love the way you quilted it!

Page said...

What a beautiful quilt!

Mary Marcotte said...

Beautiful quilt, indeed! I've really enjoyed reading some of your posts. I've quilted for about 20 years and recently discovered modern quilts. Yours are lovely and have me wanting to make a few. Isn't that always the way?
Mary

Mama Pea said...

It's a beautiful quilt, Amanda Jean! I love it. I am not familiar with cotton lawn at all.....

beth said...

Beautiful quilt! You're tempting me to BUY fabric which I've been trying HARD not to do these days!! Trying to USE UP! If I buy the cotton lawn....it'll be ALL YOUR FAULT. ;)

modernprintliz said...

What a lovely quilt!

I've been thinking about the Matsuri collection since it came out and this is a perfect way to use it in a quilt. Do you remember the approximate yardage that you used on the solid white fabric? I'm new to quilting so I'm not sure how to figure that out. Thanks!

Amanda Jean said...

modernprintliz,

I'm sorry to say I'm not sure how much yardage I used. I didn't keep track. In cases like this I generally get more than I need (3-5 yards) and use the leftovers for some other project....especially when it comes to white fabric! It's a staple in my stash.

Amanda Jean

Kate said...

I saw this quilt really reduced on my iPad, and it reminded me of a Scrabble board -- maybe because of the colors? It's beautiful!

Ina said...

it's beautiful!! i love it!! can i have it? dang! i gotta make my own again! ;p

quirky granola girl said...

you did a beautiful job on this quilt, Amanda.
xo,
m