I took the last stitches in my Parade Day quilt - and it was one of those moments that was bitter sweet.
I am so happy to see this big project complete.
I loved just being able to sit down in the evenings, recline my comfy recliner side of my couch, settle the hoop up into my lap, place the thimble upon my finger and just spend the evening watching (mostly listening) to something on the TV.
Everything else that happens during my day can be mundane and fleeting. But these stitches? They will outlive me. And I put each and every one of these stitches in by hand.
I love the texture!
Click to Play:
And I had a beautiful morning to boot!
Here's the center.
And a close up of the stitches on the back.
All of these fans are a bit different from each other as they are all quilted freehand - no marking.
There are wobbles and wavy lines. Some look more squashed or tilted. Some are more round.
But you know what? It doesn't matter. It's the overall texture of the whole. It doesn't matter if some arcs are spaced differently than others.
Yes, this is all 100% cotton shirts.
And there will definately be more shirt quilts in my future.
I love how soft and "already vintage" the fabrics are to work with. I love how easy it is to hand quilt through these fabrics.
I used quilter's dream cotton in the request loft. SO easy to needle. And I placed another batting on order so I'm ready for the next time I have something that just demands hand quilting.
Oh, I'll still keep the longarm doing its thing.
But truly, you should feel the difference between a machine quilted quilt and a hand quilted one. They are two different things.
I'm thinking this pattern may be ready for April - about 6 weeks ahead of Memorial Day.
And I think it will be my new favorite to hang through what I consider "Flag Season" at Quiltville Inn.
As Ivy snoozes.....
Some folks have asked why they haven't *SEEN* Ivy lately.
It's not that she isn't around. It's that she has chosen to mostly live outside during the day, and she comes in at night to sleep.
I snapped this photo this morning before putting her out.
She and Lola still do not get along. Before letting Ivy in I have to make sure that Lola has been given treats and shut into the basement studio.
I just can't deal with the constant fighting. I do this to keep the peace.
You should see them try to attack each other through the sliding glass door when I put Ivy out in the morning.
If you looked up the phrase *hissy fit* in the dictionary - there would be a photo of the two of them going at it.
So again - I do this to keep the peace.
Don't worry if you don't see any of the dogs or cats in photos for a while. My main objective is not to take photos of the dogs and cats on a daily basis. And unless you hear otherwise - they are all fine, spoiled and dandy.
And since we are headed into the holidays (And holiday sewing as well!)
I've also placed a 25% discount on Pine Tree Point. Price good through 12/15/24.
This quilt reminds me of all of the Christmas Tree trucks I see daily - pulling their tree harvest up and down these mountain roads, eventually to wind up in people's homes to become Christmas memories.
If you have one started from last year - why not pull it out and get going on it again? It's the perfect time!
International Customers Purchasing PDF Patterns: Do not use the BUY NOW button on the pattern page to check out with autofill. Place the item in your shopping cart and then go to the cart page to check out choosing either your credit card option or Paypal. Shipping addresses should not apply as this is a digital pattern purchase. I don't know why it works this way, but it does.
Rulers, notions and tools are also 15% off using code NOTIONS at checkout to receive discount.
To use a coupon code - click REDEEM YOUR COUPON beneath the the total in the shopping cart. Enter the coupon code in the box that opens up. Click enter.
*NOTE* You need to put the code in BEFORE you click to your payment method for discount coupon to be applied.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, 11/27/24 is the LAST DAY to place a ruler or item order that requires shipping before I leave for England on Black Friday. If you are on the fence...please place your order today so I have time to get it in the mail to you. Thank you.
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
This pretty much sums up everything, everywhere, right now.
I really love Parade Day! I have plenty of plaid shirts to work with, just not time right now. Your hand quilting on this one is gorgeous! I can't believe how even the arcs are even without marking, but of course you've had plenty of practice. I also can't believe how you always get so much accomplished. Between your blog and Facebook accts and mystery quilts and travelling - I am getting tired just thinking about all of it. I would not have the energy to do a fraction of what you do.
Love the Fan quilting! Ì have a Shirts Quilt still in the works. Lots of White shirts to add to my Shirt Stash. Have a great Thanksgiving. The Mystery time is looking good in Open Studio. Lots of pretty colors. Safe travels to you.
I've loved Parade Day since you started it, but now that it's finished, OMG I'm over the moon. The quilting makes this one so utterly fabulous and the red white and blues are lovely muted tones, which I adore. I've stayed away from that trio of colors for a long while, but seeing your quilt brings me back to them making me want to make one. See, I even used a "but" in there in a good way. Lol. So, I'll have to start shopping goodwill and thrift stores to build a stash to make one like yours. Perhaps by the time your pattern comes out in April, I'll have enough to make it.
I love the feel of hand quilting and sleeping under a hand quilted quilt, is much lighter weight and comfortable. My machine quilted quilts are heavy and stiff. I like that fact that you did no markings to follow. Nice job. I love the pattern and colors too.
Loving this quilt... I can't imagine why you love it! Stars, the colors, recycled shirts, hand quilting.... what's not to love! It looks so comfy cozy... enjoy cuddling into it. I know I sure would. Have a safe trip... looking forward to seeing all you have to say when you get back... and of course any pictures that you might be willing to share with us all. Thanks for all you do. Jean
If you are commenting as "anonymous" please leave your name at the end of your comment.
Did you know that ad space on this blog provides for all of the free patterns and free mysteries and challenges at no cost to you? Without ads, this blog would not be possible.
Thank you for understanding the many hours that go into this blog 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. :)
I really love Parade Day! I have plenty of plaid shirts to work with, just not time right now. Your hand quilting on this one is gorgeous! I can't believe how even the arcs are even without marking, but of course you've had plenty of practice. I also can't believe how you always get so much accomplished. Between your blog and Facebook accts and mystery quilts and travelling - I am getting tired just thinking about all of it. I would not have the energy to do a fraction of what you do.
ReplyDeleteLove the Fan quilting! Ì have a Shirts Quilt still in the works. Lots of White shirts to add to my Shirt Stash. Have a great Thanksgiving. The Mystery time is looking good in Open Studio. Lots of pretty colors. Safe travels to you.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this one! The hand quilting is gorgeous... as always! I'm happy to hear the fur babies are being spoiled.
DeleteDo you use poly cotton shirts or pure cotton in your shirt quilts.
ReplyDeleteDo you use poly cotton or pure cotton in your shirt quilts?
ReplyDeleteI've loved Parade Day since you started it, but now that it's finished, OMG I'm over the moon. The quilting makes this one so utterly fabulous and the red white and blues are lovely muted tones, which I adore. I've stayed away from that trio of colors for a long while, but seeing your quilt brings me back to them making me want to make one. See, I even used a "but" in there in a good way. Lol. So, I'll have to start shopping goodwill and thrift stores to build a stash to make one like yours. Perhaps by the time your pattern comes out in April, I'll have enough to make it.
ReplyDeleteI love the feel of hand quilting and sleeping under a hand quilted quilt, is much lighter weight and comfortable. My machine quilted quilts are heavy and stiff. I like that fact that you did no markings to follow. Nice job. I love the pattern and colors too.
ReplyDeleteLoving this quilt... I can't imagine why you love it! Stars, the colors, recycled shirts, hand quilting.... what's not to love! It looks so comfy cozy... enjoy cuddling into it. I know I sure would.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip... looking forward to seeing all you have to say when you get back... and of course any pictures that you might be willing to share with us all. Thanks for all you do. Jean