The Joy of Finishing

I don’t know about you, but when I finish a project, I get a rush of joy and satisfaction that I get from few areas in my life. Today I had it 3! times. I finished the quilting on a client project. (That one comes with a little sadness, too, because now I have about 12 hours of burying thread tails to look forward to, and I also have to send the project back to its owner. I’ll share more info on that later this week, once I get some good photos.) I also finished off a sweet little baby quilt for my Etsy shop. And, I finished my version of the Arc quilt from Savor Each Stitch, by Carolyn Friedlander.

Isn’t it cool?

A little background on my love affair with Carolyn. I helped prep a few blocks for the shop sample of the Collection Quilt for Gotham Quilts. I really liked the process, so I made my own version in blue and white. Then, I was offered the opportunity to teach the monthly lessons for the Collection Quilt Block of the Month at Gotham Quilts. I decided that I REALLY liked the project, and also picked up Carolyn’s book. The projects immediately began whispering naughty things to me.

So, I decided to start from the beginning. First up is Arc. In the past, I would have looked at this quilt and found it boring. It’s just one shape, repeated over and over. Blah. Where is the challenge? What I’ve come to realize is that every project doesn’t have to have a challenge. Some of them can just be a peaceful journey. Something about doing needle turn appliqué on the same shape over and over is relaxing for me. Each shape comes out a little bit differently, and I enjoy the evolution of the shapes.

There was a little challenge in this one. I chose this modern print, which I really like. (Shapes Vestige by Bookhou for Anna Maria Horner’s Conservatory.) I like the rhythm of the pattern, the simplicity of the shapes and the balance it has. It is also super soft. I decided to keep the pattern assembled as much as possible, so the original print would still be evident after cutting it apart.

I initially planned to just do the size that Carolyn lists in the pattern, but once I was finished, I decided I would rather have a long, narrow quilt. My powder room has a narrow wall without art, and I decided these colors would be perfect. So I cut up the entire piece of fabric that I had, and just made a bunch of blocks.

Then, I took them all to the design wall and reassembled the print. This would have been easier with some planning up front, but I had mixed everything up between basting and sewing. It was a fun little puzzle.

For quilting, I initially planned to hand quilt it. After a few hours, I realized that hand quilting was not sparking my joy. I decided to do a mix of hand and machine quilting, which is code for, I decided to just finish it and be done. I admire quilters who do hand quilting. Right now, I do not care for it – odd, because I like needle turn and english paper piecing so much.

So, here it is. My finished Arc quilt, which I am calling “Arc of a Diver”, because I can’t get it out of my head. It is proudly hanging above the commode. I bound it with another remnant of the focus print. The batting is Hobbs Wool.

I’ve already got my next Carolyn Friedlander quilt started – the next one in the book is called Bullseye. I’m really happy with the personal twist I’ve got for that one. Stay tuned!

I hope you are staying safe and healthy. Happy Quilting!