Thursday, November 11, 2021

TGIFF: My Pineapple Log Cabin Quilt is Finally, FINALLY Finished!

Happy Almost Friday, y'all!  I'm hosting the TGIFF Thank Goodness It's Finished linky party this week and I have THREE "Big Quilt" finishes to share with you -- one made completely by yours truly over the past SEVEN years, and two large beauties that I recently had the privilege of quilting for clients.  At the bottom of this blog post you'll find the link up where you can share a recent finish that YOU'RE proud of, whether it's a finished top, a completely finished quilt, a finished garment/bag/home dec project, or just a finished quilt block.  

First, oh my gosh, you guys -- Colleen, are you still out there somewhere???  I have been posting about my progress (and lack thereof) with this monster of a pineapple log cabin quilt off and on since I started it in 2014, and I know some of you longtime readers thought I would never finish it.  One reader, Colleen, used to regularly encourage/nudge/plead with me to finish this quilt, but I haven't heard from her in awhile.  Colleen, if you're reading this right now, THANK YOU for keeping the faith!  

My 120 x 120 Pineapple Nostalgia, 2014-2021

You can learn more about this quilt from this previous post, written when I finished quilting it but before it was labeled and bound.  It was foundation paper pieced on my Bernina 750QE, the logs finish at 3/4" wide, there are 97 pieces in every block and 36 blocks in the quilt, and the batting for my Pineapple Nostalgia quilt is Quilter's Dream Wool to get some loft without weight, since the heavily pieced quilt top weighed a ton all by itself.

Putting Those Last Hand Stitches In the Binding...

Hand stitching the binding on a quilt this size takes an absolute eternity -- it felt REALLY good to get to where there were only a few inches left to stitch down!

Can't This One Be MY Quilt, Mommy?

Yeah, Samwise Kissy-Face Snuggle-up-a-gus has already been up on the bed on top of the newly finished quilt.  But that is the least of my concerns.  Pineapple Nostalgia is my favorite quilt that I have made so far, and it's the first quilt I've made for my own bed.  I love it!  But ugh -- it's TOO BIG!  Which I knew already, and which all of you knew already, too, when you wondered why I would make a 120" x 120" quilt in the first place.  Well, I'd measured my California King mattress to see how big it would need to be to amply cover the entire mattress on the sides of the bed, and then I added 10% to allow for the way a quilt draws up and "shrinks" from the quilting stitches as well as the shrinkage I'd get in the first wash.  I haven't washed it yet, because I'm a chicken, and because it's so big that I could not even cram it in my large capacity front-load washing machine.  So I took it to the dry cleaners this afternoon and asked them to launder it in cold water and then dry it on low heat.  After working on this for 7 years it definitely needed cleaning to remove all the starch, oils and lotion from my hands, dust and whatnot.  So let's all hope it shrinks 12" on both directions so it looks like a quilt on my bed instead of a giant bedspread!  Fingers crossed...

Meanwhile, check out this gorgeous 92" x 102" Carpenter's Star quilt made by my client Randy:

My Client Randy's 92 x 105 Carpenter's Star Quilt with Feather Garden B2B Quilting

Randy is a fairly new quilter, a surgeon who took up quilting during the Pandemic.  Prior to this quilt, his other projects have been small samples to get the basic skills down, and then he jumped in head-first with this big bed quilt that has enough Y-seams to send many experienced quilters running for the hills!  You would never guess that he was a beginner from looking at his workmanship on this quilt -- the piecing is so precise and his entire quilt top was flat and smooth, including the borders.  My theory is that the precision, accuracy, and attention to detail that make him a good surgeon have transferred over to his new hobby.

Glide Thread in Steel Blue Blends Into Blue Fabrics, Stands Out in the Background

When Randy initially reached out to me, he was picturing custom quilting for his Carpenter's Star, to dress up the large background areas that seemed plain to him.  We ended up choosing an elaborate edge-to-edge design instead, Feather Garden B2B from Anne Bright Designs, to reference my client's love of gardening.  

The batting for this one was Quilter's Dream Bamboo/Silk/Cotton/Tencel blend for a lightweight bed quilt with a luxurious drape and just enough loft to show off the quilting.  Thread colors were carefully selected to make the allover quilting design less conspicuous against the blue star fabrics while standing out more against the light gray background areas that my client thought were "too plain."  The needle thread is Glide 40 weight in Steel Blue, but I paired it with Glide 60 weight thread in Light Gray in the bobbin because that looked prettier against the black and gray backing fabric.  I did the machine binding on this one as well as the long arm quilting, so the quilt was completely ready to use when Randy picked up his quilt today.  I'm looking forward to seeing what he'll bring me next time!

Steel Blue 40 wt Glide Thread in the Needle + Light Gray Glide 60 wt Bobbin Thread

The next quilt I'm showing you was made by my client Mary Beth using Susan Clark's Sunflowers quilt pattern, available here in her Etsy shop.  Like Randy, Mary Beth told me that she was new to making large bed quilts and had primarily made baby quilts in the past.  This one is a gift for her niece, who picked out the pattern.

My Client Mary Beth's 82 x 102 Sunflower Quilt with Espresso Quilting

Mary Beth did a beautiful job on this quilt.  My pictures aren't doing anything justice lately (secret theory: maybe Apple snuck something into the last iOS update to make my pictures lousy so I'd upgrade to a newer phone?  It could also be gremlins or wicked little elves that live in my computer...)

These glorious yellow sunflowers really cheered me up while I had this quilt on my frame.  It reminded me of Van Gogh's sunflowers and the Immersive Van Gogh thing I went to with my friend named Mary Beth (not the same person as my client) a couple months ago.  Again, thread color, weight, and sheen was chosen with thought about where we wanted the quilting design to show up most and where we wanted it to recede and blend into the fabrics of the quilt.  Shiny Glide 40 weight in color Sunshine looked great against all of the fabrics in the quilt top, but when I auditioned that thread against the Black Kona Solid backing fabric it seemed a little too severe.  Matte So Fine thread in a slightly thinner 50 weight, nearly identical color Summer Sun, looked much better against the backing fabric to my eye.  The edge-to-edge quilting design is called Espresso and I scaled the design to simulate the look of little vines and tendrils growing around the sunflowers in the field.

Glide 40 wt Thread in Sunshine (needle) Paired w/So Fine 50 wt in Summer Sun (bobbin)

I have so many other things I could share with you, but they will have to wait for another time.  Now it's YOUR turn to share your finishes -- and remember, it can be any kind of finish you're excited about, whether it's a completely finished quilt or just one finished block.  After linking up, please remember to visit as many of the other linked projects as time permits to share the encouragement and quilty love.  I'll also be linking up this blog post with my other favorite linky parties, listed in my left side bar.

PSST!!  I'd Love to Quilt for YOU!

By the way, if you or any of your quilting friends has a quilt top or two that needs quilting, I'd be delighted to quilt for you!  I am currently accepting quilts for January & February of 2022.  Click here to learn how easy it is to book a quilt with me!

 

37 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

wow it looks wonderful - way to go - if it doesn't shrink this time try again and ask for it to be dried on medium - that always works for me

Paula said...

Wow! I've been admiring this since the beginning. It's an amazing quilt and I'm glad you stuck with it!

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

Oh my goodness, your pineapple quilt is absolutely stunning. Wonderful achievement!

Gretchen Weaver said...

I LOVE your pineapple quilt, so glad to finally see it 100% finished! Hope it does shrink up some and can't wait to see it displayed on your bed. The carpenter star quilt is absolutely lovely, your quilt is just spot on again. Same way with the sunflower quilt, lovely lovely lovely. Happy stitching, enjoy sleeping under your pineapples!

maggie fellow said...

simply stunning

Vicki in MN said...

Congrats on your big beautiful pineapple quilt!!! And wow Randy did a fantastic job, as I was reading it I thought how it would be precise like a surgeon would be. And the sunflowers are gorgeous too!

Sandy said...

Your work is, as always, exquisite, Rebecca Grace! As for Samwise, I think I'd be hard-pressed to deny those soulful eyes. :)

piecefulwendy said...

Well, I hope your little heart goes pitter patter each time you look at that absolutely gorgeous pineapple quilt. Well done on the finsh! Randy's star quilt - amazing!! I love the sunflowers, too - so bright and cheerful!

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting said...

So pretty, all three!!! I'm thinking your beautiful quilt is going to come back just the right size for your bed. It is a masterpiece!!!

Barb N said...

Congratulations!!! Such a time-consuming project and such a delight to get the last stitch in the binding in place. So funny that your dog decides it's the best place to lay - ours does the same thing. "Oh! You made me a quilt. Thanks. I love it!"

Jenny K. Lyon said...

Oh. Wow! No wonder it is your fav - it's stunning and gorgeous! Hey, you need something to shrink in the laundry? I'm good at that, send it my way:-) Congratulations! I sure hope it shrinks.

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Your pineapple quilt is beautiful. Congratulations on finishing it! Randy did an amazing job as did Mary Beth. Your quilting sure adds to their projects!

Leanne Parsons said...

Your pineapple quilt is gorgeous! Your client quilts are both beautiful and perfectly quilted, too :)

Darlene S said...

Congratulations on your finish of Pineapple Nostalgia. Absolutely stunning quilt which will be enjoyed and treasured for generations to come. And, I love all the quilts and quilting you shared today. Beautiful! I feel like I've been to an amazing quilt show!

Mary said...

That photo of your dog on your newly finished gorgeous Pineapple quilt is hilarious! What a sweet face! Who can result!?!

Mary said...

I meant Who can resist!

Preeti said...

The sunflowers are cheerful and the surgeon Randy's quilt is oh so precise but this post is about the Pineapple Blossom Beauty - she takes the cake. She is a showstopper of a quilt. I believe you need to take a picture from the Great Wall of China - cause you know every other wall will fall short :-) It looks a wee bit squished over there, although the stones are a perfect backdrop. Kudos to you, Rebecca for an extraordinary finish. May be I can see it in person soon ;-) Oh to be in the presence of such beauty... Hope she will rub off on me :-)

Kathleen said...

Oh my! That 7 year project is done and so so so so gorgeous. I am sure you will get some of the shrinkage you expect - I look forward to hearing the report. I have yet to make one that really fits our beds the way I make it. No pillow tuck and 10" drop on 3 sides on for a queen-size mattress. You think I would get it right - but there's always the next one! The client quilts are fun too! You are just one busy woman!

Margo Yang said...

Your pineapple quilt is stunning!! Well done!

Brenda @ Songbird Designs said...

Your pineaple quilt is absolutely gorgeous! I can see why Samwise wants it for his very own!!

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Great finishes. The pineapple and carpenter's star are wonderful.

Gwyned Trefethen said...

You write so generously and supportively about your clients's skills with piecing. That is a gift. What I appreciate is how you remind your readers that the bobbin and top thread don't have to match. I'm curious what your audition method for thread choices is when you are quilting for clients. I use scraps and rejects from my own work to audition thread. Do you have clients bring in test fabric for you?

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Those are all awesome quilts! I am catching up on reading blogs, so a bit late in commenting.

Julie in GA said...

I've enjoyed following along on the pineapple quilt journey, and it is such a treat to see it finished. Congratulations on an absolutely gorgeous quilt! Sometimes it takes a long time for a quilt to be ready for finishing. I'm so glad you persevered with this one!

LA Paylor said...

I think I'd love a quilt that came down the sides of the bed... we are barely covered once we both get in and the poodle is between us, with the quilt having to go up, down, up, down, up it often doesn't cover us!

Vivian said...

Wait, no the first quilt for your own bed?!? Well, that bed is outfitted in super-style now! And what's wrong with a bed spread, especially when it's this beautiful (and there will be some coordinating Kaffe pillowcases, yes?). Your perseverance has been rewarded and even Sammy the Sweet knows it. Snuggle under and enjoy!

Marie said...

An absolute stunner, no wonder it's your favourite! As for size, better a little on the big size than too small. You don't want to have to be fighting for the covers ;).

Karrin Hurd said...

Beautiful quilts, and quilting!

O'Quilts said...

My, lovely finish. You are getting quite the great reputation of THE place to bring a quilt for quilting in our area....Big Congrats!!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I think your Pineapple Log Cabin is just gorgeous, Rebecca! I can certainly see why a quilt of that size and design would take a long time to finish, but you finished it. Yay you! And hopefully washing it will take care of some shrinkage and make it just right for the bed!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Congrats on completing that magnificent UFO, Rebecca!! Samwise looks like he really likes his new quilt. :P

Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting said...

Your pineapple quilt is absolutely stunning. Beautiful job, Rebecca

Bonnie said...

Your pineapple quilt looks great. I oversize quilts for my queen but the last one shrank more than expected although so far neither hubby or I have frozen because of yanked off covers. Your two customer quilts are stunning. Thanks for giving the names of the patterns as I find it helpful to quilt designs on quilts. Looks like you get to move on to a new quilt for yourself.

Nann said...

Oh, the pineapples are wonderful--a long-term project that turned out beautifully. And Randy's star is gorgeous, too.

Needledmom said...

Your Pineapple Log Cabin is just stunning!

JustGail said...

I just started cutting fabric for a king size quilt. It's funny how 120 inches doesn't seem that huge until I realize that's 10 feet, 2 feet larger each direction than the 8x8 foot design wall I'm fortunate enough to have. EEK! No Way will I be quilting it myself.

Your quilt is gorgeous, I'm sure you'll get many years of enjoyment from it.

audrey said...

So excited for you to see that this Pineapple quilt is finally totally finished! Yay you!! Such an amazing, incredible quilt and all done in the most gorgeous colors.:) Gotta feel pretty special after all that time!