Sunday, February 17, 2013

A finish that has been driving me bananas



It's finally finished! Quilted, bound, labeled and everything!  WooHoo!

Originally, this quilt had been on the frame back in July.

  You may remember George, a Schnibble pattern by Carrie Nelson that I made with the LePetite group last year.

I started to quilt it during the summer and it just wasn't going like I wanted it to, so I picked out the stitches and put it away to start again another time. I was disappointed.






The quilting pattern I had chosen just wasn't working out for me once I got the quilt on the frame.

 I was trying to quilt bananas on it, or at least something banana-like, but I just didn't like it.


I had practiced the pattern plenty on my white board and on muslin too, but I just lost it when it came time to put it on the quilt.  Has that ever happened to you?


   


  

As much as I wanted to make bananas the quilting pattern, I just couldn't be happy with the results.  I decided that I needed to be happy with it and I just didn't know where to go from there to make it the way I wanted.

The only solution I could come up with was to give it up for the moment.  That moment turned into months, which wasn't my original intention.




I think the grass is making the border wavy.  It certainly wasn't wavy before I took this picture!



Fast forward to a few weeks ago, when I pulled it out and decided to give it another try.

The idea of banana quilting had to be abandoned I decided.  I tried a few more banana-like designs this time around, but again I just didn't like the results.

These loopy swirls that I had been practicing recently came to mind and that's what I went with.

I'm thrilled with the results.  Much better looking than my original bananas! 









Are you wondering where this banana theme is coming from?  I guess should explain. 

I believe Carrie named the pattern after the monkey.  You know the one.  Very appropriate I thought because of the monkey wrench blocks!

 Some of the fabric I used on the front had bananas in it, so I just decided to carry on the theme!









I guess I still managed to mash some of the banana theme in there somewhere.  Don't you love that banana backing fabric?

Well, after an uber busy week including an overnight soccer tournament, track meetings, science fair, shopping trips, a math team trip, Valentine's Day, college acceptances and a few colds.....seriously, that's not even all of it.......I'm happy to be able to take a deep breath and have a finish to show you too!

I'm looking forward to starting what I hope will be a quieter week, with a little more sewing time!  I hope you'll be able to sneak some time in too!





22 comments:

Gretchen said...

Great quilting design! Sometimes letting a project "rest" for awhile brings the best results. Hope you get some more sewing time in this next week :)

JoAnne said...

I think the bananas were a clever idea, but the swirly spirals are awesome. Hey, if the first idea doesn't work out, eventually the right one will.

Whew!! Have you been busy! I surely hope things quiet down a little bit, at least for you. Are any of the college acceptances for the one he really wants to attend? I hope so.

Joyful Quilter said...

The banana fabric on the back is too cute but quilting bananas? Hmmm. I'm glad you went with the swirls, it turned out really cute. (I've been practicing your swirls, I really like the design.)

Abby and Stephanie said...

It's a super fun quilt and yes, the banana backing is yummy. I hope for a week when I can go shopping and buy pretty shoes...lots of them. Happy Sewing.

Terry said...

It looks wonderful! Congratulations on getting it finished! :0)

Izzy said...

It's beautiful Michele! Your swirls are amazing.

Cindy said...

Definitely a pretty quilt!

Deb@asimplelifequilts said...

This is so cute... sometimes projects sit for good reason and I'd say yours worked out perfectly!

Nicole said...

That is just beautiful! Good for you for persevering and getting this lovely quilt done.

Carol said...

I love the swirls Michele, good choice. Nice compromise using banana fabric for the backing and so cute too. I still have to quilted my George quilt, I need to. I'm sure you're thrilled to have your George quilt done.

mary truax said...

Just beautiful Michele! Especially like that pattern with that fabric and quilting design.

Cheryl said...

The final quilting pattern came out great and I love how you used the banana theme.

Lynette said...

That's a nice little quilt, and what a fun back. Nothing wrong at all with letting a project marinate if it's hit a snag that's not resolving. People need to embrace that process more often, I think.

Needled Mom said...

I'm trying to imagine bananas, but I think it looks fabulous as it is.

Denise in PA said...

You know, it's a good thing you "listened" to the quilt - the quilting is fantastic! What a complement to the quilt! I love that banana fabric on the back though - too cute! I've done things like that before too - you've got something in your head, but you need to know when to let it go. o:)

Sue said...

I just love your George quilt Really cute bananas fabric!

em's scrapbag said...

It turned out great. Figuring out how to quilt a quilt is one of the hardest things for me. So I totally understand your frustration.

Carrie P. said...

Well, I think the design you used looks great on your finished quilt.
Well done and congrats on a finish!

Litamora's Quilt & Design said...

Your quilt turned out so beautiful! Love the quilting you did!
The fabrics you used is just gorgeous too!

Wonky Girl said...

That is my favorite block, no matter what name is used (I call it churn dash). Love the fabrics and those quilting squares. The back fabric just makes it an over-all fun fun quilt.

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

Taking a break did you some good. I love the swirls! Nice finish.

MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, Michele. Adorable quilt all the way around and your spiral quilting is just right. Great choice of fabrics--cheerful rendition of a an old favorite!
best, nadia