Friday, 20 February 2015

Cherry Christmas Quilt

Woohoo - I finally have a finished quilt to share with you!  I started this quilt all the way back in July 2013 (in this post) - can you believe it?

Cherry Christmas 

It's not even that this was a massively time consuming project - it just kept getting pushed aside in favour of other things.  I used Aneela Hooey's Cherry Christmas line, with a couple of other random fat quarters thrown in to make up the numbers, and the scrappy trip along design that went viral a couple of years ago.

Cherry Christmas 

I had this quilt thread basted by Sue Burnett, a local long-arm quilter.  Seriously, if you have access to a long-arm quilter, ask them about this.  After trying it myself, I don't think I'd baste a large quilt again and many of my friends are converts now too.  It's generally not very expensive and such a time and hassle saver.  I then quilted the quilt myself on my Juki (for those who are curious, I didn't use the frame - this quilt was a bit big for it unless I added the extension).  I love the simple loops design - it's the one I start off with when teaching free motion quilting and I like to show that it's something I actually use on my quilts as well.

Cherry Christmas 

I like hand stitching my bindings and I usually do so in the normal way - with a simple ladder stitch that's nearly invisible.  On this quilt, I decided to do something different and stitch the binding down with Aurifil 12 weight thread using a running stitch.  It's probably not quite as secure (and it certainly took a lot longer) but it's oh so cute.  I will put together a little video tutorial on how to do this when I get back from QuiltCon (and I'm sure I've seen someone else use this on their quilt but I have no idea who - if you know, let me know!).

Cherry Christmas

So now I have a Christmas quilt!  It's hanging out on my couch even though it's nowhere near Christmas time.  Luckily, Ivy approves.

Anyone else working on something completely out-of-season?

This is the first item I've finished off my Q1 Finish-Along list.  I'm afraid my number of finishes for Q1 is going to be fairly unimpressive!  How is everyone else going?  

Follow on Bloglovin

13 comments:

Kat said...

That binding is too cute!

Helen M said...

Hi Adrianne. I have finished three on my list so far. I have two more quilts to do the quilting in March along with the one I need my big girls pants on to enable me to quilt. I doubt I will get to the 7th item on my list I will roll that to the next qtr. Thanks so much for running this. It has focused me on finishing things instead of starting things.☺

Camilla said...

I'm not ticking off anything! I have made a few gifts but not completed any quilts...there's still time!

Poppy Black said...

Ivy knows how beautiful the fabric colours make her glossy coat look! The binding stitches look fantastic. Just right with the design.

Dominique said...

Oh, the binding! Yes, yes, yes. I am a dedicated binding hand stitcher and it never occurred to me to make the handstitching visible. What a great idea. I may do just that next time, and not hide it in the back. I could machine stitch the back and do a nice contrasting running stitch in front, oh, Adrianne, my head is spinning now. Thanks for showing us this! As for working on something off season, I just made a Christmas quilt top a few weeks ago, and will probably finish it in the summer! Yours is great, I don't tire of Scrappy trips and I like the colours you chose for yours.

Georgi said...

So SO cute!!! I love the Cherry Christmas collection and your quilt is gorgeous!!

Gemini Jen NZ said...

Gorgeous quilt! Such a lovely fabric line. I like the stitching on the binding, very crafty! I must have a look at my QAL, I have done a couple of things on the list I think!

Carla said...

This is so so great! I love the prints

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

It's fabulous! I've ticked off two things so far but have yet to blog about them...must get on with that!

Whynottryitagain: movies, quilts, making said...

Great job! Feels good to finish. I love the swirling red squares that add a degree of whimsy to the quilt.

Hollie @ Just a Mom who Sews said...

Oh, Love the binding!!! I'm working on a stocking for a little one who will make his appearance in April. As for the Q1 finishes, I have a couple of finishes, but so glad there is no penalty for not getting it done. Haha!

Sarah Fredette said...

Yay a finish!! This is seriously cute. I think I saw Blue Elephant Stitches do a similar binding technique - on her AMH diamonds quilt maybe? It is a great way to finish a quilt, especially one that maybe won't receive as many washings as a crib quilt. :D

NickiJ said...

Wow, that would have taken a lot of cutting out and sewing all those rows together getting the seams lined up. It certainly looks a treat. Wonderful effort, you must be dead pleased!