I am so happy to have this quilt finished and ready for use during our first winter here in Napa. My husband requested this quilt during an impromptu trip to the quilt store. We picked out all the fabrics that very same day – a combination of Jacobean flowers and stripes. That was such a long time ago. The whole ensemble – the quilt-top, pieced backing, trimmed batting and the variegated thread I was going to use for quilting – all sat on the shelf forever. I was too afraid to quilt it because of the large queen size.
Finally, a few months ago, I pulled it out one rainy Friday, basted it and started quilting it the very same day. Although I had a fantastic neck pain afterwards, I managed to finish quilting it by the end of that weekend. It didn’t turn out to be that difficult to move half of the quilt through the narrow neck of my sewing machine. I didn’t roll up the quilt, I bunched it up and pushed or pulled as needed. The quilt was too heavy for my machine and that affected the stitch lengths at faster speeds. Once I started quilting at a slower speed, it become much smoother.
Once the machine quilting was done, I started hand quilting each of the 42 squares. I tend to overwork my wrist through various activities during the day, so I have restricted myself to only one hour of hand quilting per day. So much of my life is governed by the clock, I really don’t like to rush when I am working on creative things. It takes however long it takes. Working at the slower pace is relaxing too and my wrist doesn’t hurt afterwards. I finished the last square a few weeks ago, and sewed on the brown binding over the next few days. Or was it a couple of weeks? Don’t really remember!
We went to historic Sonoma downtown last Friday, and the little state park was the perfect place to take a picture of this quilt. Just in time too, because the rain came right after we got in the car and it hasn’t stopped since!
-Soma
15 thoughts on “First Winter Quilt”
M-R @ Quilt Matters December 13, 2014 at 08:01
Great colours and you couldn’t have found a more perfect place to photograph it, Soma. I love the flow of the stripes! Beautiful!
Gemini Jen NZ December 12, 2014 at 15:32
I love the floral and stripes combo – your colours are great too and it looks super effective! Well done! Have a good winter!
Susie December 11, 2014 at 11:35
What a beautiful quilt! I really love brown and blue, and that is a pretty pattern. Did you hand quilt in the center of each square?
This is a perfect building (and balcony) for your photo shoot.
Stay dry and safe …. hope you won’t be in the storm :(
Cheryl December 8, 2014 at 07:50
Beautiful finish! I love the addition of the hand quilting
Carol December 5, 2014 at 07:49
It looks beautiful in those fabrics and I love the pic of it hanging over the railing! I love that you hand quilted it, too…wow!
krislovesfabric December 5, 2014 at 07:42
A beauty of a quilt and what a great setting to photograph it! That bright border really sets off the design! Glad to see your finish :)
lin December 5, 2014 at 02:20
What a beautiful quilt and such lovely fabrics. So glad you finished it. xx
Susan the farm quilter December 4, 2014 at 23:41
Love the combo of flowers and stripes!! The colors are great together! You are brave to wrestle this through a DSM and add the hand quilting – looks fabulous!!
Mary December 4, 2014 at 15:12
I LOVE the colors you used. I know it will give you years of enjoyment too. The setting for the photo shoot is perfect. So glad it didn’t rain on it.
The hand stitching in the blocks adds such a nice touch and I am sure it had to be relaxing after working all of that fabric through the machine.
Kim December 4, 2014 at 14:40
What’s a li’l neck and wrist pain when you end up with a beauty such as your quilt! Soma, this quilt is stunning. I love the combination of blues and browns and the gorgeous floral patterns combined with the stripes is inspired! Just breath taking!!
Patricia C December 4, 2014 at 13:35
Very pretty, love the colors.
Susan December 4, 2014 at 13:07
I really like the pattern and fabric colors in this quilt. Nice job.
Kathleen December 4, 2014 at 12:38
You are inspiring me once again to get my very first quilt top sandwiched and quilted. I think you talked about this quilt before and I thought the same thing; I’m so close because the top and back are done; all I have to do is get it basted. Maaaaaybeee in January :)
Janine December 4, 2014 at 11:48
This quilt is a beauty! Congrats on getting it finished in time for Winter and getting photos before the rain :)
Nancy December 4, 2014 at 11:05
I love the blue and brown color combo. Nice job!