Whew! I finally finished my little bluebird quilt. For some reason this took about 10 times longer than I thought it would — I guess I’m getting slow in my old age.
Two of my very favorite standby quilting techniques are plain, big patchy squares and big toe-grabber stitches. (Called toe-grabbers ’cause they’re so big your big toe could get caught in them while you’re sleeping. Ok, so it’s a bit of an exaggeration, but we still call them that.) So, I combined both of those for this little throw quilt.
Since the quilt pieces are all squares (4″ squares), I like to quilt big circles on them. In this case, I used a smaller bowl (7″ diameter) than I usually do (8 1/2″ diameter), so that could be why the quilting took me so much longer than I expected. Bigger bowls work just fine too. I invert the bowl and use a disappearing pen to trace two interlocking circles at a time. Then I quilt each circle with pearl cotton and a big needle.
Sometimes, by the time I get to the second circle, the ink has disappeared already, so I have to re-draw it — I love that air-soluble ink. After I quilt two circles, then I draw two more, and so on and so forth until the quilt is done.
The only embroidered block in this quilt is the block with the three little birdies and I placed them in the bottom right hand corner. They sort of blend in, so it’s a fun little surprise when your eye finds them.
I used lots of flower prints, a gardening print and a print with little bees on it, because this quilt is for a friend who loves to garden. Maybe it will keep her warm on a chilly evening while she sits in her garden and enjoys the fruits of her labor.
The back of the quilt has a nice cozy flannel. I love to put flannel on the back of throws — it gives them a little more weight and makes them extra cuddly.
And see that clever presentation technique that I’ve learned from all you bloggers out there? I love it! (Oops, I forgot the cute little metal ring tag — I’ll have to work on that!)
So. A finished quilt. That doesn’t happen very often for me, so I’m really excited! Did you finish anything fun this weekend?
XOXO,
Anna
It is adorable! I’m sure that the lucky recipient is going to adore it.
Fantastic Finish should be the title of this post! The quilt is wonderful and your friend will love having it. It will be treasured.
anna!!!!
:gets on bended knee
will you marry me?
i’ll buy you all of the bananas your little heart desires!
a beautiful quilt,and HAND quilted? oh my. she’s going to LOVE it. and that little birdie block is darling (except the you know what part).
:applauds you fervently
That’s so pretty!
I love it…I can’t wait for you to give it to me!!!! It is so cute – the birdies are the best!!! Thanks, you are the best sister in the world!
Absolutely beautiful!!! I know your friend will love it.
What a sweet quilt. I love the all the shades of blue in it. I’m getting into the color blue for fabric. I’m just drawn to it these days. It’s very pretty. Be proud.
Jen
Your quilt is stunning, Anna. Your friend is a very lucky person!
A darling quilt with the most beautiful blues. Your friend will have a very handsome gift indeed. And we received some inspiration, too.
It’s beautiful! She will love it :) I finished a bunch of bookmarks and a wallet! When I type it, it’s hard to believe I actually finished it all! Have a great Monday :)
That really is a very beautiful quilt Anna and I’m sure the lucky recipient will be thrilled with it. It’s great to see how you do your quilting too. I’m still plodding on with my quilt and can’t wait for it to be finished….so I can start the other four!!
xxx
I LOVE THE SHABBY CHIC look of it, so dainty and lovely. WOW, that hand embroidery sure is special. PRECIOUS.
It is lovely! You are an awsome quilter.
I just love it, the blue is fabulous, and the embroidery!! Such a treasure.
Let’s see did I finish anything…I finished a load of laundry does that count!
Thanks for sharing all of your lovely creations.
Oh Anna!!! It’s gorgeous! I love the colours and the size of the squares and the little semi-hidden embroidery and the circle quilting and the flannel backing! You are so clever – it’s adorable!!!
Lucy x
That is a gorgeous quilt! Do you mind telling me what type and size needle you use to quilt with the pearl cotton? I was just looking at that while I was at JoAnn this morning…
Hopefully later this week I will have something to show… Something totally wild and not normal… :-)
Great job Anna!! Thank-you so much for your little quilting tip there too with the bowl, I may have to do that sometime! As always, your finshed project is a feast for the eyes!
So cute! I especially love the embroidered patch…
The quilt is beautiful and looks so cozy. Don’t forget to check back at Cute Stuff Inside because tomorrow night Frannie picks the Halloween contest/giveaway winner.
S.W.A.K.
Oh Anna, I love that quilt. You do such nice handwork. I, too, love to embroider…now I have the bug to start a new project. I’m still trying to get over my last bug :)
I’ve been putting off quilting but now I’m just going to have to get over my fear and do it. You do very nice work. I love it, it’s beautiful.
Your quilt is breathtaking…I love the blues, the blue wren’s nest stitchery, and the perle cotton quilting. Thanks for sharing!
What a gorgeous gift!! I love how you have just the one tiny stitchery … it’s like a little unexpected gift all by itself.
Cheers,
Joy :o)
Oh, Anna, that sure is beautiful! Congratulations to you on finishing it–I can imagine what that must feel like. Quite an accomplishment.
This weekend, I finished my grandmother’s ham and bean soup.
XO
oh anna its lovely, so calming and pretty.I love your ‘templates’:))
sorry I left my comment on the wrong post…wish I could get something right tonight geez…
very pretty! lovely quilting! do you use a quilt frame or just quilt without?
Anna I just Love this quilt!!!! It is absolutely beautiful!!!!!! My husband always says that it isn’t worth while if it doesn’t take a long time … I am not really sure what he is taking about really … I just smile and nod! Only kidding!
Oh Anna what a sweet and delicious quilt. I love the technique for hand quilting – although that ain’t happening here. But it sure does add that special touch and I know your friend will love it. If she doesn’t send it on over my way, I;ll give it a wonderful home.
Hugs – Karen
What a Bluetiful Quilt! Looks so peaceful. I love the handquilting, I will have to put that in my idea file. ooxx`jod
Love the colours you have used Anna – the little stitchery is a lovely touch!
Fabulous, Anna! I love the embroidered square hiding at the bottom of the quilt. What a nice surprise!
oh, that has to be the sweetest quilt ever! I love the one little embroidered patch. so sweet.
Hmmm… this weekend I finished a container of Ben and Jerry’s. That’s about it. You did much better!
Beautiful quilt – I love the different shades of blue. Congrats on a finished quilt!
It is glorious! And a finished quilt is indeed something to celebrate from the rooftops.
I finished off a block of chocolate, mcdonalds quarter pounder (very wicked) and some fudge brownies.. sure made my weekend!!!
no sewing done, too busy doing sequins last week, eyes haven’t recovered as yet!!!
Lissa
Australia
PS I LOVES this quilt, its just so sweet!!!!
You are a inspiration Anna. Make that another thing to learn on my list of things to do this Autumn!
How adorable!!!
ok now pink is my very favorite color but let me tell you that I have fallen in love with your bluebird quilt. It is amazing:) great tip on the quilting…love the presentation:)
Anyone would feel like a queen with that lovely quilt wrapped around them. I will rememner the flannel trick. Beautiful blue quilt.
I adore perle cotton quilting. It is so special. This is a beautiful quilt. The colors so soft and the birdies such a surprise. So cute. Finished! Wow.
Oh, Anna, I LOVE it! It is just perfect. And the “presentation” makes it even better!
Anna, It is so cute! What a great gift for your friend. And what a great idea for hand quilting. A nice quick way to put lots of love into a quilt.
This quilt is just gorgeous. I love all of the colors and sweet fabrics. And the one embroidered patch is so special. Your quilting is so cool! I am a machine quilter but after this post I am very tempted to quilt something with big pearl cotton stitches I could get my pinky toe stuck in. x
A very lucky person to be getting this beautiful quilt!! Thanks for all the tips on the quilting. Love the presentation :-)!
Ah, SO beautiful! Love the “surprise” embroidered block…
Hi Anna,
Thank you for visiting me and entering the giveaway. Thanks also for your sweet comment! :) I love smocking, but I do wish I had more time to smock….
Oh that is so beautiful, Anna! That is one lucky friend!!
Wish I could tell you I finished something this weekend. Does my dinner count? Course… I always finish that.
How beautiful!! I love the fabrics you chose and the embroidery squarea was a nice touch. What did I finish this weekend? I can’t think of a thing. I started a lot does that count?
Oh wow! This is so lovely!
Anna,
It’s wonderful. I love simple quilts like that and want to do something similar (only with more embroidered blocks) for my little grandangel. I love the idea of using a pot for a quilting template. Thanks for sharing that smart tip! You’re friend is a lucky friend! (to have such a generous kind one like you)
Jody
Oh, I really love your hand quilting. Looks so gentle and soft.
Toe grabbers… cute.
Just beautiful – and the little touch of embroidery makes it really special and different. Lucky friend!
I just want to go and snuggle up under that bluebird quilt!
I love it just the way it is. All gift wrapped up for me. The bow is just perfect!!!! I’ll be watching for it’s arrival. Your the best!!!!!!!
What a beautiful quilt and I have 56 other comments to back me up on it!!! You’re friend is going to just LOVE it! Hope you’re having a great week!
just gorgeous Anna. I love all your photos too!
Anna, this is so pretty. Blue and white is my favorite combination of colors, so this quilt makes me happy just to look at it. The bluebirds are a sweet touch. The flannel will be so warm and cozy. Your friend will be delighted, and feel your care for her with this beautiful and gift.
My grandmother used to quilt her quilts using half circles, and my stepmom, too. They drew them on with chalk and string. I used to love to listen to them and my great- aunts talking around the quilting frame. They all had frames that they suspended from the ceiling.
… ooh, that’s so pretty!
And yes – re your comment on my blog – I had just been thinking that my commenters were particularly witty! Psychic… Now, I wonder if you could psychically transfer your quilty skills to me?
Gorgeous!!! I love the quilting with the perle cotton. And that little stitchery with all those beautiful blue squares…so pretty :)
WOW, it is beautiful Anna and it looks like everyone else agrees too!! You have really inspired me to try and do some hand quilting one day soon. I am such a chicken and always go to the long arm quilter after only one very sad attempt at hand quilting. I think it is the basting of layers together neatly that freaks me the most. But after this mad next month maybe I will finally attempt it – love the big circles and big stitches idea – my kind of quilting! Love it!!!!
Its so pretty!!!!
Oh, I LOVE it! It’s absolutely adorable and the embroidery is great! Flannel is my personal favoritest fabric ever. Congrats on finishing. It’s such a nice feeling. :)
Cute, fabulous quilt. I love the little stitching surprise the fabric, the quilting. Congratulations on finishing this beauty!
Oh my, Anna! It is lovely – your friend is a very lucky girl indeed.
Love your marking technique, and it figures you would use something from the kitchen! LOL You’re always combining your two loves, aren’t you? Thanks for sharing!
What a lovely quilt you made for your friend!
I just love simple blocks!
“Toe grabber”? Maybe. Attention grabber? Definitely!!
Love the little bluebirds, the colors, everything.
:)
What a beautiful quilt! It was love at first sight for me. I’ve never tried to make a quilt, all of the little squares scare me, but you make it look so easy. Its so lovely, someone will be very lucky to have it.
There is nothing like the feeling of finished. Congrats!
Quilting in circles…I like it. Sometimes I run in circles. Somehow I don’t think that’s the same thing. Oh well, it makes me feel like part of the in-group if I say I do something in circles like you. LOL!
Take care,
Cassie
What a lovely quilt…so sweet…so perfect! I really love the hand-quilting! =)
OH my goodness, it’s to die for!
I love everything about it…the colors, the prints, the embroidery, the hand quilting…all of it!
Beautiful work!
Oh, Oh, Oh!!!!!!!!! How cute, cute, cute!!!!! Love your quilt, Anna!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think this is the cutest thing this side of the planet! I love the little embroidery surprise. Thanks for the tip, too!!
xoxo
Becky
After a comment from Isabelle, I came back here to snoop! I remember now, seeing this, because I had a feeling I’d seen those birdies before! Awesome quilting job! And I love that you backed it in Flannel, especially for Scotland! I’ve heard that’s difficult to hand quilt though…..And lastly—what’s wrong with me? No molly comment?? Must have meant to return, then forgot. The memory is the first thing to go, as you probably know. If you don’t, don’t say I didn’t warn you……………