Thursday, April 15, 2010

The (drunken) Bohemian quilt top

Yee haw! I finished the Bohemian quilt top today! Doesn't it look like a bunch of yummy Skittles candy here?


The sun visited us this afternoon so I got a chance to have an assistant hold it up for some sunshine love...
I really don't think I have ever been so close to hating a thing and then loving it in such a short time. But I really DO love it now. Even Mark has come around to liking it (although he is super glad it is off the "design wall" aka dining room wall now).
I really have a lot of this fabric left. And I am still really wanting to go with the Plan B quilt I was mulling over when I hated how the Drunkard's Path was shaping up. And let's face it, I really don't need two Bohemian quilts. So, it looks like this quilt is going to be double-sided. I'll show you what I'm up to just as soon as I get a little further.


Yes it's bright, and yes it may even be a bit obnoxious, but I'm smitten. And I think it looks a lot better in person. Thank you so much to all of you who offered your compliments and encouragement to keep me going on this. It really was almost completely frogged!

And for all of you out there who have been wanting to try your hand at curves, but are a bit intimidated, take it from the very non-expert who is me: it's super easy.

Just a few things to know:

1. Go slowly. Really slowly. This requires patience.

2. Do not consume any wine before embarking on this task. Coffee may be the preferred beverage of choice.

3. Just three pins worked best for me. One down far enough from the edge you'll begin sewing on to allow room for your foot, one at the very bottom edge and one smack in the middle. Line the two points up as seen below so the needle points to the points of the fabric. Does that make sense?


4. Use the needle down position frequently to check your work and move the excess fabric behind you. DO NOT PULL as the bias cut fabric will stretch and distort easily.



5. The first few ones may not turn out perfectly, but I assure you a little practice makes perfect. If I can do it, so can you. And may I just say, investing in a brand new seam ripper is one of life's small luxuries. I had no idea how dull my old one was and this new one sure make's ripping out mistakes a lot less painful.

Sewing curves is actually fun once you get the hang of it. I hope those tips might inspire some of you to give it a go!

So because I have a lot of this fabric left over and really don't need these scraps, would anyone fancy a big zip-lock of Bohemian scraps? There are a few bigger ones, but mostly pretty small but would make a nice string pillow top. Just leave me a comment here and I'll pick someone on Monday to send it off to. The only thing I ask is, please only leave me your comment for it if you really do think you can use them. I know I won't so I would love for them to find someone who can.



We are off for the weekend to Eastern Washington so I'm hoping to hit up a couple of small-town quilt shops to find some hidden out of print gems. Wish me luck, and you all have a great weekend!




46 comments:

  1. Beautiful quilt but you lost me at no wine!!! Guess I will have to make something else with those yummy scraps :)

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  2. I am a new follower to your blog. I've been sewing for a while but really just now starting some "serious" quilting..meaning for relatives bdays..I just finished a red, white and black one for my mom. I would LOVE to have your scraps. I so dig Anna Maria Horner's fabric. PS...love the circles, think I'll try them soon.

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  3. It came out just LOVELY!!! I would love to have the scraps, and would definitely make something! =)

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  4. Hi again! I'm so glad that your quilt top came out well for you. I'd love to use these scraps to make a pillow for a dear friend. Perhaps I could even create some sort of wall art out of then with quilting and embroidery!

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  5. Love the quilt! My kinda obnoxious. :)
    Those scraps would add to my meager (but growing!) stash very nicely.

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  6. I'm a new follower, too - LOVE this quilt. LOVE IT. So glad you stuck with the circles.

    I am fairly certain I have a charm pack of bohemian in my stash - your scraps could augment it nicely. :)

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  7. I'd definitely use them, I soooooooo LOVE this line. I've managed to get a few pieces through a fabric swap, so I'm sure that I could put together a small quilt with the addition of your scraps. I've got my fingers, toes and eyes crossed. ;-)

    Your Bohemian quilt is gorgeous, such a glorious riot of colour. I'm visually intoxicated - fabric is my drug of choice! LOL
    Kelly :-)

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  8. YUM! Love the quilt, an absolute riot of glorious colour, visually intoxicating. It makes me feel heady just looking at it - fabric is my drug of choice! ;-)

    I'd be thrilled to have your scraps, this line is gorgeous. I've got a few pieces coming my way via a fabric swap, so with your scraps, I could make a lap quilt that would just make my heart sing. I've got my fingers, toes and eyes crossed in hope that I'm the lucky recipient.

    Kelly :-)

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  9. Sorry, for the double (now triple) comment. My computer gave me a server error message and told me to try again in a few minutes, so I thought the first message didn't go through.

    Oh well, at least you know how much I really love this fabric. LOL :-)

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  10. I have been kind of browsing around for the right sort of scraps to make a really striking quilt - kind of simple, not wonky but uneven log cabin with big odd shaped rectangles - all plains, with random small centres of something really bold (like Kaffee Fassett's fat quarter at the fat quarter shop which I drool over but just can't afford!). I promise I would make it and I would ping pics right back at you and would love love love this fabric in it - it's a riot of colour. Thanks for the chance. X

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  11. oh - I'd love some scraps...and I can't believe you only used 3 pins...I used a ton :-) I'll have to try it next time with your way. And the double-sided plan sounds so great...it looks amazing!

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  12. It turned out so gorgeous!!
    I'm glad you ended up loving it :-)
    Look forward to see the other side of the quilt, I think it's a great idea to make it double sided!

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  13. I'll take some scraps for sure!

    Thank you,

    Angie

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  14. It's turning out really beautiful! I'm glad you powered through!

    I love using little scraps for log cabins and I just started diving into Map of the States. What a generous giveaway!

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  15. I have a nices scrap quilt on the go, using really small scraps accumulated over years. These would blen in wonderfully!

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  16. I really love the quilt. You can never have too much color. I am a scrap quilter and would love to have the Bohemian scraps.

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  17. The quilt is beautiful and so much fun to look at. I'd love to use those scraps for quilts I'm making.

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  18. I always have the same thoughts going to quilt shops that don't have online shopping...hoping for a great find.

    The quilt looks great and the scraps are wonderful!

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  19. i think this works! really really works! thanks for the tips and encouragement for sewing curves...i have a color wheel quilt cut out and i keep balking at the idea of sewing the curves!!
    id love your scraps, im working on a quilt as you go log cabin for my nephew and these fabrics would really add some punch! thanks for a chance.

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  20. What a spectacular quilt! Love what you've done with a traditional pattern - and I love love love the colors!

    I could definitely put your scraps to good use - we have a quilt ministry at our church, making quilts for both kids and adults who are going through tough times (usually medical, but not always) and we can always use great scraps! These would certainly brighten up someone's day!

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  21. WOW!! I'd love to give these scraps a place of honor in my house.

    Carolyn

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  22. I love the quilt! I would give those scraps a good home! :0)

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  23. That is a beautiful quilt! I love the colours in it, and I would love to get some scraps to play around with. I think the colours in it would make a fun lovey / doll quilt for my daughter.

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  24. I adore your quilt top - I love the great mix of colours and patterns. I'd love the scraps too and I promise I'll put them to good use!

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  25. Love your quilt top! A drunkard's path quilt is on my list of designs to try but I must admit that I'm a bit nervous to tackle the project. Your tips may be enough encouragement to get me to try it. Oh, and I'd love the scraps. I'd definitely put them to good use. I am in the planning stages of designing my oldest's next room and have in mind a gypsy/bohemian look and these colors/fabrics would be perfect!

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  26. Wow! Love the quilt...so inspiring! Would love the scraps for a project I have going!

    Thanks!

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  27. The quilt looks lovely--and thanks for the help on curved piecing. It still scares me, just a little. :)

    Those scraps would be perfect for a pillow set I'm designing for my living room--the colors would be just the thing to get me from designing to sewing!

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  28. Oh that quilt is so pretty!!

    The scraps would be perfect for a pillow I have planned for my brother's wedding :)

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  29. oh! i love, love your quilt! but i love everything anna maria. pick me! i got a very slow start on bohemian and have only four prints but enough that i could fill in the blanks! thanks so much for the tip on this pattern. i have been eyeballing it but maybe i need more time. great job megan.

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  30. beautiful quilt! i would love love love your scraps! thanks for posting about the curved piecing. i really needed that!

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  31. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it....I could keep on going with more LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! I am so excited to see the back and even more excited to see them together. I am sure it is even more scrumptious in person, like you say. Have a great weekend getaway and I will be sending all my shopping mo-jo to you for all the stops along the way!!

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  32. Your quilt is fantastic! I love the fabric, and I know I could put those scraps to good use.

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  33. I would love to make a string quilt as a second cousin to your beautiful quilt!!

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  34. Good luck on the fabric hunt. :)
    I love your quilt, and seeing it and your hints on sewing circles is very serendipitous as I just today picked up a ruler to make circles. My first attempts were definitely not successful, so I appreciate your tips. Hope I get to try out your scraps!

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  35. Appreciate the tips on sewing curves. Love your quilt. I have a little of that fabric collection and would love the scraps:)

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  36. love.love.love. You did a great job!!!
    And, put me into your giveaway - I could totally use the scraps!!

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  37. The quilt top looks amazing!! I just joined my first quilting bee and for my month I will be asking for scrappy wonky stars, so I would LOVE to have the scraps! Thanks!

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  38. Love the quilt and can't wait to see it quilted! I would gladly take the scraps!! I am never brave enough to pick such bold prints even though I love them. Thanks

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  39. I've been wanting to make some string pillows. I would love to have the scrap bag. I can't wait to see what you have decided for the back. Thanks for all the generous giveaways!

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  40. First let me tell you how striking I find your quilt. Beautiful!! Just came across a fabulous idea that I could definitely use your scraps for - a stacked book quilt for our oldest who's graduating from hs and off to college in the fall (thank you Tallgrass Prairie Studio).

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  41. your quilt is amazing, and thanks for the tips on curved piecing! i sew want to try it!!

    i'm sure i could find a lovely project for such beautiful fabrics!! ;)

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  42. It looks awesome! I'm glad you pulled through and finished it in this pattern! thanks for the giveaway!

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  43. The quilt's great. You'll love it even more once its quilted. I alway do. Thanks for the tip about sewing curves. I haven't tried it yet, but I think I just might!

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  44. What fabric collections did you use for your quilt? It is gorgeous! Deanna deanna@stitchesquilting.com

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  45. What fabric collections did you use for your quilt? It is gorgeous! Deanna deanna@stitchesquilting.com

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