Tuesday, November 21, 2017

change of plans

Last weekend, as I was working on a quilt back for my mostly moody quilt, it occurred to me that if I hadn't put the yellow pieces into the quilt top, it would be the absolutely perfect quilt to give to one of my brother in laws. He has been hinting (not so subtly) over the years that he would like a quilt, so it's been on my list, but it just never made it to the top! He's planning on visiting for Thanksgiving, so I figured the timing couldn't be better.
I started by doing quilt surgery. I ripped out all the mustard pieces and decided that I would sew in the replacement pieces with partial seams. It sounded like a good plan, but since the pieces were wonky to begin with, it was quite challenging! Nothing like seeing 21 holes in your quilt top to invite a little panic. Ha!
I persevered and I eventually got the quilt top sewn back together. I felt much better once the quilt top was complete. (Again.)
THEN, I decided that I needed to add a few more rows to the length of the quilt. Now it measures 64" x 84"....not quite a twin size quilt, but a decent lap size. I'm so glad that I went to the trouble to alter the quilt. I love it and I think my brother in law will, too. It will be nice to have this quilt go to a good home rather than adding it to the finished pile. (What a concept, huh? Ha!)
Instead of cleaning, cooking or preparing for the house full of people that will be arriving in a few days, I pieced a quilt back and basted it this morning before the crazy begins. Nothing like a deadline to get things done, right?

The quilt pattern is based on my chain of diamonds quilt, from the book No Scrap Left Behind.
Background color is Kona Shadow. Scraps are various chambray, linen and denim fabrics. Each block finishes at 4" square.

34 comments:

Sara said...

I think it looks great and he will love it. Cleaning and cooking is highly overrated anyway, right? Happy Thanksgiving!

Gretchen Weaver said...

Wonderful quilt, your BIL will be surprised and very happy.

Tami Von Zalez said...

I always love your posts! So, I have a story for you - the Mr.'s daughter got married last year but didn't have a formal wedding. I told her I wanted to make her a quilt. I got a call from her a few days ago and she let me know she would be sending some fabric (not much I'm sure) AND a Starbucks gift card to start me on the way to making her quilt. How's that for a Christmas present, fabric to make a quilt for someone and the coffee gift card. hahahahah

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

Okay you are really "crazy." When I read stuff like this from prolific quilters I don't feel so bad that I don't get as much done as them because at least I'm not neurotic! Thank you for posting this!!! I hope they love it!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Oh my goodness, you are going to make him so happy. It feels so good to make changes when you know it's going to end up perfect. Good luck making your deadline without going crazy and feeling ready for everyone to arrive.

Theresa said...

Spectacular! Don't our brains work in funny ways? Good luck with your deadline and enjoy Thanksgiving. Theresa

The Joyful Quilter said...

Quilt surgery? YIKES!!!

grammajudyb said...

Oh my! That's brave to do surgery on your quilt. I like it though. And I am sure your BIL will be so surprised. Hope we will see pictures of the finish, before it is gifted!

Mel said...

Let's hope he doesn't comment that it would have been even more perfect if it had only had a bit of mustard in it...!

Patty said...

Great job on the surgery! You are one nice sister-in-law!

Rivah Rats Quilting said...

Love, love, love it!! You are so creative, always thinking outside of the box!

Nicole said...

Looks awesome! And I hear you about a useful finish instead of just another finish. Good luck with everything you need to do.

MyLittleBlueDog said...

Looks very nice indeed, I'm sure your brother in law will be very pleased. However I really liked it with the splash of yellow. Only problem I see is the other brother in laws might get jealous...

Quilteuse Forever said...

What a change! And a good one...
Have a great Thanksgiving Day!

vincenzo126 said...

It's wonderful! Happy Thanksgiving! -Jean

Linda N said...

Wow, quilt surgery. That was gutsy. But it turned out great!! Please blog about how he liked it and post a picture with him with his quilt. Have a great Thanksgiving.

Sandy Panagos said...

Well, I did love it with the yellow, but I have to say that it is much more of a guy quilt now. Well done! You will have one happy brother-in-law this week!

Ginger Marien said...

What an awesome quilt for a guy. A lot of work, but I'm sure he'll love it.

Bernie Kringel said...

That is some extensive quilt surgery. Well done and he will appreciate the gift, I am sure. Good luck with the quilting and binding. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Amanda.

T Smith said...

Impressive! I've made this quilt with similar colors to the one in the book.

Unknown said...

Loved the quilt with the yellow, but it looks great without too! I had always avoided partial seams in patterns, then realized I do them all the time when I take a piece out of the middle of a top, and I do that on a regular basis. I am in the process of saving scraps for this quilt. Love following your blog and projects. Happy Thanksgiving!

Jannette said...

I loved the original, and this is great too - a perfect "guy quilt"! The best part is, you still have time to do that cooking and cleaning... Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Diane O said...

This quilt is beautiful!! Thanks for sharing. I was wondering how you hang your quilts for pictures. I can't see anything in the picture.

farmhousequilter8 said...

Perfect for a guy!! Paula in KY

Suzanne said...

Of course you did surgery on a top that was finished because your heart is bigger than most continents.

Charlotta said...

Wonderful quilt! But I’m wondering, why did you feel you couldn’t give the quilt to your BIL with the yellow included?

Herding Grasshoppers said...

It was gorgeous BOTH ways, but I love that you did that for your BIL - I bet he'll love it :D

Melanie said...

Wow, what a crazy plan and I am glad you could make it work. I like it either way but this quilt has definitely a more masculin feel to it. I hope your brother in law looooves it! Have a great Thanksgiving!

Sandra W said...

Beautiful. Well done.

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty said...

Yes, yes, yes! I'm a big believer in self-imposed deadlines, too. Your brother-in-law will love this, I'm sure, so all of that unsewing and all of those partial seams will be worth it in the end. And I have to admit, I like it better *without* the mustard. Well done!

Kristin said...

Wow!!! That is a labor of love! I would have kept the mustards and hoped he liked it! =) Mustard is rather manly, right?

Katherine said...

Woohoo! Looks great and I bet he'll love it, too! Hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving and get to enjoy a wonderful weekend. xo

Heather said...

I would have just left the mustard in! At least it wasn't pink! What a great job.

Đồ gia dụng said...

Thank you for sharing, if you are interested in electric blankets please see the information below



đệm sưởi hàn quốc


chăn điện


chăn điện hàn quốc