Thursday, February 25, 2010

doll quilt


You may remember just two posts ago when I showed this doll quilt top. Well turns out it was a quilting nightmare. First it took me forever to decide how exactly I was going to quilt it. When I finally decided, I went with a "handstitch" stitch on my sewing machine, using metallic thread. I should have know that it was probably not a good idea to A. use metallic thread for the first time and B. to use a stitch I hadn't used before. Needless to say it was a frustrating process.

Luckily the same day a huge box of Denyse Schmidt's Hope Valley arrived. I realized it would be perfect for my partner and feed my urge to cut into the new fabric. I honestly didn't think I liked this new line of fabric that much, but let me tell you, I'm absolutely in love with it. It is so gorgeous in person.

The inspiration for the doll quilt also came from Denyse, her new pattern, Cog + Wheel. I don't actually have the pattern so I just drew it out on graph paper. It worked out pretty well although probably not as neat as it would have been had I used the pattern. I used linen as the background fabric which I think compliments this line of fabric wonderfully.

When it came to quilt I had a few problems with the linen. It shifted a lot as I was quilting and I had to stop and readjust a few times. This is the first time I've ever really quilted with linen and I almost broke up with linen today. Almost. I'm glad I perservered though because I really, really love this quilt. I hope my partner like it too!

Oh and speaking of linen and patchwork, I'll be releasing a new pattern tomorrow and having a giveaway, so be sure to stop back!

7 comments:

~Michelle~ said...

well, I'm *sure* I'm your partner, because I LURVE that quilt! Hahaha! Truly, it looks great, and I officially need to get mine going past the cut fabric stage...

Needled Mom said...

I love the looks and the fabric in that quilt. I am so with you on the use of metallic threads. I do much better using them in my bobbin, but it is difficult to know what is going on in the front.

Trisha said...

I am sure your partner will love it. I know I would. Great fabric.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

I don't know how I missed this post yesterday, but that is the cutest doll quilt! I am smitten with Hope Valley and you did such an amazing job of Cog + Wheel without a pattern (of course)! Lucky recipient!

Valerie said...

that is one IMPRESSIVE doll quilt! and great, great news about your husband. i clicked over and read the caringbridge post. :)

craftytammie said...

I had just seen that cog and wheel pattern on pink chalk fabric's blog - love the design, yours is beautiful! i've been trying to justify buying some hope valley but am determined to finish a few projects first...

Poppyprint said...

Hi Katie, I jumped over from the DQS8 Flickr group, wondering what happened to the beauty first DQ you made. I'm so sorry to hear the quilting did not go well - that's a huge bummer!! It's such a cool quilt, I hope you can revisit it. Your inspiration quilt was so...well, inspiring! I thought your interpretation was excellent.
Krista