Friday, August 7, 2020

Colorful summer finish

Hello everyone, and welcome to another summer weekend! Summer has certainly gotten away from me. It's no different from the rest of this year, really, just warmer. 2020 gets zero stars and a big thumbs down from me so far. How about you?

For today's quilty update, please join me in my happy dance, because I finished the quilt top I've been working on:


Yahoo! I am so happy to have this finished. If you recall, I pulled this long-term UFO out of the closet a few weeks ago and have been working on it ever since. Slowly, I admit, but working on it just the same!


I started this quilt in 2015 or so, when I made most of the blocks. This was a BOM from the Quilt Connection, but I bought the whole kit at once at a rummage sale for a ridiculous price, something like $50. I remember asking if everything was there, and the woman told me yes, but she just didn't feel like making something with so many pieces. I think we both felt that we got the best end of that deal.


The pattern is called Kaleidoscope of Kolor by Thea Jirak.  I looked for a copy of the pattern online, but didn't find any for sale. Not a surprise, since the kit was marked 2008. There was a *ton* of fabric in the kit, and all of it is Shadow Play by Maywood Studios. It really is a lovely fabric line, and they worked together so well in this quilt top. I had my doubts about "random" color placement, but it seems to have worked out!


The pattern instructions were quite odd in some places, but I managed to work around most of them. And I want major points, because this quilt was made on different machines at different times and the blocks and whatnot still fit together just great. The one thing that I've not done that was in the pattern was the 10-inch borders. Yes, 10 inches! I put a much narrower border around the quilt, mostly just to keep all those seams from popping open. There were also appliques in the pattern, and I made some of them, but I don't think they add to the quilt, and I've left them off. Maybe I'll put them in something else.


Unbelievably, this quilt top has a backing and is in a box ready to go off to a longarmer! I am keeping this one for myself and putting it on the bed in my guest room. Not that there will be any guests for a while, but I will enjoy looking at it every time I walk by the room, and isn't that reason enough to keep it?


Hope you are all doing well and staying sane in the midst of the really weird time we're living through. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Sharing at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Finished or Not Friday, and Brag About Your Beauties.

31 comments:

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Mari, that is just beautiful! It sounds like it must be a much older fabric line, but it is so pretty and I love the random placement of colors. Even though it was a lot of work, I think you got an excellent deal!

For the love of geese said...

Absolutely stunning, well done.

Sara said...

Wow!! Definitely this will look wonderful displayed on your guest room bed. Great job persevering!!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

What a beautiful quilt top; definitely worth a happy dance or three for! Visiting from the Beauties Pageant.

The Joyful Quilter said...

What a lovely quilt top, Mari, Congrats on getting it together (and ready to ship to the longarmer!)

grammajudyb said...

It really is special! I’m glad you persevered! I’m sure you are too! Lots of wonderful space for a long armer to do her magic!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

well isn't that beautiful! great job

marcille said...

I love this quilt, the patterns, fabric and colors are so beautiful!

Elizabeth V Kelbaugh said...

Gorgeous! You sure found a great deal. It will be a lovely addition to any room.

Quilter Kathy said...

Wow... you totally get major points for making this spectacular quilt on different machines at different times! It's awesome!
Of course you should keep it!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Hooray for getting it finished (and having it all come together despite the time lag, machine changes, etc.) AND for planning to keep it and use it in your guest room. I'm not ready to give 2020 a thumbs down but it surely has been different than we expected it to be.

Julie in GA said...

Mari, this quilt is absolutely gorgeous! You were so lucky to find the complete kit at a rummage sale, and you did a great job persevering to get it done! Congratulations on this beauty!

Ellie said...

What a beauty this is! I’m so glad you pushed through and finished it!

sue s said...

Definitely a quilt worth keeping! This is pretty stunning. I commented on this when you showed it before as it has such great features and they blend so well. I have some blue and yellow Shadow Play from long ago that I keep using as it is a great blender.

MissPat said...

Congrats on pulling out an old UFO and getting it ready to ship off to be quilted. That's a success in any one's book. I love the colors.
Pat

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Wow, this quilt is so pretty! I love this rainbow of colors, a great finish 👍😍

piecefulwendy said...

Oh, what a satisfying finish! All those pretty colors, and a fun design. I'd keep this one too, guests or no guests. Congrats on the finish!

KaHolly said...

It’s a beauty! I’d claim this one for myself, too! Can’t wait to see how gorgeous it looks once it’s been quilted!

Carol in Texas said...

I do not usually like quilts in solids, but these shaded fabrics are lovely. I love this quilt! The colors are perfect! What a find you have. It reminds me of Albuquerque! One of our sons lives there and this quilt would fit perfectly in that city! It is beautiful!


Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Very pretty. When I started quilting the larger borders were the thing! Not now! Congratulations on the finish!

Dot M. said...

Beautiful finish Mari.....I don’t mean to Be a party pooper, but I think the two blocks in the upper right hand corner are switched.....just saying...How is Miss Rosie??? Dot in Pa.

Cathy said...

Good for you moving that quilt forward! And you are correct...extra points for working around several obstacles. That makes it all the more fantastic. It's a beauty that deserves a bed!

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Mari! Wowee! Zero stars and a thumbs down for 2020. That's a bit severe and yet I completely agree. Let's just get these next five months over with quickly. I hate to wish my life away but I am . . . over it or beyond or just plain whatevs. Bring on 2021. It can't be any worse, right?! Your Kaleidoscope quilt is a beaut and you certainly do deserve MAJOR points for all those blocks coming together so nicely. I am super happy to learn that you are keeping it for yourself. Passing by glances need to enjoy beauty like this and at some point, you will have visitors that need to be kept warm. {{Hugs}} Take care, stay safe, and healthy. Thinking of you. ~smile~ Roseanne

Ada Plouvier-Kopitopoulou said...

Beautiful quilt. The random colors turned out great. Me too, I think that the addition of applique pieces wouldn't have been so nice.

cityquilter grace said...

ooohhh i love love love this...have tons of solid scraps lying around...gotta check out the pattern...yours is beautiful....

Louise said...

10 more inches of border plus applique? This quilt does not need one iota more anything. It's PERFECT as is! What a beauty! I don't blame you for keeping it, and I can't wait to see it all quilted up :)

Totally agree on 2020, though. 0/10 Would not recommend.

QuiltGranma said...

I really like how your quilt top turned out, just fine without the applique or extra wide border.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

it is fabulous!!! And what a steal/deal for you!! I love it when that happens. It must have been meant to be if you could piece it on more than one machine and have it come out so perfectly!! go you!!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Great quilt top!

Preeti said...

Too spectacular for words. OK I found one - Droolworthy :-D
Hugs to you!!!

sue s said...

Hi- I don't know if you'll ever see this comment, but I came across the pattern the other day and it looks like it's still available- https://www.quiltingdelights.com/shop/Quilting-Patterns/p/A-Kaleidoscope-of-Kolor-by-The-Quilt-Connection-sku-3726.htm