Mariner's Compass - DONE!

Drum Roll, please!

 This is it! The 5th and last entry on this 'long-term' project, first shared with you in 2011. I've put links below if you want the full background before reading the finale!

 May 2011

July 2011

 January 2012

 March 2015

You may recall that I purchased the packet of reproduction fabrics, c. 1840, in 2007. They sat in lovely stacks for a few years before being put to use!

I made a concerted effort to stick with the hand quilting over the winter and that made a big difference. I set a goal to have it done this year; to use it on my bed this fall.  Or else!

I had decided early on that I would put my name on the front of the quilt. The two outermost bottom corner 6" blocks are plain with that in mind.
Deciding how I wanted to do that took some time but I'm happy that I didn't rush it. I wanted it to be just the right thing.

I knew I wanted to repeat the circle of the central Mariner's Compass and small blue circles in the corners of the checkerboard, seen in the view above.

                       I found this design in Antique Quilting Designs by Roberta Benvin.

It was used as the center quilting motif in a feathered wreath on the plain setting blocks of a c. 1840 Double Nine Patch quilt; a circle and the required four places defined to embroider my information. 

 That fit well with the date of the reproduction fabric I used as well as the frame style layout.

Bingo!

I enlarged the design and slipped it under the corner over a light box to trace.

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I combined embroidery with complimentary quilting.  I used double strand blue thread for the chain-stitched circle and to outline leaf shapes.

 The data itself required using a single thread.

The label on the back contains a few more details but the basics are on the front for all to see. I don't want someone have to 'discover' it by accident in 100 years....or  worse yet, NOT discover it!

At last I was ready for the  final step. Binding.

I had run out of the mottled neutral background which probably would have been my choice if I'd had enough so I'd been carrying around a piece to get a good coordinating tone. I wanted the binding to be understated letting the sharp triangle 'pennants' stand out.

I found a large print that had the right 'tone' and I thought it would work when folded 'skinny' and be interesting. I made yards and yards of it, starting sewing it on and didn't like it.


 Rip. Rip. Rip.




I didn't want to get stuck this close to the end! Luckily, a fabric that came with the original fabric line worked and I had enough of it.

The last few stitches - Had to record them!

TA -DA!

Facts:

Size:86" W x 94" L

Hours to hand quilt: 140

Batt: wool

Original Design

I hope you are all well and enjoying your quilting adventures. I have been AWOL from writing this blog for some time and hope to be much more regular now. I have acquired quite a few new 'old' quilts I'd like to share with you and have finished lots of smaller projects, too.

 Please check back and send your comments to keep me honest.

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Progress - Mariner's Compass Medallion

Lately I've  been working on a very long term project. I am hand quilting what may very possibly be my last large bed quilt. I am determined to continue even though it got to 88 today in Phoenix and it has wool batting! I work in the early part of the day or in the evening. And of course, I skip some days.

When I finished my 'stint' today I threw it down on the floor to admire it - always fun to see progress - and noticed that the light was perfect for for a few shots that capture the quilting.

I didn't crop this photo so you can get an idea of the size of the project


After quilting 1/4" from seams on the Mariner's Compass I did concentric circles, gradually increasing outward over that whole section, including the Flying Geese. I started with single parallel lines in the blue setting corners but it just didn't seem to be enough - so I doubled them.

The cable shows nicely in this one. You can see I have it placed it over two plain borders.

Here is a section of the back. I wanted you to see how I am quilting the hourglass block border.
 It is the section with triangles next to the toile where the straight lines alternate directions.

Here's the front showing the hourglass blocks.

 I didn't want to just outline along the seams and this, though not very visible, does quilt the area down with a consistency I like. I like to do designs that ignore the piecing.

Simple X's in the checkerboard borders.

I begin to think about my possible quilting designs even as I am piecing the top but I don't mark the entire quilt or really make many decisions until I am ready to quilt. I sketch out ideas, start in the middle and frequently get new ideas as I work. 

I am keeping track of my time on this one, just for fun. I use a small spiral notebook...here's one page

Hours so far: 103

Medallion - Drum Roll Please!

At last....the top is done!!

87 x 96

I've labored over this one (as you know if you follow my blog regularly). I felt like giving up for awhile. I just had to let it sit, again and I learned that was for the best. If you don't feel like working on something, give yourself a break. Let it simmer.
I came back to it with a fresh attitude having spent time thinking about all the possibilities...(you know, at 3 a.m.) and lo and behold....one day I was ready to move forward.

The most recent hang up was what to do for the border between the blue strip and the outer points. I tried all kinds of things and ended up using the medium tone prints from the collection in rectangles of various lengths. I didn't want another plain 'slab' border and this seems to be subtle enough while still being scrappy.

This is how much of the mottled tan I have left.  I thought I had enough pieced points made but had neglected to add in that final border (this math...aargh!) so I decided not to put them at the top edge. I could have found something close I'm sure.... but then decided it was a good accident. I did another row of rectangles and think it is a better plan. Those points would not have shown behind the pillows anyway. This quilt is designed for use on a bed...not a wall.





I will be curving the two bottom corners so they won't drag on the floor.

Now - to baste and think about quilting. I may get a long-arm quilter to baste it for me. I've never done that but I think it would be a great time (and back) saver and I would not be dealing with the safety pins as I quilt.



I'm using a wool batt for the first time and am eager to see how I like it; working with it, sleeping under it, washing it. Just in time, too, as the temps are beginning to feel like fall. I lap quilt (no hoop) and I can imagine a quilt on my lap - which was not the case over the past summer!

More history on the medallion setting style at womenfolk

Previous posts about this project:  1   2   3   4

Now What?

:)