Naive

Naive Melody by the Talking Heads has been a favorite song for years. I wanted to make another quilt using the Drunkard's Path alphabet I designed, and this lyric, "Never for money / always for love,"  emerged as a phrase I love enough to put on a quilt. I think of it as an unofficial, cheeky motto for my quilt-making. When you're a quilter, people are constantly asking you if you sell your quilts. And, well, here is my answer. 

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pieces cut

pieces cut

sketchbook and palette, inspired by a notebook cover

sketchbook and palette, inspired by a notebook cover

binding, pieced with leftover squares

binding, pieced with leftover squares

drunkard's path progress

drunkard's path progress

pieced top in progress

pieced top in progress

pieced top in progress

pieced top in progress

I decided to attempt matchstick quilting for the first time on this quilt. I had.... issues. In an attempt to hide, yes, I'll admit it, the puckers created by botched matchstick quilting, I decided to add lots of big stitch hand-quilting. That was two years ago. I'm still working on this quilt, slowly adding hand stitches in beautiful variagated embroidery floss. I love the look and the texture, but it's taking stinking forever. I've probably logged over 60 hours in hand stitching on this, and no end in sight. I don't know if I'll ever be officially *done* with this quilt. If I do ever finish it, I'll post updated final photos. 

matchstick quilting detail

matchstick quilting detail

After investing many hours and much thread into the matchstick quilting on this piece, I decided to add some hand stitching. This added about three more years onto the completion date… once I started adding hand stitching, I just wanted to add more and more, and, well, it took a very long time. I think the texture is so unique and lovely but I will never do this finish on a quilt again. Somebody please slap me if I ever consider it.

This piece measures about 57”x72”. Mitch Hopper took the following 4 photos of the completed work.

Naive, measures 57”x72”

Naive, measures 57”x72”

Here is the quilt’s back.

Here is the quilt’s back.

Naive, detail

Naive, detail

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Marigold Quilt

I was asked by Lindsey of Pen and Paper Patterns to try the pattern for her Marigold Quilt.  I enjoy following her work on Instagram. Her style is so clean and cute, and she is always churning out new patterns.

Picking out colors

Picking out colors

I love how this pattern uses two sizes of the drunkard's path block to create a super fun flower motif.  The applique details in the flower centers are so fun too.  Since my Juki only does straight stitch, I had to dig my old Necci out for the zig-zag around the applique.  It actually worked!  I was so relieved not to have to hand-stitch it.  :)

I also quilted this myself, by echoing the flowers. I chose a wool batting to make this quilt extra puffy. 

Finished quilt! 

Finished quilt! 

I went with a combination of solids for my version of this quilt.  I love how it turned out, but I know from seeing other testers' versions that it looks amazing in some well-chosen prints too.  Thanks for asking me to test this adorable pattern, Lindsey!  Now I'm just waiting for someone I know to have a little baby girl.