May 13, 2015

Renee's Quilt

Now that Renee of Quilts of a Feather has received her quilt, I can share the whole thing with you. Secret sewing is hard! I kept sharing little sneak peeks, but now here is the whole quilt.
Like so many quilters, I love starting new projects, but I've been trying to keep that to a minimum because I have so many things I want to finish. So, when Victoria (@sewgoclimbing on Instagram) posted a beautiful picture of an epp block she had made based on the woodworking of William Brad Davidson (@wbraddavisdon on IG) I really, really wanted to make one like it, but I tried to resist because I didn't need to be starting something new. But then I remembered the swap I would soon be doing with Renee. Since I don't think Renee does epp, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try a new block and make something Renee wouldn't make for herself.

Renee said red is one of her favourite colours, but it doesn't often make its way into her quilts, so I used four different red fabrics and a solid white. Along with lots of sewing at home, the epp went with me to Nova Scotia for my brother's wedding, so I could stitch on the plane.

Once the top was finished it was time for some fmq! I have to admit that I was a little nervous about doing the fmq on this one. Have you seen Renee's fmq skills?? If you haven't, then I highly recommend you check out her blog. It was Renee's fmq that first drew me into her blog, with this post from almost exactly two years ago. My fmq skills were in their infancy and Renee simply blew me away.

Victoria's block finished at 10 1/2", with 1" hexagons, but I wanted mine to be bigger so I'd have more room for quilting. I doubled the size, making 2" hexagons, which gave me room for flowers, lots and lots of pebbles and a few little swirls.
I added corners to the block to make the quilt a rectangle, and continued the many, many pebbles and swirls in the corners. If practice makes better, then my pebbles are now several hundred better than they were a month ago!

I also had fun choosing different designs to go in each of the four red fabrics.
The red thread really shows up on the solid white back! I love how well the different designs stand out on the back too.
 
Along with the quilt, I sent Renee this little pincushion. Grey and teal is her favourite colour combination, so I had to send something using those colours!
When Renee's package to me arrived in the mail, walking home from the post office was torture because I didn't want to wait to open it! The quilt she made me is perfect, and her quilting is just as beautiful in person as it looks on my computer screen. Just look at that feather wreath - isn't it gorgeous?
Now I just have to get a dowel so I can hang this beauty on the wall where it belongs!

14 comments:

  1. Wow! They are both gorgeous. I loved seeing all the close-ups of your quilting.

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  2. What a great swap. I think your FMQing skills are also formidable, Leanne; the back of your mini quilt is just as stunning as the front with that bold red thread showing off your hard work!

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  3. What a brilliant swap Leanne, I would say your quilting skills are pretty well matched :)

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  4. I am so impressed with how much your FMQ have improved and developed in the last two years! The quilting is wonderful on my quilt! I really admire how you've pushed yourself with it. I'm delighted with my quilt and our swap!

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  5. what a beautiful quilt, I love the way it looks like it's woven. The FMQ is brilliant!

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  6. Both these quilts are so lovely! I love the way the red quilting shows on the back ; it looks fantastic! You both do great work!

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  7. The quilting on this one is absolutely fabulous! I love that you chose to use red thread in your bobbin... that quilting deserves to be seen! Thanks for linking up with TGIFF!

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  8. Everything is so gorgeous!! The quilting on the red one is simply stunning!!! Absolutely beautiful!! Visiting from TGIFF :-)


    ~ Jess ~
    Everything Is Coming Up Rosie

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  9. WOW! The quilting is gorgeous!! On both projects. I like the back almost as the front of your quilt. Very impressive!

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  10. This swap was amazing and both of your projects are so beautiful. Lovely quilting. You are both so lucky!!!

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  11. This is beautiful!!! Your FMQ skills are amazing! And you sewed it all together by hand!?!?! Renee is one very lucky lady -- and you have the patience of a saint! :P

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  12. Beautiful! The quilting is fantastic!

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  13. Your quilting is fabulous!!! The back is a work of art too. Great mini.

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  14. I love the close up shots, thanks.

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