Friday 25 May 2012

A Lesson in Love

I am not quite sure if this is a lesson in love for me or for Emily, or what. But love is involved, of that I am most certain. Almost five years ago, when Emily had just turned five, I sat down with her and we designed a quilt for her together. I hadn't been quilting long. I didn't have a lot of fabric. But I did have the whole line of Simplicity which was used for both Helen and Emily's quilts.

Since then my style of quilting has completely changed. Because where my quilts now are much more modern and full of colour the one I have made for Emily is the polar opposite. It was tough to finish because it is so not me now.

But Emily still wanted it. I know this because I offered her alternatives but she wanted this quilt. I am not sure if it is because it was the original one, or she worried she would hurt my feelings if she chose otherwise. I finally had to suck up my indifference to this quilt and finish it. Because it is for Em and that is what counts. So, while the girls were away this week, finish it I did.

It is the softest most subdued colours I have ever used.
But the sunshine made it look even more washed out.

It puts me in mind of a quilt that is 100 years old,
and been washed hundreds of times.

The bottom of the quilt is traditional Irish chain.

It has been entirely quilted by hand with perle cotton.

There are appliqué hearts.
Traditional appliqué.
I am not fond of traditional appliqué to put it mildly.

Hearts stitched in soft blues, pinks and yellows.

And lots and lots of hearts stitched in white.

The back and the binding all used fabrics from the Simplicity line.

The only interloper is this appliqué heart on the back that Emily requested.
The dragonfly fabric is her favourite fabric in my stash.

The girls are going to be back from the their trip this afternoon. I will make Emily's bed up with this quilt on it. I hope to hell she likes it now it is done. Bet you she asks for black or something like that next time round!

Susan

34 comments:

  1. Well done well done well done! It is harder if you are not so much in love but I am so glad Em has her quilt and I am sure her reaction will show you how much she loves it! It isn't your style now Susan but it is still beautiful!

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  2. it's a beautiful quilt, isn't it weird how they insist on stuff even 5 years later, I bet she's thrilled that it's on her bed,

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  3. That is one of my all time favorite fabric lines. It totally appeals to the closet girlie girl in me.

    Beautiful job.

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  4. Bee quilt and Ems quilt done! You must be feeling pretty good about that this week!! It may not be "you" anymore, but you've certainly done a really lovely job :-) I'm sure Emily will love it. x

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  5. I really love the soft pastel look of this quilt..I am sure it will be a favourite!

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  6. delicate and girly... I am sure it will become a treasured heirloom. Your Emily will talk about it to her grandchildren one day... I remmber when my mum made me this quilt... Lovely

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  7. Although the colors are soft, this quilt is still "you" because of all the love and talent it takes to make it. Em will treasure it.

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  8. Well done! It is lovely even if it's not your current style :) I'm sure Emily will love it! This reminds me I have a quilt top from ages ago to finish, I might just dig it out.

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  9. Woo hoo, I am sure she will love it and it's another tick off your FAL list :)x

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  10. I love all the handquilting--you are amazing! It looks so soft and cuddly with those colors. You made me laugh when you said she'll probably ask "for black or something."

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  11. oh she will love it, what a great suprise for her on her return. Hope they have had a great time

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  12. It's lovely - well done on finishing it, she's going to be thrilled! I also love bright colours but the look I'm aiming for with my next quilt (after I've finished the hexies!) is 'washed a hundred times'...

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  13. It is so sweet..and I'm sure will be treasured forever...even through the moody teenager all in black stage :o)

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  14. It is a sweet wonderful quilt. It may be the opposite of "you", but you're a wonderful mom. I totally dislike mom's who make their daughters into mini-me's.

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  15. Bravo - I hope she has come home delighted (bags of washing and too hot to use it!!; feel that weight lifted!!! xxx

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  16. It is so hard to work on something that isn't you isn't it, well done for finishing it! I like the vintage look of it and the hearts are great.

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  17. I have a few quilts I started "moons" ago and am not all that crazy about now. However, they need to be done. You did a fab job on the hand quilting!!! But then you always do!

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  18. thats cool she has it now i think it looks good i love old washed quilts

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  19. She will definitely heart it for a long time :)

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  20. She will definitely love it. I love that it looks like an antique quilt. Your hand quilting is lovely. Hugs

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  21. Fabulous finish! I have no doubt she loves it! You did good! :)

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  22. Instant vintage! It's gorgeous! It will always be treasured because of the lovely story behind it! I bet the girls are happy to be home!

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  23. Oh what a special 'coming home' pressie! Em will love it! What a devoted mummy you are! Jxo

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  24. It may not be you now, but it is a very special part of your journey (and Emily's). Treasure it for what it is. I think it's softness is beautiful - great hand quilting too.

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  25. I think that quilt is lovely and just think that if Emily grows out of it soon and demands black, you can put it away for her babies.

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  26. She will love it because her Mum made it! It is very soft, but it does look antique. Every girl should have more than one quilt, so there's a good reason to make more.

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  27. It is beautiful! So soft and feminine and pretty. It really does have an antique sort of look. She is going to love it. Because mama made it just for her and it is her special quilt. :)

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  28. Awe! It's special because it's from you!

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  29. That's a wonderful surprise for her when she gets home. It's beautiful and what a fabulous finish for you.

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  30. Normally I love the brights just like you but this is such a pretty, girlie quilt. The softness and the washed out look are very appealing and as always your hand quilting just makes it. Em will be thrilled :-)

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  31. Em will treasure this quilt for ever. Di x

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  32. well?? did she like it?! I bet she did! x

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  33. Yay for sucking it up! Hope she leapt on it with glee, or she can eat bread and water for a week ;o)

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  34. It is lovely, soft and comforting. I love your hand quilting. We did the black room thing, two months later she hated it. doh!

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