Sunday, November 1, 2015

Bird Brains


Bird Brains
91 x 111


I started it in 2012. 
I usually don't border quilts but I wanted to try some prairie points so I added them to this quilt thinking they would look kind of like leaves. 

The body of the quilt is actually a simple snowball/nine patch. Lots of them.



I used a lot of bird fabrics and garden fabrics.  If I were to make it over today I wouldn't use so many fabrics with neutral backgrounds.  But back when I made this I thought I had read somewhere that when you use a lot of color your eyes need somewhere to rest.    Well, not my eyes as I have since found out. 


The whole thing is hand quilted.  I wasn't sure what to do about those loose and flapping prairie points so I found a leaf stencil and hand quilted leaves in that purple and lime border and then out into the prairie points.  Although that was a heck of a lot more work than just tacking at the points I like my decision.  But, it took a whole bunch of stab stitching through numerous layers of fabric in places. Sometimes, depending upon where the leaf stencil ended up there were 10 layers of fabric. 

The snowballs were hand stitched in a sort of flower shape. Again I used a stencil and if the fabric was light colored I marked with mechanical pencil. If fabric was dark I used chalk.  I tried using a mechanical pencil with white lead but the leads kept breaking. 


Here you can kind of see the leaves around in the border and another hand quilted flower. 



In the nine patches I just quilted diagonal lines.  It reminds me of a trellis. 


I just finished up the binding early this morning. I normally get up at 4:00 am to get ready for work but for some darned reason I was up at 3:00 a.m this morning so I made some coffee then got stitching.  (I hate time changes. I'll probably be ready for bed at 7:30 p.m.)  Then I threw it in the washer with a couple of color catchers and then into the dryer. It wasn't quite dry when I took it outside to take photos but I had to get out there while the sun was in the right spot. 

The binding finish was my Slow Sunday Stitching today.  I have another machine quilted quilt to bind later on this evening and then I will pin baste another quilt and get it ready for the hoop. Hmmm...which one? 





27 comments:

Vera said...

your quilting looks great!

Cathy said...

This is a gorgeous quilt, and the colors are so cheery and vibrant! I think the lighter areas are just fine - they add to the contrast. Your quilting is (as always) gorgeous, and you should be proud of this amazing finish. Any specific plans for the quilt? Was this one of your Finish-Along goals?

gayle said...

Birdies, birdies, everywhere!
I always love to see hand quilting. That leafy border is especially pretty! (I can't imagine trying to get through all those layers, though! Hardcore!)

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Oh my!!! That is so fantastic!! I love all the colors and the praire points!! Of course - the hand quilting - scrumptious!!!

Julierose said...

I love those colors and the quilting is beautiful--AND, being a border gal--I like how it is set off by the borders....nice work hugs, Julierose

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Such a beautiful quilt! I would love to see it in person, because I bet is so fun to look at all the different fabrics.

Julianne said...

Another beauty! Very nice!

deb @ frugal little bungalow said...

Congratulations on your finish. This is just stunning! Love the colors...wonderful job! :)

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

You never disappoint with your quilt finishes! All of those fabrics really look pretty together. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

You finally explained why I love your quilts so much! Color Color and more Color!!!! I would love to watch you shop for fabric!!!! I love color too, but your much braver than I am! But someday I may have to let my hair down cause I just love the quilts you make.

The Crafty Creek said...

It's beautiful, I love the colours. I haven't got the patience for hand quilting so it's something I admire greatly!

Jasmine said...

What a beautiful finish. I love the trellis hand quilting in the beautiful garden.

scraphappy said...

Congratulations on your finish. What bright and beautiful colors. Some quilts can't help but to make you smile.

Mystic Quilter said...

So vey vibrant and happy!!

Ariane said...

It's a beautiful quilt. I love the colours. You did an amazing job with it.

Carol E. said...

Congratulations on a beautiful finish! And hand quilted! I am so impressed.

Anonymous said...

This is a beautiful quilt and the hand stitching is perfect!

CathieJ said...

I love this quilt and although you think it has too many neutral backgrounds I think it works very well just the way it is. I love what you did with the quilting. Great variety and a unique idea to capture the prairie points. Just beautiful.

The Cozy Quilter said...

A bright and beautiful quilt! Love the way you have quilted it! You should be very proud and pleased!

Ivani said...

Bright and vibrant quilt.

Jennie in GA said...

Lovely, cheerful quilt with beautiful hand quilting. Congrats!

nestki said...

What incredible hand quilting! I love your style. Look at the colors again in a month or so; I think you will be more pleased then with the interplay of lots of color and a few neutrals. I admire your talent and work ethic.

Stephie said...

Oh my word Cathy, this is simply stunning! One of my favourite colourful quilts I've seen for a while. The quilting is gorgeous. I really love the little patch of blue fabric with the flamingoes on - I bet you can sit for hours and find wonderful things hidden in this quilt. I can't imagine the tenacity needed to quilt through 10 layers of fabric....aaaargh! Sore fingers, broken needles galore?! Worth every stitch though, congratulations :)

Karen in Breezy Point said...

What a beautiful finish--love all the bird fabrics--so fun!

Kaja said...

I love how this has turned out! My eyes are quite happy without resting places too.

Deb A said...

Very pretty. Love the quilting.

Quilter Kathy said...

OMG... it's fabulous! I love what you decided to do on the prairie points!
Must have been hard all the hands to go through all those layers, but it's fabulous!