Friday, June 17, 2016

a scrapalicious quilt

Welcome to finish it up Friday!

My scrapalicious quilt is finally done! This finish is especially sweet because it has been a work in progress at least since November of 2014. That's a bit of time...
I took it to a nearby park yesterday for a photo shoot. It's usually a quiet park, but while I was photographing it, a group of about 10 people who were on a nature walk passed by. Of course they did! It makes me a little bit uncomfortable to be caught in public photographing quilts, but I had to smile when one of them shouted out "I like your quilt!" and a few of the others agreed. At least they were kind about it! I think my boys were probably a little bit embarrassed, but that's good for them. Ha!
In a quilt like this, almost anything goes, but it also requires a lot of editing....if that makes sense. For both of the vortex quilts that I've made, I reached a point where I had to chop things up into smaller pieces and sew them back together in a different order. It's amazing how much that can help!
For the backing, I used fabrics from my stash, which always feels great! That huge sunflower print is one of my favorites. (It's called summerhome by hemma design.) I was going to make a skirt out of it, someday, but it found it's purpose on the back of this quilt instead. I LOVE this quilt back...and I love how the spiral quilting shines!
I used a bright stripe (it's called clown stripe by Michael Miller) to finish things off. I think it works so well! I took great care to line up the stripes when I pieced the binding. (Glue basting for the win!) It's a little detail that delights me to no end.
The spiral quilting distorted the quilt a bit, so I had to square it up before adding the binding. I was quite happy that this is an improvisational quilt, so when I had to chop off an inch in some places, it really didn't matter. Hurray for that safety net!
The finished quilt measures about 66" x 86"  and it's scrap project #146. I'm still trying to decide if I am going to keep it or give it away.
 
If you would like to make something similar, check out the posts from my scrap vortex quilt along from last summer. The links for all 5 weeks can be found at the bottom of my quilt alongs page.
 
Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week. Thank you, as always, for joining me for finish it up Friday! Have a great weekend. xo

56 comments:

Melissa Corry said...

Absolutely Amazing!!!! And how special that it has been in the works for the last 3 years ;) This quilt just blows me away, so much happy scrappy goodness there!!!

Bernie Kringel said...

This is such a happy quilt. Gorgeous use of color Amanda. The sunflower backing is so pretty. If you're feel like you just have to give it away, let me know and I will send my address to you asap! It was fun watching you progress on this project over time. A wonder of scrappy fun!

Bobbi @ Snowy Days Quilting said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Thanks for hosting that QAL btw and congrats on the finish! :). The photo shoot LOL... I'm always afraid my neighbors will see me outside propping, preening,
photographing a quilt ... That one hour before sundown or one hour after sunrise... I'm sure they talk! 😜

Jessica said...

This is such an amazing scrap quilt. You have such a specific style - I can always see one of your quilts and know it's yours! I love what you said about scrap quilts, too - chopping smaller helps, and that leeway at the end is unbeatable.

Tami Von Zalez said...

Thank you for noting the detail on the striped binding. I would have never thought of that and I like that look.

Mama Spark said...

I am in total awe of your scrap vortex quilts!. Wow...just WoW! I love the quilting too. So amazing. GREAT job!!!

Pieced Brain Quilt Designs said...

It is a beautiful quilt! The colors make me want to run to my studio and finish up a couple of quilts that have also been in the works for a while...

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

Lovely quilt. The nature of it reminds me of how, and why quilts were made in the beginning, to make use of any tiny piece of fabric, so nothing got wasted. It looks such a cheerful quilt too.
Smiles
Kate

Denise - Jewelry By Denise said...

I love it! I don't have cheery scraps like you and I always get bummed making a scrap anything. I end up talking myself out of it or my colors are very muted. Maybe I'll get there eventually

Purple Quilter Queen said...

It's spectacular!!

Marie said...

holy cats! it's fabulous!

Gretchen Weaver said...

I love your quilt. I am going to be brave and try this sometime, inbetween all the other projects though. Blessings, Gretchen

Jan @Cocoa Quilts said...

This is a beautiful quilt. I like the spiral quilting.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

This quilt is so good! I have to attempt one - some day!

Lyndsey said...

Love the quilt and the backing fabric is so pretty.

Little Black Cat Quilting said...

I always love seeing your scrap vortex quilts. They're always so happy! 😊

Sarah Craig said...

Your quilt is amazing, Amanda Jean! And the pic setting is perfect - I think those walkers had very good taste!

Judy said...

Glue Basting???? Please elaborate?!?!?!

Beautiful quilt, I think the spiral quilting was a very nice touch.

Tracybug Creative said...

I love the saying "it all comes out in the wash". I try to live by that, do something nice for someone, without expecting in return and it comes back around, I don't like the word "fair" as in perfectly equal, because that's not life. I thought of that saying when I read you used the yellow sunflower for the backing, but had intended to use it for a skirt, but the other day, you used the backing fabric for the dress... It all comes out in the wash! Also, I have every intention of making one of these! "Someday"

pennylanequilts said...

Love those photos! I have one of these on the design wall and it almost was made into placemats last week. But something in me said to wait and keep adding!

doodlebugmom said...

I just love your scrappy quilt. I want to make one, but had shoulder surgery in May and recovery is slow!

Unknown said...

This is beautiful!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

That quilt is amazing, and you are right - that fabric for the binding is just right. I really like your quilting on it, too!

Christine S said...

What an awesome quilt!

Debbie said...

This turned out so great!! And yay for embarrassing your boys on a photo shoot. They'll survive!! ;-)

Angela Atkins said...

It's beautiful! I love both sides. Hope my turns out as beautiful.

Little Quiltsong said...

This quilt is gorgeous! I think you need to keep it :)! Love the front and the back!

Nancy said...

The back of your quilt is a delightful surprise. Of course the front is very fun.
--Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)

Robin B said...

Love your quilt! I have enjoyed following your blog. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

Jenny said...

Another amazing quilt, Amandajean. And I'm also amazed that you can manage to spiral quilt such a big quilt. I've used this quilting method on a quilt 45 in square, and that was a struggle for me. Guess you just have to take things slowly, and keep the quilt well supported.

KaHolly said...

It's simply stunning! And what a great photo shoot! I don't have any finishes this week cuz I was off visiting with The Scrapmaster! Came home refreshed and renewed, inspired and motivated, so this next week holds lots of promise!

Southern Gal said...

I'm so happy to see this finished quilt! I love how it turned out. I imagine I have enough scraps to make many of these...

Diane Beavers said...

Scrap vortex has been and still is my favorite of all your posts.
THanks for sharing tip by tip, scrap by scrap.
And yes the backing, especially the Sunflowers, is stunning. Very inviting colors...keep it for yourself.

KathyinMN said...

Love it. The spiral quilting really makes the quilt sing. And ok, love that you matched up the stripes in the binding *mind blown*. Pretty darned cool. Great finish!

Unknown said...

Lovely! It does take a good eye to make a very scrappy quilt look great.

Quilter Kathy said...

Congratulations on a gorgeous finish! I love this quilt and it inspires me to get my version out of the UFO closet and get it finished!!! Love the photographs (and if we can embarrass our kids, that's always a bonus!)

piecefulwendy said...

Your quilt is just fantastic, and I love the backing! So much fun. I so enjoy your posts!

Dave S. said...

This makes my mind fly back to kindergarten. Lovely quilt. Show your quilts off proudly in public when you take pictures. Just like the old man on a Christmas Story. Treat it like it's a "major award"!

Cool Lizzie said...

Scrapalicious is the perfect term for this glorious quilt!! I LOVE this - scrap quilts just thrill me, and yours is so scrumptious - thanks so much for sharing and for blogging!

Di~ said...

I'm doing some scrap vortex sewing this week! daughter is showing me, she made me an awesome apron for Mother's Day using your method! What a great quilt!

Live a Colorful Life said...

I love all the details in this quilt. I have found it so difficult to square up quilts when there is no consistent seam to line up with. Do you have a secret for that? And the binding is perfect. :)

Suzanne said...

I'd like to roll around in that scrapalicious quilt some day like some people like to roll around in leaves. The benefit of the quilt is the cleanup is a lot easier, faster and more fun. When I think of your scrappy quilts, I feel like they are intricate scrapbooks as well as functional snuggles. That makes me happy.

Camille Mendel said...

This is an amazing way to use up scraps. I don't see any triangles in your quilt. I have a lot in my scraps. Should I add those to the mix? What's your opinion on that?

Rachel said...

This is an amazing quilt! Absolutely love it! I am going to practice and practice some more to be able to make fantastic quilts like yours!

liniecat said...

Brilliant, love the effect : )

FlourishingPalms said...

I'm pretty sure you already know that I think this is an awesome quilt, and a wonderful design and along. You made this quilt look so good that I want to make another! As well, I understand what you're saying about needing to cut some of the scraps into smaller pieces. I did the same because I thought the overall design didn't look as good when the bits were too large. Had to giggle about you feeling awkward when people went by as you were photographing. I feel exactly the same way, and pretty much just have to screw up my courage and valiantly try to ignore whoever might be going past. Believe me, I've gotten looks, but I don't recall that anyone has said anything. Glad you received affirmation on your quilt. Wish we lived close to each other so we could go out together. Somehow, there's safety in numbers. :-)

JoAnne in southern California said...

Beautiful! You are inspiring me to continue with all the scraps until it's a quilt stop. I always stop and make place mats. I have many scrap place mats. On to a quilt... Thank you.

Melanie said...

I LOVE this!!!!! I really need to do this with my scraps :)

Dominique said...

I could look at this all day! happy, happy, happy quilt! I know I could never part with such a beauty.

crazy quilter said...

I adore this! You have inspired me to do the sme with all my is raps which are quite out of hand at the moment! Thank you for the inspiration...

Nell said...

this is gorgeous!

P11otter said...

A beautiful quilt! I like the scrappy look so much!

Anne said...

I LOVE it! And the spiral quilting.....awesome pictures!

Theresa Morgan said...

I just love scrappy and this one did it for me.. I have to remember your formula...Light ,med and dark. Try to keep light in the middle??
It gives your eye a place to rest......
"Daddy's Girl" is just a jewel!!!!!!

Dawn said...

Finish/Friday should come with a warning label. Saw sunflower fabric, googled it and ended up buying fabric!