Thursday, August 12, 2010

A Finish!

When I first saw this quilt advertised as a BOM from Primitive Gatherings in one of the quilting magazines, it was love at first sight and knew I just had to join in!  I started working on it almost two years ago and the flimsy was put away in a plastic container for more than a year,  waiting for me to decide as to whether I’d add the four appliquéd borders that are a part of the original design.

Because the appliquéd elements are made with hand dyed wools, the quilt cannot be washed and I doubt that I would take the chance of having it dry cleaned either.  This would mean that the only alternative would be to hang it and there aren`t too many walls in our home large enough to accommodate a full-sized quilt, which ultimately helped in my decision making.

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About a month ago, I threw caution to the wind, added a border and handed it over to my friend and longarm quilter extraordinaire, Nancy, and told her to “have at it!”   I think this is either the fourth or fifth quilt that Nancy has quilted for me and not once have I been disappointed.  Everything is done free motion and the quilting designs are her own.  She is truly an amazing quilting artist.

The quilt is called A Primitive Garden and is designed by Lisa Bongean.  Here it is, quilted and bound.

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In all honesty, the photos do not do it justice. 

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All the elements are hand appliquéd in the most rich, soft and yummy hand dyed woolens that I have ever worked with.

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More close ups of random blocks.

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Can you see the incredible quilting?

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Each block is quilted differently.

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The detail that Lisa incorporates into her designs is amazing.

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It gave me great pleasure to be able to finally stitch my initials and year onto the back of this quilt.  Can you make them out in the bottom left corner?  The idea for this came to me from a 1923 Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt that I have in my collection.  You really have to search for the initials and year and I thought that perhaps someone in the future might experience the same ‘eureka’ moment that I did when I discovered those on the antique quilt stitched subtly onto the backing.

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All that remains is to find the proper hardware with which to hang it!

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

95 comments:

Maria said...

What an absolutely magnificent quilt.I love all the beautiful applique you have done on it and Nancy has done a wonderful job of the quilting.

Susan said...

What a beautiful quilt. Nancy did an amazing job of quilting it for you.

I like your idea with your initials and the date.

Every time you look at that quilt you will smile and remember the pleasure of stitching it and your good friend Nancy.

Yvette said...

You are KILLING me! I have admired this quilt since the first time I saw it. I have this pattern on my "Wish List". I ADORE what you did with it. It is just incredible. I am bookmarking this page of your blog so I can admire it.

Terry said...

It's absolutely beautiful Kaaren! I can see why you love it so! :0)

Farm Girl said...

That is just beautiful, a complete work of art. So is the quilting, since I am so new to the world of quilting this just amazes me. My first project is your free pattern you offered and my first block. So thank you so much for teaching me so much already.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Really spectacular Kaaren. The beautiful quilting only highlights the gorgeous hand work you've done and lovely colors and materials you've chosen. Congratulations on this beauty.

Mary L. said...

Breathtaking!

Die Butjenterin Abschnitt said...

Wow, the Quilt is just beautiful.
I love Applicat.
Käte

Gwynette in NW Arkansas said...

Kaaren, you have created a wonderful work of art and Nancy has perfectly framed it with her quilting. Thanks for sharing!!

siv hege said...

The quilt is amazing! I love the quilting too.

B J Elder said...

The quilt and quilting are fabulous. How fun that it is with wool. Your work is wonderful and set off beautifully by the quilting. What a treasure you have created!

kathyinozarks said...

This is just gorgeous! I want one-lol I have been seeing more and more appliqued quilts with wool and I just love them. I gotta make me one I would think this could be washed in woolite and on a cool or warm setting, but laid flat to dry.

Laura said...

Absolutely beautiful Quilt! Your work and Nancy's are Great! Certainly a treasure to hang in your home. Laura

Anonymous said...

It's gorgeous! I signed up for this BOM from Primitive Gatherings as well, but I haven't started mine yet, I need to get on it, I already have 4 monthly packets sitting in my sewing room.

Cyndi loves to stitch said...

beautiful, stitching, beautiful quilting, beautful pattern. This is a real winner! love your hidden initals!!

Michelle said...

It's BEAUTIFUL!

Sandra Henderson said...

Oh how beautiful! I've seen this at The Olde Greene Cupboard in Jacksonville, FL, but not in the wools. WOW! Just incredible! your quilter did fabulous work. You are lucky to be able to hand things over to her and trust her...
Congratulations on another gorgeous finish!

craft-crazed said...

I love love love this quilt! wonderful job!! They have a demo one of these in my local quilt shop and I love it!

~Laurie~ said...

So beautiful Kaaren! The detail of the work in the wool is amazing - you should be VERY proud of this quilt. And yes, the quilting is wonderful also. What a beautiful heirloom!!

Unknown said...

Amazing!!!!!

Deb said...

Absolutely gorgeous and the quilting is amazing! Something for you to treasure the rest of your life!

Pat said...

Kaaren, beautiful quilt and you did a beautiful job making it. The quilting is also great.

Deb said...

Oh my goodness Kaaren - what an absolutely wonderful quilt. I'm just drooling all over here. Your work is so beautiful, and I know that working with those wools was so much fun! Fantastic finish!

Jocelyn said...

Absolutely amazing Kaaren! What an incredible heirloom.

Deb said...

It is truly stunning Kaaren.

Elin said...

I'm speechless, Kaaren, very, very nice! I have to read your text more carefully afterwards.

Darlene said...

This is a quilt I've admired from afar and you've done an incredible job. It's truly a keepsake and heirloom. The quilting in each block is amazing. Applause, applause!

Anonymous said...

I also have wrestled with the borders... I love the whole quilt! And now I see yours, I am truly tempted to go this route. It is gorgeous! And I also debated about half square triangles or the way the pattern was. I was going to do it this way too out of sheer necessity because I hate piecing! So wonderful to see it done this way. Love it!

Sheila said...

Oh Kaaren ,that is absolutely beautiful ,down right incredible .All those gorgeous wools wow !!! I'd like to make just one of those blocks they are so pretty .Your quilter did an amazing job too , she knows how to make the best of each block and brings the quilt to life .You should be extra proud !

Annette said...

Beautiful! And the details are amazing. It is destined to become a keepsake for sure.

Natitxu said...

What a beautiful quilt. No se describir la impresión que he tenido al ver este quilt tan maravilloso, felicidades. Kisses

Mrs. JP said...

Quilting=beautiful....your handwork=stunning!! I could listen to your cool music and look at that quilt all day.

Judy C said...

Karen, another beautiful finish for you. I always feel finishing a quilt is like finishing a good book, you hate for it to end, but the journey oh the journey!

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful!

Darlis

Theresa said...

Wow!! This is awesome!!!!!!!

Gayle said...

It's stunning Kaaren! The quilting itself is just icing on the cake of that beautiful quilt!

Stitched With Prayer said...

Kaaren, this quilt is absolutely breathtaking! I only wish I could see it up close, I'm sure it would leave me speechless.

sjoko said...

IT IS AMAZING !!!!!
It turned out fantastic. I have received most of the blocks and have prepared two of them and started the application. Congratulations - I am stunned :O)

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Incredible Kaaren!

Winona said...

Wow Kaaren, this quilt is amazing, truly a work of art. The piecing and applique are wonderful and the quilting just adds to it to make a really beautiful quilt. Thank you for sharing this with us. Winona

Carrie P. said...

Absolutely Stunning! I have seen it done on black flannel but I really like the way you did yours. And the quilting is fantastic too. Great job you two.
thanks for coming by and leaving such a sweet comment about my dog Cindi.

Sharon said...

That is one of the prettiest quilts I've seen and the quilting is amazing!

Betty said...

VERY, VERY nice. Both the beautiful applique and piecing along with the lovely quilting. You have a jewel here.

Elyte said...

That is a spectacular quilt Kaaren. I hope you enjoy it for many years to come.

Sandi said...

I saw this quilt about 18 months ago as someone was making a store sample in Oregon. When I next visited this shop, it was not open.

I ordered it last night from Primitive Gatherings and can't wait to get started.

Thanks for the inspirational look at your beautiful finished piece.

Kelly Ann said...

awesome...that's all that can be said!

marina said...

Unbelievably beautiful!
Love those geraniums especially.
the colours just look wonderfu. Well done on a great finish. The quilting definitely finishes it off.

Debra @ Life is a Stitch said...

GORGEOUS!!! I have had this exact pattern for 3 years, I think, and just recently started the blocks. After seeing your finish, I am even more motivated. Love the border treatment you used. And kudos to the quilter!
Thanks for sharing!

Tarnyia said...

Words fail me.. gob smacked ...

julieQ said...

Oh, Karen! May I say that your quilt is the most gorgeous I have seen for such a long time...just truly lovely. The quilting and the applique meld into such a gorgeous whole!

libbieshome said...

That is a masterpiece! The stitching is beautiful, the quilting is awesome. What an heirloom!

Karen said...

What a beauty! You have a quilt to be proud of. The wools are so pretty and your execution is very well done.

The verify word is "chobnobs". We could certainly make up some definitions for that one.

Julie said...

wow! what a stunning quilt kaaren. nancy has done a great quilting job. i just adore those crows.
clever idea re your initials and year hiding on the back.
xox

Patty said...

Beautiful!

LoriCR said...

Gorgeous. You did an amazing job. You are very talented. The quilting is wonderful. How's the hooking coming? Lori Ryan

Sharon said...

Oh my...I am drooling...this is gorgeous, both the applique and the quilting are marvelous!

Ginny Worden said...

Kaaren, lovely quilt and a great job by both you and your quilter.I have done a couple of quilts with wool applique, and I have washed them in my washing machine on a gentle cycle and not had a problem. The wool is already felted, and adding a colour catcher to the machine and I have had no problems.

Linda said...

Breathtaking!!! How could you leave this for a year. The quilting is supurb.

Renea said...

Oh My Gosh! It is gorgeous. You should be very proud of yourself.

sandi s said...

Your quilt is beautiful and the quilting is too. Your hand work is amazing.

Anonymous said...

Love the wool applique!! I saw this quilt long ago too and thought how I'd love to do it...wish I had!

Gra said...

Amazing work, both yours and the quilters´. Congratulations!!!

Shari said...

Simply the most awesome quilt... totally magnificent!

Elzaan said...

My heart is doing back flips, and my mouth is drooling! That is a masterpiece!!! Wow.
Elzaan

WoolenSails said...

That quilt is so beautiful, love the mix of fabrics and wools you choose and her quilting is wonderful. I need to start practicing my free motion on some mini quilts and then I can tackle the big ones.

Debbie

Vivian said...

That is a beautiful quilt. I bet the colors are even more brilliant than the photos show. The woolens you used seem to give the quilt texture.

Mrs. Sew and Sew - Karen said...

Beautiful quilt! Yes the quilting is amazing!

Allie said...

Kaaren, this is absolutely breathtaking - wow - the pattern, the colors, the quilting, it's just perfect! Hang it with pride - this is a masterpiece!

Mel said...

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

Your work is sooooo pretty!!

Anonymous said...

Its really amazing.
never saw such a beautiful quilt, were felt was incorporated.
Thanks for showing it to us.

Miriam said...

Wow Kaaren!! Your quilts are amazing! Your work is magnificent!
Both you and Nancy are very talent ladies!

Jenny's Place Online said...

Well worth the 2 year wait from start to finish....beautiful!! Happy crafting, Jenny

Sue-Anne said...

Kaaren, You have done a wonderful job on your quilt, it is a masterpiece.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

ah ah ah ah ah ah...that is me catching my breath! I saw other bloggers working on the BOM when I first started blogging but never saw one finished. It is spectacular Kaaren!! Gorgeous!!

cocotte said...

c'est une magnifique courtepointe
un immense bravo !!!
bises de france de Cocotte

Teresa said...

Oh my goodness - it is beautiful. A real heirloom to be treasured for many years. My mom always embroidered her full name, including her maiden name, and date somewhere on the quilts. I usually add a label it I am giving the quilt away, but I might start doing the embroidery as well on my quilts. I think it is very special.

Bonny said...

I'm making that quilt too! I saw it at their booth at the Paducah quilt show and had to have it! I am only on the first block though. This is my first time working with wool and it is lovely to work with! Your quilt turned out just beautiful! The machine quilting is beautiful also!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful quilt... and Nancy did a superb job quilting.
...Karen

My Life and Quilting said...

Hi Kaarn... What a wonderful quilt... I just love what you did with this quilt by adding wool... Your friend did a lovely job in quilting... What a wonderful treasure to have... :)

Ter'e said...

"A Primitive Garden" simply takes my breath. Could this be any more perfect? I am speechless.............

Cathi said...

Oh, how stunning -- your applique is fabulous, the colour choices beautiful and the quilting fantastic!

I'm intrigued by the idea of initials and a date on the back. Think I may do that next time I make a quilt for us. :-)

Kris said...

Oh, Kaaren!! What a magnificent quilt!!! All the details are so great and I love the wool touches!!! You must be VERY, VERY happy to have such a wonderful quilt completed and ready for hanging!! Thank you sooooo much for sharing with us!!!

Jane said...

WOW how wonderful!!!!!! That is an amazing quilt!!! Way to go!!

Charlsey said...

And here I thought you were happy "hooking". Your quilt is beautiful and the quilting superb. You inspire me to break out the wool that I have been saving for "something special".

Pat said...

It is absolutely beautiful Kaaren. I also have this quilt. Mine doesn't look like yours though. Mine is still in pieces in mailing envelopes as they arrived at my home from PG each month for several months. I think that I have three blocks finished. Maybe I will get back to it now that I see your finished. is your quilter in Canada or the US? She did a beautiful job.

jackiero said...

Ooohhhh Kaaren, everything about your quilt is beautiful!! Love it :) And I enjoy coming to friendly blog, thank you.
:) Jackie in NC

Denise in PA said...

Wow, it is truly stunning. What an heirloom! I'm sure you will smile every time you look at it o:)

Lori said...

The quilt is absolutely lovely!! I love working with wool and cotton together. Nice quilting too!

Nancy Page said...

Absolutely gorgeous, beautiful, magnificent, fantastic quilt. Great work done by the maker and the quilter. Thank you for sharing.

Have a super fantastic day.

Denise :) said...

Wow. I'm not sure what else to say. This is absolutely stunning! Beautiful, beautiful work. Beautiful! :)

Rae Ann said...

Wow Kaaren... that has got to be the most stunnig quilt that I have ever seen. You have won the ribbon in my book. I love it that you have stitched your initails in the back. I am going to follow suit! Love the quilt!!!

Sherri said...

This is absolutely incredible...what a beautiful heirloom quilt!

Nanny said...

¡Maravilloso!. Un trabajo bellísimo y espectacular. Me ha emocionado muchísimo.
¡Enhorabuena!.
Besos desde España.

Candace said...

Truly a work of art from the heart, Kaaren! I wish I could see it in person! Nancy's quilting is exquisite, too!
Cheers!

Solstitches said...

Oh my goodness! Of all the quilts I have ever seen I think this one is the one I love the best.
It is absolutely gorgeous.
I have no hope of ever making anything like this but it is a work of art and a feast for the eyes.
Thanks also for all of your free designs especially the gorgeous huswife which I just HAVE to make.
I am a new and very enthusiastic follower :)

Margaret