Thursday, August 18, 2011

At Last! At Last! Finished at Last!

I finally did it!   I finished my turquoise diamond quilt.    I started working on it about 15 years ago, when my mother was sick with cancer.   It became my therapy quilt, she passed away and I worked furiously on it and then I put it away for a while.   I would take it out periodically and work on it a while and then put it away, and then take it out again.   I put the borders on it last year, but couldn't find the inspiration for the back.    I thought I would send it to a long arm quilter to be quilted, so I was saving my money to pay for that, when I realized I wanted to finish it myself, so that it would be mine from start to finish.   I call it "A Girl Can Get Tired of Diamonds"  






These pictures do not do it justice.   The colors are vibrant and soothing at the same time.   It is king size 105'' x 92'' and is for my bed.   The top is hand pieced diamonds, done with the english paper piecing technique, but using the plastic "Brandy's" templates.   I have been asked so many times how I did it, that I feel a tutorial coming on.     We slept under it last night and felt so wonderful.    I may be buried with this one.    Finishing it was so emotional that I had tears as I sewed the last few stitches on the binding.   I have never had that happen before.  I love the peacock fabric on the back, as my maiden name is Peacock and I have been collecting peacock fabrics for years.   
I am very pleased with how it turned out.   

8 comments:

Pokey said...

Wow, it is lovely, like sparkling waters on a pool. It has such a great story, too, maybe you should share it on the "Quilt Story" blog...Congratulations on your persistence, it is beautiful!
:-}pokey

Katie Ringo said...

It looks amazing! I love all the fabrics on the front and your backing fabric is gorgeous too. What a great story.

Karolyn said...

Congratulations!! I saw the front at the Christmas party, and you are correct-- the pictures don't do it justice!! Can't wait to see the finished project in real life. How wonderful! And I love the peacock element as well. Very fitting. Happy, happy for you. And FYI-- if that goes in the coffin with you, you may be the victim of grave-robbing! :)

Shay said...

It's a beautiful quilt Janice, and filled with memories.

I love the name. It's perfect.

Barb said...

It is just beautiful!!!

Jannette Boyd said...

Janice, it is beautiful. I know how proud you must be to have it finished and on your bed. Congratulations. And again, it is beautiful.

Sarah said...

Beautiful!! I have been slowly working toward quilting a pot holder, and have great aspirations to make a blanket sized quilt some day, I suppose sewing in a straight line should be goal #1 ;)

Petra said...

Wow, I can't imagine sewing such a huge quilt, or finishing something that I've started 15 years ago. Congratulations. It's beautiful!