This was my first experience with Warm and Natural Cotton Batting and let me say I will never ever use it again, even if it has improved. It was a total misery from the very first stitch and boy did I ever regret being too lazy to unbaste and do it over again with a different batt. It would have saved me hours of work and much aching to have done that, but I wasn't smart enough. That's one of those learning experiences. What's really amazing is that I persisted with my initial plan and echo quilted in 1/4" increments out from the hearts and then in straight lines. Aiyee.I actually made another one of these black fabric rectangles with different hot pink fabrics, but I was bored enough that I never even got the borders on it. It's become part of my orphan block quilt, which I really will get back to one of these days.
The free-hand fan tutorial is now up and running on Quiltville. There are even a couple of quilts in the gallery that have not yet appeared on this blog, as well as some oldies but goodies. As always, please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for improvement. Thanks again go to the wondrous Bonnie.
Speaking of fans, I'm still plugging away on Cranky. I'm now in the middle of the top border, on my first go round.
I'm trying to decide what fabrics to use on my next project, a Valentine's Day quilt. It's for my sweetie pie, whom I adore but with whom I disagree completely re color, style, symmetry... So I know the colors should be toned down - nothing too wild. I've got some hot pinks I'd love to use with my black and white prints but don't think he'd go for that.
I could do a monochromatic pink and red thing. I actually have several LOVE quilts in those colors (sorry, I've got zero photos of those) and I do love that color scheme, but I've kind of been there, done that. Except I bought loads more fabric in pink/white, so maybe I should use them. Could do the usual "my" color route of black and pink and purple and blue but then when am I ever going to use these pink and white prints? heavy sigh.
Usually this is my favorite part of making a quilt. Maybe if I decide I'm making it for him but really for me, I can do whatever I want. ba ha ha ha. Kind of like when I buy him the kind of cookies he likes and then eat them all myself.
Ihear you on the Warm and Natural. I tried it also, pre-utility quilitng. It quilts fine with the bigger needle and thread, but oh, the pain of the small needle and regular quilting thread..owie!!
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is a neat one Ton, it's fun to see the pieces that helped the process along. Thanks for sharing it. I've made several from the early issues of Mininature Quilt magazine.
It'll be fun to see what you decide on for the new valentine quilt..*S*
Ooooh...I hate the W&N too..like quilting through cardboard with a blunt needle! I did a queen sized grandmothers flower garden with that batt, and although my stitches LOOK even, they are LARGE.
ReplyDeleteI am looking at my design wall with the gazillion orphan blocks on it..remember the flannel wall where the mini stars borders hung? They are all odd sizes, mostly scrappy, lots were tests that I decided never to repeat. I'm thinking I need to do a Finn and Tonya orphan quilt, but not sure how where to start. I guess I need to sort what I have into sizes so I know what I'm working with? Hmmmmmm
Bonnie
What about a red and black quilt? I would still be valentinish and then masculine for him? Might have to use the pink and white for something else? Charity quilt, maybe?
ReplyDeleteOK. I'm insane. I agree.
ReplyDeleteI love Warm and Natural batting because it feels like an old quilt when it's done. A cotton top and a flannel backing and it "feels" like a quilt that was done long ago.
And who will ever notice the calluses I have on both middle fingers and my index finger. (Did I mention I don't use thimbles?)
Sigh. Doesn't anyone else like W&N?
It can be so hard making something for someone who has a completely other taste in fabrics/colours/tones etc. I've done some quilts using the bright fabrics I like, but then appliqued a black lace netting over them to "tone them down" for the recipient. Its worked well, depending on the use of the finished project. It helped me to invest in the project, while giving them something they liked at the end...
ReplyDeleteYour valentines quilt was a great surprise this morning for me! It is very sweet! I love what you ended up with for colors - it makes your eyes dance!
ReplyDeleteI never tried to hand quilt with W&N - only machine quilted. Good to know. My FAVORTITE hand quilting or machine quilting batting is Quilters Dream. That comes in different weights and I LOVE how the quilts feel after they have been washed - the very old fashioned crinkly cottoning feel. I find Hobbs is too squishy feeling for me.
So as in everything - everyone has their favorites!
I'm all for making what you like for him. A Valentine's Day heart quilt cries out for pinks and reds. I love that heart quilt. You could always make him something not VD themed for VD.
ReplyDeleteThe Dream Angel is awesome to handquilt- though very light and drapey. Not as structured. But very soft and smooth. I like the pink quilt and it still looks very YOU- even if you didn't feel the pinks were as bright as you'd like. We are doing 2 "hearts wild" quilts, right now. One is orange, yellow and red. One is green and purple. Think your valentine would go for those color combos? Who are we kidding here? You'll pick out these totally fab colors and we'll all love it!!! Even your sweetheart!
ReplyDeleteI really like that quilt. The two "too light" hearts add mystery & whimsy. Before I read it, I asked, "Why did she use that fabric?" Keep the guessing instead of just walking by....
ReplyDeletelike when I buy him the kind of cookies he likes and then eat them all myself...
ReplyDeleteOh goodness Tonya! I had to LOL! You're so funny, do you know that!
Good luck with your decisions.