Sunflowers
It's a flimsy!
74 3/4 x 98
I love Sunflowers. I've grown Sunflower houses out in the garden.
Once upon a time I saw a Sunflower quilt that I loved. But I figured I'd never be able to make one. The blocks looked way too complex for my skill set.
Then I found a pattern. And then I tried. Surprise!
I have to highly recommend the book Treasury of Quilts by Betsy Chutchian and Carol Staehle. Thanks to their pattern and well written instructions I now have a Sunflower quilt. Well, it's almost a Sunflower quilt. I still have to quilt it but the difficult part is finished.
I used fabric from stash. And since I usually buy 1/2 yard pieces of fabric I kind of had a difficult time coming up with backgrounds for the 14 inch blocks but I managed. When it came to the side setting triangles I wasn't so lucky to have enough of any one fabric. I started out thinking I could make all the side setting triangles scrappy but I didn't have enough pieces big enough to do so. I used the only two remaining civil war repro type fabrics I had that I could stretch enough to use for the side setting triangles.
I'm not sure I'm really in love with that option since there is such a contrast between those two side setting triangle fabrics but I'm keeping it that way and it will probably grow on me (hopefully not like a fungus). It's for a bed, for Pete's sake and not for a wall. The most important thing is that I DID IT! And I almost have that Sunflower quilt I've always wanted! I'm excited to get it quilted.
I'm going to hand quilt it. I still have to cut away the backgrounds behind the Sunflowers and trim up the sides but I'll wait to do that until I'm ready to hand quilt.
Getting this to flimsy stage was my OMG (One Monthly Goal) . At the end of the month I will link up to OMG at Elm Street Quilts.
I've been following your progression on this labor of love ever since you began, and it's been such an inspiration that I bought a copy of the book and the templates. Now just need to begin. Your version is so lovely and the two different side setting triangles just add more interest in my opinion. Love everything about this quilt!
ReplyDeleteLovely sunflowers! I am flabbergasted by all those flying geese! Sandy at sewhigh.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThat geese sashing is spectacular, as are your sunflowers!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I'm blown away but your productivity, your bold color choices and your execution of this difficult pattern!! My hat is off to you!
ReplyDeleteI've been in love with your blocks since you began, Cathy, and now I'm in love with your quilt. It is gorgeous! Really, really just gorgeous! And because you've recommended the book so many times and because it's currently on sale at Martingale for $6.00 (and not available at our local library) I'm going to buy it. Perhaps sunflowers are in my future. Your hesitancy and then success have encouraged me.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I went back to look at the quilt and wanted to say that I think your setting triangles work because you've arranged them symmetrically. I hope you come to love them!
ReplyDeleteOh my Cathy it is gorgeous. No problem here - I like the contrasting setting triangles. I think they set off the colours in the quilt perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI also have that fantastic book and I am plotting which quilt to start with. It will probably be the postage stamp on the cover - love it!!! I am pretty sure that I will be making many of them. :)
Beautiful quilt! And better yet, it is a flimsy. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteYour sunflower quilt is beautiful. It looks so cozy and inviting. Great for a bed!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a fantastic finish. I too love this block but always assumed it was beyond my capabilities, so it was great to hear that a well written pattern makes all the difference.
ReplyDeleteAll fabulous - sunflowers, setting fabrics and those wonderful Flying Geese!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! From the first block, this has been gorgeous. Just wow!
ReplyDeleteOMG . Gorgeous! The two different fabrics for the side setting are what really made me fall head and heels in love with this quilt. Congratulations for you accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteYou make such beautiful quilts!
ReplyDeleteI think this is fabulous! Love those flying geese in the sashing strips and I like your setting triangle fabrics. Congratulations on the flimsy!!
ReplyDeleteSpectacular! I'm not normally a big fan of Civil War repro fabrics, but they are just perfect for the sunflowers. Some of the yellows practically glow!
ReplyDeleteI love it!!! I especially love the side setting triangles. You hit this one way out of the ball park!!!! WOW!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is gorgeous! it's been fun to watch this quilt develop!
ReplyDeleteI can't stop looking at it!
Woohoo!!! Absolutely perfect! The setting triangles look like a feature, not a solution, if you know what I mean. Wonderful touch to a wonderful quilt!
ReplyDeleteI heartily recommend that book, too. I love it! (And I was going to point out that Martingale's got it on sale for $6, but Nancy beat me to it!)
I think the side triangles are great! This is a beautiful quilt! Great Job!
ReplyDeleteA totally fabulous finish! To me, your quilt looks like a rich tapestry - this is sure to become an heirloom quilt. The sashing triangles are perfect.
ReplyDeleteI knew those sunflowers would make a beautiful quilt, and sure enough, they did, or will when the flimsy is quilted. ---"Love"
ReplyDeleteLovely lovely quilt. I like everything about it; the pattern, the colors, the flying geese, the setting triangles. What a wonderful flimsy. It's going to be fun to quilt.
ReplyDeleteLoving this quilt! The flying geese work so well here. I've ben following your progress with these sunflowers, loved it from the start!
ReplyDeleteI've admired your fortitude at getting these sunflower blocks made. The setting triangles really do "go" with the colors used for the sunflowers. It's another winner.
ReplyDeletePat
I think I slobbered all over my computer on the last post you showed your beautiful sunflower quilt. I have recently developed an attraction to civil war repro fabric and your creation is making me love it all the more. It is going on my bucket list! As others have mentioned, your work is inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThat is so incredible. The quilt is beautiful. And it is so amazing that you have been showing it progress, here a block, there a block and then it is so awesome and amazing that its already together. Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is awesome! It looks like an heirloom already!
ReplyDeleteWonderful finish!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's been inspiring watching this quilt come about; the pattern is definitely on my list, I just need to make the leap and get started!
This is an amazing top!!! It's even more gorgeous all finished up than it was the last time you shared it. I'm in love with its deep tones and pretty sunflowery pops with the flying geese contrast.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I *really* like the effect of the bi-tonal setting triangles around the sides.
ReplyDeleteI bought the book a while back on your recommendation and it's full of wonderful projects. Still my hope to some day make one of these. Yours is just gorgeous! I love the scrappyness of it and the two tone setting triangles look amazing.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! This is awesome - truly beautiful and such an achievement. For what it's worth, I like your setting triangles.
ReplyDeleteEverything about it is lovely. The glowing sunflowers - some in sun and others in shade. The geese sashing. The triangles of the outer border. You have created a masterpiece. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteso very nice - love it
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous quilt, and I bet you feel great that you've accomplished something you previously thought was impossible for you. Thank you for linking up to the Peacock Party.
ReplyDeleteLove this quilt!!!! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteWowza! just gorgeous! Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and congrats on your finish.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a beautiful quilt! I am completely in awe! I think I must buy that book and perhaps think about a sunflower quilt myself.Congratulations on a perfect and amazing quilt!
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