enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

sewing hangover.

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The top of my quilt is done.

I worked on that thing from 8:30AM to 3:30PM yesterday. Whew. My back and neck are sore and my sewing machine is going to spend the rest of the week mad at me for making it overheat. But I love how it turned out. And after some thought and a re-read through the first chapter in this book, I decided to skip the duvet cover plan and just turn it into a real quilt. Complete with batting on the inside, binding around the edges and … hand quilted stitches to hold it all together. I might be out of my mind. But I want it to last, and I think a quilt is more likely to stick around than a duvet cover.

So that's that. I have to order batting, pick up a lot of hand-quilting thread and find a large gray sheet to act as the back. It's going to take awhile to get supplies and then longer to sew it all together. But I am excited for a relatively mindless project to tackle as we watch TV. And also? I have a feeling I am addicted to sewing quilts now…

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44 responses to “sewing hangover.”

  1. Joanne Avatar
    Joanne

    LOL…welcome to yet another one of my addictions! The quilt looks great – wanted to offer one friendly piece of advice….hand quilting with a sheet as a backing can be very difficult. You might want to rethink that and use fabric instead – there is a difference in how it will quilt. Oh and be sure to get a thimble!! Enjoy the process.

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  2. gmitas Avatar
    gmitas

    elise you are awesome! I love that you take something on with all of your heart. Your quilt is beautiful and I’m sure will be cherished for a long time.

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  3. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    That is just fantastic! The colors and patterns are sensational. And a wonderful idea to turn it into a quilt that will carry the meaning and story of all your adventures! Can’t wait to see the final product…

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  4. Nadia Avatar
    Nadia

    I was so happy to hear that you decided to turn it into a quilt. it is so beautiful and you can treasure it forever! I dabble in quilt making as well. I am not a master seamstress, but I do have some tips. if you buy the batting try to get the stuff that will fuse to the cover and back. makes it alot easier to keep everything lined up. I have also used sheets as backing! however I have used flannel sheets and it adds to the warmth. I have not done any hand quilting though. using your piece as an example I would put it through the machine and go all around the squares. does that make sense? you could still try that and then add some hand quilting. anyway most important is to have fun with it and be gentle with yourself. my first quilt turned out alot smaller because I was trying so hard to make the edges even. lol! I made a denim rag quilt for my son when he turned 18. I kept jeans for years from all three of us and they are now in his quilt. he loves it! thanks for sharing elise and have fun! ciao!

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  5. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    oooh! good info! Any suggestions of where to buy large pieces of fabric. What would you recommend? 100% cotton?

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  6. Christine Kennedy Avatar
    Christine Kennedy

    This is so gorgeous. I have wanted to tackle a quilt for so long but I am so afraid to do it. I think this summer i will try!
    xo
    Christine

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  7. Alexandra Avatar
    Alexandra

    I have been collecting jeans for years to make a quilt! Any wise words of advice? Elise, this should be your next project 😉

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  8. Lydia @ The Loop Designs Avatar
    Lydia @ The Loop Designs

    Joanne is probably referring to the difference in the weave of sheets than normal quilters cotton. Sheets have a much tighter weave, so will be harder to hand-quilt.
    Lots of quilt shops will have “backing fabric” that is extra wide. I just find a fabric I like and sew two pieces, together. Always 100% cotton.
    I always allow a few inches more around the perimeter and batting to allow for the top “expanding” out as I quilt. Start from the center and then quilt outward! Use lots of safety pins to baste or pick up some 505 basting spray to prep all three layers for quilting.
    Anna Maria Horner has some excellent hand quilting tips on her website.
    Also, Red Pepper quilts has a great tutorial for attaching and finishing the binding by machine – my preferred way because I’m not a patient hand sewist.

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  9. Jill Avatar
    Jill

    So inspiring Elise! I love the color combo and the organic/random look of it. It’s gorgeous 🙂 One of my 35 to-do’s this year is to sew a pillow (cover). I was just looking at your past pillow how-to posts yesterday 🙂 Good luck – my mom quilted for a few years and made beautiful creations. In fact, one of my college friends wanted her to make a quilt top duvet cover for her. It was a complete team effort – Anna liked how I could pick out patterns, so she left that up to me, then mom made the duvet. It was a little too big – but Anna loved it! And I think mom thought it was harder to make a duvet cover than a quilt. . .

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  10. Johanna Avatar
    Johanna

    An idea – you could piece the back together using two or three big pieces of fabric, too. As long as you like the look of it, it shouldn’t be a problem, right? (I should add I have NO background in quilting whatsoever. Except for growing up with my Grandma’s creations – she used wool to quilt a few of them and the ends stood up like little tails at the top 🙂 )

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  11. Katy Avatar
    Katy

    Wow, very impressive Elise. Amazing colour/pattern combo, love it.
    I was wondering what size your quilt is and how many metres/yards you used of fabric? I have been wanting to have a go at a quilt since Jan 2010, but haven’t had the courage to go for it yet.
    Thanks!

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  12. Em Avatar
    Em

    it’s awesome!!!!!!!

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  13. Libbi M. Avatar
    Libbi M.

    absolutely lovely!

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  14. Miss Money Avatar
    Miss Money

    Holy Moly! Way to jump in full speed ahead and tackle the top in one day….very encouraging. It’s beautiful.

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  15. Sara Avatar
    Sara

    dude, if you are addicted…feel free to make me one. i love it!! xo

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  16. Kimberly L.C. Avatar
    Kimberly L.C.

    Last time I was in Ikea I saw a lot of grey fabrics by the yard. Did you check there?

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  17. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    hi Katy. It is about the size of a queen sized bed. But I think once I finish it off it will be a tad smaller. I used seven fabrics and about 8 yards of fabric total.

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  18. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    I havent! thanks for the tip.

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  19. elizah09 Avatar
    elizah09

    It looks AWESOME. Quilts are the best! Thanks for sharing, love to see all the things you create 🙂

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  20. ~Kristina Avatar
    ~Kristina

    I love your ambition.

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  21. angie Avatar
    angie

    Hi! I love it! I have not commented before. Nor did I read through the other comments. I love Denyse’s book and am currently gathering enough fabrics to make the single girl quilt for my toddler girlie for her new big girl room. Anyhoo, you might want to consider using a nice loft flannel for the batting. I use it for most quilts I make. It cuts down on lots of the bulk and I think helps give it more of the vintage feel once completed. Best of luck!!

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  22. girlrobot Avatar
    girlrobot

    wow it looks really good! I always love your eye and how you combine different colors 🙂

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  23. tracy Avatar
    tracy

    wow! you work fast. it looks so awesome. the colors are perfection.

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  24. Chelsea Avatar
    Chelsea

    You’re hand quilting it?! Phew you’re more of a woman than me! I’ve completed many quilts in the past few years, but only on machine… I don’t have the dedication nor patience to tackle one by hand!
    It’s such a fun piece though, it will look amazing when you’re finished

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  25. Janelle Avatar
    Janelle

    Hi Elise! I’ve never commented before, but have been reading for quite a while now and LOVE your blog. I look forward to your posts every day! 🙂 I just had to comment because I love how your quilt is turning out, and the colors are awesome – I’m right in the middle of setting up my craft room in the same color scheme! And I just signed up for a quilting class that starts next weekend, so this is getting me really excited to get started! Thanks for all of your inspiration!

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  26. bethany Avatar
    bethany

    SO pretty!!!! maybe you can start adding quilts to the shop…….

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  27. Jo Avatar
    Jo

    Oooo!! I love, love,love it!! It is so gorgeous!! Well done you for just jumping right in – you have inspired me to start one of my own! (Oh, my husband will be pleased! haha!)
    Wow, do you think I’ve used quite enough exclamation marks for one comment?! 🙂

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  28. jeny Avatar
    jeny

    Oh WOW! It looks amazing. Muslin would even be cool on the back. Amazed that you finished it in one day!

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  29. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Those fabrics are going to look awesome in your space! Good choice to quilt your top instead of doing a duvet…be sure to use a thimble!!
    After finishing a baby quilt for a friend a few months ago, I practically vowed I’d never ever make another quilt again…and then I realized I was addicted! I’ve been collecting fabrics for a queen-size quilt for our bed, and your post yesterday motivated me to start cutting! (Thanks for inspiring me to “just start”!)
    Red Pepper Quilts & Film In The Fridge have good Flickr feeds to get you thinking about your next project…it’s a good addiction 🙂

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  30. Alice Avatar
    Alice

    WOW ! That is super awesome !!! I was going to ask how much fabric you used. Just read the answer ! How big are the squares ?
    I’ve been wanting to make a quilt for a long time now. You are inspiration now ! LOL

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  31. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    oh wow. maybe someday … theyd be pricey. 🙂

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  32. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    awesome! good luck on your next one. I think I want to make a baby sized one next.

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  33. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    They vary from about 5 inches to 7 inches.

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  34. Joanne Avatar
    Joanne

    Hi again…totally agree with Lydia’s suggestions. I always piece my backing fabric (as Lydia suggested)love the scrappy look of it and I REALLY like to use a totally contrasting fabric on the back – something that just sorta shocks you when you turn it over – something that just makes you smile! You can do this!

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  35. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    ooh, love the idea of a shocking backside. totally had not thought of that…

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  36. kristen Avatar
    kristen

    Dude, that is awesome! I love the fabrics you chose – they look great together!

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  37. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    AWE-SOME. Great job Elise!!

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  38. Erica Avatar
    Erica

    Your quilt top looks awesome! I too have been bit by the quilting bug, but haven’t tried hand quilting yet. I have recently been gifted an unfinished quilt top that my great great grandmother started and I’m thinking that handquilting is the only way to go on that one, so I can’t wait to hear how it goes for you and pick up a few tips! 🙂

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  39. molly Avatar
    molly

    I think you will love hand-quilting… it is such great therapy! I agree with the women above about piecing together a back… you’ll love seeing the quilted design on the back! happy quilting!

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  40. Abby Wagner Avatar
    Abby Wagner

    Oh my gosh…hand quilting is so wonderfully addictive! I don’t quilt all that often, but the hand quilting process is so calming. You will love it!

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  41. carina Avatar
    carina

    looks great elise! a wonderful accomplishment.

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  42. Project:Lorna Avatar
    Project:Lorna

    I squealed out load at the coolness that is your quilt. It is so much more epic than I thought it was going to be. I have to admit (shock horror) that I don’t understand the difference between a quilt and a duvet so I am looking forward to seeing the finished article!

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  43. Patty Avatar
    Patty

    I love the colors of this quilt, it is coming along so nicely!! Go you!

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  44. Kayla Avatar
    Kayla

    Ok, so this motivated me to get out my quilt blocks that I cut out months ago, and try this quilt thing again.. then after about 5 seconds, I realized why I gave up in the first place. Me and that sewing machine just do not get along at all. Your’s looks amazing though! You should totally do a tutorial 😉

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