Last week I put the final stitches into my big Kawandi. It was a bittersweet moment, like all finishes are. Bitter because I have been spending time with this piece for almost a year, and I have enjoyed every moment of working on it (except for when I had to hand wash it, because Oscar tossed his cookies on it.) The sweetness is because now I can start another one, and I have ideas! I thought it would be helpful to share some pointers on making a large kawandi style quilt, in case you have similar ambitions.
James helped me record a slo-motion quilt drop, my favorite quilt related stunt.
First off, be patient. This quilt was a free time piece for me, and it took me 21 months to finish. I didn’t work on it every day, and there were weeks where I didn’t touch it, so I have no way to know how long it will take to finish one if I really focus. It took a long time, though. I began it in January 2021 and finished it in September 2022.
This is a great travel project. I loved having it to put on the hotel room bed, and on my lap on cool mornings when we have adventures. The supplies are minimal – a bag of scraps, a pair of scissors, needles, thread, thimble, needle puller and a couple of pins, and that was it. It is a little big for take along, but nice anyway.
If you have a lot of fabric scraps to use up, this will use up a nice pile. My scrap pile is still very healthy, so I’ll be starting up my next large Kawandi this week. This one will have a more thoughtful design.
There was more batting creep on this on than there was on the smaller pieces I have done. Or, maybe it was the same amount, but it seemed like more because it was proportional. I ended up trimming out some batting from the center because it was so bulky. I cut out a piece that was about 6″ long by 2″ wide, or so.
I’m already planning on how to start making my next large kawandi style quilt, and I’m going to step a little further away from tradition with this one. I plan to load my back onto my longarm, and tack my batting down. I don’t really mind the batting shifting around, but when all of the layers are loose it’s a little harder to hold onto. I’m excited to get started.
My next kawandi class session is already on the schedule at Gotham Quilts in October. I’m not sure if my next one will be in December or January. It depends on how things go as I settle into my winter in Florida.
I’ve written about Kawandi quilts before. Here are the older posts.
Fabulous! Congratulations! I’ve been working on the little one from class – still not finished, but loving it.
Hi to you, Jen! That just about does it for me. I have been leaning toward making a small Kawandi quilt & this is the instigation that I need. Thank you! I already have a file folder with printouts of this technique & other related articles…. Off I go! Stay well & safe! Thank you for all that you share, too! pj stitches!
I was honestly very curious about the batting moving around, and your idea to baste it to the backing makes a lot of sense to me!
I love this one. I’ve just made some really small ones. But you inspire me to start a bigger kawandi soon. Thank you.
Have you joined several small ones to make a bigger quilt?
Hey, Mavis – I haven’t tried that yet. I’m concerned that the size of the smaller ones wouldn’t be accurate enough to join well, but I may try it in the future. Personally I prefer to start with a backing that is the size I want.
Congrats on finishing! It seems like Oscar really enjoys these quilts. I really liked the little cross in your sewing lines in the picture where the quilt drapes over Oscar’s head.
I love this quilting technique. No need for extra equipment!!!!
Does the supervisor like all your quilts, or is there something special about this technique? My dogs love sitting on my lap as I stitch…
Oscar particularly enjoys quilts I make by hand. He loves anything I’m working on, but I think when I handle it more it becomes more attractive. I have a huge EPP that drives him wild.
Oh, thanks! That little crossing of the stitch lines is amusing, isn’t it?
I have been searching for this!! I want to make a twin sized Kawandi!! I only I were stil in NYC!!!! for the class!!!
Hey, Sheppard – I teach online frequently. If you subscribe to my newsletter, I announce my new class sessions when they are scheduled.