Monday, July 23, 2012

Oversized Nine Patch

10, 680 hand-quilted stitches later, (approximately!) and the quilt that I gave a sneak peak of in my last post is now finished. (Such a good feeling!)


The quilt is titled '9Patch Quilt in Red and White' and is loosely aimed at exploring the design possibilities in constructing and using an exaggerated and oversized nine-patch. 

The idea for this started when I looked out my back door at an old quilt that I had made years ago, which I had washed and hung out to dry. The quilt in reference is nothing to write home about let alone show, (thus no photo). Simply made from nine 12 inch squares in rather boring fabrics it was one of several that I made to be used for purely utilitarian purposes... to cover one of my girls when they were very little, to put one in good old Mo's dog bed, to sling another one over the coffee table to hide the scratch marks... And now, all those years later, here I was looking at this plain jane quilt, and for the first time I saw the really bold potential held in those nine 12" blocks. 


I knew right away that I wanted to make a red cross quilt. The graphic image of the Red Cross, used over the years as a symbol of humanity, mercy and aid has always been one of my favorite symbols. I plan on exploring the red cross theme again, as well as with other colors. 


Each of the nine squares used to create the quilt were made up of various sized strips of fabric in varying shades of neutrals and reds. I used cottons, shot cottons and linen-cotton fabrics.


With the combination of both hand and machine quilting, this piece is very similar to one of my Work Quilts. The only difference is I didn't sew any appliqué patches onto the quilt top. However, some of the piecing, such as these two small beige squares, kind of give a patched visual, which I like.


I also like the way that the colors of the variegated threads, (used for the hand-quilting) dance across the surface, visually popping here and there. (And for the record, as I get asked this question A LOT... I am using 12 weight cotton thread, doubled over and knotted at the ends, so two strands are used while sewing. And, I use a small quilter's 'between' needle...whatever size I have on hand.


If I do another one of these, I may or may not hand quilt it... it's truly all up to the quilt, (but I am hoping that the next one just wants to be machined quilted, as my fingers and hands do get sore!)


Okay, that's all I have to say about this quilt... other then, I throughly enjoyed the whole process and am really happy with the final results. When all of those elements come happily together, the journey and the destination, you just can't help but to be grateful that you get to be a quilter. 
For more information on '9Patch Quilt in Red and White' please visit my shop here.

45 comments:

Patti said...

Oh my goodness, so beautiful. Your hand quilting makes the whole quilt sing. Congratulations on a breathtaking finish.

Pippa said...

Oh my gosh, gorgeous as always. 10,000+ stitches-- amazing!!

Fibra Artysta said...

absolutely stunning!!! you know, i've been tempted to count my stitches when i work by hand, always worried i'd never go back and do it again. that's an impressive count!

Sujata Shah said...

Victoria,
Your red cross is stunning! After 10,000+ hand stitches I wouldn't be sure if i would want to hand stitch right away either.
It is beautiful!

Kit Lang said...

This is really beautiful Victoria. Really, really. :)

Leanne said...

I totally love it, every part!

Amy said...

Truly and utterly gorgeous.

Esch House Quilts said...

Just beautiful! The various reds and neutrals and all your beautiful hand stitching add so much depth and detail.

Camilla said...

This is stunning! I love the subtle interplay of the colours within each group and the fantastic quilting

Nifty Quilts said...

Gorgeous! The start of a great new series, I'm sure. I love your stitching in grids, hand and machine mixed. I think of it as your signature.

donna from canada said...

Wonderful....never thought of hand and machine quilting together.....beautiful

sallgood said...

Just beautiful! Hand quilting adds so much great texture. Thanks for sharing.

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

OMG!!!! My new favorite quilt!!! But of course!!

glen : on a retreat week, yes!

dutchcomfort said...

A beautiful quilt in every way!

Judith said...

It really is exceptionally beautiful.

mjb said...

There is such richness in these reds- beautiful work.

Unknown said...

Очень красиво! Машинная и ручная стежка - это классно! Спасибо за идею.

Kirsty said...

Stunning.

moira said...

it's just beautiful. I'm currently hand quilting (my first time) and I feel your pain :)

Nancy said...

Very pleasing quilt! Glad you did the hand quilting, makes it look soft and inviting.

Sally said...

Gorgeous!!!!!!

Cheryl Arkison said...

A girl after my own heart. In the quilt and in that last quote. A good reminder and blessing.

patty a. said...

The quilt is beautiful and the texture is yummy!

Michelle in NH said...

Truly lovely!

Anonymous said...

Oh this is shining in the light. I bet your hands get sore, ouch, but oh so worth it for us to see this work. Thanks. xox

Karin på Ösäter said...

Absolutely beautiful!

Sharon - IN said...

Love the depth in this quilt! How about offering a pattern for this in your shop?

Arita said...

Gorgeous. Giving me ideas to look at my first quilt and see if I can create something new.

Pallas said...

Stunning! And, all that hand quilting is impressive as well. I have a quilt my mother-in-law made for us that is entirely hand stittched and hand quilted. I love it!

SuzySomething said...

As a hand-quilter myself, I have to say that your quilt is just wonderful. I appreciate how much work went into the hand-quilting. My fingers get really sore, too. If it weren't for Bag Balm every night I don't think I could do it.

Marvelous work!

Anonymous said...

Victoria - this is the kind of stunning work I expect to see when I come here... this one is beyond the beyond with all that quilting, and so much of it by hand!! I like the way the surface really coheres... between the density of quilting and the fact that the rectangles are pieced instead of appliqued, gives it quite a different and wonderful look. And, having gotten my first cortisone shot in my thumb, I can relate to wanting a break from some of that stitching in your next project!

Karyn said...

That is beautiful. I love seeing a modern quilt with hand quilting.

Your Creative Friends at the Calico House said...

Love It . Worth all the time and every stitch.

GerryART said...

UNBELIEVABLY GORGEOUS !!!!
Oh, to be wrapped in this cloud of wonderfulness . . . .
hugs

stephie said...

Simply stunning - you must have worked like a demon to get it finished in such a short space of time, your poor fingers! (I hope you used a thimble of sorts!!) x

Sew Create It - Jane said...

What a stunning quilt...The hand quilting is amazing! I can't imagine how many hours are in all that work!

Uniquely Yours Creations said...

Wow You did such a fabulous job
on that quilt Vic! And lots of hard work!

Victoria said...

Many thanks to each of you for your generously kind feedback!

RosaMaría said...

wow!! this is absolutely stunning!!
your fingers must be in pain!

Teje Karjalainen said...

You have made a fantastic quilt! Wonderful design, colours and I love the hand quilting!

Dee said...

This is phenomenal - you are such an incredible artist. I am in awe!!

Thearica said...

I absolutely love this! Just found your blog and have added you to my sidebar!

Lily Mulholland said...

I love this quilt. And very clever to mix machine and hand quilting together - such great texture. And doubling 12wt cotton - d'oh, why didn't I think of that? I have been using perle 8 and it's so hard to quilt with. Will try the doubled 12wt next time!

stjoan said...

This quilt is gorgeous! It's amazing what you did with a 9-patch. I love the close-ups also...it really helps see the subtle differences in fabrics.

Unknown said...

Tooo perfect stuff