Monday, October 5, 2015

Backwards or Not?

When I showed hubby the whole cloth quilt I had basted to take on vacation, he said, "Isn't that backwards?" He'd noticed that what I was calling the 'front' was 1 whole piece of fabric, and the 'back' was pieced. I understood why it didn't make sense to him, but it was exactly what I'd intended.


The Cotton+Steel Mesa that I was using for the front made it easy to quilt without marking, and I randomly alternated between straight lines and jagged, using perle cotton #8. I'd used Pellon Legacy Bamboo Blend batting, which is incredibly soft, and that paired with the hand-quilting created one sweet and cuddly quilt. And for the record, the bamboo quilts like a dream.


Before I was too far into the quilting, I used a dinner plate to mark rounded corners, so I had guide-lines in which to keep my quilting. Once I was home and it was time to choose binding fabric, wouldn't you know my stash let me down, and the only thing that suited me was the midnight peppered cotton I'd bought on vacation. It's not quite navy, but I think if you saw it up close you'd see why it goes so well with the Mesa. Full confession: it was only after I was sewing the binding on that I realized I hadn't cut it on the bias, which you should always do if you're doing rounded corners! I think it was because I was using a shot-cotton that I got away with forgetting. But don't take the risk....


Since I'd hand-quilted the quilt with that perle cotton, I really wanted to incorporate that element into the binding too. I machine-stitched the binding onto the back side, then folded it over to the front and hand-stitched it down very closely to the edge. I know I'm taking a chance, but I just had to do it, and I love the way it looks. I'll be sure and let you know how it wears, for better or worse.


All in all, this was a really delightful foray into a different facet of quilting, and I'm glad I gave it a try. So tell me, is it not really a whole cloth quilt since I pieced the back?? Hmm....

quilt finished at 40"x52"

12 comments:

  1. Yes, it is definitely a whole cloth quilt- its gorgeous Debbie! I have had a whole cloth quilt on my 'to-do' list for a few years now, but I have yet to find a fabric suitable! Your choice is perfect! What size did it finish up, please?

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  2. Hehe, love the honest hubby comments. You chose the perfect fabric and I love your quilting!

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  3. Really beautiful Debbie! Perfect fabric choice and the pieces backing matches in so well!

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  4. I vote yes! It's a whole cloth for sure and well done! love the way you did that binding too

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  5. I think it marvelous because the quilt actually speaks to the viewer, daring them to put it into a category, while keeping them guessing as to which one. Does it have to be one or the other? I vote for it being what YOU would like it to be! I love the binding, myself being a fan of the unexpected finish. It's the details that make us thoughtful and that is happening in spades here. And I love that you didn't (at the time) think to use bias binding. I coerce my bindings to do things they don't want to do all the time!! Another wonderful quilt Debbie!!

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  6. Really really lovely! I completely agree with Spontaneous Threads. It really forces you to think "what type of quilt is this?" How big did this one turn out? I'd love to make my own!

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  7. This is a beautiful whole cloth quilt. What a great idea!. I think the binding fabric is perfect.

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  8. I am beyond tempted to make one just like this... I love it!

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  9. Beautiful quilt, Debbie. I love all that gorgeous stitching, rounded corners, and hand stitched binding. It all works so well together. Well done !!

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  10. This is really wonderful! It is such a nice size, beautiful fabric choice, of course, and the curved corners and solid binding are just the icing on the cake! Well done!!!

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  11. I love it, Debbie! The quilting is just beautiful, too!

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  12. Oh I love this!! And I am so anxious to here how that binding technique holds up. I have seen it several times now and it always adds such a special accent but I have been too timid to try it out.

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