It is my last chance for a while to bask in the good feelings of knowing I accomplished something wonderful. (Yep, I'm patting myself on the back!)
Kachemack Bay Watch
94 x 94-inches
MANY years ago, I bought the Humpback Whale batik fabric from Hoffman. Not surprisingly, the block "Storm at Sea," was the first idea that came to mind. I designed the quilt at least four years ago and finally took it to Paris last year to piece the top. I used Marti Michell's, "Perfect Patchwork Templates," for the interior patchwork design. Love working with them. It is more time consuming to cut out the pieces when using templates but everything went together beautifully.
The border quilting design is reminiscent of the layers of stonework found commonly around doorways in Paris. What can I say...quilting little Eiffel Towers didn't seem to work in this design, but since I worked on it in Paris I am glad I found a way to work my second home into the quilt.
The border patchwork design is a reflection of the mountains that surround Kachemack Bay. I designed it on EQ7 which allowed me to create actual sized templates to cut out all the border pieces.
I found this photo of Kachemack Bay on the internet from Geocaching. It is a perfect shot of what I pictured as I was putting the pieces of this quilt together. I've scheduled with my husband to take a little plane trip down to Homer next summer for our own photo session. I feel pretty special to have my own, private pilot at my beck and call. (HA! He likes any excuse to fly the plane!)
For the backing I used a wideback from Sew Batiks. They have wonderful batik backing fabrics which are a looser weave than traditional batik cottons...a little easier on quilting stitch tension. Great colors too!
The top started out 100 x 100-inches, but with the quilting and washing, shrunk down to 94-inches square. I could use four more inches to fit perfectly on my king-sized bed. There are two layers of batting; Hobbs Heirloom 100% cotton and Hobbs Heirloom Premium Wool. This is a heavy quilt. I have been sleeping under it for the past week. Love how it looks and feels but it would not be for everyone. I have doubled cotton batting before and didn't notice the weight of the quilt increasing that much but I really felt it on this one. I'm guessing the wool batting made the difference. It washed up beautifully.
Fall, which only lasts about two weeks in Eagle River, Alaska, is in full force.
I have decided on one quilt so far to bring to Paris. The packing is slow-going.
8 comments:
It's beautiful! Love your quilting.
Stunning quilt! I've done a double batting - cotton and wool - and the quilt is extremely heavy. It is heavily quilted as well. After that experience, for our bed - king-size - I just used a quilters dream wool. It is great to sleep under - warm - and we can turn over under it. It made the feather quilting puff up beautifully without the added cotton batting.
love the design. Storm at sea is a favorite of mine but I have never made one.
Absolutely beautiful! Your quilting really enhances the design and I love the colors! WOW!
Your quilting is stunning. Great job. I like all the little symbolism you quilted in. Make it take much more special.
love it it is beautiful. I have never done double batting and won't with hand quilting if course but maybe with one that I machine piece - don't know. It sounds like you are almost ready to take off.
Yeah I 'm back
I have a lot of reading to do to catch up but it's Ok I have my time back now :)
You quilt is stunning, I like the other one with Houglass too!
It's funning I did some Geocaching with Christine this summer, in Paris and in Venise.It's really fun!
Bring everything you know that you are going to be sorry if not !
See you soon :)
So, sooooo pretty! I really love the outer quilting that you worked in for the touch of Paris. :D
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