Friday, January 7, 2011

Sew & Tell Friday: Christmas

*I've had this post loaded for a while. 

I finished the top for my parents' Christmas present quilt in March.  Yes, March of 2010.  I had my friend Pam do the quilting.  Pam does amazing work.  Very slow work, though, and I didn't get the finished quilt (except for the binding) until the Friday after Thanksgiving.  Also 2010.  It's gorgeous, though!  I think Pam kept it all that time to show it off to the ladies who attended retreats at her home.  I'm all about showing off, so that's fine with me.
It's a pumpkin seed!  Surprise.  I used French General Rouenneries fabric - a layer cake for the "seeds" and the pearl solid for the background.
Pam used a dark red thread on the background fabric.  Isn't that gorgeous?!  I gave her free reign on the design and I love what she came up with.
The stripe is only one inch wide, but Pam managed to get a different stitch into it.
I wanted a different fabric for the back, but those are the breaks.  It's supposed to be a wall hanging anyway.

We had Jen and Ben for Christmas this year and I knew I wanted to make a quilt, but didn't know what kind.  Back in September or October, my Dad's aunt offered to let me take home two lone star tops (unfinished) that my great great grandmother had made.  She and my great grandmother made lone stars for all of their children and grandchildren.  It was their "thing."  So now it's my thing.  Here is the lone star I made for Jen and Ben.
I used American Jane fabric and I've forgotten the name of that line...  the one with the school stuff...  Dangit.

I used the awesome illustrated alphabet fabric on the back.  This one cracks me up.  That kid is watching the radio.  Blind stitch binding since it was official and all.

I'm so glad to finally be able to show off these Christmas gifts!  Go to Amy's today to see what everyone else did. :)

18 comments:

Lesly said...

Simply fantastic. That pumpkinseed quilt is to die for. Well worth the wait!

KQ said...

Your parent's quilt is amazing. Almost inspiring enough for me to want to attempt a pumpkin seed quilt myself. I said "almost". I can't guarantee anything. :) Anyway, I love what you did, and I would like to be added to your list of Christmas giftees. Thanks in advance. :)

allyn said...

all are gorgeous. that was daring of you to allow free reign on the quilting. she did a beautiful job. i don't understand how that all works, but she has it down. you are amazing at how you got all that stuff done before december even came around. maybe that should be my goal this year: get Christmas done before december.

pinksuedeshoe said...

Oh my gosh those are amazing! I can't believe that gorgeous quilting on your parents quilt! WOW. I also love that American Jane line, so cute!

Brenda said...

Your quilts are gorgeous! I want to grow up to quilt as well as you.

Maevy said...

I simply adore your pumpkin seed quilt. Everything about it is perfect. Amazing work.

mommymae said...

it's punctuation! i just bought some with carnival tickets. very cute with the american jane!

love these both!

Karen said...

Fabulous finishes!!!!Both quilts are so wondeful and beautiful. Well done.

Diane said...

Those are both beautiful!

melissa said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous quilts! You and Pam make a great team. Kenzie was right--Mom and Dad's quilt is a work of art.

Jessie said...

Oh my goodness, those are beautiful! So, so pretty. The pinks is my favorite, but the blues and greens is also gorgeous. I want to quilt as well as you someday.

Jessica said...

What beautiful quilts! I love the lone star design.

Dayna said...

You do such fantastic work!

Rene' said...

These are two very impressive quilts!!! I especially love the lone star with the American Jane fabric.

Kristen said...

Nice finishes! I love the lone star! The quilting on your pumpkin seed is amazing!!

Haylee said...

Your quilting is beautiful. The lone star is my favorite, but both are beautiful

Eleanor said...

Those quilts are so beautiful. I am so jealous of your skills.

halfstitched said...

The pumpkin seed quilt is sew beautiful. I have been wanting to learn how to quilt and that has inspired me just a little more. Thanks for sharing!