Monday, December 26, 2011

apple cake quilt

Merry day after Christmas! I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday. We enjoyed some quiet time home (just the five of us) and we also spent some time with friends. It was lovely and fairly relaxing, which is quite a feat with 3 young children! ;)
Today I am so happy to share my apple cake quilt with you! I started it in the spring of 2010. When I started this quilt, I wanted to stretch my quilting skills and I also wanted a portable project to work on while I hung out with the kids over the summer. This is my first foray into hand applique (you can read my thoughts about it here) and I'm glad to have the experience under my belt. I enjoyed applique very much!
The other way I challenged myself was to NOT rely on solid white for the background squares. Once I got out of my box, I LOVED using print on print and working with light and dark values. It gives so much depth to this quilt! I have plans to do that more often. It's a very good way to reduce the stash.
 The backing is asymmetrical, which wasn't my first choice, but in the end I kind of ended up liking it.
I hand quilted the whole thing, which was also a stretch for me. I think I only hand quilted one other quilt ever. I'm still not very good at it, but I love the results.
I love how delicate the hand quilting looks on the white portion of the back. The white also hides uneven stitches very well. :)
I used bliss dots to bind it. I hand stitched down the binding on this one. It was odd to do that after machine binding so many quilts. I was surprised that I didn't really miss the process all that much. It's funny, because hand stitching the binding used to be one of my favorite parts of quilting. Maybe I got my fill of gazing at the quilt during the hand quilting process instead?!
I think I took about 60+ photos of it. I am so, so thrilled with this quilt. I've been snuggling under it every chance I get.
It measures 56" x 70".

Happy Monday to you!

93 comments:

Erin @ MakeitSew said...

It's so pretty! I love that you didn't use just plain white for the background. Looks like a great stash buster quilt!

Anonymous said...

Pretty apple cake! I do find hand work relaxing (hand quilting, not so much). Lovely quilt, lots of pretty fabrics to admire.
Lisa
Lalexander733 (at) gmail (dot) com

Tracey Jacobsen said...

this quilt really is so pretty, and so fun to look at... I like the different backgrounds too! :) (though I already know my thoughts on hand appliqué...doesn't help that it causes my carpal tunnel to flare up!)

Amy H said...

That is a gorgeous quilt, and so much more beautiful because you did so much work by hand!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

That is an extraordinarily beautiful quilt. You have every right to be proud of it. And very smart you were to take lots of pictures - now you can enjoy it in its pristine state for a long time!

Libby said...

This has to be my favorite quilt of yours! I love it so much..I am making me one like it! I have all my blocks done (my first applique ever) just need to put it together. hand quilting is the only quilting I do so I am hoping that mines looks even half as good as yours! You are such an inspiring quilter!!

Erin M. said...

Beautiful Quilt. It's not even a friday and you're showing us a finish. Good work.

Deb said...

I love that quilt. Applique is something I haven't done much of. Maybe it is time to stretch a little.
Thanks for showing us another lovely quilt.

Sallie said...

I love your apple cake quilt! It is gorgeous!

Tennjenny said...

This is just my favorite thing I've seen in a while. I'm with Libby there: It may be my favorite thing I've seen here since I tucked you in my Reader. It is just wonderful; Your hard work and patience really shines!

jeri said...

Beautiful quilt!

Michelle @ the quilted tortoise said...

It's absolutely beautiful!! Well done. The hand quilting looks fantastic. I too am guilty of using white backgrounds too often - your prints are great!

dolores said...

I think this may have to be one of the first things I try in the new year...when I first saw your other post about the "Apple Cake" quilt I had just received a nice pile of actual 1930s prints from a friend. I had plain white for the background but then I looked closer and saw all your prints and changed directions. Now I need to cut my leaves and brave my first hand applicate! Thanks for the inspiration!

Quiltn Mama said...

You did an awesome job...all that applique! Wow!!

Di said...

Oh Amanda I am sooooo loving your quilt. I definitely need to pop this one on my "must do" list after seeing your beautiful work. The hand quilting really does it justice and gives it a wonderfully vintage look. Well done!

Gigi's Thimble said...

It is so beautiful and inspiring. Lovely pictures as well. Great job for doing it all by hand!

carol said...

All hand appliqued and hand quilted? WOW!! You have more patience than I would have! Bravo to you...it is beautiful!

Molly said...

I absolutely love this quilt. Absolutely.

Nancy said...

What a pleasing quilt... well done!

Rachel Slote-Brown said...

Lovely quilt! Congrats on the finish. Enjoy it.

I Quilt for Fun said...

Lovely!

Thimbleanna said...

Oh CrazyMom. It's another fantastic quilt. Just beautiful -- I LOVE it!!!

Karen said...

This is a gorgeous quilt! I love everything about it. You've really accomplished a lot with this one....everything by hand is huge! Congrats and enjoy your cuddly, cozy quilt!

Unknown said...

I love this. Sooo cool!

Kathryn D. Duke said...

this is really lovely!!! and I am impressed with the hand appliqueing and the hand quilting....the colors are my colors, BrIgHt!!!!!

Emily said...

This is lovely and inspiring!

Linda said...

Its truly gorgeous and I love the pics as well!

Jodi said...

AmandaJean, it is fabulous! Thanks for sharing!

Caroline said...

That is impressive and absolutely gorgeous! Good job. :)

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Congratulations on a perfect finish Amanda Jean! The hand quilting and the binding are just right for this beauty.

Terriaw said...

Sounds like you had a Merry mellow Christmas! We did too. Love how pretty your finished appliqué quilt turned out. What a lot of work that one was! I have that exact same cherry print you used on the back - such a fun print, isn't it. The pieced backing looks fab!

Debbie said...

Your quilt is very cool - good job on all the challenging bits!! ;-)

Lisa H. said...

You continue to amaze and impress. I want to be you when I grow up... (even though I'm older!)

Christine L said...

Wonderful Quilt! Looks GREAT! Thanks for all your inspirations!!

Shanna said...

Beautiful!! I love all the fabrics you used. They work so well together! And the pics are awesome :o)

Leeanne said...

What a pretty quilt and I can see how it must bring you comfort to snuggle under it *~*

Live a Colorful Life said...

absolutely beautiful. I have that cherry print on the back too. On my list for 2012: more hand quilting.

Diane said...

This turned out beautiful.

ThreadCatcher said...

Awesome quilt. You did a great job stretching your quilting skills. Thanks for sharing.

Heather said...

love love LOVE it! You are so inspiring!

Anonymous said...

OMGosh!! It is beautiful. And a lot of work.

Bec Clarke said...

That is beautiful, you have more patience than I do. I would machine it all the way but it would not look half that nice. Thanks for sharing.

5webs said...

Love it !! I am so in awe of people like you who have this kind of talent, and actually do things with it--wonderful !!

Donna Becker said...

It really turned out beautifully. I love the play of color throughout. Brava!

Old Centennial Farmhouse said...

That is just gorgeous, and your photography just capturing the essence of it perfectly! You are very talented and I bet that quilt is soft and wonderful!!
xoxo
Joni

Kari @ The Purple Quiltapotamus said...

Wow, what a stunning quilt. I love the colors.

Quilterbell said...

Wow, such a pretty quilt!. Congratulations.

Svarta Malin said...

Beautiful!! Congratulations to a good work!

Hire iphone Developers said...

its beautiful work done.

Suzanne said...

Wow! This screams your name for so many reasons. I love the variety of the prints you used and celebrate the fact that you pushed yourself as a quilter on this apple cake quilt. I also like this quilt because it's reminiscent of traditional quilts (using what was on hand and hand quilting) and while I love modern too, this feels comforting and historical.

Michele said...

Really, really nice. Not something that I would be able to do thanks to problems with my hands but I love looking at what others are able to accompish.

B.Tech MCA training in chandigarh said...

beautiful work.

Someday said...

Love it!!

pasqueflower said...

Beautiful quilt! I love the bright, cheery colors AND your hand quilting! I am so impressed. I never got the knack of hand quilting.

Leslie said...

this is so gorgeous....the hand quilting and the printed backgrounds makes this looks so old fashioned...like any of our grandmothers might have made it 60 years ago!!! you always do such a beautiful job

Mad about Craft said...

Inspirational!!

Beautiful!!!

Josie McRazie said...

beautiful! I do LOVE the dots on the binding!

Bee said...

This turned out beautiful! It inspires me to use up some of my scraps:)

quirky granola girl said...

Amanda, this is beyond gorgeous. beyond, beyond, my friend. congrats on a fantastic finish.

pinsandneedles said...

Beautiful scrappy quilt! Love the light pattern background!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous! And I love the non-white background.

Clair said...

It vis fantastic!

Denice said...

This quilt is beautiful. I'm still not ready to tackle appliqué yet, but this quilt is inspiring. I've got enough hand work going on with the diamond quilt patis. I love the red barn background. Great photo op spot!

Connie said...

Lovely. I admire your patience to do all the hand work. Maybe sometime I'll get away from the machine, too.

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Stunning! I love the print on print too. Absolutely gorgeous :)

Anonymous said...

That's one beautiful quilt. I'm almost tempted on trying that myself, the hand applique, but will resist it for now. I don't blame you for taking loads of pictures. Thanks for sharing.
cindy

evamarie said...

I love the result, but i truely respect how many hours must have gone into al this handwork. I like real craftsmanship and this is it!

Cheryl Arkison said...

Lovely! And I still can't believe how fast it all came together.
So... what's the next hand project?

Nanette Merrill said...

I've got one of these as a WIP. Love yours.

Terri said...

Love the colors, and the dark on light - not white setting. Good Job!
Hugs~

Lindsay said...

This quilt turned out so beautiful!

Kristine said...

This is a really beautiful, happy quilt. I too would be challenged to get away from plain white background fabric. But this quilt puts forward a strong case for doing just that. Lovely photos too.

Mama Pea said...

Amanda Jean it's just beautiful! Glad you had a great Christmas!

Donna said...

I love your quilt, and your hand quilting looks great to me!

Andrea said...

Oh Amanda...I love it! Hooray for a grand hand finish!!!

Tif said...

beautiful quilt amandajean...merry christmas and a happy new year!

Helen said...

Your colors are so cheery and fresh! Congratulations on a beautiful finish. I love your large stitch quilting style.

Annalia said...

So beautiful, Amanda! I rely heavily on embroidery for my porta-projects....maybe I'll have to make foray into applique.

Sue said...

I LOVE your apple cake quilt!! I have to make one. Especially love the way you have used different backgrounds. I too, am sick of the same quilts I seem to make.
Thanks for the inspiration.

Alli said...

Your quilt is so lovely! And it's extra precious since you took all that time to hand quilt it. :)

Pam B said...

Your apple cake quilt is so pretty, Amanda Jean! The fact that you did it all by hand makes it even more special; I can see why it took a while to complete.

As a new quilter I'm just starting to getting the hang of doing it by machine...I'll leave the hand work for later once I have more experience under my belt.

Hugs,
Pam

Betty said...

I sooooooooooo love this quilt!

Liz said...

I really love the binding on this one.

Shannon Wallace said...

And I would also take 60 plus photos of a very, very beautiful work of art such as this quilt! WOW, you hand quilted AND bound it??? I'm amazed. I have said that I will never hand quilt, but who knows! LOL The colors a truly amazing, and I love, love, love what you created! Bliss is a good choice for the binding. I have a ton of Bliss I am hanging onto for when we have a baby girl. :)

Great job, Amanda Jean!

Becca Nelson said...

Beautiful! You've inspired me!

Peggi said...

I have to say, I think this one is my favorite quilt of yours. You always make such bright, happy quilts, and this one does not disappoint.

amy smart said...

This quilt is just one of my favorites in so many possible ways! I love it- you've inspired me to try something similar. I also love that you hand quilted it. What a treasure.

I also love the quilt you made with your daughter. So,SO awesome! Happy 2012 to you, Amanda Jean!

MellieWo said...

Gorgeous! I love, love, love it! There just isn't anything like a hand stitched quilt. I hope to make one of my own someday :) You must feel very proud that all your work turned into such a pretty quilt!

Emily said...

You continue to inspire...

Karen said...

So beautiful! Love the different background fabrics. One special quilt you will cherish.

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

Such a beautiful quilt. I've been back a couple of times to look and do some "oohing" and "aahing".

Amy of While Wearing Heels said...

Did you really hand applique each of those leaves on? This quilt, is incredibly beautiful and inspiring (I so want to make one myself). You did a beautiful job. I happily pinned this months ago and just now came for a closer look. Simply lovely!

Nicola said...

That's what I call a quilt: perfection! x