IMG_4109 I was able to get the quilt mailed off this afternoon and it should be there in a few days. After a rocky weekend I am crossing my fingers it gets there in time. I am fairly happy with how it turned out. It's definitely the largest quilt I've ever made (not sure of the dimensions of a hospital bed- but this quilt was made to fit a twin with a little extra room.)IMG_4106

So first off all, quilts of this size….not so easy to photograph. At all. I sort of hung it off the patio in the backyard so you are missing the top of it, but it's the same as the bottom so you aren't missing much. 

For those of you who asked: the fabrics were a combination of mainly Amy Butler & Heather Bailey. The binding (yellow) was from Joann, so was the small border  (next to the binding- the blue, white & brown.)  I really like the idea of doing a log cabin design because it allows you a lot of freedom with fabrics & colors but the design sort of pulls it all together. Organized chaos I guess you could say. So instead of doing individual blocks with log cabins, I decided to start the quilt with one giant log cabin design. Aside from starting in the middle and building out- I'm not sure if I'm missing some fundamental part of making a log cabin design (all you experienced quilt makers can correct me here.) The fabrics (there were about 13 different ones- I had about  1/4 yard of each) were cut into 5" strips. I started in the middle and built it out until I didn't have enough of the strips left to go around. At that point, I cut down the remaining pieces and sewed them together. Just outside of the log cabin is a patchwork of all the fabrics (you can see it going around the log cabin design.)  The quilt was getting bigger, it just wasn't quite wide enough. I then cut about a 3" strip of fabric (this is the pink, white & green at  the top of the picture) put a few pieces of the stripe (which I love- I think it's Heather Bailey) in there and sewed that around the patchwork binding. At this point, it was almost wide enough. To make it longer I cut 4 pieces, which were the width of the quilt (the yellow and rose print at the bottom of the picture)  that were about 7" in length, sewed those to the top & bottom, put on a border to go around all of that (which was initially about 5" but disaster ensued and it had to be cut down to about 2" …ahhh!) and then finished it off with the yellow binding. Oh I quilted it by stitching in the ditch. I finally broke down and bought a walking foot (that thing is INTENSE) for my machine (maybe I've mentioned that before…I can't remember) anywho-it has been an absolute life saver.IMG_4110 The back was a simple pink & white polka dot (fabric from Joann.) It's really prompted me to get going on a quilt for Henry's bed which is long overdue. And I want to cover my lampshades with fabric. Have you ever done this? If you have, give me your lampshade covering advice!  

xoxo

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32 responses to “It’s finished”

  1. Erin Eckernode Avatar

    oh wow! This is gorgeous. The design, fabric, everything. Your aunt is going to love it. Thanks for the details. Beautiful work!

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  2. Nancy Avatar

    It turned out so beautifully. What a special, special gift that is sure to bring much comfort.
    I have walking foot envy. I may just have to drop by Joann’s and check them out…

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  3. Melissa Avatar

    LOVE that quilt. It’s beautiful. I have covered a lampshade before. I started with a big piece of paper (or a couple taped together) and slowly rolled the shade and traced the edges with a pencil. Then I cut my fabric an inch or so past that line. It worked pretty well. I just used fabric glue to adhere it to the lampshade, but I’m sure you could use hot glue or hand stitch (depending on the original material of the lampshade). Then I just used ribbon to finish the edges. I ended up “ruffling” the ribbon sort of because it wouldn’t lay perfectly flat as I went around. It wasn’t really a professional job, but it looked pretty good as long as you didn’t go poking around looking inside the lampshade. Good Luck.

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  4. Mom Avatar
    Mom

    Sew beautifully done, sweetheart.
    I have no doubt Aunt Cheryl will absolutely love it.
    XXOO
    (Nancy, check ebay for the walking foot you want; you may save some cash.)

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  5. Amy S Avatar

    That quilt is GORGEOUS!!

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  6. Abbey Rice Avatar

    What’s the deal with a walking foot? What does it do? I do stitch in the ditch with nearly all my quilts…will a walking foot make it easier?
    Love the quilt…of course.

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  7. Rory Avatar

    Love, love, love!

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  8. Sarah Avatar

    What an amazing job!! Your quilt looks wonderful.

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  9. Hillary Avatar
    Hillary

    It’s lovely.
    I learned how to take pics of large quilts from Mom, and they all require help – either (a) have two people hold it up, (b) drape it over the railing of a deck and have someone hold it in place, or (c) put it on the grass and take a picture from high up, like the deck. Draping it over a swingset also works.
    How do you like the Amy Butler fabrics? I’ve heard mixed reviews about their quality.
    Abbey, the walking foot helps stabilize the multiple layers of a quilt so the back doesn’t bunch up.

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  10. Morgan Avatar

    Yes, yes and yes! The walking foot makes it so much easier. I was noticing when I would sew the stitch length some were short, some were long- it seemed really hard to get all the layers through the machine. The walking foot literally just glides over the fabric and makes all the stitches uniform. Def. Check ebay for one- will make your life so much easier AND I noticed that it only took about 1/2 the time to sew them. Good luck!!

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  11. Morgan Avatar

    Totally doing it! Thanks so much!!

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  12. Morgan Avatar

    Hi Nancy- just going to echo Mom’s advice to check ebay for a walking foot. xo

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  13. Tami Avatar
    Tami

    Morgan – OMG you’ve outdone yourself. This quilt is gorgeous! Thank you for taking the time to share the fabrics and the process used to make the quilt. I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out the designer of the fuschia/pink fabric used in the first middle square. I’ve seen it before and may have some somewhere. Can you tell me? thank you for sharing this beautfil quilt with us.

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  14. Brianna Dupuy Avatar

    Golly Gee!! That is a beautiful quilt. You are really talented… I have heard that quilts take forever to make, and are hard. You make it seem easy. What a beautiful gift for your aunt, and it will touch her even more because you made it for her. You are amazing!

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  15. Mandy Avatar

    Morgs- LOVE the quilt! It is beautiful and I am sure your aunt and those who visit her will love it. Sorry no advice here from the girl who doesn’t sew.

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  16. Erin | house on hill road Avatar

    morgan! this is fantastic. i really like the idea of one big log cabin. i may have to make a similar one.

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  17. matt Avatar
    matt

    my sis rules.

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  18. Morgan Avatar

    Aww…right back at you Matt.
    p.s. Stop keeping my hubby up till all hours of the night! You know what I’m talking about.

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  19. Jaime Avatar

    Morgan, your quilt is so beautiful! I love the combination of colors and fabrics. I’m sure it will be cherished. Just perfect . . .

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  20. Becky K Avatar

    I heart this quilt so much! Must make one for daughter before she thinks I’m uncool! I always thought this covered shade was fun.
    http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/05/fabric-lamp-shade.html

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  21. Trisha Avatar

    That is gorgeous! I sew a lot, but besides tying a quilt, I have never quilted before. It just seems to take so much time. I like projects I can complete in a couple of days. 🙂 I might just have to try it out though.

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  22. Mom Avatar
    Mom

    UPDATE: Visited Aunt Cheryl today.
    She looked very peaceful under your quilt. She hasn’t opened her eyes in a week, but she knows it’s there.
    Genevieve loved it and was touched by your sweet generousity. I had her take a picture with Cheryl’s hand resting on it.
    She feels so loved and spoke a few words of gratitude; I know her heart is full even though she’s barely to mumble a few words.
    At times like this, it seems so little matters other than family and full, grateful hearts.
    XXOO

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  23. Erica Avatar
    Erica

    The quilt is beautiful Morgan.
    We will be back in town next week. I will be in touch. I can’t wait to get home to warm weather.

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  24. Morgan Avatar

    Trisha- It really doesn’t take too much time at all. I finished this in a week but keep in mind I was only able to work on it here & there in the evenings after the children had gone to bed. Had I had more time, I probably could have cranked it out in about 2 days. Totally do-able! You can do it!

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  25. Morgan Avatar

    Very cool shade, Becky! Thanks for sharing!

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  26. connie Avatar

    wow, congrats. it must feel sooo good to step back and look at your work and accomplishment.

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  27. Robbie Avatar
    Robbie

    Your quilt is beautiful. You are so talented. I love the bright colors you chose. Thanks for sharing.

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  28. Stacy Avatar
    Stacy

    The quilt is beautiful! I wish I knew how to quilt! I would make one just like this! I’m so sorry your Aunt passed. I hope you and your family are ok.

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  29. Shannon Avatar

    Gorgeous!!! Love it! The colors and fabric are fabulous!

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  30. Tonya Staab Avatar

    It’s absolutely stunning. I adore the bright colors and patterns. Your Aunt would have felt your love in every stitch as it kept her warm.

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  31. j Avatar
    j

    Very cute quilt.
    Also, paragraphs. They’re the reader’s friend.

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