First off, thank you for all of your sweet comments in my last post regarding my 250th quilt finish! When I started my blog I had NO idea where it would lead, but I'm happy to be on this journey. I appreciate YOU, my readers, being on this journey right along with me more than I can say. THANK YOU for reading, for commenting and for cheering me on. It means so much!!!
I have another quilt finish to share with you today! This is a commission quilt made for my cousin from my late Aunt Janet's clothing. It is not necessarily FUN to make a quilt out of clothing and I did not have the best attitude during parts of the process, I must confess. But....now that it's done, I am so glad that I took on the challenge and saw it through to completion. I'm very pleased with the results!
For the backing I used a flat sheet from Target. It ended up being more cost effective than buying yardage and the print is fantastic. Not having to piece the backing was a nice bonus!
I tied the quilt with some black string (probably crochet thread?) in each corner. I rolled up the quilt from top to bottom as I tied, which kept me on track. Otherwise, it's very easy to miss a square here and there. It also kept the bulk of the quilt neatly contained while I worked. I pinned the backing right down to the carpet to keep it in place while I tied it, which ended up working well!
For the binding I used solid black jelly roll strips. It was so nice to skip the cutting and just join the strips together. Since I needed 9 binding strips, I was interested in any time saving options available!
I took the photos (with my husband and son's help) in front of the elementary school that my husband went to in Donnellson, Iowa. It was one of our last stops before returning home last weekend. By the way, have I mentioned how much I LOVE old buildings?
I was happy to test it out on a queen size bed at the hotel, since I don't have one in my home. It fit perfectly! (Phew!) My cousins gave the quilt to my uncle yesterday for his birthday. From all reports, it was very much appreciated. Hurray! Makes all the time and effort worthwhile!
You can read more about details of the making of the quilt top
here if you are so inclined.
48 comments:
This turned out really pretty and what a gift for your uncle to receive!
This is a project you can be proud of and glad it's done. I like it. You have done a very good job on it and I have never used a sheet as backing.
Like the school building you used as background!! Quilting and photography. Will your skills ever end?? ;-)
Nicely masculine looking to boot!
What a beautiful job you did on this quilt. I am sure it will be cherished forever.
It's lovely!
I made three(!) lap-sized quilts for my cousins from their mother's shirts last summer. They love those quilts!
You made a beautiful quilt that will be greatly appreciated and cherished. I also love old buildings and they make a perfect backdrop to beautiful quilts.
That would have been a beast. You are so nice. It really looks great.
So much more graphic than I expected from the earlier pics. I love the photograph. That quilt makes me feel so cozy!
It turned out fantastic! I am sure it will be appreciated for years to come!
I love the way it turned out, and the solids, especially the greys. really make the whole thing pop. You did good!
My Mom bought a sheet to back the quilt that my Granny made for me when I got married. Now I realize what a very smart move that was for a non-quilter (Mom) and the fact that it was in 1969. ;)
I believe you the process of cutting and sewing up old clothes isn't the most fun. But your end result is great!
The quilt looks great! You are truly an inspiration.
What a lovely tribute to Aunt Janet...and I'm sure your uncle really loves his quilt. I love how you used the sheet for the backing...I did that years ago but had forgotten how nice it is. Thanks for the reminder.
Debbie
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Wow, it turned out fantastic! seems everything you touch turns to gold! Love the 'old school' setting! ha pun intended!
curious: did you wash the sheet?
That memory quilt turned out beautifully!! Love it!! What a treasure!
I had to look up Donnellson - I'm from Iowa and didn't know where it was!
Congrats on your 250th quilt!
Congrats on making your 250th quilts. That is quite an achievement. In Memory of Sweet Jane quilt is so nice! Just love it!
Your quilt turned out wonderfully! I'm a longarm quilter, and frequently shop thrift stores for good quality, 100% cotton sheets to use for backings. I love not having to piece backings!
That's really beautiful, Amanda Jean! I love the sheet on the back, too. Great choice!
Long time lurker here... good job! I know these kinds of commissions can be tough to complete, but way to stick to it. I love the backing, too :)
What a wonderful quilt, filled with lots of memories. Job well done
Judy
Turned out really lovely. I know your uncle will cherish it.
That quilt came out looking great! I love the colors in it. I'm sure it will be treasured.
I have used sheets before as backing but haven't found any as cool as the one you've used - great choice! Super project, well done! (And I love old buildings too!)
This quilt is SO cool! I love the colours. But I guess, it must have been difficult sometimes, when you remember your aunt wearing this or that garment. Great job! Tina
Wow, another beautiful quilt! You did such a wonderful job of turning all those darker squares into an amazing, soft and special quilt. What a beautiful gift!
You are a real inspiration!!
Your aunt had some cool striped clothing and you placed them well in here. I think the quilt is just shining on the steps of this old school and it makes me wonder, was your aunt a teacher? Surely she is happy with what you've made for her husband. Well done!
Your cousins and uncle will be so touched to have this memory quilt. Congratulations on this beautiful milestone finish, Amanda Jean. I can only imagine how many totes, pincushions, pillows and other scrap projects were also completed along the way!
Lovely quilt. Your honesty about not having the best attitude while making it is refreshing.
Love the sheet idea as backing. It's my favorite for big quilts.
This is certainly a gift from the heart - on so many levels. It's wonderful! And using sheets for backings at times works! It's a beautiful quilt.
Words fail me... this is so perfect on all levels!
This quilt turned out so beautifully.
Well done :D
And of all the weird sentimental moments... I think they used the same blueprints to build your husband's elementary school as they did for mine. (Which has been torn down because it would be too expensive to retrofit it for earthquakes - boo-hoo!)
Your Aunt Janet sure liked the dark colors! I'm a fan of all the blue :D
Julie
So beautiful. What a labor of love. Thank you for the reminder about using a good cotton sheet. It was a brilliant solution with a beautiful result.
It is beautiful! And very meaningful
Beautiful quilt and great photos on the the school steps. I think it adds to the story that the quilt has family ties and so do the photos. Your uncle has a wonderful heirloom to treasure. I'm sure it will be well loved for many generations.
Not usually a fan of tied quilts, but it seemed necessary with this project because of the clothing materials used. That said, it turned out beautifully. Reminds me of something in a Crate and Barrel catalog. Looks very au courant and designer-like.
I think it's pretty cool, considering it was made from clothes. I love the sheet idea for backing, too.
Such a special effort! It's beautiful and the back is perfect.
it is beautiful!
Beautiful! I have always wanted to make a memory quilt. You make it look easy. I might have to try it!
That is a great memory quilt. Nice work!
Way to go! Even though it was a challenge at times, it was worth it.
Use sheets for the back. What a wonderful idea! Thanks♥
You are a star!
What a sweet tribute to someone to make a quilt with their clothing. I've seen lots of different types, but love the simple block design as it really shows off the owner's clothing. Brilliant to tie it, brilliant to get it all done!
Elizabeth
That is a great quilt and lets you snuggle with her for many years to come! Also love backing with Target sheets they are soft and work well for quilts on beds. Enjoy, some quilts are just more special than others.
Last time I made bias binding I found a tutorial I quite liked. It makes one long piece of binding with 2 seams. Lots of hand cutting but I liked it.
http://whip-stitch.com/continuous-bias-tape-tutorial/
Love your quilt by the way. I'm thinking about something similar using my kids baby clothes and blankets.
I have just come across your blog and this quilt is just lovely. I have clothes from my Dad which I have saved to do something like this, but I think more time needs to pass yet. x
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