February 27, 2008

Thoughts From A Shabby Quilt


This is my first completed quilt. I started quilting approximately 4 years ago, and it was love at first stitch. A whole new world opened up to me. An artistic world that I thought I could never be a part of.




French Roses is a very simple and easy pattern to make. It is a raw edge applique quilt. In my opinion, it is the easiest type of applique there is. The most difficult step in the quilt pattern is cutting out the pieces. Once you have cut out the flowers, you simply sew one flower-top on the other from biggest to smallest. After washing, the edges will fray, which gives the quilt a shabby look.

As for the free motion machine quilting... well, like I wrote earlier, this was my first completed quilt. There was no way I was going to do stitch-in-the-ditch. Nooooo, I had to free motion quilt it with colorful variegated thread. If I could make one recommendation for beginning quilter's, it would be to use a matching thread.


I remember a lady in my sampler quilting class that never liked anyone's color choices. She would always criticize other students' quilts. We will call her the "Pessimist." When another student brought in the French Roses quilt pattern I was immediately drawn to it. The Pessimist, with a "how dare you think about doing that pattern" look on her face, told me that the pattern was way to advanced for a beginner. Being the prove-you-wrong person that I am (my parents always thought I would be a lawyer), I didn't listen to her and went on and finished the quilt before the last day of the sampler quilt class. The point of the story is: Don't let people tell you what you can or can't do. It is a sad thing to go through life as though you are confined to a body cast when there aren't any broken bones. The fear of failure and rejection can be so paralyzing. You never know what you can do unless you try. With each "failure" you will be closer to perfecting the desired end result.

Jamie

26 comments:

Angoraknitter said...

OMG that is georgeous! If my first quilt had looked even half that nice, I'd be a quilting fanatic...saddly, my first quilt was nowhere near so pretty. I love yours. It looks like you'd been quilting for years!

Pretty Ditty said...

Thank you, but I must admit it is all about fabric choice and design. I'm sure your quilt is beautiful.

Wifey. said...

I just wanted to say the quilt is beautiful. I was wondering if that is your original pattern and if not where would I be able to purchase this try myself.
Great job!!!
Debbie

Pretty Ditty said...

Thank you Debbie. The pattern is called French Roses and it's by Heather French. I purchased the quilt pattern from a local quilt shop in La Brea California called Cozy Cottage. You can google their shop and get a phone number. I hope that helps. I love that pattern!

Anonymous said...

Hi I bought this quilt pattern and I made the quilt it looks awesome!! I did mine in all floral mary rose fabrics ect. Mine isn't totally finished as yet though. I decided to hand quilt mine and it seems to be taking for ever :) I have enjoyed doing it so much though. Definalty a pattern to keep.... Your quilt inspired me to make myself one. Thank you...
Debbie

Talia said...

I just found this when googling the French Roses quilt (I'm making one myself at the moment), and just wanted to say that I think this is beautiful! I love your choice of colours. :-)

Viagra on line pharmacy said...

The fear of failure and rejection can be so paralyzing. You never know what you can do unless you try. With each "failure" you will be closer to perfecting the desired end result.

RedHotNana said...

That is one gorgeous quilt! I have bought the fabric to make one for my 21-year-old granddaughter who just moved out on her own. Can't wait to get started on it--yours is an inspiration! Simply beautiful! Love your choice of fabrics!

--RedHotNana--

Jennifer said...

I have been wanting to make this pattern forever--Finally found it online. But a big fabric sale will end before the pattern arrives--is there any way you'd be willing to email me the fabric supply list so I can order my fabric on sale?? I would SO appreciate that!

Jkarkula@gmail.com

Your quilt turned out BEAUTIFULLY!

muebles en parla said...

Oh my god, there is really much helpful info here!

Karen said...

Hi Jaime,I'm a major fan of yours. This French Roses quilt is amazing! Would it be possible to share the names of the fabrics that you used? Sheepishly, while I wouldn't completely mimic yours, I do want to look at the fabric vendor(s) that you selected to try to do something very similar! Beautiful!

Thanks, Karen

Pretty Ditty said...

Hi Karen,

I made this quilt quite some time ago. I'm not sure if the fabric is still available. I believe it was by 3 Sisters (Moda fabric). I can't remember the name of the line. I think it was something to do with ocean or shabby. Maybe if you contact Moda fabrics and show them the pics, they can figure it out.

~ Jamie

The Rustic Victorian said...

Your quilt is beautiful! I saw it on Pinterest and came to see what it was all about. I love your attitude and encouragement.

Marcie

mechelle said...

Hello, I am wondering why you have to cut out the backing material to each rose piece that is sewed on the square of the quilt. What would happen if you didn't cut away the material. I'm making a quilt similar to the French rose and need to know as soon as possible as I am starting the squares.
Thank you so, sooo much for taking the time to answer my question!!!

pcluv2sew said...

In My quilting class the teacher said it will help eliminate bulk and since the different layers will be in all different directions such as bias and straight of grain it will have more of an even look after it is washed and the fraying begins.
hope this helps. Although there is the 1 person that used a very high loft batting and echo quilted each outside flower ring and it was gorgeous and she didn't cut the back away and the batting filled in the puffiness.

Unknown said...

Love your quilt, and your attitude! I stumbled upon your post searching for the quilt pattern as I too am going to make this my first quilt! I've been sewing for 42 years, but never caught the quilting bug until now. It was the softness of these roses that did it. I am planning to use the Paris Flea Market fabric collection. Bought the roses & swallows for the backing...I can't wait to start! Yours is magnificent! What kind of machine dd you free motion this with? Many thanks for sharing!

Nancy said...

I absolutely love your quilt, and I'm pinning it. It's fabulous! Love the fabric selection. I'm going to see if I can find something similar. It has the vintage look I love. Congratulations on a job very well done.

Lynn F (Canada) said...

I think your quilt is amazing. The colors are so soft and romantic. I too am creating my first quilt from fabric I brought home from a Hawaiian vacation. I am using bright colors to do a free form crazy quilt. I have just jumped in and doing a color transition from top to bottom (sunset/palm trees down to the bottom of the ocean) If someone had said it was too difficult I would have robbed myself of learning that I in fact CAN do it. I have the top more than 1/2 done. We are women we can do anything!!! Quilt 2 will look similar to yours (I hope)!!

Little Julie said...

Simply beautiful and so unique!! Great job and kudos for daring to take on the Pessimist. At a very difficult time in my life (broke, left w/new baby, standing in Family Court) I told my father that if I made it out of this in one piece I was going to go to law school. He laughed at me and told me to stop reaching for the moon. My own father said this! I graduated law school 15 years ago. Thanks Dad, you always knew how to get me going. Maybe I'll take on this quilt next.

sbelle327 said...

Just GORGEOUS!

jude3944 said...

I've had this pattern for a long time but you inspire me to try. I have made one log cabin quilt as you go quilt. a couple of baby quilts and 6 quilted Christmas tree skirts. So I'm not really a quilter but yours is beautiful and in my colors .Love Shabby Chic... I will try it.... thanks for sharing

Unknown said...

What would this quilt sell for? By the way, I love it. It is a perfect quilt for a cottage themed decorating style.

Unknown said...

What would this quilt sell for? By the way, I love it. It is a perfect quilt for a cottage themed decorating style.

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