Friday, February 26, 2016

Ta Da! Park Bench Quilt Finish

I am letting you know right now that this is a picture laden post!  

But having spent a year piecing the blocks, MANY back-breaking long days standing at my longarm and a few late nights hand sewing the binding so I could write about the finish today, you can bet I am going to share every square inch of this quilt with you!

As soon as I saw Julie's (Jaybird Quilts) Park Bench quilt, it went right onto my Bucket List of quilts.   I love big bold blocks and this is one showy pattern!



By chance, I spied the kit on Craftsy for a really ridiculous price and instantly purchased it.  I think Julie did such a perfect job putting together this quilt, I just couldn't see how I could make it any better so I made it just like hers.

(Unfortunately, the kit is no longer available but Craftsy does have Julie's Gravity quilt kit and the rulers - which are brilliant by the way!)



I spent almost all of 2015 sewing up the hexagon blocks.  My goal was to sew up about two blocks a month.  That would leave me plenty of time tin the year to finish up the pieced background for the quilt top.


I finished up the flimsy around the end of January - right on schedule!





I had been reserving a large chunk of time in my February schedule to squeeze in this quilt between my client quilts.  I wanted to give it the custom quilt job it deserved.

Prior to quilting, I did re-watch Angela Walters Craftsy class Dot to Dot Quilting.  If you want to try some of the quilting seen on my quilt, she does a great job walking you through the process. 
This border was totally inspired by the class.



My goal on the quilting was to quilt each element differently.  I may have repeated designs but made slight changes so I could create a different look.  I also didn't want the quilting to be too dense.  While it is dense in a few areas, overall I wanted a cuddly quilt.


I loaded the quilt sideways on my frame and quilted an entire column of hexagons before moving the quilt.  I did use 5 different colors of thread on this quilt so there were a fair number of thread changes.



This first block in the middle column is one of my favorites.




This orange and blue one makes me smile too.  I started quilting the orange diamonds and decided I didn't like how I quilted the first one so I made a slight change on the rest.  Unlike a client quilt, I don't have to pick out that first diamond.  :)




And here are the last two blocks on the middle column.



If you were ever wondering what the view is like from underneath a longarm here you go.  After a long day of quilting, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get back up off the floor.  
It was a good thing I had my phone!


Starting on the third and final column of blocks.  




I am still meeting my goal of coming up with unique designs.



I like this block too.  Simple designs are sometimes the best!



 Just the final border to go!



And here it is - Fresh off the Frame!




Here is a picture of the back.  I have to admit it looks pretty cool.  Sometimes, I do piece my backing to use up fabrics but for custom quilting, I suggest just a single fabric so you can see the detail.  I used an orange crosshatch fabric for mine.  Enough pattern to hide the areas I back stitched but simple enough to let the quilting shine. 



 I will definitely be snuggling with this one tonight!



 Thanks for reading through to the end!


2016 FAL



This finish was one of my first quarter goals for the 2016 Finish A Long.  I still have two more to get through!





 



Linking Up:

Crazy Mom Quilts (Finish it up Friday)
A Quilted Passion 
Sew can she
 A Quilter's Table (2016 FAL)








***This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you, I may make a small commission, which I appreciate so much!***

49 comments:

SandraC said...

Beautiful...and great inspiration! I am working on Gravity and am looking forward to really "quilting it up" like you have done with this quilt!

Kat Scribner said...

The quilting is a lovely assortment of designs. Perfect.

Karen said...

Stunning!!!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

This is gorgeous! I appreciated all the wonderful closeup pictures so I could thoroughly admire the quilt. Lots of inspiring quilting designs on this quilt.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Beautiful quilt and wonderful quilting!

Libby in TN said...

I have always admired that pattern, but never noticed the subtle color variation in the background. Your quilting is stunning!

Crafty Coffin said...

Beautiful job! I love seeing all the quilting closeups so thanks for sharing all the pictures.

Pieces of Cotton said...

Absolutely beautiful! The quilting really does this quilt justice.

cityquilter grace said...

so very pretty and such skill at machine quilting...a real showstopper!

Rachel said...

I love the quilting on this! Beautiful work!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

I loved watching your work progress on this via Instagram. The quilting really does enhance the design, and I hope you enjoy many nights of warm snuggles under this beautiful quilt. :)

Linda said...

Oh my goodness Cindy! It's magnificent but still cuddle-worthy. Colors, pattern, quilting, backing - everything is gorgeous. I love that you are USING it!!

PaisleyBatik said...

Thanks for the in-depth pictures and explanations of how and why you chose your particular quilting designs. It was an insight into a creative mind. Loved seeing all the details. You made an outstanding quilt!

Jasmine said...

This is so beautiful that I am speechless. All I can say is thanks for all the detailed pictures.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Cyndy, your Park Bench quiilt is just gorgeous! Like everyone else above, I have so enjoyed following along with your progress. The quilting really shows your hard work. I especially loved the photos of the back (such a pretty orange!) and the one from underneath! This one should drinitely be a keeper!

Amy B. said...

This is absolutely stunning! Great work!

Susan said...

Gorgeous! Terrific job with the quilting - it accents the top nicely!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Beautiful--the quilting is over the top

Teje said...

Cynthia, this is gorgeus quilt! Judith makes great patterns and I have and love her HexN More ruler. x Teje

Pamela said...

What a beautiful quilt - it makes me want to make one! The quilting is super - good work!

em's scrapbag said...

It's stunning! Beautiful job on your quilting.

Kris said...

LOve it and Love the Quilting!

Lisa in Port Hope said...

I think the quilting makes it extra special, thanks for sharing it at TGIFF!

Robby said...

Well done on an ambitious project. Your quilting really helps the design shine.

Vic in NH said...

Definitely a prize winning quilt! Both your quilting and piecing shine here, and I hope that you will enter this piece in a juried show for others to see your work.

Izzy said...

It is absolutely stunning! Your piecing is perfect and that quilting really makes it shine! Beautiful finish!

gayle said...

The quilting raises this quilt from gorgeous to magnificent! Thanks for so many close-ups - it's fascinating seeing all the different designs you've used.

JanineMarie said...

I'm glad you posted so many pictures! What a visual treat! I really like how you used so many designs in the hexies, but then pulled it all together with the consistent design in the background. I bet you are super happy that your client was you! Have fun snuggling!

Walter said...

Fabulous job! You really "knocked it out of PK Park"! Loved all your creative designs. Pam at Rivers Edge Quilting.

Bernie Kringel said...

This is one spectacular quilt. I followed your progress on IG but it was a treat to read this and see the progression. Excellent design work with your quilting. I am in awe of your skill.

scraphappy said...

Fabulous quilt from start to finish. The quilting turned out beautifully! So many unique details to enjoy. Congratulations for seeing it through to the end.

Barb Neiwert said...

This is definitely your heirloom quilt. Gorgeous piecing and quilting. I'll bet you slept well when it was all finished!

Vicki in MN said...

I could hardly wait to see the big finish. As I was reading about it and seeing one pic after another it was all I could do to keep my fingers from scrolling to the end!! It is just super duper gorgeous, I hope you plan to enter it into a quilt show.

kupton52 said...

Absolutely EXQUISITE....that's the only word that even begins to do it justice. Well done!

Jayne said...

Stunning! Your quilt was amazing before the quilting, but oh my lord....the quilting added another layer of stunning! Thanks for sharing all the pictures. The eye candy made my jaw drop and sigh a little! I would give you a ribbon if you entered my quilt show...if I was having one!

Jeanne said...

Awesome! Your quilting is spectacular and really makes the quilt pop.
Congratulations on your terrific finish!

Joanie's Trendy Quilts said...

Fabulous quilt! The quilting really makes your quilt a WOW!! Beautiful!

Scrapatches said...

This is gorgeous! Beautiful quilting! Congrats on the finish ... :) Pat

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

Such yummy quilting! Yes, this quilt really deserved it, and you did such a wonderful job. Terrific finish.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Congratulations! You did an amazing job with the quilting. Hope you have a great sleep under it.

Tiina said...

This turned out wonderful! I have been following you making this quilt and trying not to start my own, but now I have to... FMQ made this so special!

Michele said...

You really did a fabulous job on it. Congrats for getting it finished.

Kathleen said...

Awesome piecing enhanced by beautiful quilting!

Muv said...

Hello Cynthia,

Such a gorgeous quilt - I love the muted colours, and the quilting is fabulous!

Thank you for linking up with Free Motion Mavericks!

Love, Muv

Lori S said...

Beautiful!

Cathy said...

Somehow I missed your original date of posting but it caught my eye at the 2016 Finish-along linkup. That is one gorgeous piece of work!

Maggie A said...

Lovely quilt and quilting

Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts said...

This is absolutely incredible - the quilting is incredibly inspiring! I'm looking forward to following your work :o)
Thank you for participating in the 2016 FAL, on behalf of the global FAL hosts :o)

Bonnie said...

Your quilting is amazing... you did a wonderful job. Re: the change of design -- most people won't even notice it. I like what you changed to better than what you started with. I popped over from Bolt to Beauty... well worth it too!

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