Wednesday, February 16, 2011

My Wonky houses quilt reveal!

Here it is finally finished. I say finally because I pieced this way back in September/October 2009. Wonky log cabins were Round 3 of  The Old Red Barn Quilt along  and we were expertly led by John aka Quiltdad. The centre blocks are wonky bento box and the inner border is 1/4 log cabin blocks.
Around the same time that I was making this quilt top, wonky houses were around the blogosphere and flicker and I was keen to try some out also thinking they would  look good paired with the wonky log cabin blocks.

After it was all finished I was pretty stuck as to how to quilt it so it was on my too hard pile for a few months. I also had issues with what sort of batting to use and where to buy it from. Eventually I purchased a bamboo batting from Spotlight. The large middle area is free motioned quilted with swirls and the inner border just with some straight-ish lines.

I used 4 colours of Perle cotton  to echo quilt around the little houses (and little trees too)....

and some really random wavy lines around the outer border which I loved doing. I really love the extra texture and zing of colour that Perle cotton gives to a quilt although it was very hard on my fingers and frustrating until I found the right needle to use. The needle I ended up using was quite thick like a darning needle but still quite sharp. Also I used a number 5 thickness of cotton, which was a little too thick. I think a no. 8 thickness is the one to go for.

The backing is made up of strips of varying widths and lengths of leftovers from the front with some more complimentary fabrics from my stash that needed to be used. (to make way for newer fabrics!) I have to say I like the back as much as the front.

I didn't really love this quilt while it was in my 'too hard' pile but now its all done and with the addition of the Perle cotton quilting I like it a lot more now.
Oh and if your keen to participate in a quilt-a-long I hear The old red barn quilt-a-long on flicker are talking about starting round 10! Go on over and see how much fun they are having!

14 comments:

Lara said...

Nice finish Catherine! Looks great! I've just picked up the Postage Stamp from the LAQ... onto binding ;) What you going to work on now?

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Absolutely stunning quilt Catherine. And the back is so good it could be a front. Love the quilting too. xo

Ducks and Rabbits said...

It's just stunning - I love so many things about it but I think the back is my favourite!

Laney said...

Hi! I came over from Old Red Barn because I loved you photo and wanted to read about this quilt. I love the way you mixed the log cabins and the houses, the use of the white and the hand quilting with perle cotton - something I want to learn. I think you did a really nice job! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Must be great to have a finish from the "Too Hard Pile". Love that name. It's lovely isn't it? I agree with you too, the back is beautiful as well! Great work Catherine!

Leslie said...

this is beautiful...i love the back as well

Emma said...

That's gorgeous. I'm glad you finished it! Well done.

Rafael's Mum said...

Ooooh, that;s beautiful Catherine! I love how the colours flow into each other and the back is an artwork in itself! The wonky houses go so well with it and I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the handquilting! It makes it really special! What a lovely quilt!

by Daisy said...

way to go! hurray to you for finishing a hard project!
what's there not to like in this quilt? i love the back as much as the front, i love the detail of the wavy lines, i love the colours, i love everything!
and wonky is so much harder than people think, right?

beth said...

This is an amazing quilt!!!

Molly said...

I love this quilt!!! I'm actually making another log cabin quilt from that quilt a long. I gave the first one to my son but loved it so much I've been wanting to make another one just for me. This quilt really inspired me to getting moving on my blocks. Awesome!

myBearpaw said...

What a lovely quilt! I love your handstitching around the little houses!

Karen said...

Great finish!!! It must feel so good to have it done and out of the 'to be finished' pile. I so don't have the ability to do wonky.I especially love the houses. I want to do a house quilt 'one day'.

Ariane said...

Your quilt looks wonderful!! I love the hand quilting around the houses and the sonny lines!! The back looks great too!!!

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