…Wedding anniversary that is. It was my parent’s wedding anniversary last week, their 40th to be precise. One of us was with another of us on the day in question, but it wasn’t the happy couple, after my dad had a slight date SNAFU and ended up on a jolly with my Uncle and friends in France at Le Mans. It rained on him – you may decide if karma came into play ;o)
So when I was thinking about this, I had a brainwave – I needed an Oakshott Ruby bundle:
It ticked a number of boxes:
- The name fit the theme
- The colours fit the theme
- Oakshott’s fabrics are made in South West India, which happens to be where they went on holiday this year.
Sorted. Now what to do with them… So I pondered that for a while. Then I thought for a bit. Then I mulled it over. Eventually I decided to try something I’d been thinking about for a while, improv piecing onto a paper base. I sorted through the stack and divided them into warmer and cooler weft threads, then I got going.
I drew the outline of the mini and the heart on the same piece of flip chart paper, then I carefully cut both out and started hacking up fabric. I started with the heart as a whole piece, but after a while realised it would be easier if I divided it up a bit, so it ended up in 3 pieces. For the background, having learned something from the heart, I divided it into 4 pieces straight away.
I decided after all that piecing that I didn’t want heavy quilting, so I did a kind of ray effect emanating from the heart. This was the point that I was extremely grateful for both the Aurifil thread pack that I won in the Modern Quilt Exhibition in Edinburgh last year, and for those sample packs that often get donated as prizes and in goodie bags, because I managed to find 5 different thread colours that went rather nicely both with each other and the fabrics.
Now I would include some photos of this in progress except, well, I didn’t take any. I was tired and working a lot, and fitting it in whenever I could (I remember I was watching Beaches at one point, rather randomly), so it didn’t really cross my mind, it was just head down to the finish line. Apologies for a slightly wrinkled look around the middle, I promise it really is flat, it’s just that it was folded into 4 for a while prior to handing it over
I had debated piecing in the heart, but in the end I went for the porthole/reverse applique technique, and both blanket stitched and straight stitched it in place:
As you can imagine, there was rather a lot of paper to pick out in the end, but it was worth it I think.
It's a stunner! Lovely work there!
Beautiful finish. I've never thought of using both blanket and top stitch, looks great. Sometimes being so into the process that you don't take pictures along the way is OK too.
Nice. Just looking at it makes me wonder which shades I like better, the warmer or the cooler? Mmm, they are both yummy! 🙂
As one half of the recipients of this piece, I can only echo the previous comments and say that it looks even more stunning in real life. We could not have wished for a more thoughtful and appropriate present, so thank you so much, Katy xxx
oh this is beautiful! I think it's absolutely perfect and I love how it fits the theme(s)!
Katy this is so gorgeous!! The colours are perfect and the appliqué and quilting are really beautiful!
I love it! It is beautiful and interesting and uses all the colours too. I am not sure why you sewed it onto paper first, was it to keep it all nice and stable and not stretched?
As Prudence would say "bee-u-tee-ful.
Thank you for covering for her in her absence :oD
Just gorgeous! The colors in this bundle really play well together with the awesome design you worked out. I love the effect that the pothole technique gives too and have to try it out soon myself.
It's perfect Katy!
Gorgeous. I cant believe you managed to pull this off with everything else you've had going on. You are my hero!
Lucky mum! (I won't say dad, due to the rain ;0)
That's really gorgeous, Katy. I love the piecing and the two toned effect. I'd also never thought of using the blanket stitch as well as a straight stitch – great idea for making sure it's really secure (I always worry when doing these things on a quilt that will receive a lot of washing machine action). What a perfect Ruby Anniversary gift.
Hi Katy,
A very lovely gift! I really like the design you chose. A lot of work and heart went into that quilt. Do forgive the pun!
😉
~ginger
O. M. G.!!!! It is fabulous!!!!! And what an excellent and funny post :)) And congrats to your folks!!
oh, and hahaha! For a minute there I thought you had done something remarkable and stupendous with the binding as well as the incredible mini, but no, it's just tape 😉 (Which in no way takes away from this gorgeous gift!!!)
I knew it would be gorgeous! And entirely unlike anything I've seen before! I love how you contrasted the heart and the background, yet they were all improv pieced. And I especially love the porthole technique! Well done!
That is absolutely stunning Katy! And what a great way to use the porthole technique – really inspiring!!
Everything about this hearty mini is fabulous!!
Beautiful! Beautiful! I bow to you O Katy!!
Beautiful gift, straight from the heart.
Wow! That is a beautiful and thughtful gift! You are so talented! You're the wind beneath my wings (okay, hopefully you get that reference, otherwise it's just creepy 🙂
And congrats your parents! That's impressive!
A beautiful and thoughtful gift for a ruby Anniversary!!
that is stunning! What a beautiful and thoughtful gift!
That's gooooooorgeous and super cool! I think the porthole heart looks fantastic (I bet you would've made a pieced heart look great, too, but I like this one).
Derp, this reminds me that I have to get cracking on my parents' anniversary gift — their 40th happens to be at the end of this year, too!
As the other recipient of the piece, all I can do is excho everyone else's comments. It is really beautiful, and I'm amazed how you found the time to do it with all you work you have on. Thank you my darling.
As for the damp(ish) weekend you can read all about it from a bear's point of view here http://peripatetic-jock.blogspot.co.uk
Dad
Wow this is stunning. Totally stunning"
Oh that's gorgeous!!
oh sweetie its stunning. bravo x love your dads wee plug there too… lol
A beautiful piece. I'm sure they loved it.
That's a big oops on dates on your dad's part. Though I'm sure you don't get to ruby without some leeway for big oopses like that 🙂
it's so lovely, great colours and a very thoughtful gift
It is so gorgeous! Oakshott Ruby was the perfect choice for this project and the reverse applique has a really neat effect. I love the quilting lines radiating from the center of the heart! Beautiful work!
That's gorgeous! Congratulations to mum and dad x
This is where I missed out on having a daughter. Our 40th anniversary came and went and we didn't even get a "yippee". Boys!
It's beautiful!
It's absolutely gorgeous. Just a stunner!