Sunday, November 6, 2011

North Wind celebrates hand quilting






North Wind was begun the winter of 1994 for no other reason than that I liked that block made of triangles and wanted to see it in a quilt. I limited the colors to red, white, and blue and just pieced blocks in assorted arrangements of those colors. After laying out the blocks in various configurations, I decided I liked them best all pointing one way. Then with all that wind blowing around I thought it needed something to do so I added some sail boats and a mariner's compass to keep them from getting lost.






Once the center of the quilt was pieced, it stalled for want of a border and ended up in the UFO box with other unfinished projects.



Then in 1999. An article in "Quiltmaker" magazine, featured the block and requested pictures. I sent a picture of the unfinished top and it was printed in the May/June issue. Along with a copy of that issue came a suggestion of using a cloud print. I had never seen any in Japan so the top waited back in the UFO pile.



The summer of 2001, on a trip to the States, I visited Keepsake Quilters and bought some water and cloud printed fabric but I still couldn't decide how to use it.



Finally in 1993 I declared it to be the year of the UFO. I was determined not to begin any new projects for a year and just complete the UFOs. This was the last project of the year. The print ran across the fabric and had to be pieced. I added the gulls to cover those seams. Then I used some triangles I had originally thought of using in an outer border. finished size is 72" x 90.5"




I have only made one quilt using a machine and that is because it was a mystery quilt and the instructions were by machine. That quilt, however, was hand quilted.


I guess every quilt in my diary could be used to celebrate hand quilting.






I was very happy to see Caron Mosey of Michigan Quilts suggest a link to other hand quilters. http://blog.caronmosey.com/p/hand-quilting.html I have been trying to connect to that group and hope you will take a look at all the wonderful hand work there. Unfortunately, I am better at figuring out quilting problems than computer ones ... and that doesn't say much if you notice how long this one quilt took me to complete!
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29 comments:

  1. MichelleNovember 6, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    Try this link:
    http://blog.caronmosey.com/p/hand-quilting.html

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  2. Jan MareeNovember 7, 2011 at 12:28 AM

    What a drop dead gorgeous quilt - a complete work of art. It doesn't matter how long it took - some people sew all their lives and never complete something as beautiful as that! Just lovely

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  3. FeatherDusterNovember 7, 2011 at 2:34 AM

    Your quilts are so amazing, and I love learning something about your thought process as they progressed.

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  4. Caron at Michigan QuiltsNovember 7, 2011 at 3:24 AM

    Julie, your quilt is beautiful! Sorry you're having trouble linking up the hand quilting button... let me know where you're having trouble and I'll try to help.

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  5. KarenNovember 7, 2011 at 3:43 AM

    It may have taken a while but it is certainly worth the wait. I like the way you solved the problem of the border. It complements the rest of the quilt and doesn't take over.
    The north wind block is another of my favourites. It's so versatile. I love the way you have used it in this quilt.

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  6. StitchinByTheLakeNovember 7, 2011 at 4:36 AM

    Julie I read something yesterday (again) that reminded me that it's the journey not the goal that is important. Your journeys to completed quilts may take a while but they are pure gold. This is another stunning quilt and I wonder how many you have stacked up there in your house! Someday I want to grow up to be you in the quilting genre. :) Congratulations on being included in Quilter's Newsletter even though I'm a bit late on that! And could I please be included in your will when it comes to quilt distribution? I'm kidding of course, but what a treasure you're leaving for your children someday. blessings, marlene

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  7. Linda ColemanNovember 7, 2011 at 4:48 AM

    what a beautiful quilt Judy. As we have a few sailors in our family (I'm the only one who doesn't sail) this quilt looks extra special.

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  8. AnonymousNovember 7, 2011 at 5:05 AM

    WoooooHooo, Julie ;>)
    Just back from Spain, trying to catch up with my favourite blogs... and what do I see? YOUR gorgeous marine quilt here !
    Fantastic, you're doing such a great job, my friend, no matter how long it takes (who cares?) such a result is worth it ;>)

    XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
    NADINE

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  9. Karen - Quilts...etc.November 7, 2011 at 5:36 AM

    I just love it! Hand piecing and hand quilting my take quite a bit more time but in my opinion it has always been worth it. I always feel so good about the quilts that I have done that way whereas the quilts that I have done by machine I tend to give away as they don't have as much meaning to me.
    Karen

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  10. Carol GNovember 7, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    All your exquisite quilts are such works of art. You don't rush them into mediocrity. You wait for that perfect solution. Kudos.

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  11. Rose MarieNovember 7, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    All of your quilts are amazing .... it is interesting how in the end all of our quilts come together.

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  12. tinyNovember 7, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Julie what a beautiful quilt, I like the colors and the boats blocks.

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  13. JanetNovember 7, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    Julie, another awesomely beautiful quilt! You may not stitch as quickly as some but you certainly put together lovely quilts.

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  14. LynetteNovember 8, 2011 at 3:35 AM

    This is absolutely stunning, Julie! And made by hand - I am in awe. Everything about it is wonderful, from the central design to the perfect borders and seagulls. I love the quilted gulls on the clouds.

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  15. MichelleNovember 8, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    That is absolutely spectacular! I love the combination of blocks.

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  16. Quilt InspirationNovember 9, 2011 at 4:15 AM

    Oh my goodness. We are just catching up on blogging and saw this post. Julie, it is a masterpiece... you do such fabulous work. We're going to bookmark this one and ogle it from time to time as inspiration! Sincere congratulations.

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  17. Cheryl's Teapots2QuiltingNovember 9, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    Another beautiful quilt! All the guys in my family would love that quilt. (me too)!

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  18. VickieNovember 9, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    Beautifully stunning quilt, Julie!!

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  19. HilachasNovember 9, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    Hey, it took a long time to complete but this quilt must have been waiting for all the details to be perfect and for the ideal fabrics to turn up. What a beautiful job you did on it. Have you remembered to include this finish in the "Slowpoke Quilters?"

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  20. TeresaNovember 11, 2011 at 4:29 AM

    An amazing quilt - I just love it.

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  21. SandyNovember 11, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Love it! Sometimes a quilt needs to wait to be finished. I'll be checking out the hand-quilting blog!

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  22. LauraNovember 13, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    You are so incredibly talented. I'm in awe. :)

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  23. ValentinaNovember 14, 2011 at 2:36 AM

    oh Julie: stunning! Nadine was right to send me the link to your gorgeous finish: It is so timeless. Bravo! A true inspiration right now, as I struggle to hand-stitch hundreds of HST's... Thank you for the encouragement, Julie! Greetings from Cyprus, Valentina

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  24. lizNovember 14, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    Another amazing quilt to creep out of your cupboard. I am always so impressed with what you do and how silently you do it. Congratulations on another beautiful quilt.

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  25. SunnyNovember 14, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    Wow, Judy! You have been doing some beautiful work! Love the intricate fabics, yet simple design of this one! Great job!

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  26. RemeNovember 15, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    ¡ Maravilloso! saludos

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  27. antique quilterNovember 17, 2011 at 1:14 AM

    I LOVE this quilt, well worth the wait to finish it, sometimes quilts just need to simmer for the right fabric, right idea, inspiration
    this one is a masterpiece I hope you have it hanging in your home to enjoy everyday.
    love that its red white and blue too!
    kathie

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  28. TanyaNovember 20, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Gorgeous, gorgeous quilt!!!

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  29. AnonymousNovember 25, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    I love this one! Just spectacular!

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