Monday, April 22, 2019

Special

For the last ten years, each time one of my six sisters hits the big 5-0 birthday, I've made them a quilt.  When I think back over these quilts, they have certainly evolved - my skill has greatly improved and my designs have shifted to be more modern.

I wanted the quilt for this particular sister to be very special.  She is already special just being who she is but she has also done an awful lot to help out my dad as he is going through some serious health issues.

She didn't know I was making her a quilt.  When I asked her what her favorite color was (Navy), she likely thought I was making her yet another zipped bag.


With her favorite color in mind, a stack of Alison Glass prints and a consultation with another sister, I decided to go with my variation of  Fish in the Sea by Rebecca Severt.   


I drew up my own version to have 50 geese with the intent that the straight line quilting run diagonal in the background color stopping and starting at the edge of the geese.

Then within the geese themselves, I machine quilted about 1/4'' from edge using matching thread.

The result was just as I had hoped although there were many, many threads to bury!


To add a bit of fun and interest, I hand quilted around some of the geese and added some lines of hand quilting across the quilt.


The quilt is throw sized.  I used a Moda wide back for the back of the quilt.  It is a dark sky blue with darker large dots.


Turns out Navy is REALLY hard to photograph true to color.  (Or perhaps it is that I am not a good enough photographer.)   The very first photo in this post is the closest representation of what the color looks like.

And, for the record, this is actually Painter's Palette Midnight Blue.  It seemed to me like a prettier shade than the color actually called Navy!

(I'll be linking up here.)



Have a wonderful day! Patty

26 comments:

  1. Beautiful! I love how the colors pop on the dark background, and the bit of hand quilting really adds a special touch.

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  2. Midnight blue is a wonderful description of color! What a beautiful quilt that I am sure will be a treasured gift. The hand quilting details are wonderful and look like they would be amazing to run fingers and hands along and absorb the texture and love you stitched in.

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  3. This is such a gorgeous quilt! The Midnight Blue is perfect, and I love the bits of hand quilting here and there.

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  4. Great finish! I love the touch of hand quilting!

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  5. I am in agreement. Perfect colors, perfect quilting. You are really rocking this hand quilting thing!

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  6. A perfect gift for a special sister on her 50th birthday! The color is perfect as are the snippets of hand quilting.

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  7. What a wonderful gift for your sister!

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  8. I love this pattern. And your version is awesome. Your sister is sure to love this.

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  9. What a thoughtful sister you are! I know she appreciated this beautiful quilt. I love everything about it!

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  10. It's a wonderful pattern and an amazing quilt! Dark blue could be the new Black, I think.
    Greetings from Germany
    Rike

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  11. Very beautiful! The hand quilting really makes it special. Your sister will love it!

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  12. It's gorgeous! What a lucky sister! It's a great pattern--I may have to give it a try. BTW--navy might be my favorite color too! (lol)

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  13. Oh Patty what a beautiful gift for your sister! I love the pattern and especially the hand quilting. Even though I promised my hands that I wouldn't hand quilt anymore, I may have to give that a try on a future quilt. ;)

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  14. Beautiful! I love the bright colors agains the navy background and how fun that you used 50 geese for a 50th birthday!

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  15. What a beautiful quilt! I love everything about it. I will sure bring lots of love in your sisters home. xo

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  16. The navy really sets off all the color nicely. And the hand quilting adds so much extra texture and interest. I'm sure she must love it.

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  17. What a labor of love! It looks fantastic and all those ends to bury were worth it!

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  18. What a nice sister you are! Perfect quilt with a special meaning. I love the quilting both machine and hand-and of course the design is perfect for the occasion.

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  19. I'm loving the bright colors on the deep blue. And the hand quilting is really a special. It's beautiful!

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  20. I really love this quilt. The deep midnight blue is a perfect background color.

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  21. This quilt is stunning. I just love the way the colours pop on the navy background.

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  22. The quilt is gorgeous & your photos are great, so not to worry. Six sisters? I've none............ Thanks for sharing & take care.

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  23. Beautiful! What a wonderful way to mark the big 50 year celebration! - - How many more to you have to make for all 6 sisters?!

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  24. I really love this quilt, the pattern the colors, everything about it. Great job!

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