The Dahlias of Our Lives
Hee hee - That's got to be the tackiest post title I've ever come up with, but I'm working on the hope of it being so bad that it's funny.. maybe?
Her quilt has beautiful circle blocks surrounding the dahlia and then some borders of stunning fabric. ( Chris always finds the most amazing fabrics for her borders!)
Here's my lovely Dahlia center that I made in Chris Jurd's class.
Her quilt has beautiful circle blocks surrounding the dahlia and then some borders of stunning fabric. ( Chris always finds the most amazing fabrics for her borders!)
Well... For my borders I went a little bit crazy . That was way back in November but just recently found time to sew them on. Where does the time go?
Crazy...
or should I say loud, zany and crazy borders?!
Here it is on the floor about to be basted.
Now, wouldn't you think I'd have the sense to take a proper photo while it was up on my design wall... but No I had to wait till it was on the floor and my shots are all at weird angles. I guess it adds to the crazy, zany feel of it all.This is a pretty strong statement but I think this is my Very favourite quilt that I've ever made. The colours are so me!!! I just love each and every fabric and how they work together. I like the bit of traditional piecing and then the free form borders. I find myself getting lost looking in the labyrinth of shapes in the border.
The borders were just sewn willy nilly together, no foundations and not necessarily in blocks. I started them on a day when I needed a break from accurate measuring. Considering the amount of bias going in every direction, there's just a couple of mini puckers and against all odds it lays surprisingly flat. Phew, Sigh of relief!
I even enjoyed basting this quilt, usually my least favourite part of quilt making. I think I really am caught under the spell of this quilt, knowing every pin gets it closer to being finished. The quilting plan is to stabilise it first with some stitching in the ditch then lots of lovely cosy winters day, bright coloured perle cotton stitching.
Nothing like snuggling under a quilt you're quilting. I once saw a girl knitting a colourful stripey scarf ... while she was walking down the street... and wearing it in long loops down to her knees. It was a real life Dr Suess moment.Here it is on the floor about to be basted.
Now, wouldn't you think I'd have the sense to take a proper photo while it was up on my design wall... but No I had to wait till it was on the floor and my shots are all at weird angles. I guess it adds to the crazy, zany feel of it all.This is a pretty strong statement but I think this is my Very favourite quilt that I've ever made. The colours are so me!!! I just love each and every fabric and how they work together. I like the bit of traditional piecing and then the free form borders. I find myself getting lost looking in the labyrinth of shapes in the border.
The borders were just sewn willy nilly together, no foundations and not necessarily in blocks. I started them on a day when I needed a break from accurate measuring. Considering the amount of bias going in every direction, there's just a couple of mini puckers and against all odds it lays surprisingly flat. Phew, Sigh of relief!
I even enjoyed basting this quilt, usually my least favourite part of quilt making. I think I really am caught under the spell of this quilt, knowing every pin gets it closer to being finished. The quilting plan is to stabilise it first with some stitching in the ditch then lots of lovely cosy winters day, bright coloured perle cotton stitching.
Cheerio.
25 Comments
Oh wow this is one gorgeous quilt Rachael!! You're right it is so you, and it's absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove the girl knitting a scarf on the street, talk about obsessed lol ;-)
WOW! that is jaw droppingly gorgeous Rachael, and can understand why it is your fave ... just beautiful! x
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is spectacular. I love all your work but I think this is my very favourite.
ReplyDeleteFabulous border! Your quilt looks so good.
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I love seeing the Sis Boom fussy cut front and center. I understand why you're looking forward to the quilting. Just being near it would be comforting and invigorating.
ReplyDeleteOk.....WOW WOW WOW!!!! This is fabulous! I'm loving everything about it! All those beautiful fabrics, and the insanely narrow black edging and inside border you did! LOVE IT! Can't wait to see it finished....what color of binding are you planning?
ReplyDeleteAnd hey.....where are 'you' in the header pic!?!
This is the most amazing quilt! I love the fabrics in the border. I, too, love to make this kind of fabric to use in quilts. Wow! is an understatment.
ReplyDeleteOh my, this is stunning. Makes me want to cry it's so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteFabulous!!! You have every right to feel happy, excited and proud it!
ReplyDeleteYou've done a great job and it looks beautiful. I bet the quilting will only make it better!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! I like the crazy border with all the ordered symmetry in the center :)
ReplyDeleteDid you use the QuiltSmart pattern for the dahlia? English paper-piecing? I've got to put that on my "to-be-pieced" list!
Ok, so you know the drill. You finish this absolutely to die for quilt and then send it to me.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, awesome top! (again!!)
Love the post title too, but now I have that theme music going round in my head. AAARRRGGGHHH!!!
You come up with some great ideas for settings, I love this one a lot. Zaney Dahlia, a perfect description.
ReplyDeleteI think the border is wonderful!!! So happy and scrappy, go for it. I love the colors too! That looks like a hard block to piece, hooray for you.
ReplyDeletelooks fabulous! fits great with 15 minutes play! gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI love all the fabulous rich fabrics you chose Rachel- The dahlia is one challenging pattern- You did a fantastic job on it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Anna
Wow it is absolutely amazing and I can understand too why it's your all time favourite. What a fantastic quilt and such beautiful colours, congratulations!
ReplyDeleteIts a gorgeous quilt! Love your blog post title.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fab quilt and the colours are fantastic. well done.
ReplyDeleteYour patchwork staggers me--both the precise and the improv! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a remarkable quilt!!!! No wonder it's your favorite! I sure would love to make a dahlia.
ReplyDeleteWow!!! Love it! :) I think I need to learn how to make that gorgeous dahlia...what book/pattern can I get to learn since I don't live where you are?!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI can understand your love and absorption in it - it's.....what is the word I'm looking for? Beyond gorgeous, spectacular and beautiful...it's so alive!
ReplyDeleteHoly!!!! Gorgeous! I'm at a loss for words!
ReplyDeleteOk, I love that you did a Dahlia! It's one of those old designs you don't see being done much anymore. I have templates and it's still on my wish list but who knows if I'll ever get to it. I love that you've "made it modern" with "made fabric" borders. Just - too - tantalizing!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for leaving me a comment. Your kind words encourage me to keep sharing my work and stories.