Sunday, November 5, 2017

A Finish! Old MacDonald Mystery Sampler

 Old MacDonald Mystery Sampler
54 x 66
Hand quilted


This sampler had a variety of different blocks - some paper pieced, some traditional, some improv. I tried them all and ended up with this sampler.  

I knew I didn't want any edge to edge  quilting pattern on it. That left me with hand quilting - kind of free motion hand quilting.  I'm no expert at hand quilting but I'm really terrible at quilting on my DSM especially if it's not an edge to edge design.   

In the sky I kind of free motion quilted some "clouds" that kind of mimicked those circular improv blocks in the sky.  



The barn got some straight line quilting for some boards. 


Flowers, improv grass, snail trails, hens, chicks...I let the needle lead the way. I used a lot of different colors of hand quilting thread. Although it may look like it this was not big stitch quilting. 


The sunflowers didn't have stems so I made some with some green bias binding I had on hand from one of my thrift store visits. 

 I did some straight line quilting here and there in different directions on the purple mountain majesties.  I wanted them to look "rocky"  but not sure I succeeded. But I'm okay with how things ended up. 

I added a light gray binding so it wouldn't stand out and detract from the rest of the quilt.  If it was going to be a wall quilt I would have faced it. But it's not. It's a lap quilt. My lap quilt.  I love barns. 

And here's the back. 

I have another quilt in the hoop now so later this evening I'll do some 


And needless to say...I used lots of scrap chunks in the making of this quilt so 


37 comments:

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

What a great sampler quilt! Love what you did with the quilting!

gayle said...

Woohoo!! Terrific finish! I'm glad you handquilted it - it adds so much more personality to it!

Sarah said...

What a wonderful quilt, hand quilting it was perfect.

Suzanne said...

You did a wonderful job! Nice finish

Linda said...

This has to be one of my favourites from all the quilts I've seen on your blog. Utterly delightful! Great hand quilting and the backing is perfect - from your bottomless stash too????

Nicole said...

Hooray for finishes! This is such a charming and cheerful quilt. Well done.

karenbbsnow said...

Such a fun, beautiful quilt!!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

That's a wonderful quilt! So much to look at and enjoy. It looks like you had fun with it every step of the way!

Anonymous said...

Love this sampler quilt! You did a wonderful job with the quilting, too!

Julianne said...

This is one amazing quilt! I love all your quilts, but this one is so special...the colors are amazing, its happy and fun! I'm so glad you are keeping this one for you!

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

love all the colors in this quilt - great quilt

Angie in SoCal said...

I love this quilt. Sophie is a great designer. Has anyone heard from her and Block Lotto. I hope all is well. Thanks for sharing this bright and colorful quilt.

Lisa England said...

Oh my goodness, so gorgeous and fun to look at! And what perfect backing!

Julierose said...

I just love the variety of blocks on your piece--just beautiful work hugs, Julierose

Quiltdivajulie said...

Love love love it - so happy it is for YOU!!!!!!

The Cozy Quilter said...

Looks beautiful! What a thrilling finish!

---"Love" said...

I absolutely love it! I'd never be brave enough to try it, but you did a great job! ---"Love"

diane said...

It's just grand Kathy. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it just now and everything about it is just wonderful. A great, great sampler and had to be fun to do.

Quilting Babcia said...

This is my idea of a fun sampler quilt. So many colors, patterns and a great overall design. A delight for the eyes.

Ellen said...

Love it - you did a wonderful job!

I have some of these blocks made, some I have patterns for and some I am missing the patterns. I know that when I do get to working on mine that I can just improvise what I need.

Nana said...

I love the quilt....so interesting. Guess I never though of free motion hand quilting. Great finish!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

I love love love this quilt! I hope you are keeping this one for yourself. It is so bright and colorful.
Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

Janice Holton said...

This is one of my very favorite finishes I have seen this week! Such a visual feast! ood for you for hand quilting it. I would not have the patience!
Where can I find this sampler pattern?

Cathy said...

This turned out spectacularly. Her clever design was made even better by your bright fabric choices and clever quilting! Three thumbs up!

Ariane said...

This quilt is gorgeous! You did some amazing work on this quilt!!

Bernapatch said...

Magnifique! Bravo

mangozz said...

This is a beautiful quilt Cathy! I love everything about it, especially the colors. But the quilting is very special too, and the backing and binding are perfect for it. Congrats on a great finish!

Linda M @ Pieceful Kingdom said...

Wow! That is such a wonderful and colorful quilt. Congratulations on the finish!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful quilt! So homey and bucolic, but bright and vibrant! Hand quilting was the right choice and it truly is wonderful. This is my first visit to your blog, but I will certainly be spelunking and coming back to see more.

Ann said...

A lovely finish, Cathy. I like the grey binding; wouldn't have thought of that myself. Like you, I like faced finishes when it's a wall quilt.

UplayOnline said...

Oh my goodness, so gorgeous and fun to look at! And what perfect backing!


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Angie said...

Wonderful finish! I love how all the blocks are arranged - great take on the sampler quilt idea!

Deanna W said...

Love the quilt and your backing is terrific!!!

Nann said...

Nifty finish -- so colorful with the blue-sky background throughout. (I miss the Block Lotto!)

Connie said...

Gorgeous!!!

Judith, Belfast said...

Well done on your Q4 finish! Jxo

karenbbsnow said...

I'm in love with this quilt, it's so fun and colourful!!