I would like to start this post with a heartfelt thank you to the amazing response I got to my post on Friday. I was truly touched by the outpouring of support that you have shown me. Thank you so much. (I apologize for not responding to comments, my hands are screaming bloody murder just from typing this post.)
On a similar note, I definitely pushed it too hard last week trying to get the Sew Intertwined quilting done and binding sewn on before we leave for vacation. I have unwittingly caused an RA flare up in my hands. The pain has been so severe that it has been waking me up at night. This means no sewing for me the last 2 days. At this point I have no idea if it will ease up enough to get my binding on before we leave for vacation – the plan was to bury threads and hand sew the binding in the car as we are planning to drive to California and also have multiple side trips planned – lots of car time. Luckily I have some amazing friends and one offered to do my bee blocks for me for do. Good Stitches for March. Without her help I know I would have fallen down on that commitment because there is no way I could get 3 done by Friday.
In other news, I did push myself and here is my progress. My question to you…is am I done quilting? Before you answer, you should know that I am planning on entering this quilt into our county fair this summer. So I don’t want a judge saying to him/herself, “Why did she stop?”
**** Sorry for the crappy pictures, it is 5 pm and I’m still in my jammies and it is also raining, so no going outside.**** (don’t judge the jammies 🙂 it is the weekend and I’ve been sick)
Here is the view of the whole quilt from the front
View from the back. I did a solid muslin backing using 90″ wide fabric so I wouldn’t have any seams. I also did matching thread on the front and the back so you could see the design of the top on the back.
Now my question is about the outside round of blocks. I only quilted the HSTs (the white portions and the prints) and the pink parts of each block, there will be close up pictures below. Do you think I need to quilt the gray and orange sections as well?
Close up of back
I would like to be done for a couple reasons:
- I don’t want the quilt to look over worked
- My hands are killing me and I’m not sure how much more they can take
- I’m running out of time, we leave in 4 days
So…am I done?
Personally .. no leave it … you are at risk of over working this … The quilting shows the design and anymore and you will end up with a scrambled egg. It;s beautiful as it is … I have a real issue with over quilting and quilting so dense it covers the piecing sometimes so from my viewpoint this is at saturation .
Hoping for a speedy calm down of your RA . Best wishes RAVen
I think your done. Once the binding is on and all threads are buried it is going to be stunning! Great job!
Not that you have asked for advice, but have you read the wonderful book, “To Quiet Inflammation” by Kathy Abascal? My sister’s Nurse Practitioner turned her on to it, and then I read it, and following the recommendations has literally changed my health for the better. Just sayin’, it could really help your RA. I am so sorry that you had a bad flare up. It is so frustrating!
But on a happy note, your latest work is stunning and so fresh and appealing. I would recommend stitching on the ditch bank (as opposed to stitching in the ditch.) A simple outline of each piece. But follow your gut! xoxoxo
Oh, this is so gorgeous. I LOVE LOVE these colors!!
I am a lazy quilter, I’d be done. Well, I wouldn’t even have done this much, LOL. Doubly so with the injury! But I can see why you would feel like it’s “unfinished” if you normally quilt more – I don’t think it would look overworked, but at the same time – it doesn’t look underworked right now. I know… so non-commital. Basically – I don’t think more would look bad, but I also don’t think it would add *enough* more for what it would cost you to put the work in. Enjoy it as-is!!
I think all that you have done looks beautiful! I agree with Rachel, it looks great the way it is. I also have an issue when the quilting takes over the quilt, it is supposed to enhance it. So I would be done if I were you.
I hope that your hands feel better soon. I know the feeling of doing too much and having a bad flare up. Hope you get some good rest and enjoy your trip.
I agree. I think you are done. It’s just beautiful!!! Say yourself. I don’t think you could do anymore that would make it look “better”.
Obviously I can’t type this morning! *Save* yourself. Hope it gets better soon.
I love it! I think you did an awesome job. Now…I’m probably going to get beat up for saying this but I don’t think it would be overkill if you quilted the orange sections of the 4 patches. But at the same time I wouldn’t kill yourself to do it.
You might beat me up for this too….does it have to be finished before vacation? I’m just thinking if you want to quilt more then maybe go on vacation and finish when you get back. I know that means not making your March goal but will it keep you from entering the county fair? I think you need to decide if YOU are happy with it. I know I had a quilt that I wanted to finish very bad but I wasn’t sure if I was finished with it. In the end, I decided to add one more detail and I’m so glad I did. It took me longer but I know it would have bugged me the rest of my life.
Oh boy…I was very long winded and probably didn’t help at all. :O) Can’t wait to see what you decide.
Vicki said everything I was thinking.
I agree with Vicki as well. The center of the quilt is more densely quilted and the outside is lightly quilted…doesn’t balance for me. But I also happen to like heavier quilting too, but balance is the thing here. However, don’t hurt yourself over a quilt…it’s not worth it, even if you were sending it to an international show! You are more important than any quilt!!!
I’m so with Vicki and Cynthia…. personally, I would be finished. But if there is any way to set it aside and come back to it after vacation, after (hopefully) your hands are rested and better, then if it needs a little something, you could handle it. So sorry to hear that you had a bad flare up….take care of yourself. 🙂
Your quilt looks fantastic the way it is. I agree with not wanting to make it look too full of top quilting. I think with this design you have done excellent. Am praying for your hands. Give it to the good Lord, who is the master healer.
Sorry you are hurting so much.
I think I would just leave the quilt for later. I don’t think there is any reason to hurry through it. Go on vacation, relax and if you are feeling better then work on it some more or not.
Oh my goodness! This is so pretty!! 🙂 I’ve always wanted to make a quilt! Not enough time in a day! 🙂
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Yes, you are done! It is beautiful!! I overdid my grandsons quilt with too much sewing and it lost its softness. Hopefully someone can help you with the binding. Its an Awesome quilt! Have a wonderful vacation.
It is beautiful. No need to mess any more with it.
It looks great. No need to mess with it anymore.
I like it the way it is! I agree just a touch more with the Dresden and you have perfect amount! Love it!! 🙂
Your quilt is beautiful as it is. I think that you are done.
I think you’re done. The back looks beautiful, and you can see such a lovely geometric design. Many quilts today are way over quilted, in my opinion. In addition, your hands are telling you this is done. Listen to them.
It looks beautiful! The front is gorgeous and I don’t like heavy quilting. Any more and it might overwhelm the design on the front. Take care and hope you have some relief soon.
So sorry to hear that your hands are hurting you so much 🙁 The quilt is just breathtaking,although I am not even close to being an expert,I think it is done. I also agree,that if you feel it needs more after vacation then would be the time to do the additional quilting :0)
Looks wonderful. I have a quilt top waiting to be done…it’s been waiting for 2 years. Perhaps I will be inspired by your persistence to get to it.
Sorry you’re hurting! That’s never pleasant, especially when we want to use our hands! My suggestion is to call the quilting done for now. Bind & bury knots IF you’re ABLE while on vacation. After you’ve done that, see how it hangs & you’ll have a fresh perspective on it then to decide if you’re happy with it. You can still add quilting at that point if you’ve decided you do want to add more. Meanwhile, it hasn’t held you up from your plan for the car time. The best of both sides, right? And relax! Quilting is suppose to be FUN! Love ya! and prayers for healing & safe travel!
One word: Done!
I agree 100% with everything Alicia Key had to say in her comment…hope you enjoy your family vacation – every single mile and minute you’re together!