Molly's bouquet, day six
It's been a week since the wedding and I'm happy to say that it was everything we hoped it would be and more. The house has been tidied up after 10 days of guests and there is a bit of wedding cake left in the fridge. I know that many of you are waiting for a post-wedding wrapup after my months of my blah-blahing about it, but the truth is that despite my reputation as the family photographer, my shots are few and not so great. Too busy socializing with friends and family whom we haven't seen in years...a cliche, but the whole week was a whirlwind. I'm waiting for photos from guests, some who've yet to return home, having added side trips to the long trek here for the wedding. The wedding photographer is on vacation this week and the newlyweds are sitting on a beach in Hawaii. So, you'll have to wait a little longer, along with me.
How about some quilt talk? The Wedding Quilt.
When K&H got married three years ago, I thought it was a challenge to decide on a quilt design because I didn't really know their style, other than a shared preference for the color blue. After that, Molly knew I'd be making a quilt for her but she refused to give me any guidance...color, design, size. "You decide!" Having attended many quilt shows together over the last few years, I knew what she liked on the wall, but deciding on a quilt to live with for years was a surprisingly difficult task. It took me months to settle on something. This is what my sewing room looked like in early March.
Throughout my deliberations, a quilt from the 2011 Tokyo show was in the back of my mind. We both loved that quilt so I took some inspiration from it as a jumping off point. I wanted the quilt to be a classic design, however. It had to be colorful...Molly departed Tuesday with Fiestaware platters wrapped in her wedding dress...and I wanted to use a variety of fabrics so as to avoid the quilt being dated.
I pulled fabrics from the stash...current brights, 1930s prints, Japanese fabrics we had chosen together at past quilt festivals.
Some worked...
...lots didn't. Don't ask me why! They were just somehow dischordant and wouldn't behave. Off to the scrap pile!
I decided on this pattern, Many Trips Around the World, because of its ability to showcase many different fabrics and prints. There's a popular, scrappier version around that is easier to assemble, but I wanted the framework of the red polkadot lattice around each block. While you were wondering where the heck I was all spring, often it was standing in a daze before this design wall, switching around little squares of color until I was cross-eyed.
The trick to piecing this design is to break it into blocks, which are very easy to sew up. However, this requires laying out five color schemes, the center motif plus 4 adjacent, first.
It was all fun and games until I started to sew together blocks. This shrunk the design which made it a bit more difficult to lay out successive rows. Especially being such a color fuss-budget, attempting a good mix of value and print, with few, if any, repeating fabrics in adjacent blocks. Pass the Excedrin!
It is a wonderful, fun pattern that I would encourage you to try. I took some process photos during the assembly which I'll share soon for anyone who's interested. You may be surprised that of all of my quilts, this may be the first in which I've brought the design right to the edge. I was sorely tempted at several points to border it, just to get the piecing finished, but I didn't want to have to choose a fabric that would skew the overall perception of the design.
Click for closeup
So, are you ready for the final shot? Well, the quilt top, anyhow. I did want to give the couple the option of a different size, or borders, if they thought it was *too much*. It got an enthusiastic thumbs up, however, and will be quilted up this fall, as is, and delivered (in person...the best part!) sometime next year.
And lest you think the groom wasn't consulted, I did ask months ago if he had any preferences in color, to which he replied, "I'm sure anything you choose will be wonderful". Good start, Chito.
Great job! I just love this kind of quilt.
Posted by: Diane | July 14, 2012 at 01:54 PM
It's absolutely gorgeous. They will love it forever!
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 14, 2012 at 01:57 PM
That is a Masterpiece!!Wow,do I love it,the colors,the patterns ...just stunning!Jan,your sewing is impeccable,the close-ups let me really get a good look, every one of those little squares are just that..square,perfection!! You have always had a great eye for color and design and this shows it! What a lovely wedding present and a trip to deliver it will be really special! So glad everything went well,I was sure it would. Congratulations to you all!!
Posted by: Redsoxgal | July 14, 2012 at 02:07 PM
Wonderful quilt, wonderful bouquet! So good to see you back and hear all the news.
Posted by: Barb Robson | July 14, 2012 at 02:37 PM
Gorgeous quilt! That red dot really sets it all off nicely! Very pretty bouquet too--must have been a lovely wedding! I personally think mothers of the bride are the people that need a trip to Hawaii afterward! :)
Posted by: Donna | July 14, 2012 at 03:06 PM
The quilt is absolutely stunning! Very "timeless". The prints are fun and cheerful. The logistics can be a nightmare, but you handled it wonderfully.
So happy to know the "big day" went well. I'll wait for pics. :)
Posted by: Ann Champion | July 14, 2012 at 03:55 PM
I surely know what you mean about color placement dithering. Argh. But what a great outcome: a joyous quilt to commemorate a joyous occasion!
Posted by: KathieB | July 14, 2012 at 04:29 PM
All your investment of time in color placement really shows - a really stunning quilt & one they will always treasure!
Posted by: Pat | July 14, 2012 at 04:43 PM
Gorgeous quilt! Glad you had such a good time at the wedding that you didn't have time to take photos!
Posted by: Julie | July 14, 2012 at 05:21 PM
Oh this is just so awesome!! What a wonderful and extra special wedding quilt. I can see that so much went in to it...and your heart as well. Beautiful!
Posted by: annette | July 14, 2012 at 06:09 PM
Congratulations! The flowers are *still* beautiful, and the quilt is gorgeous!
Posted by: Sally | July 14, 2012 at 06:37 PM
it's beautiful Jan and I love the colourful wedding bouquet!
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 14, 2012 at 09:26 PM
The wedding quilt is so beautiful, and it looks like your daughter and son-in-law really love it! Congratulations on the wedding and looking forward to photos!
Posted by: Dixie | July 14, 2012 at 11:01 PM
It is right beautiful, I sure love your red separating and pulling together. You chose such pretty prints, too! I would have been fussy on the color pieces being too similar, also. You did a great job!
I am struggling on that on one I'm working on now. My friends laugh and tease about my control on scrappy, but I simply call it "controlled chaos" lol!
:-}pokey
Posted by: Pokey | July 14, 2012 at 11:10 PM
That quilt is absolutely beautiful. I think you did good.
Posted by: faye | July 14, 2012 at 11:22 PM
I absolutely love everything about this quilt, Jan, including that it reaches to the "edges". It is just perfect!! The wedding bouquet is gorgeous and makes me really look forward to seeing some of those infamous wedding pics, Congratulations to the Mother of the Bride!!
What a beautiful gift.
Posted by: Carla | July 14, 2012 at 11:33 PM
Love it!
Is the "in person" delivery to Australia?
Posted by: Kate | July 14, 2012 at 11:50 PM
It's just so fabulous! I think doing it borderless was a good call. Wow, lucky couple!
Posted by: Kristin | July 15, 2012 at 12:47 AM
OMG that is the most AMAZING quilt! I admire not only your skill in putting it all together but the patience you must have! Wow! What an inspiration!! Thanks for sharing with us!
(And loved seeing another quilt room with fabric everywhere! Made me truly feel at home!)
Posted by: Rhonda | July 15, 2012 at 01:19 AM
WOW that is beautiful and a ton of work!!! I am sure they will treasure it forever! I love the many different fabrics. I was over whelmed just seeing them all on the wall much less sewing them together!
Posted by: Jeannette | July 15, 2012 at 05:52 AM
The red was the perfect choice. It pulled all those many fabric pieces together into a cohesive design.
Posted by: Karen Beigh | July 15, 2012 at 09:46 AM
An absolutely stunning finish!! And worth every bit of fuss!
Posted by: Anita | July 15, 2012 at 09:59 AM
Beautiful!!! What a lucky couple...
Posted by: Susannah | July 15, 2012 at 10:49 AM
I can't even take in how amazing it is!You are just magical when it comes to color and design. I continue to be in awe.
Posted by: pam | July 15, 2012 at 02:26 PM
It's absolutely stunning! The colours are brilliant and I liked the way you made it so timeless. This is such a special quilt, perfect for such a special occasion.
Posted by: Rachaeldaisy | July 15, 2012 at 04:12 PM
Sigh. It's perfection in fabric. Such color! I love her bouquet - and it seems to reflect the quilt colors, so I think you were on track.
Posted by: Loretta | July 15, 2012 at 05:54 PM
I want one!
Let's see.. How can I have one?
Get married again? No.. I love my husband of 27 years.. Ask my mom? No. She doesn't quilt.
I guess I am going to have to make it myself.
Love it.
Congratulations on the fine finish. The wedding, the quilt and the party! I bet now you are ready to do some sewing.
Posted by: Sujata Shah | July 16, 2012 at 07:24 AM
WOW!!! OhMyGosh Jan -- it's just stunning! It's even better than I imagined and the kids look SO happy with it (what a cute picture with the two of them!) I sure wish I had your eye for color. I'm a little confused about your pictures -- are you saying the second picture of all the little blocks were the rejects? 'Cause they all look like they would work to me -- I just don't have the eye! Love Love LOVE this quilt Jan and I can't wait to hear more about the wedding. Oh, and the best part? Now we can have you back....can't we??? ;-D
Posted by: Thimbleanna | July 16, 2012 at 08:31 AM
What a beautiful quilt! I came over from pinterest so I could have a better look...LOVE it!
Posted by: Jessica | July 16, 2012 at 08:56 AM
Beautiful! And love the reference to Fiesta Ware. Thanks for revealing your construction technique. I've always wondered how to deconstuct this design into blocks. What size are the individual squares?
Posted by: Cathy | July 16, 2012 at 10:59 AM
it's beautiful! i love the scrappiness and the anchor of the red.
Posted by: Sarah | July 16, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Gorgeous!Fantastic. Congrats to Molly and Chito. Now that the wedding is done, hopefully things will return to a nice calm pace. Unless of course, you move house again. :-)
Posted by: KT | July 16, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Chito was right: the colors you chose are wonderful. Very striking and so cheery. The newlyweds will love using it, and you will love quilting all that cheeriness and love. (The delivery in person part sounds like so much fun!)
Posted by: Linda in NC | July 16, 2012 at 06:11 PM
I love it!! The red polkadot "sashing is fantastic and well worth the effort of laying out each trip individually. With all the travel I've done in my life, I'm inspired to consider making something with that pattern too. :-)
Posted by: Kristin L | July 16, 2012 at 10:44 PM
That is a work of art. Worth every bit of color dithering. (Your new SIL sounds like a very smart man.)
Posted by: Ruth | July 17, 2012 at 11:29 AM
woohoo, gorgeous quilt! I love that inspiration quilt too. love that you did it piece by piece rather than just stripping it all together. now have fun with those leftover bits!
Posted by: Tonya Ricucci | July 18, 2012 at 08:29 AM
a beautiful couple and a beautiful quilt. your art amazes me each time I visit here Jan and this is a crowning achievement! the red polka dot border just makes the whole thing sing! so glad there are no borders as you couldn't improve upon that perfection!
hope you are all recovered and enjoying the summer!
Posted by: susan | July 19, 2012 at 08:07 PM
The weddding quilt is sensational and the happy couple look thrilled with it. What a huge amount of cutting and piecing but so worth it.
Posted by: Janet | July 20, 2012 at 07:02 PM
Congratulations on your daughter's wedding, and on the completion of an absolutely GORGEOUS quilt top. I was originally drawn to your blog by your joyous use of color. Your work lifts my spirits, and gives me all glory of a perfect summer day. Thanks for sharing your life and artistry with us.
Posted by: Lindey | July 20, 2012 at 09:12 PM
Congratulations on your daughter's wedding, and on the completion of an absolutely GORGEOUS quilt top. I was originally drawn to your blog by your joyous use of color. Your work lifts my spirits, and gives me all glory of a perfect summer day. Thanks for sharing your life and artistry with us.
Posted by: Lindey | July 20, 2012 at 09:15 PM
Wow !!
Absolutely gorgeous....
Well done.
Posted by: Michelle Hartshorn | July 21, 2012 at 07:55 AM
What a stunning top - congratulations!
Posted by: Cynthia | July 23, 2012 at 07:40 AM
It is beautiful!!!!! Something that will be treasured by them for a lifetime!
Posted by: Emily | July 23, 2012 at 03:09 PM
OMG, what a beautiful quilt. I can't imagine the work that went in to placing all the blocks in just the right places. Your patience and determination is fantastic.
tp
Posted by: tina pomeroy | July 24, 2012 at 06:33 AM
Love the 'outline' w/red - I have 3 grandsons - perhaps if I get started I can make each of them one for their wedding :) - may I ask how large your squares are?
Posted by: Terri | July 24, 2012 at 01:00 PM
Quilt is gorgeous!
Posted by: Kate | July 25, 2012 at 10:44 PM
Absolutely gorgeous, of course!
Posted by: mariko | July 27, 2012 at 01:14 PM
I just LOVE it! How large are the squares?
Posted by: Inga Helene | August 06, 2012 at 08:34 AM
That is one fabulous quilt!! Congratulations! Both our kids are married now - and I have started making them a new quilt on their 5 yr anniversaries. It took the pressure off. And they tend to be large couch quilts. It's fun and I have 5 years inbetween to design and plan. Not that I don't wait until the last minute!!
doni @ Oregon coast
Posted by: doni boyd | August 19, 2012 at 05:41 PM