Tuesday, January 8, 2013

FINALLY!

Did we ever think we would see the day?  Our Community Quilt is finished.  FINISHED!  Well, it was really finished back in Nov, but I couldn't get a semi-dry day to haul it out to the line and photograph it.  **sigh** Here she is in all her glory:


This project began about 18 months ago as a way to commemorate our phenomenal quilting community.  I was struck by how fantastic the quilting community was when I started quilting and blogging.  How great folks were at freely giving suggestions to new quilters, teaching new techniques and supporting one another.  I wanted to make a quilt that honored that spirit.  


I started requesting scrap donations back in spring of 2011 from quilters in blog land.  I wanted a physical way to link each and every one of us, so I decided on a scrappy Irish Chain-type pattern that would allow for each person in the community to donate fabric from projects they were currently working on and I could combine them into one piece.  Get it?  The Irish Chain pattern was used to link (chain?) us all together.  It seemed appropriate that it was an Irish chain as I discovered my love of quilting after my move to Ireland...not (oddly) while I lived in PA only a few miles from the Amish heartland.  Anyway, piles and piles of fabric started to arrive from generous blog readers.


Thank you to all who contributed to this quilt, be it by continually encouraging me on this extended project, by quilting it (Miss Trudi) or by donating fabric.  Thank you all so very much for making this project possible.

Quilt Details
Name - Community Quilt
Made For - Me (selfishly) as a reminder of our wonderful quilting community.
Fabric - All 100% cotton.  The background of the top and back are Kona Snow.  The binding is Kona Papaya. The scrappy bits (about 1,500 of them!) are all quilting cotton donated by our quilting community members.
Thread - Pieced using a cotton cream Aurifil 50 weight.  Quilted with polyester So Fine #402 cream 50/3 wt (Superior) on top and Bottom Line #620 cream 60 wt (Superior).
Batting - Hobbs Heirloom 80/20.
Size - A whopping 96x96 inches.
Quilting - Quilted by Trudi creating a chain in the colored bits and with 4 eternity symbols in each Snow 
Pattern - Based on a Confetti Quilt pattern by Tea Quilts.
History - You can follow the history of the Community Quilt here.

Now, for the scrappy GIVEAWAY.  I have lots and lots of donations remaining.  You see, I used at most 2 little squares from any one print.  There is a good bit left, then.  What to do?  I would like to distribute them back into the quilting community.  Would any of you like a FQ of scraps?  Just leave a comment below saying that you would like grab bag of scraps and I will be in touch to get your mailing address, etc.  The one thing I will ask is that you cover the postage to get the scraps to you.   I will pack up bags in the order that folks leave comments - there should be enough for 10 or 12 of you.  Thanks so much for sharing the scrappy love!

29 comments:

Catherine said...

What a lovely quilt!

I would be very grateful for a bag of scraps and happy to send postage. Thank you:-)

Raz said...

I wasn't a quilter when you were making your quilt, but I am now. I would love to feel part of this project with some scraps, thanks! Rachel

Tomomi McElwee said...

Well done Cindy. It is beautiful. Great way to connect to the people, isn't it. I hope I can find a group I can join in.

Lynne said...

That is absolutely beautiful, Cindy. Well done.

Leo said...

I would love some scraps (and sure I will take care of the postage).
Now that the important part is out of the way - that's a great way to use the scraps - I like postage stamp quilts too but they sometimes get too distracting for me ...
I hope you put the story on the label.

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Utterly gorgeous!! Such a great story too :)
I'll take some scraps and pay postage! Thanks!

Unknown said...

Its amazing Cindy I love all your work, I would love a bag of scraps.

Nicky said...

Fabulous! It looks brilliant! Pity I missed the joining in!

memmens said...

Hurrah - how wonderful to see it finished, well done.
I'm fine on the scraps front thanks!

Quilting In The Cold said...

Cindy it is so so pretty, what a fabulous job you have done with it. I would love some scraps too if you still have some!

Rhonda the Rambler said...

I would also love a bag. Just send me an invoice. Live this quilt!

Unknown said...

Oooh Cindy its beautiful! I'd love some scraps. I'm making a couple of scrap quilts this year, and other peoples are always better than your own right?

Katy Cameron said...

It's gorgeous, love how it turned out! I think I'm rather scrapped out for now though thanks :o)

linda said...

i would love a grab bag of scraps :))

linda said...

oops forgot to say will pay postage !!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

It's wonderful!

Betsy Grey Crafts said...

its just fantastic. I'd love some scraps too if there are any left.

Rina Mason said...

It's just beautiful! Thanks for all the info on it,makes me want to do an Irish Chain. I appreciate the offer of the scraps but I have more than enough right now.

Indianna said...

Ooh it's looking fabulous ..... I'll pay for some scraps to come my way.... If there is any left!

Judith, Belfast said...

That's one fabulous finish C! And what a lovely story to go along with it -that's what quilts are all about! I'm sure all your scraps have been taken, but Bee Blessed will happily take any leftovers! Jxo

Trudi said...

Yayy! Doesn't it look lovely like that! So thrilled to have been a part of it :). Am all scrapped out, trying to redux here too :)

Janet said...

Beautiful use of the postage stamp blocks! I would love some scraps (for my postage stamp quilt) if you have any left and will pay postage.

Canadian Abroad said...

Well that'll teach me to stay on top of my blog reading! The quilt is gorgeous. Great idea and beautiful finish. You should be snugglng under that for years to come.

Di said...

I saw this quilt at Trudi's and it is truly beautiful. What a lovely way to celebrate the quilting blog world. Di x

Susan said...

What a great quilt, with a wonderful story! I'm fine for scraps..looking to give some of my own away!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Totally awesome!

Ella said...

Are you out of scraps yet?

Leanne said...

I love it, I really love Irish chains and this one is so lovely. I wish I had known you then as I would have sent you scraps too, I have far too many. Next time.

Linda said...

I stumbled across this quilt when doing a search for scrappy Irish Chain quilts. It is simply stunning and I am inspired to keep saving my little squares. Someday I'll have enough for a smaller version of this. Absolutely beautiful!

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