Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Saved from the Closet!

There's a whole lotta love going 'round in quilting blogosphere at the moment. Katie has started up her annual 100 Quilts for Kids blog hop and quilt drive and Lynne has just blogged about the amazing success of her Siblings Together initiative. Please click on the links in this post to learn more about these wonderful projects, both aimed at getting cozy quilts wrapped around deserving children.

Swim, Bike, Quilt

Quilts for Siblings Together

Locally, my traditional guild makes hundreds of charity quilts annually from preemie up to full size. There are other local guilds doing the same thing, so I think right here, needs are being well met at the moment. I was very moved by the appeal for Siblings Together and thought that this year I'd send my charity quilt over to the UK (last year's went to Japan). After reading this recent post, I am very happy to share this quilt (as yet to actually be quilted) with a child in care.

DSC_2100

I made this Jacob's Ladder variation in a guild mystery workshop maaaany years ago...possibly nine?   Oh boy, I cannot even say this is a WIP, more like an AP (Abandoned Project) that has been folded over a hanger in my closet. Each 12 1/2" block has 50 pieces. It was a major challenge for me to piece this back then, with barely two years of quilting experience and I think after all of that piecing, I was done in. Can you spot my Amish moment in the photo above? I'm actually surprised there aren't more! (if not, click through to the flickr image where I've noted it)

one block = 50 pieces
1 block = 50 pieces

In fact, it's been so long since I made this, I'm fairly sure the double wide white backing I bought for it has been worn to more than one toga party.

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At 48" x 72" it's plenty large enough to cuddle a child. I'll be quilting it up with an all-over meander and to keep the weight down for international shipping, I'm going to try a poly batting for the first time. Any tips?

I'm just so happy to have a purpose for this cute quilt top that my own children have long outgrown. There will be even more charity quilting in my near future - in August I'm heading to Seattle for a Pacific Northwest modern quilt guild meet up and I understand members from Portland, Seattle and Vancouver MQG's will be sewing charity quilts together all day on Saturday, August 11th. Can't wait!

12 comments:

Amy Friend said...

I'm so glad that it is coming out of the closet and for such a great purpose. No tips on the Poly batting but good luck!

Angela said...

just use a low loft poly batting and you will be fine. You might find you like it better! I actually love poly or poly blend battings because I love a cozy quilt that cuddles. ;)

I have a quilt top that reminds me of this that I need to find a home for as well. It too was filled with complicated blocks and the backing I had for it has finally been used to back another quilt. No toga parties for me. lol

dutchcomfort said...

Love the story behind this quilt! I think I’m building an AP stash too...

What I love to use as batting to keep a quilt light is Vilene (we call it Vlieseline, it’s also known as Pellon) with one fusible side. I often use it for pillows too. It comes in several weights and thicknesses. Lynne (Lilysquilts) wrote some posts about it.

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

We use a lot of thin low loft poly batting here which we call table batting. My favorite is sold by the nearest craft store and is ever so soft and drapes wonderfully. I use fleece to back cosy quilts, no batting needed. Not sure how lightweight it is compared to poly batting+backing though.
It is a pretty top, charming Amish 4patch and all! No wonder that you got all quilted out by this with all the little pieces in each block!

Sana Saroti said...

Oh my goodness! 50 pieces!!! I am on my knees ;-)
I didnt see your amish moment without cheating on flickr! You can be so pround and I'm sure someone will love it!

Anonymous said...

I have never heard the term "Amish moment." Can you explain, please?

Elsa said...

Love the Amish moment. It's perfect!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Great cause; poly batting? Can't spray baste it x

Dianne said...

None of us are perfect thank goodness! This is a lovely quilt Krista and a child somewhere will be delighted to have it to cuddle in. The only poly I have ever used is Mountain Mist but that was a while ago. Not sure they even make it any more.
So glad the guild has taken to easier mysteries than this one. Although I guess mine came close!!

Unknown said...

That's such a great little quilt no matter how long it took you. The recipient will be lucky (and happy) to get it.

I have a few APs of my own. I have a quilt top from the early nineties that will never see the light of day. Embarrassingly bad colour scheme. Just too ugly. Ah well. They can't all work I guess.

Katie @SwimBikeQuilt said...

Hmm... When do my UFO's become AP's? This is pretty intense piecing, and I really like the overall design. Thanks for the shout out, and after reading Lynne's post, I want to send her all of my quilts too. :)

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

When I saw that first photo I thought it was a whole cloth quilt. No way I thought anyone would be crazy enough to sew that many little pieces together. You are amazing. And to think you're giving it away!
No help with the poly batting, sorry, have never used it. Be sure to let us know how it goes though.