The Ugly Duckling

November 21, 2011 on 1:30 am | In Quilting | 41 Comments

I hope you’ve all had a good weekend. Ours has been lots of fun — we’ve been busy cleaning and catching up on a lot of little tasks that have been left undone for too long. There has been a little sewing, but unfortunately, I got sidetracked and didn’t get the bliss quilt top finished yet. ;-(. So, as a consolation prize, I thought I’d show you an older quilt that I don’t think I’ve had here on the blog yet.  (And if I have, just pretend, ok?)

A few years ago, MeMum gave me this antique store quilt top for Christmas. At the time, I thought it was the ugliest quilt I’ve ever seen, but I tried to be really excited when I opened it. (This isn’t a great shot, but I decided it was time for that retaining wall to earn it’s keep.)

Pink and Green Quilt

The original quiltmaker had given up on this quilt. Four of the big pink blocks running down one edge of the quilt were really wonky. In the close-up shot below (sorry for the blur), you can see that the pink part was pieced in long strips. She had somehow mis-calculated and the pink strips were too long, causing the pink part of the block to balloon out.  The quilt wouldn’t lie flat, so it couldn’t be quilted.

Pink and Green Quilt

I took those four blocks apart, cut them down and re-pieced them.  Then, I added the green border to make the quilt big enough for a  double bed.  (The greens don’t look as poorly matched in real life as they do in the picture.)  After the repairs, I sent the quilt off to a hand quilter.  And, boy oh boy, was I surprised when the quilt came back!  The quilting made all the difference and brought this quilt to life.  I LOVE the way she quilted it — very simple, but very effective.

Pink and Green Quilt

Just look at all those tiny little blocks.  Can you believe — they’re all hand-pieced!  Each little block is about 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″.  So scrappy and SO pretty — I could sit for hours and look at all the different fabrics.  Sometimes I wonder if the quilter planned where each block would be, but I’m guessing she just grabbed them as she pieced them.

Pink and Green Quilt

I had the quilt on the floor trying to fold it up nicely, and that obnoxious Scruff had to butt in.  He’s a cat in serious need of some manners.   I tried and tried to get a pretty fold for one of those famous folded quilt shots.  I should have a bloopers post — some of them are awful.  Sadly, this is as good as it gets.

Pink and Green Quilt

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the story of the Ugly Duckling quilt. I think the quilting turned this quilt into a beautiful swan and I’m so thankful that MeMum could see the potential in this quilt when she found it.
XOXO,
Anna

41 Comments

  1. I love that story Anna, its amazing how quilting can transform a quilt, isn’t it.

    Comment by tanya — November 21, 2011 #

  2. A lovely story …… and the quilt looks really pretty!

    Comment by frayedattheedge — November 21, 2011 #

  3. A perfect transformation! Any idea who the maker of the quilt was and when it was made? Love the cat photo as well as the one of the folded quilt.

    Comment by Vreni — November 21, 2011 #

  4. The hand quilting makes it very special indeed! Love the story!

    Comment by nicolette — November 21, 2011 #

  5. What a great story and a great rescue of a quilt. I bet the lady that made it would be thrilled to know it got a second lease on life and that it is in the hands of a quilter.

    Love the pictures…especially the one with Scuff poking one eye out from under the quilt!

    Comment by Sew Create It - Jane — November 21, 2011 #

  6. Love your quilt story Anna, and your quilt is beautiful, what a lot of time and love has gone into this heirloom!!

    Comment by Shawn — November 21, 2011 #

  7. The moral being – never give up on someone/something and share the load.
    Inspiring. And a jazzy quilt to boot!

    Comment by Abi — November 21, 2011 #

  8. I Love it! Glad you had it quilted, the quilter would love it. xoxo

    Comment by Jewels — November 21, 2011 #

  9. You definitely have a treasure there! It is fabulous and I think that Scruff tends to agree!

    Comment by Jackie — November 21, 2011 #

  10. Love what you did with the quilt. The folded picture is always tough and requires great patience, so I make my husband fold it if I can.

    Comment by Penny G — November 21, 2011 #

  11. Definitely a beautiful Swan!

    Comment by Kim Walus — November 21, 2011 #

  12. as always, i am impressed – with the quilt and with the retaining wall earning its keep, too

    Comment by dianne — November 21, 2011 #

  13. I think it is a very pretty quilt and am amazed at what you did. You rock!! Clarice

    Comment by clarice — November 21, 2011 #

  14. I guess Mums do often know best! Still looking forward to the Bliss quilt

    Comment by Jan — November 21, 2011 #

  15. So beautiful! …both the story and the quilt. I’m sure the quiltmaker would be so pleased that someone appreciated all those hours she put into it.

    Comment by Annette — November 21, 2011 #

  16. What a great job you did re-piecing and I think the green border is an excellent match. You have rescued an important piece of art. How in the world did you find a Hand-quilter willing to make such small stitches that are not on their quilt. I NEED THEIR INFO!!!!! It’s just beautiful. And the wall is amazing too.
    Happy Thanksgiving.

    Comment by Bonnie — November 21, 2011 #

  17. Hi Anna, Have I told you that I love your blog header? I do! Thanksgiving is upon us and I hope you have a wonderful time with your family! Blessings to you all.

    Comment by Anne — November 21, 2011 #

  18. Diamond in the rough. Your mom knew you could bring it back to life! Happy Thanksgiving!

    Comment by Jen — November 21, 2011 #

  19. What super quilting and piecing! And your blog header is probably my favourite that you have done so far – it’s fabulous! Lucy x

    Comment by lucylocket — November 21, 2011 #

  20. That looks great. I think ‘Scruff’ likes it and wanted you to leave it out for him. Silly kitty.

    Comment by Debbe — November 21, 2011 #

  21. It is beautiful and I love the turning from Ugly Duckling to Swan vision!

    Comment by Di — November 21, 2011 #

  22. It is beautiful. Really a gem. And having it hand quilted was the right choice. Lovely lovely. Great job.

    Comment by nanette — November 21, 2011 #

  23. The quilt is lovely, the quilting really does make this quilt pop. Thank you for sharing the quilt & the story!

    Comment by Michelle in NH — November 21, 2011 #

  24. I think it’s really pretty. Thank goodness your mum saw the potential – and thank goodness you didn’t give up on it.

    Comment by Rachel — November 21, 2011 #

  25. several lovely pictures. not quite an ugly duckling. You must have seen something in the flimsy to have it hand quilted. But the Scruff in the blanket picture was adorable.

    Comment by Mary R — November 21, 2011 #

  26. i am SO PROUD of you for taking those blocks apart, fixing them and finishing this anna.
    what quilting did she do on the printed blocks? i can’t tell. inquiring minds want to know.
    it’s just lovely and again, just so proud of you for finishing.
    nitey nite anna.
    b.

    Comment by brigette — November 21, 2011 #

  27. It’s beautiful! The retaining wall is beautiful, too! Both required lots of time, labor, $$, and perseverance. ;0

    Comment by ina — November 21, 2011 #

  28. It DID turn out to be a beauty! Glad you didn’t give up on it.

    Comment by Elaine /MuddlingThrough — November 21, 2011 #

  29. I LOVE IT! That is a great quilt and you know what hunka says. Quilting makes all the difference in the world to a quilt. And he is an expert on that you know.lolol
    Happy Thanksgiving Anna!!
    Hugs

    Comment by sharon — November 21, 2011 #

  30. What patience and perseverance to piece those tiny patches by hand!

    Comment by molly — November 22, 2011 #

  31. I love your Ugly Duckling. You’re so right, the hand quilting really makes it. (Does your Mum want to adopt me?!)

    Comment by Meredithe — November 22, 2011 #

  32. I think the ugly duckling has turned into a beautiful swan. Lovely, Anna. Love that hand quilting, too. After my experience with a little machine quilting, I think I need to give hand-quilting a try. Machine quilting was an exercise in frustration for me. Plus, I love how hand-quilting looks. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Comment by Cassie — November 22, 2011 #

  33. Amazing what acceptance trust and patience will eventually produce. We all need a bit of love, even an old quilt!

    Comment by Mary — November 22, 2011 #

  34. Anna, what a treasure! It’s beautiful. The hand quilting is amazing and perfect for that quilt. I love how you give your cats such beautiful things to play with. ;)

    Comment by Karin — November 22, 2011 #

  35. I love it! I’m so glad you turned that duckling into a swan! Nice work! :) And I got a chuckle when I saw your kitty’s head peeking out! :)

    Comment by Jennifer Henson — November 22, 2011 #

  36. Lovely Lovely quilt! It’s happy and scrappy. You have someone who will hand quilt a quilt? Fabulous.

    Comment by barb — November 22, 2011 #

  37. Yes, a beautiful swan…thanks for sharing the story!

    I got my order yesterday…thank you! I might be addicted to this Divine Twine!

    Comment by Sherri — November 22, 2011 #

  38. Good kitty! Lovely quilt!

    Comment by Auntie pami — November 22, 2011 #

  39. I love this quilt. What a special story to go with it. I know you’ll treasure this forever since your mom gave it to you. Amazing what you can do with scraps!

    Comment by Mary — November 22, 2011 #

  40. it is a love story!!!

    Comment by pat sloan — November 23, 2011 #

  41. WOW.. lucky your Mum had her EYES on..;O))
    Its wonderful.. smile and be happy!! :o)

    Comment by Stina — November 23, 2011 #

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