Friday, June 26, 2015

Finish It Friday: My Crazy Mom 36-Patch Quilt

I met Amanda Jean for the first time in July 2011. She had invited me to attend a small quilting retreat in St. Cloud, MN, just ten of us altogether. It was so out of my comfort zone, the thought of traveling alone from California to Minnesota and spending the weekend with nine other women I had never met before. I'm pretty sure my mother thought I was nuts. Mark, on the other hand, would not let me back out--he comes from Minnesota, so of course how could this be anything other than the best experience ever?!

It was life-changing.
 
Our next retreat is less than two weeks away!
Back row: Doris, Michelle, Rene', Terri, Amanda Jean, Mary, me, Stephanie
Front row: Toni (no blog--what?) and Shelly 
That year, Amanda Jean, who has a 4th of July birthday, had just celebrated her 36th. How does she celebrate? By making a quilt--a 36-patch, of course.

I came home, excited to make my own. I gathered up a stack of fat quarters, half lights, half darks, and got to work. We used to be part owners in a group of rustic rental cabins at Huntington Lake and I began my quilt up there.
 
 
 
I made all 36 blocks and even sewed the top together. Then it languished on a shelf, which is not uncommon for many of my quilt tops.

2015 is a year I have vowed to take as many of those quilt tops off the shelf and get them completed. The 36-patch was one of the first on the list.

While Amanda Jean pieced thirty-six 12-inch blocks together for the back, I gathered up a lot of big pieces, mostly Kaffe Fassett, and just started piecing them together. It is kind of wild, but I love it!
 
I sent it off to Darby for quilting. There was so much going on and so many colors, but I love the pattern she used--and the pale lavender thread she chose.
  I bound it with solid Kona eggplant which worked well with all the wild fabric.
You are probably wondering what the front looks like.
This quilt represents the best that quilting has to offer--beautiful fabric, good memories, and best of all, great friends.
I'm linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts (of course!), TGIFF and Confessions of a Fabric Addict. Have a lovely weekend.

16 comments:

05 08
Ramona said... #

What a gorgeous quilt and a great story behind it. I love the back, too. I might have to add one of these designs to my list. Beautiful!

Christals Creations said... #

Love it. It has turned out brilliantly. I have a top that needs a back but first I need to press it. Not this impressive though. It is made of fabrics all brought to my Godson's baptism so there is a multitude of fabric and patterns but it's part of everyone who loves him.

Linda @ kokaquilts said... #

Such a lovely finish! I love the eggplant binding, it brings out all those lovely warm tones! And I enjoyed reading all about it too!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said... #

How fun for you to meet so many fun quilters and years later finish a lovely project. Mark that one with a ✔️

Susan said... #

What a fabulous quilt with a very special story behind it! The love shows.....

Debbie said... #

yay for a memorable finish!

Carla said... #

Bravo Cindy! What a great memory quilt too. I liked your story. I'm sure you are so glad you went that first time. We are going to have soaring temperatures the next few days. 105 they say. Praying for a little rain for you guys ; )

Anne / Springleaf Studios said... #

Fantastic finish Cindy . . . I LOVE your quilt! Can you please rub a little of that finishing mojo off on me. I have way too many tops that need to be finished and just want to start new things. Jealous of your retreat. Looks like MCM has a good representation.

Rene' said... #

It's beautiful Cindy!!! I think I only made eight blocks...it's still a WIP that I haven't given up on though. Just wondering...do you have any more WIPs?!! You've been cranking out the finishes in 2015 like crazy! See you very soon!

Paulette said... #

Beautiful! So cool to have such happy memories associated with this lovely quilt!

Needled Mom said... #

That turned out so beautifully. I'm glad you pulled it out and finished it.

Pinkadot Quilts said... #

I want to go too!

Lorna McMahon said... #

Such a beautiful finish! Those crazy fabrics really work well together in those blocks and the eggplant was the perfect choice for binding. Nice work!

Amanda Jean said... #

your quilt is sooo beautiful, Cindy! i'm so thankful that Mark didn't let you back out of attending the quilt retreat that first year. give him a big hug for me, would you??? ;)I'm so glad that we became friends in real life. it's been wonderful beyond words. i'm so excited for this year's retreat. see you in a few days! and hey, thanks for quilting along with me. hahahaha!

one more thing...a HUGE kudos to you for such an awesome year of finishing this year. you are doing a remarkable job!

Adrienne said... #

This quilt is simply fabulous! From the fabric to the story. Thank you for lynking up with me for TIGFF!

Lucy | Charm About You said... #

What a great story! I love your quilt and the back too! I'm turning 36 next year so it would be fun to make one of these, maybe I will request some from quilty friends in the new year :)