This is my first big quilt for a while. I wanted to do something modern with flying geese and to use red and white. The geese finish at 5 inches by 2.5 inches and the whole quilt is about 65 inches square. I had just finished it when my son and his partner were off to stay in a cottage in Dartmoor so they took it with them. They took these photos there. (Little Linhay in Dartmoor National Park - highly recommended)
There was much hesitation about how to arrange the blocks - there are so many options. In the end I went for simple rows, with the low volume blocks in a strong diagonal. Am I alone in finding it annoying that the options I rejected are now closed to me, unless I make 338 more blocks and have another go? Don't think I will be doing that again in a hurry. I guess that is why people use software.
There was another debate over the quilting. I am no good at FMQ so I tried straight line quilting one inch apart. This did not look great. My walking foot does not seem to be doing a great job. Fiddling with the tension seemed to make matters worse. I ended up stitching all the vertical seams.
The fabrics are a big mixture. Two of my favourites are Moda Trade Winds and Red Rooster Soho Bandana. The backing is unbleached calico, and the scrappy border is from leftovers.
I'm linking up with Crazy Mom for this first finish of the year.
Wow that's a lot of geese! They make a really great quilt - I am going to bookmark this as I have lots of reds & creams and this makes the most of them. I'm just not sure I have enough patience to make so many perfect geese! Well done x
ReplyDeleteI love it, and I love the neutral band across the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteThat is one beautiful quilt. I love it. I have a biscuit tin full of geese maybe I should do something with them!!
ReplyDeleteSue
What a beautiful quilt! I think you did a wonderful job choosing a setting for your flying geese.
ReplyDeleteI am a sucker for red and white quilts. Your flying geese look amazing. They look so simple, but they are a ton of work. You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a lot of work and patience. Well worth the effort though. Every time I put a design on the wall/floor to see the layout I take a photograph before trying out the next layout. Then I have a record if I change my mind. No software needed!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt and good for you getting her finished even though there were some slight hiccups along the way:)
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! I love the red/white, and your quilting gives it a lovely texture.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is fabulous….I am a sucker for red and white quilts!
ReplyDeleteI laughed when I read your post because you speak for us all. The math of quilts means that there are a thousand possibilities for those geese. They can fly north, south, east, or west. They can migrate in formation or strike off in an every goose for itself sort of way. I agree that the Shadow Quilts that never see the light of day are grievous. Those almost quilts. Those runner ups. You made a great choice. I love your flying geese quilt and you have photographed it like a pro and even like an interior decorator. Very inspiring!!! Glad to have found your blog. It was the name, blue moth that drew me over.
ReplyDelete