Retro Flowers – a finished quilt

27 Mar

While this month really feels like it has whizzed by, the beginning of the month seems a long time ago.  Anyway back then I set my goal for the month to finish my Retro Flowers quilt.

So I cracked on with it, it needed me to decide on a layout and then piecing, basting, quilting and binding.

Retro Flowers quilt

The layout decision went well, I decided that however the blocks were placed they would probably look fine!  I had enough Kona Snow in my stash to make all the borders which was a relief, it’s not always easy to get hold of here and I didn’t want to waste time waiting for fabric to arrive!

Retro Flowers quilt

I had a rummage in my stash for a suitable vintage sheet for the backing and found one.  Funnily enough I very nearly didn’t buy it when I found it in the charity shop, I just wasn’t sure about it, but now I’m delighted I bought it and the other one!

Retro Flowers quilt back

You can’t really see in that photo that this has a lovely flower and a soft stripe on it:

Untitled

I felt a bit desperate over how to quilt this, I wanted to get it done but I don’t have the skills to FMQ it and I didn’t think straight lines would work this time.  So I went with a spiral, I used Kerry’s brilliant tutorial on quilting a spiral and it worked a treat.  Well, I say that but something went awry.  While the quilt was well basted once I started quilting towards the edges I noticed that the fabrics were getting bunched up.  Rather than tear my hair out I stopped, unpinned, smoothed the layers out again and rebasted.  This worked, fortunately I had left a 2″ of backing fabric all the way around the quilt so the movement that I had wasn’t disastrous.

Retro Flowers quilt

The binding fabric was pulled from my vintage sheet stash, I pulled 2 out and chose a dark pink geometric one:

Retro Flowers quilt

I finished this quilt a year after I started it, that’s a long time for me, but I’ve really enjoyed it. I think that with all the curves it was good to not rush it but to pick it up when time allowed.

I am delighted that this is another tick on my Finish Along list.

Quilt stats:

Pattern: Retro Flowers by Sometimes Crafter
Fabrics all from my vintage sheet stash and Kona Snow
Wadding – Super-Soft 70/30 Eco-Blend by Sew Simple
Quilting – Spiral by me on my Janome Horizon
Size – 60″ x 60″ approx

2015 FAL at On the Windy Side

 

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13 Replies to “Retro Flowers – a finished quilt

  1. This is beautiful Mary. I’m of the generation that can remember these in actual use so seeing them in this stunning modern design is amazing. I’m getting into curves, my skill target for 2015, and when I complete my current drunkards path quilt I think I will have a go at the spiral so thanks for the reference to Kerry’s tutorial (although for me the link went back to an earlier post of yours but Google stepped in and I very quickly found the tutorial) Walking foot over FMQ anytime!!

  2. Love your quilt! I find no matter how many pins I put in as soon as you quilt on the diagonal everything shifts! I’m probably doing it wrong! With FMQ I don’t seem to have the same problem! I have a stack of vintage sheet fabric waiting for me to get around to making something similar!

  3. It’s gorgeous M! Love, love, love the backing and the quilting is perfect too! Well done! Jxo

    (P.s. if you need anymore snow, I have some in the shop at £5 pm)

  4. I think this is one of your nicest finishes. The backing is so sweet too. I might have a go at this pattern once I have mastered curved piecing. The spiral quilting is just right too.

  5. I just love this Mary, so beautiful. I am not a huge fan of the vintage sheets I have to say but this really sells them to me.

  6. It’s absolutely stunning, all around. There’s so much to like about it, and that backing was the perfect choice. I love the feel of the vintage sheets!

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