Sunshine and Water
I decided to name this quilt Sunshine and Water, mainly because of the colors. It also seems appropriate, since we have had so much rain this spring and summer, and now we have the sunshine, high temps, and humidity.
.
It all started with the blue scraps. I pulled out my blue scrap bin and just started sewing. After the fun of that wore off (haha) I needed to figure out what to do with them. I felt like they needed a little jolt of color. My Kona Corn Yellow scraps were still laying out, and I had more yardage on the shelf, and the quilt was done.
It hung on my design wall while I thought about how to quilt it. Plus, I wanted to finish Frank’s Hideaway first. When I was ready to quilt it, I pin basted it and got ready to quilt.
My first step was to sew straight-ish horizontal lines through the quilt. Then I removed all the pins and decided to do some hand stitching using my variety of 12 wt. threads, both Aurifil and Wonderfil. It was an enjoyable few evenings of just messing around with hand stitching. I didn’t plan it out, I just went with whatever stitch or design I thought would be fun to try.
Pretty basic stitches, in various colors of threads, and not necessarily always straight. Organic and fun, very relaxing. For the backing, I pieced together some leftover strips from fabric used for another quilt, which you will see in a future post.
Pretty busy print, huh? I thought it appropriate to include the selvage, since it fits with the Sunshine and Water name.
I used the Kona Corn Yellow for the binding, and the batting is white Warm & Natural. The quilt measures 32″ x 26.5″. This quilt will probably be hung in my quilt room from time to time, because the colors make me happy.
Enjoy your weekend, friends!
Wendy
This and That
28 Comments
Barbara J Stanbro
It turned out very cute. Love the hand-stitching.
marissthequilter
I can see why this quilt makes you happy. It is so bright and beautiful. I can also see that you enjoyed making it. Love the ‘secret’ message on the back.
Quilting is in my Blood
I really like the organic machine stitching combined with the organic hand stitching. It really works with this quilt.
texasquiltgal
I really love this one – the colors, the stitching – it’s just a happy quilt. 🙂 I like the idea of hand plus machine stitching – I’m bookmarking this post to remind myself of that! The water selvage is wonderful.
Karen
love it – the colors go so well together
laura bruno lilly
Agreed: a very happy vibe!
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
This is really fun, Wendy – I love blue and yellow together ! Your hand quilting looks like it was enjoyable and relaxing. I’ve been looking for a project to do some hand quilting on, too. Neat finish!
Wanda Hanson
That is a perfect name for it. Blue and yellow are such a good combination. A lot of people have trouble using yellow in a quilt but not you!
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
The selvages on the back made me chuckle–very appropriate!!!
TerryK
Beautiful finish! I liked your inclusion of the selvage on the back and your hand stitching with Aurifil threads!
rmgsummers413a14ca5a
How nice to use up scraps in such a creative process. The way the blue strips are laid out, they could be reflections on the water. I’ve always loved yellow and think this is a bright cheerful wall hanging. Kudos for doing the handwork too. Two thumbs up!!
Kathleen McCormick
It is a happy quilt and I really love the selvedge on the back. The hand stitching is lovely too, and I bet it was quite relaxing hiding in the cool from the skeeters and such! It will be a fun hanging in your quilt rom!
Helen
Very nice. I admire hand stitching. I’m just not patient enough to do it myself.
vickiwelsh9b9e540c9c
A perfect name for a really striking quilt. I find it really soothing even though it’s mostly electric yellow.
katyquilts
I love this, Wendy! So beautiful!
Cocoa Quilts
Wendy I am loving these little improves! I think this one is my new favorite. The selvage is a great addition to the back.
Laura
Fun use of the selvedge on the back. Like the feeling of this one and I am surprised about how the golden yellow “feels” with those blues.
Vicki in MN
We definitely have had some sunshine and we definitely got the water last night! So your quilt fits right in for sure. I love that you mixed hand and machine quilting on this one.
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
I’m glad it is one you plan to keep, hang, and enjoy. It is a nice balance of calming, bright, happy, and begging the viewer to get closer for more details. Congratulations on the fun finish!
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
Great quilt! Love the name and it’s definitely a fit!
Kate
Definitely a summer quilt. All that yellow makes it so happy. The quilting is fun, love all the variation in the different rows. Congrats on a fun finish.
aquilterstable
What a fun little piece! I love your mix of machine- and hand-stitching.
Tracie
This is a happy quilt! All the hand stitching is so cool as well as the overall design.
Diane Harris
Love it,
J Mur
Super cute improv quilt, Wendy! It’s so cheerful that I can totally understand why you would want it hanging in your quilt room. All summer to fit the theme? All winter to bring warm thoughts? Whatever works for you! :o))
Cheree Hull
I’ve always been a fan of the yellow/blue combo. I love your stitching in this! Really makes it fun and yeah, I bet it was fun to do! A beautiful little quilt that’ll brighten any room so yep, why not where you can see it all the time!
tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles
Wonderful quilt and wonderful name! Love your color palette!
Linda
I always love reading your blog and get new ideas for quilting fun. Thank you.