I have done it! I have reached that elusive finish for this mini. Once I had finished the block early last year, I went through many ideas of quilting this little one, but nothing really stuck. At one point I even finished drawing swirls on the block, cut the backing and the batting, but it never made it to the machine. The problem is the colour of my cat.
You already know that I love my big old orange cat, my constant companion and shadow. This mini is special because I modeled it after him.
I used the orange swirly fabric that I love and the black fabric that I had left over from another quilt. Orange cats are mostly associated with Halloween. Add a black background and you have a quintessential Halloween project.
Except, that was far from being my intention. I added the black background because of my love for the night sky. The picture I wanted to paint was one where my cat and I would sit by the window and cherish that outer world
Month after month I looked at the block and put it away for lack of a good idea. Swirls would just add to the Halloween picture that I did not want to create. Finally one day it came to me – I wanted to try matchstick quilting. It would echo the stripes on the kitty too. Seemed like a perfect solution.
Since this was my first time doing matchstick quilting, I wanted to err on the side of caution. So I worked up to lines that are 1/4″ apart and stopped there. I felt that was perfect. I used a variegated thread which gave it an additional fun effect.
I faced the quilt to give it more of an art canvas look. Since almost all of my quilts are paper pieced art quilts, I will be using facing more often instead of binding going forward.
In the end, all that waiting paid off. I let the project guide me to the finish line and I am very happy for it. I love the mini, almost as much as I love my kitty!
Autumnal Equinox is tomorrow. Perfect time to place this mini on the wall of my atelier where my kitty and I spend the day together working. Knowing me, it will end up staying there forever.
Happy Quilting,
-Soma
I am linking up with Patty on One Monthly Goal. Great monthly linky party for finishing those WIPs.
I am also linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them, they are a lot of fun!
50 thoughts on “My Orange Tabby”
Angie October 1, 2017 at 17:18
Simply gorgeous! I have seen a lot of quilts since several family members are big quilters – but I think this is the first time I have seen matchstick quilting. Cool.
Sandy Panagos September 30, 2017 at 19:54
That. Is. So. Cool. I love your creative mind.
Ness September 30, 2017 at 14:38
I love the stripes and how the matchstick quilting blends into it. I love cats so this is a lovely pattern for me.
Karen September 28, 2017 at 17:07
You certainly captured your kitty and created a lovely picture.
Ida P. Krause September 28, 2017 at 16:06
Love this. It’s so colorful and fun.
Lisa September 27, 2017 at 17:31
It’s awesome. The matchstick quilting really sets things off.
Patty Morris September 27, 2017 at 14:50
This mini is stunning. The colors and the finishing (quilting) detail are wonderful.
Jenny Benton September 27, 2017 at 13:04
Amazing – you must be so pleased with your quilt finish.
Emily Bailey September 27, 2017 at 13:00
Your tabby cat is fabulous!
Linda September 27, 2017 at 12:09
Such a beautiful cat, I’m still smiling! Thanks for sharing with ‘sew stitch snap SHARE’
Pam September 27, 2017 at 11:04
This is gorgeous! I have this pattern too for a big ole orange buddy that has crossed the rainbow bridge. The quilting is perfect!
Linda in Calif. September 27, 2017 at 09:24
I’m amazed at your cat. What a wonderful, beautiful piece of art!
Lorna McMahon September 27, 2017 at 08:24
I love everything about this piece – the pieced stripes, the matchstick quilting and the faced finish. I must do some or all of these methods. You have inspired me! We have an orange tabby much like your companion. His name is Fluffy.
Linda September 27, 2017 at 01:39
I love love love your puss cat. I’m dashing over to Craftsy right now to check out the pattern.
Matchstick quilting is just perfect on this project.
betty - NZ September 26, 2017 at 19:14
What a clever project and a great job copying your model :)
Sharon September 26, 2017 at 15:26
What a pretty design. I love your orange kitty, perfect on the black night sky. Perfect quilting for your piece too!
A ShutterBug Explores September 26, 2017 at 10:31
Beautiful needlework ~ so colorful and creative ~ I love everything about ~ thanks and of course, your kitty is precious ~ thank, ^_^
(A ShutterBug Explores)
Margy September 25, 2017 at 19:27
Beautiful stitchery. I love the orange cat. – Margy
Jesh StG September 25, 2017 at 19:22
It IS perfect, Soma. And not Halloween looking at all:) You are so precise with stitching all those straight lines (it would drive me nuts – I leave quilting to you:):)) Thank you much for sharing your creativity with All Seasons! Have an accomplished week!
Carol S. September 25, 2017 at 08:27
Everything about this is amazing…I love it!
Sharon September 25, 2017 at 08:12
Love your Orange Tabby quilt! The match stick quilting is a great choice. Love your cat too! I never had an orange one.
Pat September 25, 2017 at 05:32
This is wonderful! Beautiful quilt and beautiful cat … :) Pat
Margaret Birding For Pleasure September 24, 2017 at 23:23
Well both the mini and your cat are beautiful. Have a great week ahead.
Kim Sharman September 23, 2017 at 23:53
All that toing and froing with your Orange Tabby quilt, Soma has resulted in a beautiful masterpiece. It truly is stunning. The matchstick quilting is a triumph and oh, how I love the window with the glimpse of the theatre of the night sky.
Kaja September 23, 2017 at 07:57
All that waiting paid off for you. The quilting looks spot on and it definitely doesn’t have a Halloween-y feel. I especially like the addition of the window – very atmospheric.
Dixie September 23, 2017 at 07:21
A lovely artistic quilt, Soma.
Gayle September 23, 2017 at 04:58
Beautiful cat block and the quilting set it off perfectly…
Lady Fi September 22, 2017 at 09:50
Awww – so lovely!
Mascha September 22, 2017 at 06:15
Oh wow, your sweet lovely kitty and the quilt is truly awesome. Perfectly stylized and implemented, that I call a real and honestly artwork.
Have a nice weekend
Laura Piland September 22, 2017 at 05:59
The matchstick quilting was definitely the right choice! I’ve never tried facing for binding a quilt – yours looks great! Thanks for linking up to TGIFF!
Toni Leggate September 22, 2017 at 01:13
Wonderful: cat, quilt and tale – thank you
Paige @ Quilted Blooms September 21, 2017 at 19:47
That face…he is very handsome! The matchstick quilting suits him very well!
Cathy September 21, 2017 at 17:46
Very nice!
Robyn Vaughan September 21, 2017 at 17:19
Lovely! The matchstick quilting suits it perfectly.
Mary September 21, 2017 at 14:54
I love this one, Soma. The orange and white stripes are so effective and the matchstick quilting is perfect for the piece. That face is wonderful too. It is an all around winner.
Kathleen Smoot September 21, 2017 at 14:25
Soma that is wonderful. You are blessed with a beautiful kitty and a talent for making him immortal on a quilt.
Now, you need to sketch and think of something to deal with watches, clocks, etc. After all “It’s About Time”
You are a gifted artist and we all bask in that talent. Thank you.
Sandra September 21, 2017 at 13:06
Superb finish Soma! I just did my first matchstick quilting today! I’d done it once before on an inside pocket of a bag and loved the look. This is perfect for your tabby. Terrific pattern too for a terrific companion.
JanineMarie September 21, 2017 at 12:32
Oh, I didn’t think Halloween at all, so you definitely accomplished your goal. I love how the variegated thread echoes the tabby colors. And the window adds so much mystery. It looks lovely on the brick wall.
Michele Hughes September 21, 2017 at 11:28
Love it!! Just perfection!
Lori Smanski September 21, 2017 at 11:23
so wonderful. I love the orange straight lines. perfect
BillieBee September 21, 2017 at 09:13
Absolute perfect, both the quilt and the quilting. What an eye catcher.
tubakk September 21, 2017 at 08:26
So cute. And I really like your quilting and your photoshoots.
Susan September 21, 2017 at 08:25
Wonderful mini. Love the quilting. My husband saw it on my monitor and came over to take a look. He likes it too (and the cat that it was modeled on).
Janine @ Rainbow Hare September 21, 2017 at 07:50
This is such a beautiful block, The cat is wonderful and your night sky background together with the way you have quilted it makes it a most perfect portrait of your friend :) I will think of you two star gazing together :)
krislovesfabric September 21, 2017 at 07:29
Beautiful Soma! I love the quilting! Love the different colors of thread and the closeness of the stitching, you did well to wait until inspiration struck!
Tish September 21, 2017 at 07:07
So much to love about this mini! I think the match quilting was a prefect choice and the variegated thread added to the tabby fun.
Wendy @ September Violets September 21, 2017 at 06:55
This is a beautiful mini Soma! Oddly enough I didn’t think ‘Halloween’ at all when I first looked at it. I love the fabrics that you chose, and the orange swirl looks exactly like a background template I first chose for my blog in Blogger. The window is a really nice touch. I’ve not heard of matchstick quilting, but it really is a perfect technique for your stripey friend. Love it!!
Patty September 21, 2017 at 05:49
I love this! What a wonderful quilt and the matchstick quilting was the perfect choice.
Yanicka Hachez September 21, 2017 at 04:57
It is an adorable mini and a beautiful cat :)
Cheryl Brickey September 21, 2017 at 04:55
This is a wonderful mini, the straight line quilting was the perfect choice to accent the beautiful paper pieced design.