Friday, May 21, 2010

Blogger's Quilt Festival - Spring 2010

Molly's Wonky Log Cabin

Molly's Wonky Log Cabin - on the fence

Molly's Wonky Log Cabin - Close up

If you have followed my blog for more than a nano second, you know that my ratio of quilt tops to finished quilts is about 10:1.  And that is why I am choosing a quilt that was finished last September for the Blogger's Quilt Festival (Spring 2010).

This quilt started -- like so many of my other quilts -- as a whim.  I noticed the John (aka Quilt Dad) was leading a wonky log cabin quilt-along on Flickr for the Old Red Barn Company, and I thought it looked like a lot of fun.   So I jumped right in with both feet and began cutting and organizing strings and combining them with strings that I already had in a couple of baskets. 

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Samantha and I frequently differ on the proper use of strings and baskets.

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This was a good start, but I ended up needing more fabric and had to order some online.  I had a lot to do while I waited for the fabric to arrive.

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My first wonky block!

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The blocks were so fun to make and began to multiply quickly.  My son walked by at one point, watched me carefully place my ruler just so, and then angle it and make my cut.  He smiled and commented that I was really having fun making things crooked.  Oh, yes I was!

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I made several blocks at one time (assembly line style), choosing several centers, then adding the first log to each, then a second log to each, etc.  It went pretty quickly that way.  I made the mistake of stacking some of the blocks on top of a string basket and look who re-purposed it!

I don't remember when exactly, but at some point in this early process, Molly asked if the quilt could be for her, and I agreed -- as long as she could sneak it away from Sammy.

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I added four final logs in white to each of the 25 blocks to function as wonky sashing.

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The quilt was machine quilted by Karen Walker (Stitches).  

When I posted a picture of the finished quilt on Facebook, a friend teased that I should send it to her, prompting Molly to post this on my FB wall:

"... Also, some woman named "Brigitte" (if that is her real name ;)) is trying to steal my quilt! You will have to tell her how precious your quilts are and that if she wants to get her hands on one she has to call dibs long before there are pictures of it up on facebook. I have found the most effective time to snag one is during the piecing stage. I love you!"


So true!  For me, making the quilt is all about the design process, with very little thought as to the purpose or destination of  the finished product.  Clever girl!

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This is a close-up of the back.  It's hard to tell, but notice the little bits of turquoise in the leaves that coordinate with the turquoise on the front.

I think this is Molly's favorite quilt.  And this is why I so enjoy making quilts for her -- because she truly loves, values, and appreciates them.  And I know that because of her handmade quilts, her dorm room looks a little homier, she stays a little warmer, and she sleeps wrapped in her mother's love every night.  

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With wishes, true and kind -- Joan

60 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous quilt & fabulous story...thanks so much for sharing it with us. Samantha is beautiful & obviously adept at thinking of multiple functions for a single item!

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  2. Samantha seems to have the same ideas as my cat, Max...she thinks the sewing room is her own personal domain! Your wonky quilt is just wonderful....LOVE it!

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  3. This is absolutely perfect! Love it. :)

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  4. The quilt turned out perfect. Congratulations

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  5. Yea Molly! What good taste she has!

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  6. I love the quilt and Samantha's creative uses for the scrap basket! I have to lock both my cats and the dog out of my sewing room when I leave. Each finds their home while momma sews and squawks when the have to leave! Thank you for sharing :0) PS, Molly has some effective tactics - smart girl!

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  7. What a gorgeous quilt! I never cease to be amazed by the creativity and vision of quilters.

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  8. I see your kitty is a grand supervisor. I love the colors and the wonkyness of your lovely quilt.

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  9. Joan, I love this story (and of course the quilt) SO much. When I made granddaughter Charlotte's with Minkee on the back, and she wanted to sleep with that quilt because "it felt like clouds," that just melted my heart. And that is why we quilt, right? Especially precious when they are appreciatede by those we love, and who love us back.

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  10. Molly is one smart girl to snatch up this one! I'd like to snatch it as well, along with a lovely pink flower from your bush in the yard! This was a great post, very entertaining!

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  11. I love it when the quilt you make is truely loved! The picture of your cat in the basket all curled up is so cute :)

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  12. Oh, Joan! I laughed, I cried, I oooh-ed and aaaah-ed...
    What a Gorgeous quilt, and what a wonderful post. I am so happy Sammy decided to share!
    xox
    Valentina

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  13. Those posts from Quilt Dad guided my Festival Quilt too. But yours is much bigger and very lovely! The fabrics you used are wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

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  14. Joan, I loved reading this post, thank you! This quilt is gorgeous, I also adore what you did with the back of it. The pic of your cat with her head tucked into the basket is priceless! So wonderful your kids enjoy the quilts you make for them, putting into each one a little bit of yourself! xo

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  15. Molly is a lucky girl, with excellent taste! The quilt is so happy and colorful, a great room-mate for any dorm. Loved to read your post, nice to hear about the process of a quilt!

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  16. Your daughter is a lucky girl and obviously inherited your good taste in fabrics and colour. My quilt from that round of ORBC has yet to be quilted! Love the first picture of your cat squashed in the basket. Amazing how small they can make themselves!

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  17. That's a wonderful story, Joan, it made me smile! My daughter has one more year of high school before she goes off to university, and you can bet she'll be taking some quilts with her. The quilt is beautiful! And your cat in the basket photo is hilarious. (Is your white cat deaf?)

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  18. Gorgeous quilt - love all the amy butler fabrics!

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  19. I remember this one! It is such a DElicious quilt!!! Those fabrics...?! Oh my! And your Samantha is TOO adorable all balled up in that basket of strings! Lovely post, Joan. : ) Thanks for sharing!

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  20. the quilt is gorgeous!

    margaret
    www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com

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  21. So, so pretty! Gorgeous fabrics and just the right amount of wonky! (I think a little wonky can go a long way and you have used just enough for a beautiful effect!)

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  22. This is still one of my favorite quilts. I LOVE the old Amy Bulter Fabrics in it.

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  23. Beautiful Quilt! Love the precision of the wonkiness. But I must say that your kitty is a smart one, she knows just where to lay down.

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  24. Molly is SOoooo lucky! This is a fantastic quilt -- I love the colors and the sashing. All of the Amy Butler fabrics mixed together -- YUMMY!

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  25. Beautiful quilt..and wonderful story of it's making. It's so nice to make quilts for those who appreciate them.
    That pic of Samantha scrunched up in the basket is darling. :)

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  26. I love this! I started one of these too, but got a little frustrated working on it. I have all my logs cut, I just need to get it out and work on it again. I think the assembly line method is something I need to do too.

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  27. Great quilt. The colors are nice. I love wonky log cabins.

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  28. Joan, it's a beauty! I love the soft colors and am a huge fan of those Amy Butler prints. You have a very cute fluffy assistant too. :)

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  29. This is a gorgeous quilt! I love the story that goes with it, and I love hearing how much Molly loves it too. I bet you used up some scraps to make this one. Well done, Joan! OMG, I can't believe Samantha curled up and squeezed into that basket. She looked so adorable with her face tucked in.

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  30. It is such a beautiful quilt! Your daughter is a lucky girl for sure! And I love the first pic of your cat... that cracked me up!

    Jennifer :)

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  31. Smart girl indeed and witty!! This is a beautiful quilt Joan I can see why it's your fav - gorgeous. Sammy knows a good thing when she sees one to!

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  32. I love this quilt! I am an OG AB fan - no one else makes such pretty pastels! And I also followed the ORBC quilt along for my wonky log cabin quilt.

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  33. beutiful quilt Joan and wonderful story. I love gifting a quilt to someone who really appreciates it!

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  34. Your kitty is so cute! I love your humor :)

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  35. This quilt is gorgeous Joan, with just the right amount of wonkiness!

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  36. So sweet! I have a kitty who loves to be involved in the quilting process as well. ;)

    And thanks for dropping by my little blog and commenting on my string quilt. It's definitely a favorite of mine! But so are wonky log cabins. :)

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  37. Beautiful quilt. And what a wonderful daughter you have raised. i hope when my little ones get older they appreciate my quilts as much as your children appreciate yours. So lovely!

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  38. Gorgeous quilt - I'm a sucker for anything wonky and I love the colours you have chosen

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  39. love your colors - what a fun quilt

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  40. I love this quilt! The fabrics are beautiful and fun. It's great to hear the story that goes with the quilt.

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  41. You may have inspired me to start a wonky log cabin - your quilt is really, really special. And I love the story that goes with it (smart girl, your daughter - claiming the quilt during piecing!).

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  42. lovely quilt. lovely story. thanks for sharing.

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  43. you've got a smart daughter!! And she's fortunate to own one of your beautiful quilts!

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  44. I love this! Some of my favorite fabrics and a favorite pattern, which I am still too scared to give a try. One day! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  45. This is a very beautiful quilt. And I like the back, too. Very pretty fabics! Your daughter is a lucky person!
    And how cute and funny is the picture of your cat Samantha in the basket! :-)

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  46. I love this quilt! So bright and cheerful! Great selection for the quilt festival. I know your daughter is really enjoying it.

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  47. What a lovely quilt and its story! My older daughter will graduate from high school next year. I hope I can make a quilt for her that she will love to have on her dorm bed.

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  48. Fun quilt - lucky daughter! I'm finishing the hand binding on my daughter's second quilt now. And yes, I'm delighted when she asks for one and helps pick colors, etc.

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  49. Fabulous entry Joan! I can see why it is your daughter's favourite x

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  50. I love it .. you are blessed....

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  51. Beautiful!!! I love the fabrics you chose.

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  52. Wow this is gorgeous! I have never tried wonky log cabins but this is definitely inspiring enough to want to try it!!!

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  53. beautiful quilt and a fun story to go with it. so nice your daughter can have lovely things her momma made her when she's away

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  54. Your cat obviously has great taste! (lol) Its one fabulous quilt. So many gorgeous fabrics in there.

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