It's been four years in the making and I knew when I started that it would be a V-E-R-Y long WIP. I didn't honestly think that it would take this long but I do have some valid excuses like a long distance move and a blip on the cancer radar during that time.
The inspiration for my Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt came from this antique one that I purchased about ten years ago on one of my travel teaching trips to Ohio. There was cool General Store in Hudson, Ohio that was closing and the owner was selling off her personal collection of antique quilts the day my friend and I happened to stop by. The GFG is one of two quilts that I purchased that day...the other is a red and white one. And just to keep things in perspective, this was about four years before I retired and decided to teach myself how to quilt.
The original GFG quilt is hanging from the upstairs restroom door. It is signed and dated 1923, so it is 90 years old and in virtually pristine condition.
This is the quilt from where I garnered the inspiration to make mine. I wanted it to resemble this one as closely as possible.
The two longer sides on the original were squared off...
and the shorter sides were bound around the outer hexie shape shown in the photos above and below.
That's the look I had hoped to replicate when I came up with this...
Yuk!
I spent a very restless night thinking about it.
Trash it or try to save it?
If the truth be told, I honestly came very close to chucking it in the trash but decided to see if you all had any suggestions as to how I might salvage it. I posted about my dilemma here and mentioned that I had a Plan B.
I believe it was the very next day that Laurel (no blog) sent me this photo that she had saved from Pinterest as her inspiration for when the time came to make her own GFG.
The quilt was made by Julia from Julia's Place.
In my mind, this was so similar to my "Plan B" and I fell in love with it. Isn't it exquisite?
Admittedly, I was very despondent that my original plan would not come to fruition without some additional long and tedious hours which after four years of on-and-off work was just not going to happen. When I saw Julia's quilt, a calm came over me and I knew that my Plan B was going to be alright.
Thank you, Laurel for sharing Julia's beautiful interpretation of a GFG...and thank you, Julia for making it.
And here is my Plan B.
A close up of the borders...
And another close up of the 3" hexagon flower that I hand appliquéd in each of the four outermost cornerstones.
I am happy to say that I am thrilled with the final outcome...and I know that I'll be even more over-the-moon happy after my friend Alice adds her magic quilting to it.
Happy stitching!
82 comments:
It is beautiful... but I am not surprised! You did a wonderful job.
Hexies are SO addicting - your quilt top has turned out so nice! I've just finished cutting some squares so I'll have some hexie handwork to do when we leave home tomorrow for a week's vacation - can't stand to do nothing - even when we're traveling!
It looks wonderful and frankly I like this version so much better!
Oh my goodness! You should be thrilled...this is one gorgeous quilt! Congrats on getting all of that hard work completed.
Kathy
Love it!!! And you've reminded me that I need to get crack-a-lacking on my mom's quilt!!
Beth
Oh, it turned out beautifully. The border adds so much interest to a classic quilt. Thanks for persevering and making something great. Kathie L in Allentown
So glad you decided not to trash this beautiful quilt. Sometimes you just need a little break and look at it with different eyes. Plan B is definitely a great choice. I've ordered some hexies from Temecula Quilt Co. and am finally going to start a Grandmother's Flower Garden of my own. Inspired by your quilt, of course.
It's beautiful, I love how you made it your own. Have a great weekend :)
It's a beautiful save!! Love it!!
Clara said exactly what I was planning to say. :o)
Your Plan B made it into an A+, well done.
What a happy solution! It is beautiful, Kaaren. So glad you didn't trash it!
Julia's quilt is lovely. She does beautiful work--I have followed her blog for just a few months, but everything I see is wonderful.
Your plan B is just lovely!!! It is simple, elegant and doesn't overwhelm the quilt at all!!! Sometimes all it takes is another simple idea that you can alter slightly to make your own that makes all the difference!! You have done a wonderful job, and even after four years that little bit of extra time is neither here 'nor there, because it's done and done forever now!! I'll be most interested to see how your longarm quilter handles this quilt, hexies like this need something special! I have a small quilt with four vintage GFG blocks appliqued onto a white background and have not yet quilted it simply because I don't know what it really needs, how to enhance and not ruin it, so I'm keen to get some inspiration! You've done a great job with this Kaaren, this is definitely a keeper!!!!!
Plan B......Perfect!!!!
The original and reproduction are stellar! Congrats Kaaren!!
Great save! It's absolutely lovely!
It's Lovely! And an inspiration to finish mine. I'm wondering how did you assemble? I mean it's not like you can do rows? I have all these flowers and am having to piece it together slowly. I'm wondering if I'm going something wrong the way I'm putting it together. I can't find direction. Thanks!
Kaaren, you should be happy. It is stunning. I finished mine last year and it is waiting for me to hand quilt it.
Oh yes...this is a "wow" quilt! Love the beautiful hexies, but especially love the way you customized the flimsy with the saw tooth border and the additional hexie corner stones. Well done..you have made a classy quilt!
Oh Kaaren, Your quilt is absolutely beautiful. What a great vision you have to come up with this "new finish". Makes it one of a kind for sure. Snow in our week-end eh? Ohhh this winter will not leave us alone. Blessings. Dianne...
Those corner stones just seem to "ground" this little gem so well....and I adore the addition of the sawtooth.....your Plan B was worth the wait....exquisite!
It truly is "over-the-top" wonderful, Kaaren. A beautiful quilt to be cherished for the years - forever.
You have outdone yourself. It just says "beauty".
Your Plan B turned out just right!
Congratulations, wonderful outcome. I love the borders, they frame the GFG blocks perfectly.
It is gorgeous Kaaren! I can't wait to see it in person and watch mom work her magic!
Kaaren its perfect!!!!! Way to go! Thank Heavens you didn't chuck it in the garbage!!!!!! ;-)
I'm glad you gave yourself some time to thonk about alternatives and what you made is lovely.
While travelling down to California and back I found a grandmothers flower garden quilt that was hand tied on the Oregon coast.
It also has an unusual finish and it has a second feature of a pieced back
I'll send you some pictures it made me think of you and I've brought it home. I think I may try and redo the top but be a bit more traditional with the framing when I get there.
I love how you finished your hexie quilt! It's beautiful!
once you got a clear vision of how to go..... you sure finished this off fast... the borders you did had their own labor .....the quilt does not look "like the original" but be a better 2013 version. Well DONE !
It is lovely, aren't you glad that you did not chuck it out.
And what a great finish (I count flimsies as a finish!) it is. I can not imagine tossing it out for even a second. It's beautiful!
I like yours the best! NEVER throw a quilt top away! Send it to me...I'll add it to my stack of unfinished tops..hahahahahaha
It's just a beautiful quilt top! Congratulations!
Cheery wave from
Bev
Your GFG is absolutely gorgeous!! Aren't you happy you didn't toss it after all the work you put into it!
I have to tell you how much I enjoy the pictures of your Westie and cat -- they are such cute buddies!
Your GFG is fabulous! I love how yu decided to finish it! Congratulations on a job incredibly well done!
It's just beautiful. I have the beginnings of one that I hope to start soon.
It is Beautiful! You should be very proud of your finish.i love the way you finished it off.
It is gorgeous, Kaaren---Plan B was perfect.
Kaaren, it is absolutely gorgeous! You did a fantastic job. I really like the borders.
I have been collecting 1930 reproduction fabrics to make me one and now I can't wait to get started on it. I, too, have been worried about how I am going to finish the edges, but after seeing yours, I think I will be able to do mine. Thank you so much for sharing.
YAYYY!! She is gorgeous!! Absolutely gorgeous!! You are brilliant!
P
magnificent finish! Love the way you have completed yours with the borders. I can't resist a hexie flower quilt.
Now you have two stunning garden quilts.
I love how your Plan B turned out! Your GFG is beautiful!
This is fantastic! The original version was nice, loved the colors and I know how much work went it to it....but Plan B is outstanding!! I just love it!
A wonderful ending to a gorgeous Grandmother's Flower Garden! I will remember this one when it is time for mine to get finished!
Congratulations, your plan B is so beautiful. It truly looks like a labour of love. Pat yourself on the back. I am sooo glad you did not throw your quilt in the garbage. What a beauty.
Beautiful finish!
I think you did exactly the right thing! Thank goodness you didn't toss it. It's beautiful!!!
T'ha quedat un treball realment molt bonic.
Bon cap de setmana des de Barcelona ( Catalunya )
A beautiful save with Plan B. Very creative.
Plan B is perfect Kaaren. Good choice.
Have a wonderful weekend. I hope you have better weather than we are having in Ontario.
~Janet
Wow! Absolutely gorgeous! It was meant for you to design your own finishing touches! Love this quilt!
That is a keeper just gorgeous. It has been a while since I visited. I am so happy your are playing with fabric. Big hugs. Bunny
Lovely quilt it became! Well done Kaaren.
Beautiful!!! Can't wait to see the quilted frosting !
Beautiful! I love the way you finished it.
It's beautiful! I love your plan B, it just stunning.
The final outcome is beautiful. As always your work is fabulous.
It is beautiful! I do love the borders...congratulations on not giving up...it was worth it!
As always your work is beautiful. Congratulations on a quilt well done!!
The final outcome is beautiful. As always your work is fabulous.
So beautiful! You have inspired me to continue working on my hexies.
Kaaren, that is gorgeous! I am so glad you persevered and didn't throw it out. I'll admit that my heart sank when you cut the edges, what a great rescue job you did. This has given me an idea of how to finish up a small quilt I'm doing with little hexies - so I guess I should thank you. Take care. Gail
Oh Kaaren! Your own stamp on GFG is just wonderful! I knew you wouldn't trash it - waaay too much good work here. Now you have a treasure for many years to come!
Cheers!
I love GFC quilts, my grandmother made a couple, Im not sure who has them now. I will have to put a GFC on my sist of someday projects. I love your plan B quilt, congratulations on such a wonderful finsh.
I like the way you finished this really nice ending. Debbie Kelly
Gorgeous! You did a such wonderful job fixing it that it looks better than the original. My hexi project still has a long way to go.
WOW, Kaaren, it turned out gorgeous. So glad you didn't trash all of your work.. Love the finishe that you picked and now looking forward to seeing how you quilted it.. Awesome.
In the end, you made it your own... and it's absolutely gorgeous!
perfection! i luv it-congrats on a great finish!
I have one in the works;years in the making as well and you inspired my to pull it out and get to work!
Absolutely beautiful. Well done.
WOW! just simply WOW!
Your quilt is incredible! I love it!!!
Hi Kaaren......WOW!!! Your quilt looks terrific!!! and....it is definately your own design and your own finish for a classic which makes it even more special...
Congratulations on a winner!!!
Hi Kaaren....WOW!!! Your quilt top looks terrific!!! You've added your own design and idea for a new look on a classic...and it worked!!
Congratulations!!! And I am excited that I was able to send you some inspiration....
Can't wait to see what you "get into" next........
Hi Kaaren......WOW!!! Your quilt looks terrific!!! and....it is definately your own design and your own finish for a classic which makes it even more special...
Congratulations on a winner!!!
It is lovely. And it is your design really. You took the best of what you liked and made it your own. Ta Dah!! Happy for you. It is a "one of" in a lifetime.
Beautiful! Am so glad you did not trash it! Love the hexies in the corners.
Stunning. Plan "B for Beautiful"
Chucking it in the trash? Were you serious or joking?
Look how gorgeous this quilt turned out to be.
WOWSER!
I get mad at my rugs, sometimes, but I would never throw one away! Hide it? Yes!!!!!
xoxoxoxoxox
Fabulous! great save and lovely lovely quilt!!
Kaaren, your border is the PERFECT ICING !!!!
Aren't fellow Quilter the most lovely individuals !!
Happy Hugs
It is perfect.. Could you see if you can reply to this for me when you get time..
Life is full of Plan B's. I'm glad yours turned out to be so beautiful. The borders and the appliqued hexies in the corners are perfect.I love happy endings.
It's gorgeous! Love, love, love your choice of colours! I'm addicted to EPP! Cheers!
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