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Sunday, May 12, 2013

Birthday Boy Quilt- Sailing at Sunset

Well, I finished my wild thing's birthday quilt.  As I mentioned in my last post, he and my wonderful husband were heading out of town for an overnight trip, and I jumped on the opportunity to make a quilt for him without his knowledge.  Yes...yes...  I could have just worked on it for nights on end after he went to bed, and cleaned up all evidence every night before going to bed myself, but hey- that's just not how I roll.  Of course, that means that I had to sew like a mad-woman to get it pieced, quilted, and bound within the span of less than 36 hours (sleep optional)- 
even if I did choose a really simple pattern.  

Here it is all finished!  I'm calling it Sailing at Sunset, since the colors remind me of the ocean when it is most beautiful, and because there are a few nautical-themed fabrics mixed in.




Marathon sewing aside, I'm really proud of this quilt for a few reasons.  

1.  I've been quilting off and on for almost 15 years, but before this quilt, I have never done a pieced backing.  It's not that I don't know how to do one, it's just that by the time the top is all finished, I'm ready to get on with the quilting part and get it done.  After seeing lots of awesome pieced backings all over the blogosphere (thanks for the inspiration!), I decided to take the plunge and do one myself.  
The backing-



 2.  Until this quilt, I've never done a binding.  What's that you say?  No binding?  How did I finish the edges of my quilts?  Well, I used the method used by my grandmother, which is called "back over binding."  This method involves leaving the backing a couple of inches wider than the quilt top all the way around, and you simply fold it over, tuck the raw edge, and stitch it down, either by hand or machine.  This works great if you've chosen a backing that isn't too busy and will look great against the pattern of the quilt top.  Alas, the backing I wanted to do would not have looked good on the front side, so I had to learn a new skill!  All in all, I'm happy with it, even though my corners don't look perfect- darn that mitering!


3.  My FMQ is getting so much better.  I didn't have a single crossover in my stippling on this quilt (yay!  personal victory!), and I felt really relaxed while quilting.  Usually, I feel tense while quilting, and as a result I don't think my curves are as smooth as they should be.  I know I've mentioned that FMQ is still a new skill I'm working to perfect, and I've had one or two crossovers in each of my last quilts.  In this one- not a single one.  I'm also working on more even spacing of my meandering lines.  It's hard to take a picture of all this, but here's my best shot (no pun intended, lol!).


Check out the label I added to the back.  You can see the quilting pretty well in this picture too.  To apply the label, I used spray basting to hold it in place, and then appliqued it to the backing after basting, but before quilting (so the stitches wouldn't show on the front of the quilt) with a zig-zag stitch.  Have I mentioned that I really dislike hand sewing?  I find it tedious, and I don't think that my stitches are as strong as machine stitching.  Believe me, if I can find a way to do something on the machine, I will NEVER choose to do it by hand.  




and because I can't help it, I'm going to include a picture of my Boxer Beau, who takes every opportunity to visit me and forces me to take breaks.  He's pretty persistent!  :)




I actually managed to finish this quilt (from cut pieces to finished quilt) in about 18 hours!  Well before my husband and wild thing are due to arrive home.  Now, we'll have to see if I can actually make it to June 8th before giving the quilt to him.  I'm not a great secret keeper, and I love giving gifts that I know will be loved, so it's going to be tough!  I can't wait to see him snuggled up with it!  I love that even though he's almost nine, he still loves Mommy's quilts.  :)

54 comments:

  1. Great finish! I love your color palette!

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment! I'm so glad you like it!

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  2. Hi Kelly, I loved reading your last post and then this one. I can't believe you whipped up this fabulous quilt so quickly but then again that's what us Mums do when we need to isn't it. You've put so much love into it and it's going to be so well loved. Enjoy every minute of him being young, my youngest is about to leave home (we have just one day between our birthdays too) and I have no idea where the last 26 years of being a Mum have gone. Have a great week :)

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    1. Thanks so much! It's amazing what we can do when we know we must. I really am cherishing every single day. He's great fun and keeps us busy. I have no doubt that I'll blink, and all of a sudden, he'll be leaving home. Happy Mothers Day to you!

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  3. I'm with you - machine trumps hand!! Although I must admit to finally appreciating hand-stitching binding down at night while watching TV ;)

    Thanks for linking up!

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    1. I'm so glad I have someone in agreement with me! I always read of everyone just loving binding by hand. When it's time for the binding, I'm ready for the finish! haha!

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  4. Such a great gift! I've been doing more machine binding lately myself. Like you, when the quilt is almost done, I'm ready to be totally done. Hand binding is nice, but sometimes it's just not that necessary... :)

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  5. Just wanted to say thanks a lot for stopping by my blog. Can't believe you finished the quilt so quickly! It looks great, lovely colours, and it sounds like you learnt a lot while making it. I'm new to quilting/sewing so there seems to be a constant stream of things to learn!

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    1. I agree! Keep at it! I learned the basics years ago, but once I was comfortable with those, I have just tried to add new skills along the way. Sometimes, trying to do too much too soon can be overwhelming!

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  6. Sailing at Sunset, that's the perfect name for your quilt - I love it. Well done for getting it made so quickly :)

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  7. It looks really lovely and I'm sure your wild thing will be very happy with it! I love the pieced backing and the binding - great job on something new:-)

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    1. Thanks a bunch! I hope he likes it! Glad you like the backing and binding! Sometimes it's so easy to get stuck in the same old rut and hard to try something new.

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  8. Oh I do hope you'll be able to wait until his birthday, its already such a special present, and it will be even more if you wait. Your quilting looks great, maybe it all worked out better this time because you were more relaxed. I just love this quilt.
    (thanks for linking up, hope to see you again soon)

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    1. thank you! I'm sure I'll end up waiting until his birthday (my husband will see to that, lol!) Thanks for hosting the linky party! I just love linking up and getting such great ideas all in one place!

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  9. This quilt look fantastic! Love the colors and your binding, backing, and label are perfect! Going to be a great gift, now just wait:)

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    1. Thanks a bunch!! Glad you like my backing and binding choices!

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  10. This is beautiful and I love your pieced backing and label :)

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    1. Thanks so much!! I'm happy with the way they turned out too!

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  11. I can't believe you made it so quickly. Love the colours you've used.

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    1. Thank you! I hope they are colors he'll like for a long time! Saturday was a LONG day, but really worth it!

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  12. Wow, looks great, and finishing in 18 hours!! Amazing :)

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  13. It looks great! Visiting from Sew Cute. =)

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  14. Oh your stippling looks fantastic! And the backing is great - I love it!!

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  15. Very Cute! I'm impressed that you finished it in 36 hours! I think that would day me at least 36 days... haha!

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    1. Thanks! There wasn't a lot of sleeping involved, but hey- you do what you've got to do! :)

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  16. Looks great! I love the different fabrics, it looks cute together.

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment! I appreciate it and I'm glad you like it!

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  17. Congratulations on so many accomplishments! It feels really good to be able to say those things I bet! And the quilt shows it! Beautiful colors, the back is really fun and the quilting is sweet! Great job!

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    1. Thank you so much!! It really does feel great to be able to say I've learned something new. :)

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  18. I love the colors and design of your quilt! Good luck making it to the birthdate to give it to your husband...I am sure you are excited to give it to him. Your quilting looks great!! I just saw a quilt recently that used the back fold over method to bind the quilt and I would like to give that method a try!

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    1. thanks so much!! My husband is trying to keep me from giving it to our son before his birthday! ;) Personally, I don't find one method of binding any easier than the other, except for maybe the fact that you have to make the binding strips the other way. But with the back-over method, you have to pin/clip all the way around (which I didn't do with this one). So, I guess they're about the same difficulty. The back-over method just works great if your backing looks great with the front. good luck with it!

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  19. Great post - and so many victories for you, congrats. I finally decided to embrace machine binding myself with the deadline of charity quilts for an event it was either make it or not so I opted to go for it.

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    1. Thank you! When I switched from hand to machine binding, I've never looked back. I just love it! :)

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  20. Great finish! And so many personal victories on this one. It will make a wonderful gift.

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  21. What a wonderful quilt and how neat that you have done so many new things! I'm like you.....no hand sewing if I can avoid it! Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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    1. thanks Connie! and thanks for hosting the linky party! :)

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  22. Great job Kelly! It's a lovely quilt and big kudos for tackling new techniques at the same time as a quilt marathon! I'm sure your son will love it to pieces! BTW, funny note, his birthday is the same as my daughter & my dad. Daughter will be 16 yrs old & we're not allowed to mention Dad's age. LOL

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  23. I love it! You have some really great prints in there!

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  24. Love the colours and the backing is fab!

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  25. Wow, 18 hours?!?! That is incredible! Love your fabrics - definitely reads "boy" without being too blatant about it.

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  26. Congrats on conquering bindings! You'll never go back because of all the design options that have just opened up to you!
    My son received a quilt from me just today. They never get too old for a moomy quilt. He is 34! :0

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  27. I love the colours and I love the pieced backing (they are my favourite backings!). I also think your label looks amazing. Well done on tackling new skills in a short time frame!

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  28. I love that your boy still loves Mom's Quilts! All of my projects are for my daughter and it is so satisfying when they show such honest interest and appreciation for what we Mothers have made. Lovely quilt and finish (Visiting through TGIFF)

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  29. Wow! So many first for you! A wonderful job! My daughters b-day is June 8th also.

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  30. What a cute quilt! You did a really great job! I love the name and the pieced backing is a fun surprise. I'm sure your son will love it, no matter when you give it to him! Congrats on an awesome finish and thank you for linking up!

    xo -E

    I usually piece my quilt labels into the back to avoid appliqueing it on.

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  31. Not as much work hourly that I thought you might have to deal with but you sure do have a great step aboard! Well done. Sailing NYC

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  32. So wierd to think this quilt is already a year old and your little guy almost a year older too! Time sure does fly!!! So glad you rejuvenated this post at Tuesday Archives!!

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Thanks so much for your comment and for visiting! I read and appreciate every single comment, and I reply to each one as soon as I can. If you don't hear back from me, you might be a no-reply blogger. :)

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