Sunday, November 27, 2016

Feather Bed Finally Finished!


Feather Bed
72 x 90
Hand quilted



Here is a sideways view because lengthwise it dragged on the ground unless the wind was blowing and I couldn't get a very good picture. And here's a sideways view because I like looking at the finished quilt. 


I was looking for some different ways to use my long, bright colored string scraps and decided on this quilt.  (I also made a string star with them). 


I didn't know what to use for background fabric and then I found a this piece of cheddar feather fabric in my stash I had bought at Hancock's (no longer in business here) at one of those "Spot the Bolt" sales where the fabric was $3.97 per yard.  "Perfect", I said. But there wasn't enough of it.  "Darn", I said.   But after work the next day I stopped at Hancock's and they still had some of this feather fabric left on the sale table but it was a little more expensive but not expensive - like $5.00 per yard.  And so I bought all that I needed. "Yipee", I said.  "It was meant to be". 



I quilted all of the feathers with different colors of perle #8.  And that was all I was going to do but noticed there was a lot of room between the feathers that needed a little something. 


And so I hand quilted some....what else?....feathers! I used Coats and Clarks hand quilting thread in a color I had in my tin of threads that closely matches the tips of the feathers in the fabric. I was hesitant to try the feathers because I wasn't sure my hand stitches were small enough to even go around each little part of the feather I had stenciled in in mechanical pencil.  But I gave it a try, persevered (even when my hands were stiff  or shaky and eyes could not see well) and I'm glad I did because they turned out pretty darned good if I say so myself. And I had a good time doing it. I always have a nice, peaceful, relaxing time hand quilting.  (Pack up all my cares and woes...here I go...hand quilting, you know...) 





Well, I should name this quilt Feathers Galore because here is the backing...birds and feathers!!!  The places where I used the perle to hand quilt the feathers looks like little trees (well, to me they do) on the back and it looks like some of the birds are perched in the trees.  I have the same sort of story about this backing as I do about the background fabric only substitute JoAnn for Hancock and substitute "red dot clearance" for "spot the bolt".   This, too, was meant to be. 


It took months of Sundays to get this Slow Stitched so I'm linking up to
And I definitely used scraps so I'm linking up to 

for

Goals rock!! 

24 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

it looks great! never worry about the size of your stitches - just sit back and enjoy!

Judy said...

Fabulous quilt! You are right to be proud of it.

Ellen said...

Fantastic - you did such a great job and I like the fabric story too! Some things really are meant to be.

gayle said...

It's a fantastic feathery quilt! That cheddar background really makes those feathers sing - I love love love all the color!
And the feather quilting to top it all off? Perfect!

cityquilter grace said...

obviously meant to be as all the right fabrics were found and used....beautiful!

The Cozy Quilter said...

Wonderful finish! What great background fabric!

Ariane said...

It's beautiful! Congrats on a wonderful finish!

Jayne said...

I've made AMH feathers and love them! Your quilt is amazing and the hand quilting...what a beautiful finishing touch!

Julie in GA said...

Your feathers quilt is gorgeous, and the hand quilting is the perfect finish for it! Your productivity amazes me!

Kate said...

What a beauty!

Monica said...

Thank you for the link, Cathy, I did not realize this pattern was free! I love it, and I love your version with the orange background. Congratulations, another wonderful finish. You are on a roll!

Marly said...

Beautiful finish. Don't worry about your hand quilting; it's an example to us all!

Tanya Quilts in CO said...

Awesome! I have enjoyed watching your progress on this and I am happy to celebrate your finish too.

Karen in Breezy Point said...

I think you chose the perfect name for your quilt--lol!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

This quilt is so colorful! I love all the details and stories it contains. It's journey has been fun to watch. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

Sarah said...

Lovely quilt and your hand quilting is awesome. I've just started my first hand quilting project, so I understand the sore fingers and aches and pains!

Janie said...

Congratulations! Your hand quilting is beautiful.

CathieJ said...

So glad you found enough of that feather fabric. This quilt is really pretty.

Louise said...

Great quilt, Cathy! I'm so impressed with how much hand quilting you did on this. And that cheddar feather background is awesome! I love a patterned fabric background in a world of solids...so much more interesting :)

Quiltdivajulie said...

This is terrific -- the stories, the stitching, just everything!!

Dollandesign said...

I can just say WOW!

Dollandesign

Jennie in GA said...

Great project. I love the cheddar feathers fabric. Perfect for your scrappy feathers.

Cathy said...

Totally amazing! It was just meant to be!!

Rhonda the Rambler said...

I adore this quilt! Thank you for sharing and for participating in the 2016 FAL. Hope to see you at the 2017 FAL. Commenting on behalf of the 2016 Global FAL Host Team.