Sunday, October 21, 2018

Housewarming Present




I made a belated housewarming present this week. I made a self-imposed deadline so I could get it done.


First I stuck a piece of muslin on a sheet of fusible applique without pressing it, and was able to print out the 8x10 photo of the house. I fused it to a background fabric for more stability.  I really like that the car is there so it dates the picture to a particular time period - when she owned both the house and the car. I should probably embroider the purchase date somewhere in there to be even more specific.

I chose brown fabrics to match the house. Then I bordered it the printed picture with the dark brown. The light brown is a flange that has been basted to the piece. I think it adds a nice lightness to the dark browns.


I wanted use this border fabric, but I had only bought a quarter yards worth, because I had bought it for use on a different quilt, and it must not have been on sale. I didn't think I would be able to line up the pieces properly so the join wouldn't show and decided to add a skinny sashing to separate the joins.




Look at me, mitering the corners! Nothing like a deadline to force me to skip the nervous procrastinating and worrying steps.  It actually worked out pretty easily.


I appliqued her name on the oval and attached it to the quilt.

Then sandwiched and birthed the quilt.  Then I quilted it.  I didn't want to overdo it on the house so I just straight stitched out some of the outlines of the house.  There was a big open space on the yard and I didn't think I could quilt grass very well so I added a couple of kittens.


I added charms on the little sashing strips in the outer border and that worked out so wonderfully. They add a real elegance to the quilt.






I didn't poke out the corners all the way because I like the rounded corners look.

Did you notice that the finished quilt lays nice and flat without the puckers shown in my previous fun quilts?


Our house is a very fine house, with two cats in the yard . . .

I enjoyed making this quilt too.  I had to be more careful with quality since it was a gift, but I enjoyed making all the decisions in designing this quilt, and am really happy with how it turned out.

Linked to:
Let's Bee Social #247 Be sure to check out her new hammer quilt!

8 comments:

Joyful Quilter said...

What a nice personalized gift!

Fiona said...

Such a special gift and so beautifully done too...
Hugz

Su-sieee! Mac said...

It's beautiful! I love the idea of an actual photo being the star of the quilt. I'd like to try making one someday.

Emily said...

This is super cute! I love that you used a photo and the cats in the yard immediately had me singing the same song, before I saw it in your post. Very fun present.

Kyle said...

What a clever idea and a sweet remembrance.

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts said...

This is a wonderfully personal gift - the recipient is sure to love it! I think it was a great idea to keep the car in the picture. Thanks for sharing your quilt on MCM!

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

Such a perfect little quilt! She'll love it of course because it'll be a memory of her home and also of her good friend! Love the two cats in the yard....

Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss!

Tanya said...

You are so very creative. Great idea for a house warming gift!