Hayden’s Quilt

It’s done!
It’s done!

Behold!

Okay, too dramatic? I’m just very excited to finish up this quilt and share it with you all. Though it figures that the days between finishing the quilt and gifting the quilt were either dreary and rainy or I was too busy, so I didn’t get decent photos. (Though, I did end up getting one of five month old Hayden approving it.)

I started it in the beginning of July—though I didn’t touch it most of October. So it took me about four months, give or take. Machine pieced but hand quilted. I’ve decided four months is a bit too long, so I’ll be attempting machine quilting for the next one.

It’s about 40” x 60” with a patchwork of vintage gingham, Harmony Art Organic cottons and an Erin McMorris print for good measure. Paired with the gray, I think it’s a lovely color combination.

PS: Happy Bench Monday!

No Apple Pie or Fireworks for Me.

In typical Liesl fashion, I spent my holiday quilting. I was rushing to get something done by today–and I met my goal.

That something is the previously mentioned baby quilt. All hand quilted for a little girl named Emma Sophia. I used a secondhand pink cheater print and two panels of solid pink for the names, cotton batting and brown patchwork binding.

Now to get to work on the one for little Hayden–which I believe I’ve decided to hand quilt, even if it takes longer.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice.

I’m pretty sure no one in my family reads my blog—my mother asked me recently what a ‘blog’ was—so I can safely talk about this here. Besides, even if my cousin does read my blog, this new Mama is much too busy being a new Mama to see what I’m working on.
There have been a lot of little boys added to the family in the past five or so years. But in this last year we’ve had two new little girls join us. The first was born in September and I’m almost finished with hand quilting a pretty little pink quilt for her. And just last week my other cousin had a baby girl. So I dug out all my cute pink fabrics and a gray cotton and started brain storming. I’m thinking it’ll be similar to Parker’s quilt.
I’m a huge fan of hand quilting. I love how it looks softer than machine and the way it puckers perfectly. And every stitch is sign of dedication and love. But it takes ages so for the first time, I’m seriously considering machine quilting this one. It sure would be a lot quicker. But I have very little and poor experience machine quilting. So, I’m stuck. Does anyone have any suggestions, preferences, advice, or opinions?
I have to admit I’m losing a little interest in making things for my shop. I miss how I started—making things for friends and family, and myself. I don’t do that that much anymore. And now that my skills and ideas have gotten so much better I can offer them much, much nicer items. And I wish I had more time and energy for gift making because even though there is no sign of babies in my near future, there are perfect little recipients of all these cute things I’ve been dreaming up and finding (like this, or this, or this).

Parker’s Quilt

I just got word that my friend received the little quilt I made for her soon-to-join-this-world baby boy. So I can finally share pictures. As usual, it’s all hand quilted.

The Martha Quilt

1. The Martha Quilt, 2. The Martha Quilt, 3. The Martha Quilt, 4. The Martha Quilt, 5. The Martha Quilt, 6. The Martha Quilt

Made from two vintage, secondhand, handmade skirts. That’s triple karma!
As I started piecing this together, I noticed this color palette seemed awfully familiar. It looks just like the Martha Stewart Show logo! So hence, it received the name “Martha.”
It’s a smaller quilt, perfect for tossing over your legs while settling down with a good book or wrapping around little munchkins.
I’m still not sure I want to part with it. I really fell in love with it while working on it.