Now, I have tried sooooo hard to get the colors accurate.... almost to the point of insanity. Proving very difficult as the shot cotton seems to constantly change and shift colors depending on the angle it is viewed and how the light hits it. Some days it looks more green to me and some days more blue. But that is one of the things I love about shot cotton!
Looking at my monitor, the red squares are showing up more bright then they actually are... in truth they are more of a brick red, actually being woven with a rust weft and a purple warp! (who-da thunk?) I believe that quiet purple warp helps this particular red fabric get along very well with the surrounding blues and greens.
This photo above seems to be the best as far as color accuracy.... of course every monitor is different. (I am working on a Mac, but just looked at these pictures on my daughter's PC and surprisingly they looked very accurate on the PC. Again... who-da-thunk? Never-the-less, I love my Mac!) ...But I digress... back to the quilt...
With a little math I have estimated that there are approximately over 15,000 hand stitches in this piece, which after washing now measures 40" x 41.5"
Not wanting to use up my shot cottons on the back side, I instead choose solid Kona fabrics, giving the back a more contemporary feel...
If you look closely at the back, you can see small patches of horizontal stitching where the patches on the front have been quilted down. I like that subtle variation.
This "Work Quilt", at least for now, is another keeper.... I want the Work quilts in my possession so I can refer back to them as I continue on this series. The next one is in the planning stages, but I also want to make some smaller, related pieces to put in the shop.... Oh my. These are a bit more labor intensive then I am use to. If only I could get by on 2 hours sleep!
68 comments:
Oh wow! You are such a wonderful artist. Congratulations.
Victoria, It is amazing! Again, I wan to put a picture of this in my inspiration folder. This is what I inspire to be able to do ... someday :-)
So simply beautiful:)
The most beautiful quilt ever. Ever,ever. Karmen
You have an amazing sense of color and a truly unique style. Simply beautiful.
This is absolutely beautiful!
Wooow Victoria! 15000 hand stitches!!! It's great! It's a wonderful work!! ♥ Love it!
Beautiful! All this handstitching - I can´t stop looking at it.
It's so beautiful. those "I'm in awe" tears rose to my eyes.... I was just talking to Rachel (Fog and Thistle) about your work.... and how impressed I always am. I love and am so proud of the piece you created that I own and look forward to the day when the next piece that is perfect for me to own presents itself. I'm excited by that anticipation... especially as I follow you on your journey.
This is AMAZING. Love the binding!
The first one was stunning, this one is spectacular. The hand stitching is incredible - oh your patience! But that binding. The quilt would not be the same if you chose something different.
PS What kind of thread are you doing the handquilting with? Do you use a frame?
Thanks so much to each of you... your kind words are warming my heart in this cold night!
Cheryl, I am using Sulky Premium Egyptian cotton for the hand quilting. Both 12 and 30 wt. and I double the thread over, pulling and hiding the knot under the back side. I don't use a hoop... always get my thread tangled in them. I just use my hands and knees for tension, (I am sure I look just lovely in the process.) Also, I don't have a problem with shifting due to the first layer of machine quilting that I did. (And I agree, the binding fabric was just the right touch!)
Stunning! I love the colors and wow - I bet your fingers are relieved! That's so many beautiful little stitches! Happy to hear it will stay in your possession too :)
Your stitching is so precise and wonderful -- you must be so proud of this piece! I think the colors are terrific!
Diane
I am also a Mac girl and the colors look just stunning!! It is absolutely beautiful and your workmanship is perfection!! Well Done!!
Oh. so. beautiful!!!
It's interesting, I was always taught that "blue and green should never be seen unless there's something in between", but who cares - it works!!
Your work quilts are beautiful. Now I can't wait to see what comes next! Keep going. :-)
v,
saw this on flickr and had to come by. first thing i noticed was the binding...so effective.
the quilt reminds me of the knees of work jeans that have been perfectly darned...does anyone do darning any more? i remember when my grandma and great grandma would hand darn the men's work clothes. i'm anticipating the next in the series.
ps
go mac!
This quilt looks amazing! Congratulations on all 15,000 some hand stitches. :)
Absolutely astounding! It looks like a cross between a Gee Bend Quilt and something from India. May I put in a request for a tutorial? I think I might need to start with something smaller...like a wall hanging (or a pot holder...erm...maybe a coaster. Yes. A coaster) ;)
This is so beautiful - so so beautiful! I'm really loving your work quilts. This one is, I think, even more amazing than the first - I love the blues and greens. What an inspiration you are!
The quilt is just magnificent! I love all the hand quilting... I can appreciate it because I've done my fair share of it hehe :)
Thank you for sharing this stunning work of art. Your hand stitching is awe inspiring! Looking forward to seeing what your creative mind has in store for us next!
U did a wonderful job!
I really love the colors -- at least how they show up on my screen!
Another fabulous finish! I so admire your patience in all that handwork. I hope Sunday will be a special day of rest for your deserving fingers!
very nice! these are the colors i want to do my bedroom in. putting it in my inspiration file. :)
Beautiful.
It's so amazing! I love the colors, the layout and the stitches, and just everything about it! Well Done!!!
Amazing work - hats off!
Lovely work. All those nice stitches.
Startling quilt and colours!!
Your hands may be sore but I have to say I do love the look of your stitches on your quilts. This quilt is spectacular and yes, the binding is really perfect.
You are very inspiring.
Debbie
another gorgeous one! I'm loving this series. the simple piecing and the quilting lines on the back is so striking.
You have out done yourself! This is just amazing and all those stitches... 'I'm not worthy'.
You inspire me to think outside the box. Which is a bit out of my comfort zone. Thanks!
So lovely! I adore the quilt, but the hand stitching is what makes it! Wow! Rest your fingers and do it again!
Oh wow!! I love these quilts. I am getting some shot cottons for my birthday in two weeks and want to try one. I have never hand quilted but I love hand stitching so 'here goes'! I can't wait to see your next one. Thanks.
I just love the color changes and the top. Good job.
Fantastic quilt. A perfect balance of color,shape,and line. Love the texture of the hand stitches. A labor of love...I can't imagine parting with it...Heirloom....Thank you for the inspiration.
Susan
I came here from Flickr- I just had to repeat how gorgeous your work is and how impressed I am!-
Annamaria :)
*GASP* It's stunning. Really. I adore the binding, and the texture that the hand stitching provides is sumptuous. I can't say enough to express my admiration.
Looks fabulous, Victoria! Congratulations!
Hi, I saw the picture of this quilt on Flickr, and just had to tell you how beautiful it is! It's just gorgeous!
Oh my! That is absolutely STUNNING! So gorgeous. Mind blowingly beautiful.
I love this and I absolutely love the combination of colors. Now the stitching, how in the world do you get it so even! I salute you.
Oh Vic,
the colors and composition is so amazing! This is the most beautiful hand quilted I've ever seen. Congrat on your "hard work" on stitching :)
Wonderful...I can say nothing more.I love colors , quilting , binding...all!
nichi
Ok you lost me on the 'rust weft and a purple warp' but I LOVE your quilt Vic!!! 15,000 hand stitches? Oh my gosh! Each and every one of those stitches is worth it I think. Beautiful work. I can understand why you want to keep this one :)
Victoria, Simply stunning! Well worth the sore fingers! The color and texture are incredible. And to top it all off you pieced the back! You rock! Well done!
I love the finished quilt! The fabrics are gorgeous and your stitching is beautiful. You've inspired me with your work quilts and I've ordered some shot cottons so I can give them a try.
I was wondering what kind of batting you use..and if you've had any trouble with the fibers wanting to pull through along with your thread?
Another beautiful piece.
Macs rock
Thanks again everyone, (and yes, Macs rock!)
Ann, I use Quilters Dream Cotton batting. I like how it quilts up and generally I don't have a problem with the batting pulling through with the stitch, but if I need to redo any stitches, then it sometimes pulls through a bit as I am removing the thread. I just pull those fibers out and move on. :0)
It (too) is perfect, Vitoria!
oh the joys of colour correction! This quilt looks amazing, all those stitches look so neat, and I love the textures
: )
It's so beautiful. Congratulations! I love the colors, the hand stitching, everything.
And I know what you mean about sleep. I've been waking up ridiculously early to squeeze in some stitching before work but the lack of shut eye is catching up to me ;)
Dear Vic.....only :) 15,000 hand stitches ??!!! I am doing my first quilt & hand stitching part of it. I am no where near 1000 stitches but my fingers & shoulders are screaming - can you hear them? My admiration for you & your work ( & Keiko Goke too ) has multiplied many many times over! You are super!
you can be very proud of this fantastic quilt! absolutely wonderful!
This is so beautiful! what an inspiration!
truly an outstanding quilt... just gorgeous!!
Wow! All that stitching is really impressive. I love the variety of color on the field of aqua. Thanks for sharing such inspiring works of art!
So elegant and rich in color and detail. The binding is the perfect finishing touch. I am inspired!
That is amazingly, quietly, beautiful! I'm in awe.
I look at your blog all the time and its hard to say one quilt is better that the next because you are so talented but I really to like this one with all the hand stitching....it a keeper...Lynette Smith
This work is absolutely stunning, really! You have a fantastic eye for colour and pattern, and the patience of a saint. Well done!
As always another wonderful masterpiece!!
Your 'work' quilts and the utility quilting are WONDERFUL. I lived the beginning years of my life on a farm in Texas, and there were always quilts for warmth and cover. Many of them were 'utility' quilts - and now I love to hand quilt that way. I use #8 perle cotton. What thread do you use?
This is so well done! Bravo! I love it quilt and I've pinned it to my "Quilty Goodness" board on Pinterest (with proper credit, of course!). Feel free to follow me if you'd like: http://pinterest.com/lipglass/quilty-goodness/
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