Thursday 30 December 2021

One last finish for the year

Finished with a whole two days in hand!  The builders have left things nice and tidy over the Christmas break but the inside of the house is not what you would call picturesque so once again I braved the drizzle to stick this on the line.  It's a challenging business, since everything is kind of cock-eyed, as you can see from this unedited photo.
There is no slope in the garden - just in the washing line.  Just out of shot is a long length of drainpipe, with two pegs stuck on the top edge, which is serving as a prop for the line.  

At least things look a bit better once I crop out the wonky background!

Working up close on the quilting I had lost track of the big picture with this one, but now that it is done and I can stand back a bit, I am really happy with how it has turned out.  I can absolutely see how it relates to my starting point of maps of the back-to-backs in the centre of Birmingham in the 19th century.  

This was started at the beginning of August 2018 in response to an AHIQ challenge and I finished the piecing on December 5th.  I think maybe other quilts jumped the queue, because that seems quite a long time ago.  Anyway, I got it into a hoop in August this year and finished it first thing this morning.  In fact, I got up early specifically to stitch the last foot or so of binding.  That seems like a long time, I know, but because I mostly have two quilts on the go at the moment and both of them are now done, I think it still works out at somewhere between two and three months per quilt, which feels pretty fast to me.  

This was made out of a lot of shirts (the very darkest blue here is one of the nicest shirts I have ever used, I think) with bits from stash and a few very old Oakshott cottons in the mix.  Wadding is organic cotton and I used perle thread from stash.  I am used to cutting it fine with my fabric but in this case I nearly ran out of suitable thread.  There is one corner where everything is quilted in either white or a dark green, because that is all I had left.    
I am particularly pleased with the back for this.  The centre is made from an old tablecloth which depicts historic buildings of Tasmania.  I was experimenting with using things that I wouldn't want to cut up for a front and tablecloths have rather taken my fancy.  Not big enough to save me much piecing, but somehow pleasing nonetheless.

Finished size is about 65" wide by 80" long.
No better way to see out a year than with a last minute finish. 

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2022.

15 comments:

Quilting Babcia said...

This is a spectacular finish, and I love how you've used special pieces like the tablecloth in their entirety. It's so nice to have the back of a quilt as interesting as the front. Well done!

Juliana said...

Congratulations on another finish! This is a wonderful quilt, and I love the back with its 'use-it-up-and-make-it-work' vibe.
Happy New Year!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

What a beautiful way to wrap up the year, Kaja! The tablecloth center in the back fits nicely with the theme and inspiration for the front, and I always love the view of your beautiful hand quilting that can be spied from the back. Happy New Year!

Julierose said...

Just a beautiful finish to 2021! I love that deep blue fabric sprinkled around. Using a tablecloth for the backing is a marvelous idea...nice work
I hope your New Year is a healthy and a happy one..hugs, Julierose

Mystic Quilter said...

Congratulations!! Good to see this collection of photos, I did see the one on Instagram earlier today but of course we're able to see and read more about the back story of the quilt here and have a look at your pieced back, such a good idea to include the tablecloth - looking forward to possibly seeing more of them in your future quilts. Happy and Healthy New Year Kaja!

audrey said...

Absolutely! What a great finish to the year. I can see why you would feel proud and happy with this quilt! The maps challenge was such an interesting one and you definitely have that particular feel in this quilt in spades. Love the tablecloth as backing too. Will have to think about that possibility some more! I too have to grab another ball of thread whether it matches or no once in a great while. The more that I do it, the less that it bothers me. All part of that wonderful make-do spirit that we love and maybe, it will cause some future quilter to smile too.:)

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

An amazing quilt! I do love how you have used the dark blue, it brings different sections into focus, inviting a deeper look. And, the little pops of peach? are great too. Happy happy New Year you & yours x

Quiltdivajulie said...

I absolutely LOVE the way this came together with the hand stitching. What a marvelous end-of-the-year finish!

Nann said...

Your quilt is a wonderful way to end the year. The tablecloth insert is perfect.

Ann said...

Of course I loved the theme but your color choices again make the quilt. It reads a such an urban area with pocket parks.
Putting tablecloths and special linens on the back is a wonderful idea. I'll have to look around for some, too.
Wishing us all a better year ahead.

Janie said...

Your Maps quilt is excellent! The top photo is great I think, it captures the season.
very attractive design and finish, I'm smiling! Now I'm going to enjoy pouring over the roads and quilted texture for a while.

patty a. said...

Just catching up on my blog reading and I saw this beauty! Congratulations on another finish for 2021!

LA Paylor said...

wonderful!!! I told someone about you and your style today, I hope she comes over to meet you
LeeAnna

Judy Hansen said...

I enjoyed visiting your blog today, and seeing your beautiful quilts. A friend sent me to your blog because I've pulled out my box of plaid fabrics and am working with plaids. You do beautiful work! And I agree with your slow stitching philosophy.

Carli The Quilter said...

Bravo, simple and lovely upcycling all those shirts!!