I just got a reminder email from Amy's Creative Side that this was the last day to submit to the Blogger's Quilt Festival. With all that's been going on, it had slipped my mind. So I picked a quilt, took some pictures and here it is. I'm sharing a quilt I made called "Upstate Beauty". This quilt reminds me of the fall colors of Upstate New York where I grew up. It's a very special quilt to me for several reasons.
I found a picture of this quilt about 15 years ago in a magazine and tore the picture out thinking someday I'd make it. At the time I had no idea how to do and I had never paper pieced anything!! It's a good thing sometimes that we don't realize how much we DON'T know :)!!
I designed the block on EQ7 and printed out paper piecing sections. The long sections had to be taped together. At one point I had counted all the pieces - I think it's close to 1800.
My biggest challenge with this quilt were the fabric choices. As a lover of all things scrappy, I realized that I don't often make quilts using a controlled palette. So I decided to challenge myself to make this quilt using only a few fabrics. For me, I found it very hard - I may never do that again!!!
The background fabric - one, arcs - two, sashings and star centers - three, points - four and background of circle stars - five. The background I picked was a pale batik. This quilt is completely hand quilted. Between all the seams, points and the batiks, it was a challenge.
I designed a motif for the centers - it mimics the points of the blocks. This is a heavy quilt because of all the seams.
The last element I tried was some trapunto. I don't think I used enough or else the loft wasn't high enough - it doesn't show up real well. It's very satisfying to cut a picture out of a magazine and then without any patterns re-create it yourself. I love this quilt and will treasure it, but I will never make one again!!
Quilt Stats:
Size: 60 x 60
Technique: Paper pieced, trapunto
Hand quilted by: Me
Best category: Two color quilt, best throw
Stop by The Blogger's quilt Festival and enjoy all the fabulous quilts!
Thanks for stopping by.
Karen
24 comments:
What a gorgeous quilt!
Just beautiful!
What a beauty!
It's stunning!
Wow!!! That is a stunning quilt!
Congratulations on your beautiful work!
I love it!
That is an amazing quilt! I can't imagine making it without a pattern. It is definitely a winner!
Absolutely georgous! What a great story you've inspired me to try some paper piecing.
Just stunning. I've always been a great fan of paper-piecing and the superbly sharp angles it can help achieve. your work is fantastic
So intricate, so beautiful. Wow!
Wow! it is amazing! Your hand quilting takes my breath away! Love the color palette!
Wow this quilt is breath taking. I love your color choices, the points - oh my -I can't believe you were able to hand quilt so beautifully on batiks. I know you treasure this beauty.
Well done! It may have been difficult for you to limit yourself to just five fabrics, but the results are well worth it. What satisfaction you must feel every time you look at it.
I agree, sometimes it is best NOT to know how hard something is before attempting! This is incredible and so, so fine. Congrats on all your dedicated work. I like the colors very much!
This is soooo beautiful, Karen! Thanks for sharing!!
How beautiful! So much planning and effort went into this! I can't imagine all that pp-ing and hand quilting to boot! You do incredible work! I'm so glad you shared this with us.
I love this quilt, and feel the limited colour palette makes it very dramatic.
Wow Karen!! This is truly an amazing quilt!!!! I think it has that Ka-POW effect! Stunning!!!
Karen, I visited some of the quilts in this festival blog. Oh what inspiration!
I made some adjusts on settings.
Try the contact now please.
Have a great weekend.
I saw your quilt on the calendar at the shop where I work. I feel like I know a famous person! Congratulations!
Wow, amazing piecing and quilting!
Incredibly gorgeous. I can't imagine hand quilting batik, especially with all those points and seams.
gorgeous quilt and the quilting and trapunto is lovely!!
This quilt is stunning - love the colours too! I know what you mean about how hard it is to control your fabric/colour choices - we do seem to gravitate to certain fabrics and colours don't we? Your paper piecing is perfect. Thanks very much for your kind comments on my new blog - So glad I found your blog too!!
all the best
Hilda Every Stitch
What a beautiful quilt and gorgeous hand quilting. Amazing work!
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