So, you better buckle up because I have quite the story to tell with this quilt. Let's just say I will never have, in fact I do not have anymore deadline quilts! Just too stressful! Seriously.
So, this pattern is The Butterfly Quilt by Tula Pink. I am a huge fan of Tula Pink, she is super talented and I was really excited to get a chance to quilt this particular quilt made by Linda from Canada. Linda contacted me over a year ago and asked me to quilt this and of course I said yes! She did a beautiful job with the piecing and I really loved that she had the top and bottom border the same color as the background fabric. Tons of white space to play with.
Okay, so first things first. This border - yes, I am insane because it took me forever and I didn't have all that time to quilt the entire quilt. I love the design though - look for this design to be a class in the upcoming year or so. I can't wait to share how I did this with my students.
I used two layers of batting, my favorite purple marking pen and my straight ruler to free motion quilt this design. No computers here. ;-)
I thought about quilting a less dense filler to save time, but in the end my Fantabulous Filler made the cut. I love how it turned out. I used Fil-Tec Glide Pearl thread for the top thread and Magna Glide for the bobbin. The thread works beautifully together.
I was going along great for the first part of the quilt. Mind you I had 5 days to finish this quilt and get it shipped off in time for my client in time for a quilt show. So, when my machine started to make a rather loud and obnoxious sound - I started to panic. It was Tuesday when the sound started and throughout Wednesday and Thursday it worked, but I kept calling my dealer and friend Jen Alexander for help. I am sure she started to get annoyed by my calls, but she was great.
I went to bed Wednesday night praying that my machine would make it through this quilt, but on Thursday my machine completely stopped. A last minute decision of desperation took me and the unfinished quilt with my machine head to Salt Lake, 4 hours north of Saint George. I needed to finish the quilt by Saturday and luckily my mom's A1 longarm (the one I learned on) didn't have a quilt loaded and she let me use her machine. Jen came and picked up my machine head and is currently working on it. It needed the bearings replaced in the front of the machine.
Another reason for the desperation in finishing the quilt was that Clint and I had a Spring Break trip planned with the kids and we flew out the following Monday morning, so I had to have the quilt finished and packed, ready to ship before then. Anyway - it was stressful.
I shared my progress on Instagram (@judiakagreenfairy) and I always laugh when my mom comments on my feed. She is so funny! Mom, you taught me everything I know - don't forget that! Thanks for letting me use your machine. ;-)
Since the borders of the quilt do not go all the way around the quilt, I decided to change up the design on the sides and bottom. The space was a little smaller - so this worked out fabulously. I really love how it turned out.
I finished at 5:00 pm Saturday night. It was just in time to get pictures, but I was running out of daylight and a place to take pictures. My dad and brother helped me by placing quilts beneath and I got the best pictures I could for the circumstances. This is my only regret about this quilt - the pictures, but I hope you know I did my best.
My focus was on the backgound quilting and the quilting designs within the pieced butterfly were more simplistic. I think it is a good balance and showcases the piecing, which is always important.
The butterfly needed antennas, badly. I really love the straight line antenna that I came up with. It goes with the straight lines throughout the quilting design.
I bordered the butterfly with a half inch border line around the entire butterfly. The effect is beautiful. This border is also beautiful. ;-)
Since this is a butterfly quilt, I wanted to use my butterfly template from my book. It works nicely as part of the filler design.
Corner design. I really love it.
So, I have learned a few things from the process of the quilt. No deadlines for me, it puts too much stress on me and my family. I also learned that God answers my prayers in ways that are better for me. I prayed that my quilt machine would finish the quilt out, but the reality is it wasn't going to. I was able to visit my mom and dad to finish this quilt and it was a good thing that the machine stopped working on Thursday, not Saturday when I had a little to finish and no way to finish it in time. For that I am so grateful.
Anyway, I hope you like the quilt. I am really proud of it, even though it was quite an event to finish. Clint and I had a great time with our kids for spring break and now I am back to work. I have shows to prepare for and the teaching circuit is right around the corner. I am looking forward to meeting all of you who are attending my classes.
53 comments:
That is one beautiful quilt. It takes my breath away. Such an inspiration and confirmation that quilting is a true art form.
I hardly ever comment on blogs, but this quilt is so stunning, I couldn't read a leave. Wow -- absolutely love it. The pieced top was very nice, but this quilting takes it into the realm of superlative. Seriously, can't find words to express how much I love your work on this -- and the way in which it complements and completes the pieced design, but not overwhelming it.
Just saying...your quilting is absolutely amazing!! It honestly blows me away every time I see anything you do. What an artist!! Glad you were able to figure out how to complete the quilt in time. Those moms are the best. :)
Absolutely stunning!!!! I am so glad everything worked out for you and that you were able to go on your trip and enjoy time with your wee ones ;)
Your quilting is a work of Art. This quilt turned out amazing. I think the quilting makes the quilt pretty. Your craft is amazing with just a few tools. Thank you for giving praise to Our Lord.
So stunning! You do such beautiful work!
This is some of your best work Judi. I'm just sorry it was so stressful for you. It is stressful enough with 4 kids and then this on top is a lot to take. I'm glad you had a break after it all.
absolutely stunning!!! but that's a norm for you my husband who does not quilt loves to look at your quilting but he always says how would you be able to wad up and cuddle that it looks so stiff and I say don't even think about wadding up that quilt!anyway its fantabulous and have a great trip
Diana Y.
Amazing Judi! You definitely put your heart & soul into your quilting.
Like the quilt? I love it and adore the way you choose the quilting! Thanks for showing us the pictures!
I just started the quilting of my own quilt and your and one book by Angela Walter lay always beside my machine for inspiration. Thanks for them!
Greetings, Rike
You did such an awesome job on this quilt! It is absolutely stunning! I'm glad it all worked out for you. Stress quilting is no fun!
Just gorgeous, Judi. Absolutely love the work. ..
Tears in my eyes. I'm so sorry your machine but very happy your mom could help. It's beautiful I sure hope one day I can do even a small but of quilting as wonderful as yours.
Brilliant Inspiration, Tenacity, Ingenuity, Gifted Genius...Breathtaking Artistry...Well Done, Butterfly Girl, Well Done.
It looks as amazing as does all of your work ! Would love to hear how your client makes out at the quilt show she enters it in!
So beautiful and such attention to detail! Sorry it was so stressful though!
This is truly amazing.
Absolutely stunning as usual. I love your work and eagerly look forward to your posts. Also looking forward to meeting you at MQX; whole day of classes with you.
Wow, Judi, just spectacular! Amazing work, and even more amazing with all the stress!
WOW! Just...wow! How many hours on this?
Absolutely amazing. Such inspiration. Love it all but those butterflies you quilted in the negative space-fantastic!So glad that it all worked out for you even though it caused a lot of stress.
Just gorgeous!
Oh Judi when you were telling your story about the tight time frame and your machine breaking down I was feeling so tense! Thank goodness it all worked out, what a magnificent quilt! As ALWAYS your quilting is AMAZING! I can dream about you teaching me oneday.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? I love your quilting but this one is exceptional and the butterflies are such a creative touch. You never cease to amaze me.
Spectacular, as usual, Judi! The border is wickedly gorgeous and looks very Art Deco glamorous to me. Antennae for the butterfly? Genius! I know what you mean about stress with deadlines -- I had that ALL THE TIME when I sewed window treatments for clients and I would be sewing like a crazy person at three AM the night before the installation and then something AWFUL would go wrong...
Judi, your quilting is the best--I'm a Judi-Madsen-wanna-be!! Thank you for sharing your work. Blessings on your beautiful "work"!
I'm one of those people who can't seem to get things done without deadlines, but if I could quilt like you do, I wouldn't want them either - there must be so much joy in the process - who wants to get finished!
So nice, Judi.
There aren't words to fully articulate my awe of your quilting skills! You are an amazing artist! I had contacted you to do a special quilt for me, but unfortunately, you weren't able to take on any new clients. However, I LOVE following your blog, and viewing your work! I will remain a FAN forever! Fabulous!!
Wow, this is such fantastic quilting. It really adds to the overall look of the quilt. I bet your client is going to love this and it'll be a beauty at the quilt show. Thank goodness your mom was there for you to use her machine. :-)
Only one word: MERAVIGLIOSO!
Oh wow, Linda is going to freaking love it!
Oh wow, Linda is going to freaking love it!
I can't even begin to describe how amazing the quilting is on this quilt. Glad things worked out too. Your mad skills are awe inspiring!
Oh Judi - your quilting is exquisite!! I am in awe!
Simply incredible!!
Absolutely beautiful! This is truly the most beautiful quilting I've ever seen.
Oh, Judi - sorry you had machine failure, but it all worked out in the end. Please have your class ready for those gorgeous borders by the HMQS - I've signed up for another class with you. Can't wait!
Oh Judy...This is absolutely beautiful. I hope someday you will have time to quilt a top for me.
Cheryl
Whoo! You did a fabulous job, I don't know why you question whether we'd like it. I love your use of the straight line quilting for the antennae, you are very inspirational. Thank you for sharing your work!
~Brandy
brandizzle7133 at gmail dot com
Your work is absolutely breathtaking!
Judi, your work is so beautiful!! you have such a wonderful talent and have built some amazing skills!! And it's true that sometimes you don't get exactly what you pray for, but Heavenly Father gives you a way to deal with it!!! Hugs, H in Healdsburg
OMG Judi - I am in total awe! I never in a million years would choose to make a quilt like this (just not my preference), but once you worked your magic on it - I just love it!
Spectacular quilting on this beautiful quilt!!
I have just bought my first longarm and I am in love with quilting and your style of quilting. I had a midarm before with a 9 inch throat, my life is so much better now. I am currently working on a raffle quilt for an Epilepsy Camp. I have your book and I'm not sure of the exact words but they were to the effect of if your going to quilt it do your best. This idea keeps me striving to be a better quilter, mother and wife. At times I it is difficult to do all 3 at the same time. It's feels like a balancing act at times. I am so inspired by you and your faith. Thank you, April
I am in love! Gorgeous quilting, but so sorry you had so much stress - never good. Glad you had a great vacation afterwards though!
As usual your work is beyond stunning. And I can't wait to meet you at MQX. I'm sure that I will come home thoroughly inspired.
Stunning quilting on a beautiful quilt!
I'm am in absolute awe looking at the incredible work you have done on this quilt! This is an absolute piece of art I could get lost in for a very long time. Kudos to you!
Your quilting designs just keep getting better and better and better. This one is out of this world!
Happy quilting,
Susan in Texas
Wow, I can't believe all the detail and precise quilting. I can really appreciate all the hard work. You are an inspiration! Reading your story I could hear your panic in needing to finish and having your machine break down. Why do we do this to ourselves? I don't know but we all seem to do it. Anyway, your work is a work of art. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Carolyn
Well this is Linda -- the owner of this Beautiful Quilt. To say I "over the moon" Happy is a total understatement. To see this quilt in person leaves you breathless. The quilting is absolutely amazing. I wondered if Judi was going to put a butterfly in there somewhere..but so many... and the Antennae!! So cute. LOVE IT. I am still in total Awe. Thank You Judi!!
I so admire your work. It is awesome and beautiful!
After following this thread, I am wondering if is to late for me? I would love more than anything to learn to quilt like this. I have hand quilted most of my life, basically the good old stitch in the ditch, and have never tried machine quilting. I wouldn't know where to start. Do you have to be young to figure this out?
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