I have been stitching (or just staring) at Cúchulainn for several months now. I am THRILLED to tell you that this project is officially finished and handed over to the International Quilt Festival of Ireland organizers in time for the June exhibit.
This project was many firsts for me. First time with batiks, first applique, first hanging sleeve, first binding of the quilt with the top, first bit of quilting fun. I have learned a whole bunch through this process, being taught along the way buy the ladies at the Irish Patchwork Society at our post-meeting sew-ins. Although this has allowed me to grow as a quilter, I am certainly glad to see it handed off.
I would very much like to add in more quilted waves when it returns to me in June. I would like to add more texture to the background and that might do the trick.
Cúchulainn has possibly the ugliest quilt back that has ever been created. You see, at our society meeting this past autumn, we cut backs for each of the 20 panels going into this exhibition. Sadly, I ended up with one that was too short, so I had to paste on another piece of "scrap" material. Since I was generally short on backing, I was then also short on material to make the hanging sleeve. So, again I dipped into the "scrap" bin. Where better to have a bit of brown than on the back, I say? After the hanging sleeve was applied, it was discovered that the panels will hang better with a second hanging sleeve to take a weight at the bottom....and another dip into the scrap bin. In the end, it's a totally functional back for the purpose of this quilt - to hang from a banister a story above the registration desk at a festival. It will be perfectly fine. Not pretty, but fine.
A little label with all the details...name, designer, stitcher, event and contact details. I need to order more Fluffy Sheep Quilting labels, but honestly that never occurred to me as I was finishing this quilt. So, this temporary one went on instead. It will be replaced this summer. For good measure, I added a little Fluffy Sheep business card tag...just in case it gets really lost
My other half is simply thrilled with it and is ready to start hanging it in our stairwell where we have a large, empty blank wall. It would fill the space nicely and echo the color of the wood well. I will have to see how well the second round of quilting comes on before truly agreeing!
This is my first Finish Along finish of the quarter. Woo hoo!
Quilt stats:
Quilt name: Cúchulainn
Made for: the International Quilt Festival of Ireland exhibit in June 2012. to be displayed with 19 similar panels created by the Irish Patchwork Society (Western Branch) members.
Top: batiks appliqued with bond-a-web and satin stitched in black 100% polyester (*gasp*) thread.
Batting: warm and natural
Backing: a generic muslin
Quilting: with three colors of Coats 100% polyester thread in a wavy pattern
Size: 41 inches by 70 inches
Design: Irish Patchwork Society (Western Branch) committee members.
19 comments:
Woohoo, go you!!! And hey no-one looks at the back anyway ;o)
yeehaaaw! Hurray for the finish.
Congrats! Great job! I wish I could see it in person.
it looks great! don't worry about the backing.
Great to have finish ticked off! I agree with adding more quilting though! It will give the ochre fabric more interest.
I think it looks amazing - I hope you post some photos of the other panels when they are displayed together, I bet it will look incredible!
It does look amazing!! Well done.
I am a bit confused that you want a batik, poly-quilted monster on the wall though ;)
Wow, amazing finish. Take plenty of photos once on display as we would all like to see them. Di xo
I was going to say something, but I am too busy laughing at Hadleys comment!
I'm not a fan of batiks at all, but your use of them is great! Glad to here you finished it off!....the back though.....
A finish always feels good, especially with the ones we have to 'slog' over. V.well done C! Jxo
Woohoo from me too! So glad you've got it finished :-) Looks great, I'm sure the full display of all of them will be really impressive! Well done missus x
Amazing quilt. Look forward to seeing them all together.
Absolutely fantastic! And you took all the mustardy ugliness and turned it into something fabulous. Simply amazing.
It`s so striking Cindy and love that your other half wants to hang it immediately!!
congrats on a great finish Cindy
It's fabulous, well done!
It is a beautiful piece, congratulations on the finish! It will be a wonderful addition to your entry way when it returns from the exhibit.
Well done, Cindy. Once it's hanging on the wall, no-one will see the back.
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