Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Stargazing Top Finished!

I finished my Stargazing top!  Finished I say!  Want to see it?


This was made with the Stargazing pattern from the Modern Blocks book combined with wonky stars from the Silly BooDilly tutorial.  The wide majority of the blocks were made by my Sew & Bee Happy international scrap bee, giving me a huge variety in the fabrics used.  Thanks, ladies!

It's 6 ft square, so the perfect size for me to use on the couch watching a film.



Clarkson, of course, had to inspect it a bit.  Never mind the fact he's been staring at it for 3 months now in the quilt room.  Here on the line it's again interesting.

Some of you might notice your stars are missing.  Please don't be concerned!  I saved several that I really liked grouped together for the back of the quilt and/or matching pillows. 





I was out shooting photos of Stargazing while these (not so little) fellas were out having dinner.  They didn't seem all that impressed with my quilt top.


So here is the question I am wrestling with right now.  Quilting.  Not how it will be quilted as that was decided long ago.  I want to quilt it with invisible thread using a wave pattern like Fiona used here and here.  I think it would break up the straight lines nicely.  What I am wondering is, will I do it or will I send it out to a pro?  Here's my thinking: 

** I have been jonesing for a finish for quite some time.  I have not finished a quilt in ages as I've been focused on classes, smaller projects, bees and swaps.  Is a "quick finish" what I need to be re-invigorated?

** I really do not like quilting at all.  She does.  Why do I "suffer" through that step?

** I have been saving up my pennies to send it out to a pro....so I have a little budget set aside.

** This has been rolling around in my head for months and it still seems like a good idea.  Usually the bad ones are discarded by now.

** But if I send it out, is it still my quilt?  Can I say I made it?

Have you guys sent a quilt out before?  What were your feelings about it?  Was it still yours when it returned?  Or why have you not used a long arm quilter before?  Any thoughts, guys?



42 comments:

Jessim said...

I think the quilt is still yours if you send it out.

I never have, because I can't afford to.

My labels usually say "Pieced and Quilted by (me)". If I didn't quilt it, I would just say "Pieced by Me". I think the quilter would remain anonymous. If it were to be a show quilt, then I think they should appear on the label.

We had a professional quilter talk at a guild meeting recently. He is in many magazines (often architectural ones, not quilt specific magazines) and shows. He does not quilt AT ALL. He only pieces. He still calls himself a quilter.

Life is too short to do the part you don't enjoy.

Rhonda the Rambler said...

I have had several quilts quilted by someone else. The quilt is absolutely still yours. You made that top, you picked out the quilting design, you paid her to quilt it, you bound it. Just go for it. Just make sure you know she is good!

Sarah said...

Send it out! Keep it a fun quilt you will adore... not one that you pulled and tugged and manhandled and stressed over for days, then are forever spotting bits where you went a bit squiffy....

Susan said...

I totally agree with all the other comments- send it out! I have my special ones professionally done because I could never achieve the finish you get with a long arm! And, of course it's still all yours! Enjoy the experience!

cheeky monkey said...

Love it, love it, love it! It looks so amazing and it is exactly the quilt I want to make!!!! It is so gorgeous, colorful, brilliant ... can't believe that your neighbors could eat their dinner!

I don't know what I would do. I am still learning so I would make it myself but as I don't have a quilting machine it would be a good idea to give it away.

Canadian Abroad said...

I want me one of those. Don't care how you quilt it - because it is a happy quilt that will look beautiful no matter what you do!

Laura said...

I send my quilts to a long armer because, in my mind, I don't have the equipment to properly quilt it. If I could afford a long arm machine, I would be able to do my own quilting. When I attempt to quilt on my sewing machine, I get frustrated and make a mess of the quilt top. I could take time and learn how to machine quilt, but that would take time from my piecing, something I do enjoy. Quilting is supposed to be a fun hobby in my mind, not a chore.

I consider having a long armer do my quilting akin to having a professional finish a needlepoint pillow or having a professional frame my cross stitch. It is still my work.

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Well I would never send a quilt out as I am too anal and would rather stuff it up myself! If you are only wanting wavy lines they save your pennies and do it yourself 72" isn;t too big - if you want something more extravagant then maybe, but unless you are going to hang it on a wall, or have it smoothed out on a huge bed, then I don't think it's worth it - sorry to go against the flow!
xxx

Sheila said...

If you can afford it, and keep putting off the quilting then do it - don't feel guilty, better finished than in a cupboard, and this is going to be a beauty.

Manda said...

Ooo I love it so bright & cheery!
I agree with Hadley but I also enjoy the quilting side! At the end of the day lifes too short & if you don't want to quilt it its better sending it out than it sitting in a pile!

Quilty Conscience said...

I love the quilt! Who wouldn't?
My thoughts on having it quilted by someone else?I enjoy quilting and some quilts I definately want to quilt myself but I have sent others out and my thought is: it's like doing a painting and then having someone frame it. It's okay!

kellisquilts said...

WOW...that is gorgeous...I LOVE the wonky stars!!!!

Cindy said...

I send most of mine out and still consider it mine. We use fabric that we didn't make...patterns we didn't design....other stuff....so why not the quilting?
Your blocks were made by others...adding a long armer to the mix is just adding another friend. :)
Quilt is gorgeous, btw.

Cindy Sharp said...

As a professional quilter (meaning I longarm quilt for others) the quilt is yours. If you were to enter it into a show, you would need to credit the quilter along with yourself....judges are funny like that....but it is yours.

Paying someone to do something you don't like to do doesnt make it less yours. If I hired a house keeper (dont I wish) the house is still mine even though she cleans the floors and toilets.

tink's mom said...

It is wonderful. You did a great job.

I send out mid to large quilts and small quilts that need more than my straight line talents can do. I still think they are mine.

Katy Cameron said...

It's fab! And I see you're still enjoying the good weather I left you behind with yesterday :oD

leanne said...

absolutely gorgeous Cindy - send it out quick that way you can enjoy it sooner :)

Anonymous said...

It's gorgeous ! I think I need one too now :)

I had the same questions... if I send it, is it still all mine ? I feel like it isn't even though everyone around me think it is. But I could never have done the amazing job the quilter did. And it was huge (93"x93")... I would have had time to die a long time before it would have been finish.

So I'll just go with everyone else : send it away if you don't want to quilt it. It's so exciting when it comes back :)

Karen said...

Quilting, good question...I just dropped off my 111 star quilt so a pro could finish it...and I feel guilty :) I know it'll be better for it but it is a tough decision! Send it out so I feel better :-)

Needled Mom said...

It is beautiful. I vote for sending it out and starting the next quilt!!!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

very beautiful quilt top!! if you do not like to quilt and doubt you will ever finish then have someone else do the quilting as it is so pretty you will want to use it.
Karen

Nicky said...

It's gorgeous! Love, love, love it! And glad to have been involved.

If you have a cleaner to clean your house is it still your house? A gardener to help with the garden - is it your garden? It's only help after all...

Unknown said...

Cindy this is bloody gorgeous! Send it out, you will LOVE the results!

my4lilgirls said...

Wow Cindy that is one beautiful quilt, I'm blown away by it.
On the quilting matter, boy if I could afford it I think I would send out every quilt, quilting real big quilts makes me cry with frustration, so I say go for it :)
Lol Karen x

Anonymous said...

My grandmother made quilt tops for all her grandkids (9 of us). She pieced the tops then sent them out to be quilted. You know what? I still consider it "handmade by Granny." I say send this lovely quilt out! But...you may never want to quilt your own again!

Kelly said...

I would send it out- its still yours whoever quilts it :)

randi--i have to say said...

simply beautiful!

i have been wanting to make a star quilt and yours is really pushing me over the edge. it's just so colorful and playful!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

It's still yor quilt no matter who quilts it, but I know when I send out a quilt and someone gushes over the quilting I sort of cringe because shoot, I sewed all the strips, blocks and little pieces together. That being said, your star quilt is beautiful

Judith, Belfast said...

Wow C! This is star-stunning! LOVE IT! I would go ahead and send it out to be quilted, rather than go through the quilting angst and potentially dull your joy of the quilt. Best to get on with using and enjoying it! Jxo

Karen said...

C - this is gorgeous! Go with your gut instinct & don't worry a thing, it will be wonderful I'm sure!

Annabella said...

Oh Cindy!!! Of course it`s yours and of course you say you made it and we won`t tell and neither should you. Having said that, I think you should save your pennies and do it yourself. Wavy lines won`t take long and you`ll have it quicker than if you sent it out.

Leanne said...

I love the quilt! I am a huge fan of wonky stars and I love those blocks you used. I love the quilting part but if you do not, send it off and don't think twice. You did not weave the fabric, design the fabric patterns or dye it either. The quilt is totally yours, you made it, and used the resources available to you along the way as you saw fit.

heartsease54 said...

I have never quilted anything bigger than a twin size, I send them out to my long armer. Actually, I just hand them off to her at our stitching group. I spread it out so it doesn't cost that much all at once & her prices are VERY reasonable. On the label I put pieced by me, long arm quilted by "her name". That works nicely and I am thinking that 100 years from now, maybe someone will want that info.

Inspiredbyfelix said...

Oooo this is bloomin' gorgeous Cindy! I have to say I'm not a fan of quilting, but I think I'd do it myself just so I could say I'd done it myself! Also, if the wavy lines are improv, it should be lessy stressy than a fixed pattern...either way though, it's gonna be fantastic! x

tusen said...

It's lovely. And I'm sure by now you've decided about the quilting but if I was to give my opinion, I'd say exactly what Leanne said :)

Victoria said...

beginner here - this is beautiful x

Kelli said...

Absolutely love it! I've never sent anything out for many of your above questions...plus I'm a little worried about giving something I've worked hard on to someone else and hoping I like what they do even if iti s what I asked for...
That said, if it's someone you trust and you hate quilting, give it a try! ;)

DangAndBlast! said...

I'd say it's dishonest to say you quilted it if you didn't quilt it... but you can still say you "made" it. I mean, I can say my parents built their house, because they were involved in the design and consruction (and my father actually annoyed the builders by working on the site too), but they actually paid someone else to be architect and builder. My in-laws, who commissoned someone to design and build a fancy house, I would say "had their house built", rather than "built their house." I don't fully agree with the gardening analogy above - if you just own the land and all the gardening is done by a gardener with maybe a little input from you, it's only as much "your garden" as a quilt you chose and purchased at a quilt sale is "your quilt" - I mean, it's legally yours, of course, and reflects your taste, but you didn't do anything but pay for it! Piecing a quilt top is a lot more work than hiring a gardener, though. I'd say,if the quilt books feel an obligation to creditthe quilter as well as the piecer,I would too. Not that that would hold me back from having it done, I just wouldn't claim it as all my own work.

DangAndBlast! said...

I'd say it's dishonest to say you quilted it if you didn't quilt it... but you can still say you "made" it. I mean, I can say my parents built their house, because they were involved in the design and consruction (and my father actually annoyed the builders by working on the site too), but they actually paid someone else to be architect and builder. My in-laws, who commissoned someone to design and build a fancy house, I would say "had their house built", rather than "built their house." I don't fully agree with the gardening analogy above - if you just own the land and all the gardening is done by a gardener with maybe a little input from you, it's only as much "your garden" as a quilt you chose and purchased at a quilt sale is "your quilt" - I mean, it's legally yours, of course, and reflects your taste, but you didn't do anything but pay for it! Piecing a quilt top is a lot more work than hiring a gardener, though. I'd say,if the quilt books feel an obligation to creditthe quilter as well as the piecer,I would too. Not that that would hold me back from having it done, I just wouldn't claim it as all my own work.

DangAndBlast! said...

I'd say it's dishonest to say you quilted it if you didn't quilt it... but you can still say you "made" it. I mean, I can say my parents built their house, because they were involved in the design and consruction (and my father actually annoyed the builders by working on the site too), but they actually paid someone else to be architect and builder. My in-laws, who commissoned someone to design and build a fancy house, I would say "had their house built", rather than "built their house." I don't fully agree with the gardening analogy above - if you just own the land and all the gardening is done by a gardener with maybe a little input from you, it's only as much "your garden" as a quilt you chose and purchased at a quilt sale is "your quilt" - I mean, it's legally yours, of course, and reflects your taste, but you didn't do anything but pay for it! Piecing a quilt top is a lot more work than hiring a gardener, though. I'd say,if the quilt books feel an obligation to creditthe quilter as well as the piecer,I would too. Not that that would hold me back from having it done, I just wouldn't claim it as all my own work.

Kate Brown said...

If the blocks were made by the women in the bee and someone else quilts it, I don't think you can say you made it. All you did was sew the sections together. If you actually made the blocks and then sent it out, it would be different.

Anonymous said...

Before the days of sewing machines the quilting part would have been done by the hands of all the ladies of your acquaintance, in a "quilting bee". The quilt would still have been made by you. Get it done by someone with the proper gear - or build a frame and invite some friends around.
http://www.greenwichworkshop.com/details/default.asp?p=2592&a=254&t=4&detailtype=artist

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Label Cloud

241 tote all heart appeal antique applique apron art quilt aurifil award baby quilt back background bag basket batik bee Bee Blessed Big Stitch Swap bird's nest birdie stitches birthday blankets of love block blog blogaversary blogger bundle bloglovin' BOM book brit bee brooch bundle bunting business card holder camping cathedral window chain piecing chaos charm pack charm squares charm swap chickens Christmas class clothes color commission community community quilt contest craft craft fair cross cross stitch Cúchulainn cushion design wall diaper Do.Good Stitches donation double wedding ring drawing dress eclipse election electronica embroicery embroidery eraser stamp exhibit fab fabric fabric tape facebook FAL farmers journal fat eight fat quarter fat quarterly feature festival of quilts film finish finish along flag flickr flying geese FMQ FNSI frame Free Motion Friday free motion quilting friends fugly Galway Galway Now gift giveaway goal goals goodie goodie swap granny mania granny squares graph guest blog guild hand puppet hand quilting hand sewing happy hat help hexagons hey girl hospital hot pad HST I Spy ICA improv innovation award inspiration interview invitation ipad ipad cover IPS IQFOI Irish chain Japanese key fob kind stitches knit knitting knitting and stitching kona lattice illusions laugh launch learning lecture Liberty linky list little star loops love on the blocks LQS Day magazine market medallion mennonite miniquilt mixer cover mod logs Mod Pop QAL modern blocks Modern Irish Bee modern irish quilters modern quilt guild modern quilt guild bee modern stitching Modern Stitching Bee monster mouthy stitches mug rug mural name name game name tag napkin needle book new york beauty newsletter Nieve notebook cover overlocker panel paper piecing patchwork pattern Pay it forward Peace Valley peanut butter perle cotton pezzy pizazz photograph PIF pillow pillowcase dress pin cushion pinwheel PJ placemat podcast polka dot pom pom portholes post pouch precut puffy pouch puppy purse QAL quilt quilt exhibit quilt frame quilt top quilter in the gap quilting Rainbow Charm Swap research retreat retroflower review sale sampler scarf science scrap scraps screen printing seams selvage sew and bee happy Sew Bee Blissful sewing machine sewing room shop significant sizzix sketch skirt solid spools stall stand star stargazing start your own stitched in color string stuffed super tote surprise swap swoon tablerunner teaching text thumb tack tiles top tote toy travel tree skirt tumbler tutorial twinkle twinkle twitter video vote walk wallet website win WIP wonky house yarn youtube zip

Total Number of Page Views