Monday, October 18, 2010

Quilt top Finished and a bit of business

Last night I sewed the last two seams in my Big Quilt Project. Despite the hilarious wonkiness of the whole top, there is a great deal of satisfaction here. You see, I wasn't aiming to make a show-worthy quilt, there were no delusions on my part. The aim was to bust out the ginormous number of fat quarters in my stash and stitch them together into an item that would keep my friends and family warm and cozy. I wanted to see my stash. And so I did and can. Though my quilting future may not hold another pieced quilt, I stuck to this one and did the best that I could. 

There is a crack in everything... that's how the light gets in.

"Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

Leonard Cohen, yes of course. But did you know that there is both an Asian and Celt philosophy along the same lines? There is a lot of light in my quilt and I find myself smiling happily about that. It means, to me, that Quilters are amazing craftspeople. It means also, that I don't need to be a Quilter to have enjoyed this process. It makes me inordinately happy that I was able to cobble together this warm thing, using the quilter's tools and body of knowledge to get it together. 

As I measured (not well), cut (not evenly) and stitched (crookedly) I acknowledged the vast skills of of Quilters, past and present. It made me feel so happy to know that they are there, quietly working away.

As to the bit of business ... Let's use the comments section here more effectively. In other words, if you have a question, post it there and I (or some other commenter) will answer it. If you have a link to share on topic, put it in the comments. I think it would make the blog more interactive if we did this. I'll revisit the comments from the blog posts for the week and then move on. If you have a question on some older post, feel free to email me!

Lurkers may lurk as usual, no worries. BUT, do check the comments area for more information related to a post.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I loved the rustic, homey beauty of the quilt. The colors made me happy!

Herm said...

Diana, I love your quilt and the colors are gorgeous, well done!!!!

Jan said...

I think your quilt is gorgeous and it looks like one would be wrapped in joy to use it.

Diana Trout {Nan.DT@verizon.net} said...

Just to get to the actual quilting and binding now. I hope to wrap myself in it by Thanksgiving.

Jeanne Turner McBrayer said...

Congratulations on finishing your quilt top. What joyous, happy colors and wonky stars!

Lotus said...

YOur quilt is wonderful! I sooo love the colors! It's so cuddly looking!
Lotus

Anonymous said...

Rather nice site you've got here. Thanks for it. I like such topics and anything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more soon.
How about changing it from time to time?

Kate Kuree
escort monaco

Wendy said...

It seems to me that you're my kind of quilter. I started patchworking and found it a little too exact for me and then I found a book by Jan Mullen of Stargazey Quilts and was hooked. I was particularly inspired by her ATCs - check hers out.
http://www.stargazey.com/artisttradingcards.php

Poetic Dreams said...

From one quilter to another, I think it's a beauty. I can't wait to unpack my fabric & quilting notions so I can quilt again.
Hugs, Poe

Anonymous said...

Just love the quilt, love the comment on light between the cracks (you can see those through our kitchen roof - they also let in the rain! - and think your idea of interaction within comments is excellent. I'm going to check the one you refer to right now. (And thankyou for your comment re my journaling blog; I am honoured.)

Raylee said...

great idea!

Diana Trout {Nan.DT@verizon.net} said...

Thanks for the book suggestion, Wendy. Here is the amazon link for Cut Loose Quilts
http://www.amazon.com/Cut-Loose-Quilts-Stack-Slice-Switch/dp/1571201548/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1287501332&sr=1-1

scj said...

I absolutely love this quilt and your comments Diana. Such freedom here! Thanks for all you share with us.

Diana Trout {Nan.DT@verizon.net} said...

To all, I'm really hoping that the commenting here will become a resource for all of us!

Elizabeth said...

Your quilt is FABULOUS!! It sings with character, color and total riotous ahppiness!! I love it!! Good job getting er done!! that is one fo my all time favorite quotes-I have it in at least three places throughout the house and my work space!!!

Jane LaFazio said...

beautiful! I've only made one functional quilt, myself, and it was a baby quilt...so I can appreciate the amount of work this took, and I LOVE the colors and non-pattern!

Raine said...

Your quilt is beautiful! I'm a big fan of bright colors.
The Native Americans have a similar attitude about imperfection. In their beading, they must always add a wrong bead somewhere that they call a "spirit bead" because they believe that only the Great Spirit is perfect and it would be presumtuous to think that they could create something perfect.

susan in seattle said...

Love the Star quilt! You said earlier that it was from Material Obsessions. Do you mean the book or the online store from the Aust. store? This is driving me crazy because I used to have that pattern and have now forgotten the method of cutting and construction. I've gotta know how to make it again! Would you be willing to do a tutorial on it or give me some info on where to find the pattern? I love your blog and tutorials!!! Welcome to the NW. I was just in Port Townsend yesterday visiting our artist friends and having dinner @ T's - great food!

Tracie Lyn Huskamp said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE your quilt topper... Diana.. such eye candy..

Joy Logan said...

NO wonkiness just a nice colorful quilt...whew those final stitches...sore fingers?

Jessica said...

i have always wanted to make a quilt, and reading this post fuels that desire even more. It would make a great winter project for me. Your quilt is lovely! The colors are wonderful.

And "wonky" has been my new favorite word lately. My husband is starting to be irritated by it, i think. ;)

Diana Trout {Nan.DT@verizon.net} said...

Susan (in Seattle) - Yes, the quilt is from a pattern in Material Obsession, the book.