Saturday, March 16, 2013

Labor of love, it is finally finished.

Since it is International Quilting Day, it is totally appropriate that I post about a quilt that I have been quilting for the past little while.  I am so excited to share this quilt with you.  This is the second quilt that I have worked on for Thelma, you can see the first quilt I quilted for her here.  It is always a blessing for me to be able to do what I like to do on a quilt and this quilt is one that I am very proud of. It truly was a labor of love.  I went through all of Thelma's post about Evening Bloom and I realized just how much she put into this quilt as well.  Only hers took 18 months of applique work - that is amazing endurance when it comes to a quilt! It was totally worth it because this quilt is gorgeous!

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When I pulled out this quilt to put it on the quilt racks, I was in complete awe.  This quilt is gorgeous and the colors are incredible.  This quilt is called Evening Bloom and you can find this pattern in this Country Inn book.
 
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Let's get started with the pictures!  I used Kimono Silk for the background thread.  It is strong thread and it is small, so the dense quilting looks incredible.

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Because of the applique, I had a lot of "going around" to do and that made it a slow and steady process.  I did not want to compromise the beauty of the applique, just wanted to add a background that would make the applique stand out. In five of the flower blocks I chose a diamond design for the background. There was a lot of marking in this quilt. That is for sure! 

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For the beige background blocks I chose a square tile pattern, and I love it!  This was fun to do.

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The diamond sashing designs were my favorite part of the quilting.  I used two layers of batting to help pop out the designs.  I used a 100% cotton and a Hobbs 80/20 blend. 

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I used my arc ruler for the curved lines around the Dresden flowers and the outside borders.

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Each one of these blocks are unique and fun and I never get tired of looking at the texture.

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I would be lying if I said I wasn't sad that this quilt is leaving on Monday. It's been here for a while and it is always hard to let go of these works of art because I pour myself into each and every quilt. I just feel lucky to have worked on this one.   

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By far, this is my favorite block.  Everything about it is incredible.  The colors and the design are just perfect and the quilting texture just makes me happy.

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So, naturally a close up of my favorite block.

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You'll notice the applique flowers had simple quilting, the background was my focus as far as the quilting design.

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The first time I "scribbled" in a quilt was when I decided to go around the fabric in the sash. I know it would not work to scribble with the thread if it was anything other than silk. 

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I am so happy to be finished.  I am happy that I have these pictures for my memory.  Each quilt is a push forward to something better.  I want each one of my quilts to be better than the one before.

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And the back - doesn't it look awesome?

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I had four different thread changes, so I quilted the backgrounds first and went back through with the red and brown threads. 

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Thanks for letting me share my work with you.  I hope you enjoy this quilt as much as I do and Thank You Thelma, for allowing me to work on your beautiful quilt.  It was a pleasure! 

 
Pre-order a signed copy of my book which releases in a few months by clicking here.
By Judi Madsen

89 comments:

•stephanie• said...

again my jaw is literally on the ground.
your work is simply spectacular!
{thelma's is too!}
just gorgeous.

Sandy D said...

An Amazing Quilt done by Thelma. The work you did on it is spectacular and shows off the work she did on it.

ladmquilter said...

Your quiltiing is so amazing. I always look toward to your posts.

debi said...

that quilting is absolutely beautiful. You should be really proud of that.

Fiona said...

Judi, what a great job you have done on this quilt... just awesome...
Hugz

BarbaraShowell said...

Just breathtaking. The applique and the quilting.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Congratulations to the appliquer and the quilter for an amazing piece of art!

CaroleM said...

Phenomenal!! Wow! Thank you for sharing!!

Hooked on Quilting said...

Awesome!! Fantastic!!! Wow!!! Amazing!!!

The best!!!

KeyQuilter said...

Phenomenal! (is that how it's spelled?)

Stitched With Prayer said...

Incredible Judi!!! I watched this quilt come together as Thelma posted it's progress on her blog and I wondered what kind of quilting she would have done on it. I'm so glad she sent it to you, between Thelma's amazing applique and your quilting, I can't even think of words to describe how gorgeous it is...even "breath-taking" doesn't seem to cover it. Like so many of the other comments, I'm just kind of stuck on WOW!!! So much talent...just incredible! Thanks so very much for sharing. This looks like another ribbon winner to me! Big Hugs...

Lynette said...

Judi, this is absolutely stunning!! You continue to outdo yourself with your artistry. What a pleasure to peruse these photos, and such incredible inspiration. :D

Tammie said...

That is just stunning! I'll bet we see ribbons on that one! Beautiful!

Vicki W said...

This has to be my favorite quilting EVER on ANY quilt! Spectacular!

Dora, the Quilter said...

It was truly a lovely quilt top. It is even more truly a magnificent quilt!
In fact, it's so wonderful that it's better than fireworks, symphonies, etc.

Rebecca Grace said...

This is SPECTACULAR, Judi! WOW!! What do you mean about "scribbling" with silk thread, though? I couldn't tell from the picture. Congratulations on another beautiful finish!

Linette Greene said...

Truly amazing. Your took a beautiful quilt to the next level and made it truly a work of art. She is very lucky to have chosen you to quilt this for her.

Patti said...

Stunning work by both of you! Congratulations on the finish!

paulette said...

OMGosh!! What a team!! Gorgeous quilt, stunning quilting!! You gals just created an heirloom!! Incredible!
P

Deborah said...

That is just beautiful...and that doesn't even begin to really describe it! I have this pattern and have put one of the flower blocks in a sampler quilt.

Sarah Craig said...

WOW! It seems that everyone before me has used all the superlatives, but I've just got to say it again - WOW!!

Gale, Ky quilter said...

This is a masterpiece. Oh my goodness. I just slowly scrolled down each picture marveling at the beauty of each stitch - both applique and quilting. You are so talented it amazes me. I'm just trying to get up the nerve to do an all over meandering stitch on a baby quilt, lol.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

YOUR quilting is stunning, truly amazing. Without your quilting this quilt would be so much less than it is now.

Donna~~ said...

Wow wow wow! That is absolutely incredible. I had to look and look and look! Still amazing!

Diann said...

Your quilting is so, so beautiful. Wonderful job!

Sue Daurio said...

Wow!! Truly amazing! Can't wait to get your book :)

Laura said...

Absolutely fabulous! You do amazing work, and inspire me with my quilting!

Lynette (NZ) said...

Stunning from both of you. Love it completely

Anonymous said...

This is one of the most beautifully quilted quilts I've seen. Breathtaking.

Tamie said...

Your quilting is as amazing as the quilt is. Wow. Just amazing.

CathyK said...

That is absolutely stunning. I am speechless.

Darice said...

This peice just sings! What a vision of beauty the two of you have created! Bravo!

Leeanne said...

Breath taking!!! I'm sure Thelma will be overwhelmed!

felice said...

Stunning! You are so talented!

Material Girl said...

Wow, always love to look at your beautiful quilting, the back is for sure as nice as the front, you do amazing quilting Judi!
Thank you for the great eye candy again...

Anonymous said...

AMAZING quilting, I can't get my head around it!

Karen M said...

I am also a follower of Thelma's blog so I am familiar with this quilt and the care she took in making it. Your quilting absolutely takes this quilt to a whole other level. All I can say is, WOW!

Barbara M. said...

It's not because this is not my language, but I finished the words to explain my admiration for your ability! You should receive an oscar or maybe a nobel prize for the accuracy, intricate, perfect job of quilting. This is not a joke, I don't even imagine how you can 'see' the design before starting. It is simply pure beauty! Barbara from Italy

Michele said...

I never tire of seeing all the beyond awesome work you do. YOu are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you so much for sharing this.

Borderline Quilter said...

Absolutely Fabulous!

Mary W Quilts said...

Once again, WOW!!! Love the quilt. LOVE the quilting. Judy, you are amazing. Thanks for sharing. Mary

Sarah said...

Your work is amazing! You have made quilting an art and added so much to the quilt top. I'm sure Thelma will adore it. How many hours did it take you?

Gertie Pye said...

Astonishingly, impossibly wonderful. I look forward to seeing the many ribbons this quilt wins!

Vicki in MN said...

It is amazing, both the quilt and the quilting! I am wondering sometime when you have time if you could share the sequence a little from the time you have the quilt basted on the frame till the end. Especially on a quilt like this. Everyone seems to have their method and I am wondering what yours is.

Melia Mae Quilting said...

Oh my goodness! Words can just not convey how beautiful this quilt is! Excellent work! It is truly a work of art and something to be very very proud of forever!

Ginette said...

Amazing! This quilt is absolutely gorgeous. You and Thelma make an amazing team! What a treasure!

Rebecca said...

Another quilt I can't find words to describe. I enjoyed Thelma's post about this one and you have made it a spectacular one for her again. Can't wait to see her blog when she sees it in person!

Barb said...

It is mind boggling to see your work and how you come up with such incredible designs that accent the quilt itself....so amazing.

T Holzer said...

Truly stunning!

Litamora's Quilt & Design said...

The quilt turned out so beautiful! Your quilting is just amazing! I bet the owner will love it forever :o)
Look forward to the book of yours hits the stores, I can't wait to get a copy!
Thanks for sharing photos of your work!

Bj said...

Absolutely awe inspiring, that has to be the most beautiful quilting I've ever seen in my life, so labor intensive, I can't imagine how many hours you must have invested in that, I know that Thelma is going to love it, Absolutely Beautiful!

Chris {frecklemama} said...

WOW. WOW!!!! I can't imagine the patience, dedication, talent and skill that are required to create such an amazing quilting-scape like that. I am speechless! Well done.

Karen in Breezy Point said...

You continue to amaze me--I would never have thought to do ANY of the beautiful quilting designs you come up with! Gorgeous!

Marisa said...

¡Fantástico! Impresionante, me encanta tu trabajo, me quedo alucinada, enhorabuena. Comprare tu libro. Saludos.

bmayer said...

Wow..This quilt is just spectacular....from the fabric choice, to the construction, and the fabulous quilting. OK, I'm going to ask what everyone wants to know....Just how much do you charge for this kind of artistry? Of course it looks priceless...but we really want to know.

K said...

Tis work of yours made me cry...literally, it is so beautiful and such a great expression of the divine. Thanks

Mary said...

I see lots of blue ribbons Judi!!!

Miss Jean said...

Jaw dropping beautiful! I'm sure Thelma is thrilled.

Michelle Jensen said...

WOW! That is all I am going to say.

SharoninStitches said...

Spectacular!!!!!!

Karen said...

Oh my goodness....I'm not sure there are words to describe how beautiful this quilt is. Both the appliqué and the quilting. I love to see how you quilt the tops that you do. I sure wish you lived near me.....Thank you for sharing these pictures. Karen

PeggyinNO said...

I was admiring this quilt when Thelma was making it and now to see it finished and quilted, I am SPEECHLESS!! Your work is truly inspirational! I don't know how you do it, but you take a beautiful quilt top and make it into a work of art. Wonderful!

Beardie Mom said...

Absolute Genious -- Eye candy and beyond -- beautiful marriage of the Blackbird Designs pattern, Thelma's applique with French General fabrics and your quilting.

Diane (makes me want to grab this pattern which I have and my FG fabric and go to it!)

t said...

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Derrith said...

Absolutely amazing. The quilt is beautiful but your quilting is beyond description. I've never seen anything to rival it. Spectacular!

Barbara said...

Totally speechless. This is the most amazing quilt I've ever seen. The applique is gorgeous, and the quilting...no words to describe how incredably beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!

DLight said...

The quilt is beautifull but you are an incredible quilter may I say !! I'm looking at it over and over and I'm speechless.

Anita said...

The quilt and quilting is just amazing! I love all the extra details in the quilting...great job to both :)

gailss said...

Just breath taking Judi and "WOW"...Thelma also does the most beautiful work and love her quilts.
Gail

Patti said...

So beautiful! Inspiring as always. Can't wait until your book comes out too. Just wonderful.

Jennifer said...

Absolutely Gorgeous! I can't imagine the amount of time and effort something like this would take. Incredible job!

Anonymous said...

That is stunning.
I cannot think of enough superlatives.
I have no idea how you managed such precision. It must have taken ages.
Beautiful.

Susan Lawson said...

WOW! beyond spectacular! you are gifted! thanks for sharing this beauty.

Laurel said...

Simply gorgeous! Thank you for sharing. Brings applique to a whole new level.

Susan said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Both of you have done a beautiful job. Thank you for posting--your work is such an inspiration.

Jean(ie) said...

I.AM.RENDERED.SPEECHLESS...
You and Thelma knocked this quilt right out of the ballpark! WOW!

Monica said...

We need specifics...how big is the quilt? How long did it take you to quilt it? How much thread did you use? Inquiring minds want to know! Thanks! It is beautiful! Over the top!

quilting/fitness said...

YOU ARE ONE CRAZY !!FANTASTIC QUILTER !!!and i love thelma and everything she makes too have a great day
diana y

Cock-A-Doodle Quilts said...

I am blown away by your vision and your talent!!!!

Jackie at Adirondack Urban said...

All I can say is WOW! Simply amazing quilting.

dorothy scales said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
dorothy scales said...

OMG you do such amazing work. You made Thelma's beautiful work even more spectacular. GREAT job!

Raylee - owner of Sunflower Quilting said...

This is absolutely stunning, I love your quilt style and have used a number of your ideas on my customers quilts. I check back regularly to see what you've been up to. Thanks for sharing, you are a faithful blogger.

Janet said...

As always, I am in awe of your talent! It's absolutely stunning and I can't wait 'til I get your book!

Anonymous said...

The quilting is so beautiful it made me cry. (literally!)

Unknown said...

It's absolutely breathtaking! What a wonderful quiltwork.

Jenny said...

HOLY COW WOMAN!! Ditto to all 86 comments!! ..simply speechless, Thelma is going to love it!!

Susan P said...

Youe work is amazing! The quilt is beautiful. Thelma did a wonderful job too!

Helen L said...

Utterly amazing!! You've made a beautiful quilt into a work of art!! You are one talented lady!!