Friday, October 30, 2020

Pumpkin Season

My pumpkin quilt is done, slept under last night, and OMG completed over and above the original plan! This is also on my Q4FAL list and it is my submission for October's Inspiration Collaboration, which I will discuss towards the end of the post.
Oh I do love this quilt! It is completely made from scraps, both old and vintage. That photo has not even been 'enhanced'; I felt the colours were exactly as they are in real life. I am so happy that the sun came out in the afternoon on Thursday when I took these photos. It was supposed to rain most of the day but it only did up until about 9:30 am but it was cloudy until around 2:30 when I was finishing sewing on the binding.
This quilt was a squirrel this time last year. I had gotten the latest issue of McCall's Quick Quilts out of our library, and fell instantly in love with the cover quilt.
It uses 2.5" strips, and there is nothing I like better than diving through my scraps and stash to pet, of course, and cut patches to make a scrap quilt. So that's what I did, Drop Everything I was supposed to be doing And Made it! Funnily enough, the quilting of this happened in a similar vein, because there are two other slightly pressing things I should be doing, and I have been picking away at them steadily, but this quilt just grabbed my attention and wanted to be finished.

My One Monthly Goal was to complete the flimsy this month. I'd started sewing the blocks into columns but there it sat. Well I had that done early in the month as you can see from this post.

I got my Island Batik challenge done last weekend, a coat of many colours for Avril, my longarmso along with doing some prep work on the computer for an upcoming magazine quilt, I decided to load the pumpkin quilt onto Avril. This way I could sew a bit, quilt a bit, and do computer work a bit! I knew I was doing an all-over meander so it would be done quickly. The pumpkins are the star anyhow.

I showed this photo yesterday in my I Like (gratitude) post, but it's worth showing again if you missed that post. I actually had a cream thread in my hand to use, but spied this Essential threads, 21120 apricot,(affiliate link) from Connecting Threads, and thought hmm, I wonder. 
It is FABULOUS! I wouldn't have thought so but for having quilted another quilt (and to those to whom I said it was A Positive Spin, it wasn't; I used an Aurifil Lime on that one, which I'd totally forgotten). I will have to find whatever one it was where I used the pale green. Anyhow this apricot worked on the oranges (well duh) and on the greens and purples and especially on the creams and beiges of the background. It is a terrific thread to quilt with. I've used Essential on many quilts. I had not one break over the entire quilt, impressive. The lint is no more than Aurifil or King Tut.

Here is a close-up of the thread on the purple. Spot the pumpkin I quilted! I saw an all-over motif on someone's quilt, somewhere, either on a blog or on Instagram, and thought hmm, I should try that! So I did, liked it and then quilted a few pumpkins on the lower third of the quilt. I like echoing them, as it hides imperfections and also makes them pop a little better.

 I wish I'd seen that when I'd first started the quilt, as I would have done a lot more of them. Ah well, there are plenty of leaf shapes FMQ-ed over the quilt. I pulled out Kathy Sandbach's book from forever ago, which was the catalyst for my foray into and love of FMQ. I was reminded of her 'lacy' effect she does on leaves. Compare the two leaves below, both similar shaped, and I think you'll agree that it softens, hides imperfections, and makes the leaf pop.

I thought I had the backing figured out, a hunk of fabric I'd picked up I think, in Indianapolis when we were there for the F1 race in 2007, and of course I visited a quilt shop the day after it. They had a great sale section, which is where I usually snag yardage for potential backs. However, for some reason, my purple stack of stash grabbed my attention, and I pulled a couple of pieces out, and thought, hmm, I should use these up. So I did! Every one but one is leftovers.
I love the effect. The purple floral is a Kaffe Fassett left over from my mum's 80th birthday quilt backing, and the eggplant mottled one which I love, is a jumper I sewed about ten years ago which I just couldn't wear, much as I loved it. I am too short for a super-full skirt that begins just under the boobs. I looked pregnant. It had scads of fabric, so I knew I could use it in quilting!

I do like the leaf print I used for the binding. It's in the pumpkins here and there too, and it has gold in it, so gives a little sparkle.
I sewed it on by machine. You can see my initials there as per usual! Okay I have to talk about these orange scraps for a second: in that pumpkin there are two strips from bags, one, the Kaffe, I made as an evaluation for Craftsy, the other, the Laurel Burch horses fabric, for a very good friend, there is a piece from adorable dresses I made my girls, a gourds fabric from a quilt I had just finished for a Benartex blog hop not long before making this quilt, a patchwork piece from a favourite runner, and more... oh I love scrap quilts. They are memories stitched together. The olive green marble fabric in the border is Paula Nadelstern's Marbella which I used in my Playtime Plus QAL quilt a couple of years ago.

The label. Sigh. The one time I did not lie the quilt down to admire it on both sides before trimming.  The one time I had several inches of extra fabric on that side and thought I had the label plenty far enough in. The one time I decided to be all cool and sew on my cloth label on a jaunty angle (and dammit! just as I type this you KNOW what I forgot...AGAIN! I win the prize for the most quilts with a couple of inches of reverse-sewed binding to insert the satin mmm quilts label!! Unbelievable. Big sigh.) Anyhow zip! And I felt that I'd cut through more than two layers of fabric... Off went a small corner of the label. I may have said a very bad word. More than once.
Ah well, I can add the date of the magazine below it, just a quirk of this quilt! Interesting in that the green plants you see are my chives, and a daylily that is still quite happy. 

I was happy to see the texture here when I laid the quilt on the grass. I used 100% wool batting whose brand I do not know. It was bought off a bolt two or three years ago with no information on it. Believe me, it was hard to NOT quilt something more intense knowing I'd get such great definition with a wool batting.

My little personal touch in the quilt is the one block of two teal pumpkins. For those who have food allergies, houses can display a teal pumpkin to show they are supportive and kids can find safe treats there. Here is a link about it.

So what is Inspiration Collaboration? Click that link to read about the project, which, in a nutshell, was started by two friends, Helen a painter from Arkansas, and Sara, a photographer from Nova Scotia. They were feeling a need for inspiration, and found it within each other's mediums, and then decided to share the project and expand it!  Click here to find out how to submit a piece of art. It can be any medium. If you are feeling in a slump, this may be the perfect jumping-off point for you. On the other hand, sometimes you have a project started, but it has languished, as did my pumpkins.


Helen's painting, Bippity Bobbity Pumpkin, was the October inspiration image to get the pumpkin blocks assembled and then quilted!

Ah, the deck is such a terrific spot for the straight-on shot, glowing orange oak in the background. I need to wash and block the quilt next!

Be sure to stop in tomorrow if you chased a squirrel like this one. It's DrEAMi! time, where we celebrate those squirrels we love to chase.

Quilt Stats: NOT FOR SALE
Pattern: Pumpkin Patch by Ramona Sorenson in McCall's Quick Quilts Oct/Nov 2019
Size: 58" x 78"
Fabric: scraps from stash
Backing: scraps and stash
Batting: 100% wool
Quilted: on Avril; 195 105 stitches
Threads: pieced with Mettler mainly, and various others; quilted with Essential 100% cotton, 21120 apricot, Superior's The Bottom Line in the bobbin

Linking up

26 comments:

  1. Did you hear me squeal just now! What a surprise to scroll down and see my pumpkin painting show up there! You are a dear for sharing about our Inspiration Collaboration project. I can't wait to add you pretty pumpkin quilt to the grouping!

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  2. Fun pumpkins, in all kinds of colors! They remind me of gems, sparkling in the sun!

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  3. Oh my - I love the way this quilt turned out - all that texture. The label glitch, the word said - Oh dear (giggle) I'm sorry. And to go with Inspiration Collaboration - I'm still wanting to do that!! Fun, fun, fun!

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  4. I hadn't known/heard about the teal pumpkins signifying being a food allergy friendly home, thanks for that additional information. The quilt is lovely, and I really like the "lacy" edges of the leaves. The thread color looks amazing against the purple, and what a timely finish for the quilt.

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  5. What a great finish and a wealth of love! Sounds like you had a great time with the quilting - so fun to play with the designs - those pumpkins are especially cute. Enjoy cozing beneath it this fall!

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  6. This is lovely - I like the purple and teal pumpkins - I didn't know about the teal pumpkins. That is a great idea. Very nice and thoughtful. I have a lot of Essential threads and it is nice to know you haven't had issues when quilting with them. Hope all is well with you Sandra!!

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  7. Your quilt is gorgeous!!! Love all the colours!!

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  8. I really love this colorful quilt and understand how you do too. When you speak of the different scraps and what projects they came from, I smile because I feel the same way about my scraps. Sometimes it's hard to use the last little piece up knowing I won't have any more in the next quilts. I like the lacy leaves and will try to remember that for future use. You are certainly on a roll this year!! Congratulations. Oh, and the quilt label looks nice on the angle and I'm sure those words are the same ones I use sometimes!

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  9. Great pumpkin quilt finish. I chuckled about the latest label snafu. I have some Essentials thread but every time I use it (because it's the right color), I realize how much thicker it feels than Aurifil, so I ten not to use it especially for piecing. Cold here, a killing frost tonight should bring the garden season to an end.
    Pat

    Pat

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  10. I love this pumpkin quilt!! I may have to run down that magazine somewhere. Pumpkin quilts are happy quilts! And I love your teal add ins!!

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  11. I am totally in love with this quilt! I agree with the lacy effect and may have to give it a try.

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  12. Lovely Sandra & I do enjoy your photo shoots. Pity about the label & I'm still providing all my stay at home quilts with labels, as usually only do it for ones I give away. Glad you got it finished and can enjoy. Take care, stay safe & huggles.

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  13. I really ooohed over this quilt of scrappy happiness. I like the background of different beiges. My favorite CT Essential Thread find was the palest Apricot Beige which looked great among the KF fabrics. I want the pattern now-love strips and scraps.

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  14. Love the teal pumpkins! I had no idea they meant something to trick-or-treaters, and that's neat to learn. Meanwhile, they just look super cool. Your lacy leaf really caught my eye, too. What a great way to hide the bobbles...by adding bobbles! Brilliant! The label bobble must have really frosted you, though. How frustrating. I'm pretty sure I heard the cursing all the way down here in New York :)

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  15. ROFL!!! Sorry for laughing, but I SEW identify with your frustration about NOT sewing in your satin label. I forget ever other time I finish a quilt! Your Pumpkin quilt? Adorable!!!

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  16. Love your pumpkin quilt! So cool with all the scraps but looks like it was all planned out! xx

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  17. Love your pumpkin quilt and all the colors, such a pretty quilt !

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  18. This is my favorite fall quilt this year! I mean that. I just love the addition of purple to the fall colors. It makes me think of mums. I vaguely remember your teal pumpkins from when you made them, but had forgotten what they mean. Great idea for signally safe houses for T and T for kids with allergies. And that little unexpected different color adds to the delight of the quilt. (I think the jaunty label is a cute touch, too.) I’m sorry you can’t have the rounds-making this year, but I’m so impressed that it is a plan for the whole province. Everyone working together for everyone is so important and sadly (no, infuriatingly) missing in my country.

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  19. I love this! Its a beautiful quilt and I love the teal pumpkins! I am sad about the lack of trick or treating but safety is really important.

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  20. Love the pumpkins. Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and congrats on your finish!

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  21. Hi Sandra! I have a few spools from Connecting Threads - Essentials thread but I have yet to use them. I really need to give them a try. I sure do like the look and versatility of that apricot color. Yes, yes, yes! I see the pumpkin you referred to - I never would have thought of trying it but it does look rather easy. And the outlining it again makes it look all the better. I am definitely going to PIN this. And the lacy idea on the leaf is BRILLIANT. Sweet! Seriously on the label. Really?! That's what you get for being all cool. Where the heck is Rufus the photobomber??!! He has been very absent lately, and I for one do not like it one bit. Please pass on my complaint to the appropriate department tout suite. Love this finish and all the memories it contains with those bits of scraps. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  22. That is such a fun quilt! and perfect timing!!

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  23. Great finish. I love the pumpkin quilting motif.

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  24. Wow, I love your colorful pumpkin quilt. And I learned something new re: the teal pumpkins. I recently purchased an Essential Threads bundle and used it for the first time. It was great. Such a fun quilt and a great post.

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