Thursday, June 3, 2010

The quilt is home!!



Two days ago I had a package in the mail - a quilt from Julie - she's my fabulous machine quilter.  As always, she did a fabulous job - and for those that don't know Julie - she does machine quilting on her home machine - not a long arm - and I am absolutely amazed at the work she does.  Visit her blog for more wonderful quilts that she makes and quilts.

I just couldn't wait to get to the binding - I love doing the binding.  I love it because it means the quilt is almost done and I can finally use it.  I got the binding cut, pressed in half and machine stitched to the front of the quilt  the first day - and yesterday and today I finished the hand stitchinng to the back.  I had no internet for two hours this morning and while waiting for Comcast to make up their mind how to fix it - I got the last of the binding done - and the quilt is on the bed.

These blocks are from a swap that I've been in for about 10 years.  Each person makes a block of something that reminds them of Washington State - we all send the blocks to the swapping committee - we can make between 5 and 35, our choice - and we get back the same number of blocks.

I saved up blocks for several years and then put together two tops - this is the first one to get quilted.  The colors are more true in this photo.  I have almost enough blocks for a third quilt - then that is the last of the Washington quilts.

So let's look at some of the individual quilt blocks - I made this one - the scene in the apple is a view of Bellingham and Mt. Baker from the ocean - my own design.

A lovely basket of apples - very Washington . . .

And a tribute to the apricot - another Washington grown fruit 

I love the way Julie quilted this block - click to enlarge - and look at those feet sticking out of the tent . . .

Of course we need a Washington Ferry on our quilt . . .

Another block I made - the hummingbird is made from a floral print . . .again, my own design . . .

Daisy made this great sunflower - click to enlarge to see the perfect fabric for the center . . .

I don't remember who made all the blocks  - I love this stormy one . . .
 
A sailboat - and terrific quilting . . .

This one loaded sideways and I can't make it stop.  It was made by Julie, she lives in Idaho and her nickname is Spud - even though she lives on a wheat farm . . .

Quilting from the back - fabulous!!!!

And the feather quilting in the border - Julie is my hero - she made my quilt even more wonderful!!

16 comments:

Barb said...

What a fun quilt...love all the different blocks, that was a good swap group!

Anonymous said...

Jo,
The quilt is gorgeous. Makes me wish that I had one like it or similar. I'm sure it is everything you hoped it would be. Isn't it wonderful to finally have it done and on your bed? And it is so relevant to that state too.

Lili said...

It's amazing how much we can get accomplished with an interruption in our internet service! Another very lovely quilt Jo!

*karendianne. said...

Oh Jo! This is supreme!

Browndirtcottage said...

Clapping....clapping....LOVE...LOVE this one Joann....wonderful blocks and what a wonderful job Julie did on the quilting...I want to be a quilter like her when I grown up......the quilting JUST makes it doesn't it!!!

....LOL...you're still looking at it right now aren't you!!!

Karen said...

Now that is a different block trade. The lady bug caught my eye and so did all the sail boats. Looks good.

Wilma Lee said...

Very cool!!!! I love quilts with meaning.

A Garden of Threads said...

What a fun way to exchange blocks and the quilt turned out fabulous. The quilting is great.

Mary said...

I have my WASIQ Blocks in a box somewhere. Maybe I should take them to Retreat and get them put together, HUMMMM imagine that. I haven't finished my WASIQ Siggy quilt either and the WASIQ Blocks are older. Your quilt is beautiful and I love Julie's feathers too!

Rowan said...

Lovely quilt - I really like your apple block with the mountain scene.

Crispy said...

WOW that is just BEAUTIFUL Jo!! I wonder if that bear was heading for the picnic table or to go lick the feet LOL.

Crispy

Sunny said...

Very neat quilt ... love the different blocks, like telling a story,

Dorothy said...

Wonderful quilt JoAnn, and Julie did a great job of the quilting. I love the mountain scene within the apple block.

Deb Shucka said...

What a gorgeous quilt! My favorite block is the apple with Mt. Baker. You're right, your friend is a gifted quilter - such a hard thing to do on a regular machine. Thanks for sharing.

From the Kitchen said...

The quilt is amazing! Although I'm not a quilter, I love quilts. I have two dear friends who are quilters. One exhibits a quilt each year in the Fine Art of Fiber show at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. The other friend has quilted two quilts for me from tops pieced together by my great grandmother. She quilts by hand.

Thanks for sharing.

Best,
Bonnie

Purple Pam said...

It is a beautiful quilt, and so is the quilting. It is amazing Julie does this on her home machine. Great job for both of you!