Friday, October 14, 2011

4 block applique is finished

I am very excited to have this quilt completed! I put the last stitches into the binding yesterday morning and then it was such a beautiful day I had to take it out into the backyard to photograph.

This quilt was inspired by an antique quilt in the collection of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. I drew the pattern up myself and designed the borders. Lucy's blog Quilting with the Past was a big inspiration to me at the time I was designing it.

I finished the top about 3 years ago - I had only the cream background fabric I saved for the binding left. Maybe red would have made a more interesting choice for binding?

We've had such a gorgeous fall. I can't remember having flowers blooming this late into October before. Here the apple tree still has lots of fall color.
All the non-quilters I show this quilt to want to know what it is for and what I'm going to do with it. It is hard for them to understand that I made this quilt for the pure enjoyment of making it. It will likely reside here in my chair for the first while. Those non-quilters just don't "get it"!

It really is inexpensive entertainment if you consider all the hours I enjoyed appliqueing and quilting it.


I've added the button for Janet's Trailing Vines quiltalong to my sidebar. I'm looking forward to starting another long term project :0)

Happy Quilting!!

38 comments:

Ann Marie said...

What a beautiful quilt. I like the cream binding.

Sue said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sue said...

Lovely lovely quilt . You have made a beautiful heirloom and I think the light binding is just perfect.

Colleen said...

Beautiful, thank you for sharing your talents!

Rose Marie said...

What a beautiful quilt you now own! It is simply beautiful!! The cream binding fits in with the antique look of it.

YankeeQuilter said...

It looks wonderful...like the cream binding. Sit back and enjoy!

canuckquilter said...

Your quilt is gorgeous! I think the cream binding is just right for it.

corina said...

Stunning quilt! The cream binding is perfect. A darker binding would have taken away from the quilt. Such a beautiful flow to your quilt.

Miriam said...

Congratulations Janet on a stunning quilt!! It really is beautiful!

Heather said...

Your quilt is just lovely. Congrats on finishing it!

Lucy said...

What a stunning quilt! I'm inpired by you to work on my four block again.
Thank you.

Darlene's Quilts and Stuff said...

The quilt is exquisite. Non crocheters are the same way when they see my doilies. I don't understand why more people don't have great hobbies.

Angie said...

That is absolutely gorgeous!! What an inspiration, girl!

Karen said...

This is a beautiful quilt. You are talented in being able to draw an applique design from a quilt you have seen. I would have a hard time doing it.

Non quilters would also think $150 or so would be a lot to purchase the quilt too. LOL! Our quilting pastime is hard for them to understand.

Frances Leate said...

What an absolutely beautiful quilt and one that is going to give you much pleasure and enjoyment every time you look at it. You are quite right non quilters just don't get it! Take care.

Carol G said...

Exquisite! What a wonderful treasure you have now to enjoy--not only the quilt but the memory of all the hours of enjoyment.

Cheri said...

Janet it is just beautiful. I know what you mean about mon quilters do not understand the contentment we quilters get from our projects and that much of the joy is in the doing. I like the cream binding, it makes the border flowers float and it did not need another frame.

Elsie Montgomery said...

One word: stunning!

Janet said...

It's a gloriously beautiful quilt, I adore four block quilts. Look what you've got to show for the time you've put in it, that's priceless. The quilting looks stunning.

Emma said...

Wow, that turned out so wonderfully. You *have* to bring it for show and tell. (I may even attempt to keep the drool off your quilt)

Dixie Howard said...

Wow, what a beauty! Congratulations on such a wonderful finish! I'm really impressed that you designed it yourself and your colors are just great!

Floss said...

Stunning quilt Janet, the hand work is beautiful.

Evelyn in Canada said...

Aw, please don't lump all of us non-quilters together like that. I may not have the patience for any three year projects, but I love that you do. That's a gorgeous quilt and you can do whatever you like with it. If I had a huge wall, I'd probably hang it up somewhere and show it off.

Oops-Lah said...

Absolutely stunning! Congratulations on finishing this beauty!

John'aLee said...

Oh I am in love! I'm a pink and green kind o' gal....and that one is a beaut!

Carrie P. said...

Janet it is stunning. You did a fabulous job. I like the binding just the way it is.
Congratulations. You should be very proud.

Lori said...

What a beautiful and amazing quilt! Yea, quilting for the enjoyment of it!! Excellent!!

Barb said...

Oh! your quilt took my breath away. It is so stunning. YOu must be thrilled with it!!
I love the way you quilted the borders. The feather plumb is lovely.
A big thank you for giving such nice and complete credit for inspiration!! So important, and often forgotten.
Enjoy the lovely weather and your new heirloom
xo

antique quilter said...

the quilt is just amazing, I can't stop looking at it!
I really love the way you hand quilted it.
perfect!
Kathie

Avon said...

Love your quilt!

Meredith said...

I like it, (Ok love it) just the way it is. I understand creating and doing just for the enjoyment or process. I am the same way.

Ann Champion said...

I absolutely love this quilt! I've been asked the same "what are you going to do with it" in the past. It shocks me that anyone would ask.

Making an heirloom quilt like this is such a soulful adventure. It's good entertainment, is calming and medatative..and it retains it's value!
I look forward to your take on the Vines quilt.

Valentina said...

Oh Janet. be still my beating heart! Well done, YOU!
Exactly: for the sheer enjoyment ( and sanity! :) of it...
I don't agree that red binding would have been better. You want to draw the eye in- there is just so much to delight in! okay, I need fresh air. Just gorgeous.
I have been purposefully avoiding Janet's vines... Because you know what's going to happen if I get anywhere near! xox

Sandra said...

Wow-za. Great job on the reproduction. You've captured the antique look.

julieQ said...

Gorgeous quilting and quilt! I really think you need to enter this in a quilt show...let more people enjoy it!!!

MARCIE said...

You really out did yourself with this one Janet! Totally awesome!

Anne said...

Absolutely gorgeous! You should be really proud of yourself. It's a show stopper, for sure!

Ineke Original said...

Fantastic! Just love this!