Cúchulainn Finish!

Cúchulainn is done!  Cúchulainn is done! 


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.