Friday, May 21, 2010

Blogger's Quilt Festival - My Quilt


My blog reader was filled with photos of lovely quilts this morning as part of Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival. I'm going to have to go back through Amy's list one at a time to see them all!

I've decided to share my scrappy log cabin. I don't think it's the prettiest quilt I've made, but it's the one that gets the most use around here and I love that it's constantly fulfilling it's purpose.

I started on this quilt in February 2009. It was started in one house and finished in another. It began on one sewing machine and was finished on another. It was supposed to be queen size, but it ended up a few inches shy of a twin. It's the largest quilt I've free motion quilted (69 x 82.5") and the first quilt I finished for myself.

My inspiration was a scrappy quilt at my grandmother's house. I actually have that lovely scrappy quilt now, but it's in storage so I can't show it to you. It's crazy bright and scrappy and was "loved" by many grandkids over the years. 

I originally sewed this quilt together without sashing because I wanted that crazy, over-the-top scrappy feeling, but it was just too busy. After it was about half pin basted, I took all the safety pins out and picked all the blocks apart.  I'm so glad I did.  I like it so much better with sashing.

I used a number of Amy Butler fabrics from Ginger Bliss and Charm. In most cases, I used every scrap I had of these fabrics. It also contains fabrics re-purposed from some pillowcases bought at Zara Home and Habitat in London. 

The back is a busy patchwork. It's been on a couple of picnics and has been used in the yard many times. I don't worry about grass stains on the back. It's seen the inside of a washing machine a few times already.

But this is why I love this quilt so much. It usually lives folded over the arm of the sofa. It's big enough for my family of three to snuggle under while watching a movie. It's the quilt my daughter sleeps under when she's sick and sleeps downstairs on the sofa (like last night). If we forget to fold it and it's left crumpled on the sofa, it's where my 13 year old Yorkies cuddle up. I can't wait until I have to repair this quilt someday because of years of use. It's fulfilling it's purpose.

67 comments:

janet said...

There's nothing better than a well-loved and well-used quilt:) The colors in this are great, and the sashing really does make it!

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

Great quilt, love the bright scrappy look!

Barb said...

Thank you for sharing your quilt! Everything you make is gorgeous...but I can't believe that you picked every block apart. But you're right, I love the look with the sashing.

Lauren Phelps said...

Beautiful! I agree with your decision; the sashing really makes it!

Karen said...

This is SO beautiful! I love the fabrics you used. The sashing really sets this quilt off. Congratulations on finishing it yourself....that is quite a job!

Colleen MacDonald said...

It's awesome, and has so much history in it already!

Mandy said...

Love it!

Nichole said...

this quilt is so pretty! i can't believe you pieced all of those squares together and then took them all apart! i do agree with you though, the sashing is really great with the scappy blocks.

Kristen said...

Fantastic looking quilt!

Kim said...

Oh I just love it!! And those are the best quilts...the ones that get used! We're the same in that regard...mine go inside, outside, in the wash, in the car, the dogs love them, the family loves them. Life w/quilts is good! :o)

Terriaw said...

What a gorgeous quilt! I love the explosion of colors it offers in between the nice white sashing. I bet you used a lot of scraps on this project. I especially love the feeling this quilt gives you when you see it in action!

myBearpaw said...

I love this quilt! The white sashing works so well. This is one of my favourites so far!

Meg said...

Mel, that is a great quilt, and really, the best quilts are the ones that get used to bits. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Zonnah said...

Very pretty! I can't believe you took all those blocks apart, wow.

Jen BK said...

You've just described the whole reason why I quilt....love and joy and purpose. We honor the work of the quilter when we love and use the quilts they make.

Angela Nash said...

Wow - I love that quilt! Because it's being well loved and used, the fabrics are fabulous, the log cabins are fun, and because I can't believe you picked the whole thing apart! I agree it looks better with the sashing - I don't know if I would have had it in me to pick the thing apart - probably would have been sad in the back of a closet. Awesome quilt.

Little Island Quilting said...

Wow - what staying power you have to have unpicked it all.
I love it both with and without the sashing!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Quilts are meant to be loved and used. Absolutely love the scrapiness. What a happy quilt.

Mom said...

The colors and fabrics are intoxicating!

margaret
www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com

Kimberly White said...

It is really beautiful! I think that the sashing is fabulous (so worth the hard work of seam ripping)

AnnieO said...

Stitched with love and loved for every stitch! What a great quilt. Good for you that you unpicked all that work and made it just the way you wanted. I love the scrappy everything. Thanks for sharing your quilt's story :)

Dolly said...

You picked just the right quilt to share........it's living up to it's biggest promises...warmth and love !

janice said...

I love this quilt and you were right , I think to add the sashing. The white gives your eyes a place to rest so you can take in all those great colors and patterns.

Aren't quilts that actually get used and loved the best?!

Anonymous said...

You can't beat a good scrap quilt! and this one has so much fabric candy I could look at it for hours...............

Quilts and Cats said...

Scrap quilts are always my favorite and yours is gorgeous! I can't even imagine ripping out all those seams but your decision to do so was a great one. Good job.

Claire said...

what a great scrap busting quilt!

pinsandneedles said...

What a pretty quilt! I just finished pulling out all the stitches on a quilt top that I wasn't satisfied with and wondered if anyone else does that...I'm happy I did too!

Valentina said...

Oh, Melanie, that's one happy quilt!
I loved reading about the life of your quilt and how it is the quilt of your everyday life...
Thanks for sharing!
... We have a few like that lying around, too :)
Valentina from faraway Cyprus

XUE said...

I love this with sashing too and the thought of you unpicking every block apart is mind-boggling! The end result is so beautiful !

Marika said...

Very beautiful Quilt work

Anonymous said...

So beautiful! I love this!

SarahB said...

This is such a fun quilt! I very much agree that quilts should be loved and used! The white sashing was a great choice here - really makes all those scrappy blocks pop!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic quilt! I'm so glad you decided to add the white sashing - it lets each block stand on its own. It's so nice to hear that a quilt is being "used up."

Lynn Koeppen said...

Beautiful!

Marit said...

The last picture says it all! Your quilt is so colorful and the white sashing really complements all the beautiful fabrics you used. There's nothing better than a quilt thats loved and used by the whole family - including the dog. Thank you for sharing it with us, too!

; )

Catherine said...

Love the scrappy look of this log cabin and it definitely looks better with the white sashing. Looks like a very loved quilt in your house.

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

Very cheerful, pretty quilt.

mjb said...

I think scrappy quilts like this last through the years because there are always new favorite spots and fabric combinations to discover!

Leslie said...

this is beautiful...the white sashing make those blocks really stand out. gorgeous

Katie B said...

It makes me happy to see a well-loved quilt! This is a beauty. I can't believe you took it apart to add the sashing, but it looks great!

Heather said...

I love your description of fulfilling it's purpose! Isn't that true of us too?! :D
I love the sashing and you're right..it definitely "makes" it!

Alexis said...

What a gorgeous, happy quilt! The white sashing really makes it pop. Beautiful work!

Pattilou said...

You're right--the sashing really makes this quilt work. I love it and the fact that it is used lots is the best part of it. Thanks for sharing.

Karen said...

This is so divine! Delicious fabrics galore. Wonderful delight for my eyes. Can you tell I love this?

Rebekah said...

absolutely gorgeous! What a fantastic scrap quilt!

Denise said...

Love your quilt! great fabrics!

Unknown said...

What a happy quilt. I'm glad you took the time to go back and add the sashing... it really makes all of your lovely fabric pop.

Emily said...

I love it! And I love the difference with the sashing! I've got some fabric that I've been afraid to use since it's so saturated with color, but just realised that if I use sashing in a neutral it might work! :)

erin lebeau said...

hey fellow texan! love this quilt- one of my favs so far ...great blog:) http://erinlebeau.blogspot.com/

Laurel H. said...

This is truly a lovely quilt, but what I like best about it is the fact that it is USED enough to get dirty!

Christine said...

I absolutely adore that quilt and the fact that it gets used! It is inspiring me to use up my scraps in such a fashion!

Shannon w/ Monkey Dog Quitls said...

Scrappy quilts are my fave, especially in times where it is wise to reduce, reuse and recycle. Fantabulous! Sew On!

Randi said...

Yeah for scrappy quilts that get used!

Michelle said...

Delightfully scrappy quilt! The white sashing was a stroke of genius. It really shows cases the bright and cheerful blocks.

Joanne said...

Wow! Your quilt is stunning! The sashing really does enhance the "scrappyness". ♥

Cheryl Arkison said...

Those really are the best kinds of quilts.

Anonymous said...

Yes, a quilt to be used! My first quilt and favorite (in my header) is on our couch to be used. The kids play with it and snuggle under it, knowing it's so special. That's what quilts are for (ok, and decoration!)

Vicki said...

it's so pretty! I love the sashing and the individual blocks.

quilthexle said...

Thats a glorious quilt - and the sashing between the blocks gives them more definition. Well done - thanks for sharing!

quiltmom anna said...

I love log cabin quilts and I really like how the sashing gives definition to the blogs- It was a great solution to all that richness of color.
It makes me happy when others use the quilts that I have made- well loved is the best quilt compliment.

Enjoy the festival- there are so many terrific quilts to view.
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna
http://quiltmomsjourney.blogspot.com/

Angie in SoCal said...

That is a lovely quilt! So glad you posted it for the festival. I'm inspired by it to keep on making crumb blocks to put together a similar one for our living room.

Sandra said...

Can't go wrong with scrappy logcabins-what a cheery bright quilt and the white sashing really makes the logs stand out. Glad you shared before photos.
Come see my antique quilt entries
http://utahquiltappraiser.blogspot.com
http://starleyquilts.blogspot.com

Anne at Film and Thread said...

Now that's a perfect quilt - lots of beautiful fabrics and soft enough to crawl under!

Unknown said...

Very happy looking quilt, great fabrics.

Eileen said...

that is a beautiful quilt!! not just because it's a lovely quilt, but because it's also a beloved one. i love it and the sashing is a nice addition. i love scrappy quilts and you've used such wonderful fabrics. thanks for sharing. come visit if you get a chance

Melanie said...

Melanie, love your quilt! Had to comment because my name is also Melanie, I grew up in Texas (Austin) and I also have freckles and love quilts!

zeetzeet said...

This is my favorite quilt ever. I work with tons and tons of fabric designs all day long and this quilt turns the chaos into order. The white provides a place of rest...

Thank You!