Ah, the naivety of a new quilter. I had pieced one throw-sized quilt and a table topper when last summer I started on a twin sized Double Irish Chain quilt. I used the Time for a Chain book which was a great book and just a good resource as well. Had options for single, double and triple chains and various sizes. It is an older book that I found at my local Half Price Books and that added to the appeal of the project.
I had no idea what I was signing up for. In hindsight, I am glad I was clueless because I may not have taken it on. I went online and ordered Kona cottons in Kansas State colours at the request of a friend. He went to KState and decided on the colour scheme- Black, Medium Gray and Mulberry. Interesting how college colours look OK when used for athletic gear, but hideous for quilts. Still can't get Purdue to work. I hated the colours the entire time I was cutting and piecing. While it was a large project, cutting strips and chain piecing made it a lot more manageable. My piecing skills were far from perfect so I made more blocks than needed and used the best for the quilt. I didn't realize it at the time, but using solids is considered modern and now looking back I love the use of 'modern' solids with the 'traditional' Irish Chain.
Well, hated it while piecing and hated it while it laid on the design floor. Even my friend was skeptical when he saw the finished top. BUT then I handed it over to Jenny. BEST. DECISION. EVER!!! I hadn't met Jenny in person (just knew her sister), so I wrote her a note saying that I hated the quilt top and she could just do whatever she wanted. She worked some incredible magic. She took a very flat and boring quilt and gave it dimension. I found it very hard to part with it once it was done.
I am glad I gave it away, because it has been much appreciated and much loved. It has been used for just a year and already has quite a few stories to tell. I know it will be treasured for years to come. I just talked to my friend and he said he still loves it. "It is a great quilt. It turned out really nice. I could tell Karen put a lot of time into it. It will definitely be an heirloom."
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| http://amyscreativeside.com/2011/10/28/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2011/ |
I just love a happy ending for this quilt! So, when are you going to make another Irish chain? ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! Isn't it amazing how quilting transforms a quilt? I've sent out quilts I didn't like and then loved them when it came home again. It is magic. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt definitely has an interesting and unusual color combination. The quilting certainly gives it dimension. I like it. It's great to know the story behind it and that you learned something in the process. I should have known that you'd be one of those quilters who is "ahead of her time" going modern as you did. Thanks for sharing this quilt.
ReplyDeleteAre you a Purdue grad? So is our son. Small world.
Bella, belli i colori!
ReplyDeleteCiao
Beautiful! :o)
ReplyDeleteHow funny :) I've definitely had the experience where I hated a quilt while making it, but it changed my mind after being quilted. I really like this one, though! ;D
ReplyDeletecool quilt!
ReplyDeleteMargaret
msolomo1@maine.rr.com
www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com
I have that quilt doubt while sewing but usually end up love my quilt too. This one turned out great! The solids are very fun and modern and the quilting is perfect. Love it! Glad it found a appreciative home.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Hungary. I really like your quilt. Beautiful colors, and stitching. I love the asymmetrical patterns.
ReplyDeleteI think this is beautiful! I don't know what it looked like before, but the quilting makes it look amazing! Great job!
ReplyDeleteVery nice! Love the solids!
ReplyDeleteI just made a quilt for a graduate and they are very hard to imagine with just solids.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks great. :) Way to stick with it!
ReplyDeleteMary
http://www.quiltgenius.com