Checkerboards and Dresden Plates
- 102 x 102" king size
- 2-1/2 years in the making at two blocks per month
- Wool batting
- Expertly quilted by Dottie Vaughn
Lots of photos, just because...
Photographed in front of my garage door - note the size!
Detail pics:
One of the Dresden Plates
One of the Checkerboards
Dottie and I discussed batting options. I knew I wanted wool batting for the softness, drape, and loft. She noted that a lot of show quilts now are layered with an 80/20 cotton/poly batting and a wool batting on top of it to really add dimension and show off the quilting. I opted not to go with double layer batting because it would make this quilt too warm to use, so this quilt has one layer of wool batting. I still like the dimension and texture provided by the quilting.
Dottie quilts with a Stattler Stitcher computer driven long arm. At my request, in addition to SID, she used a variation of continuous curve quilting in the checkerboards, in which the curve starts farther into the square than usual, creating a deeper curve. It also creates a diagonal line of diamonds, enhancing the diagonal movement within the quilt. Her precision is magnificent.
Close up of the stippling
I showed this quilt to 15 quilting friends at a meeting earlier this week and it got a collective gasp and "Oh, wow!" but I think that has mostly to do with the size.
I will say, however, that this quilt is much more impressive in person than in photos. Since AQS decides on show acceptance based solely on photos, I'll understand if they're underwhelmed and my quilt doesn't get in.
The photos above were taken outdoors Wednesday, getting right down to the wire for the show deadline, but until then the weather was not cooperating. But since the deadline was fast approaching, my friend Nancy helped me take some indoor photos earlier this week. Thanks so much, Nancy, for your help! I'm glad I was able to get all the photos I needed for the show entry, and plenty of extras as well.
I'm keeping this quilt for me. It will live on the bed in my new home in Arizona when we move next year. Meanwhile, I'm hoping it gets in to the AQS show in April.
Linking up with:
Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Alycia Quilts
Wendy's Quilts and More
My Quilt Infatuation
GORGEOUS ! Definitely a labor of love.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, there is a lot of stitching in all those quilt blocks. No wonder you want to keep it for yourself. Do hope your lovely quilt gets its chance to shine at the quilt show.
ReplyDeleteOh, congratulations, Jan. I've really enjoyed watching this quilt come together for you. It's a stunner, and I'm glad you had such a great longarmer to collaborate with.
ReplyDeleteI never realized there is blue in the checkerboards ... and brown.
ReplyDeleteWow! Beautiful! I love all of those checkerboards. It's interesting that I would call this a red quilt, but there are so many other colors in it. What beautiful work! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Really AWESOME!! ;^)
ReplyDeleteMay I add another "Wow" (and not for the size)! Striking! I hope you get in the AQS show. Enjoy sleeping under it!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a finish with a lot of "WOW" factor! I'll keep my fingers crossed for your AQS entry acceptance. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHooray for the final BIG reveal!! It's just stunning, Jan! I've really enjoyed watching this gorgeous piece slowly come to life. All that quilting texture makes me want to run my hands all over it. Best of luck with AQS!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that you got this all done, I know it's been a long journey! But a worthwhile one. I am thinking those ooohs and ahhh's were for it's beauty and appreciating all the work that went into it with all those tiny squares. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteIt’s just beautiful Jan! It sure looks like a show quilt to me! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the huge finish!!!!
ReplyDeleteStunning...and huge! Congrats on getting it finished. I love wool batting quilts. They are so toasty warm. I hope you get the word that this quilt made the show. It's worth sharing and showing!
ReplyDeleteWow! That's an amazing quilt!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your beautiful finish! I submitted to AQS for the first time recently. Here's hoping our quilts can hang out together in Paducah. : )
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