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. 

pieces cut

sketchbook and palette, inspired by a notebook cover

binding, pieced with leftover squares

drunkard's path 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

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”

Here is the quilt’s back.

Naive, detail

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

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! 

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.