Monday, November 1, 2010

Fall Quilt Fest

Amy's having another Blogger's Quilt Festival, and I'm jumping into the pool with this one:


It's "Currents," the quilt from my blog header. I made it in the Winter of 2009, just as I was getting laid off the job I'd held for nine years. It was good timing, actually -- I suddenly had all the time in the world on my hands, and coincidentally, I had just started sandwiching this piece, which required, well, all the time in the world to quilt.

The quilting was a total experiment -- I wanted it to look like the ripples that form in the sand along the shores of Lake Michigan:


This took weeks to finish, which for me was the biggest challenge:  not letting myself work on anything else until this was done. It represents my ability to conquer my ADD and muster the wherewithal to finish something when I really put my mind to it


It is also, after seven years of making quilts, the first quilt I ever kept for myself. It hangs on my living room wall, and every time I look at it, I'm amazed that me-of-little-patience created something so labor intensive -- and something so cool.

24 comments:

sie tut es auch said...

great quilt & quilting!!

BJ said...

Lovely use of batiks. Wonderful quilting. Very effective, and you totally succeeded in replicating the ripples in the sand.

Cathy said...

Great quilting - thanks for showing the picture of what inspired the quilting design. I think you captured it very well.

I hope your job situation is better than when you made this quilt.

Deborah said...

Great quilt! I love the kitty paws, too!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous quilt - your ripple quilting is very effective.

elle said...

This is a beautiful quilt. Great ripples! I always see your header in my mind when I see your name. ;)

Laurel H. said...

Ooo; this is just gorgeous! My BQF quilt is in big batik blocks, too!

Dianne said...

Lovely! The colors are wonderful and you did a great job with the quilting.

Sarah Craig said...

That is amazing quilting, on an already amazing quilt! I love the colors in it, and you definitely captured the feeling of those ripples in the sand!! Thanks for sharing the story behind your header!!

Lesly said...

Gosh this is beautiful! I'm not normally mad for batiks, but I do love what you've done with these. Terrific quilting, too!

Linda at Roscoe's Ma said...

This is beautiful!! Love the quilting. Love the colors too. Wow.

Kathy Schwartz said...

This is my favorite kind of quilt...batik fabrics with lots of quilting!
I have a similar quilt hanging in my quilting room.
Thanks for sharing.

Ann Marie said...

Love the quilting. I highly recommend hanging a quilt you've made and love where you can see it every day.

Marit said...

It is beautiful, the colors and the wonderful texture! I too, think it's healthy to surround yourself with at least one of your creations, to enjoy every day. Better than looking in the mirror ... it reflects the creative you!
; )

pinsandneedles said...

Just gorgeous! I love the color palette and the quilting is stunning. As a fellow Chicagoan, I totally understand the ripples in the sands of Lake Michigan! Great work!

erin lebeau said...

what a piece of art! i will have to try that ripple quilting -too cool!

baukje said...

Wow, this is amazing . I would love to see it ........
really , so beautiful. For me you have won the first prize

Greetings from France

Sharon said...

I love this quilt - it's great to see it again. You really captured those Lake ripples. Hanging the quilt sideways helps to create the sense of calm you find at the Lake. I'm so glad you kept this and get to enjoy it daily. (I totally agree with Marit)

Donna said...

You can never be too rich, too thin, or lay in too many quilt stitches. As proven by this piece. It's terrific!

Stephanie D said...

I've always loved this quilt! Batiks rule!

Jan said...

What an awesome quilt. I can only imagine what a mammoth effort it would have taken to do this.
Well done, and it looks great on your wall.

Amanda Jean said...

I really love this quilt, Kate. The quilting is truly amazing!!!

Robin said...

How wonderful that you kept this one and are able to enjoy it every day! It is beautiful and the quilting is just inspired. I never get tired of seeing this one!

Deborah in Atlanta said...

I love to know where you got the directions so you could have your quilt in your banner. Just discovered your blog and I'm loving it! dmj53(at)hotmail(dot)com