scrappy cartwheels

This is quilting, the way I'd always imagined it.  Made up entirely of pieces from my scrap boxes, it's a one-patch (though not a charm quilt), and the piecing and quilting were all done by hand.  I really feel the need to give it a proper title, but the right name is just not coming to me.  Any ideas? 

I made a template from plastic, traced it individually onto the backs of fabric scraps, cut everything out, and then hand-pieced and hand-quilted it.  I'm quite proud of it, even with all of its many imperfections.

One of the (many) reasons I don't finish my full-sized quilts is the darn back.  I just hate putting those gigantic pieces together in order to make a backing that is wide enough.  Well, not a problem here, since this quilt measures about 20" x 24", and I easily cut a backing out of a yard of fabric.  I just might never make another large quilt again!  Those just languish as tops on my shelf anyway, and if I just make doll quilts, I could hang them up all over the walls.

I was totally getting into the quilting groove, but I can see how you'd have to do it a lot to really be proficient at it.  The first few minutes of my quilting every day would be kind of so-so (or pretty darn bad), but after a half-hour, I'd be a lot better, with smaller stitches, smoother sailing.  I'm still only getting like five or six stitches per inch at my best, but at least my stitches are relatively even.  A long time ago, I read a quilting tip  that suggested quilting on a practice square or something less meaningful for around ten minutes before moving on to the quilt you really wanted to work on.  I don't think I would personally do that, since I just don't have that much time to spare and I'm not trying to win any awards, but I can see the point of warming up before a quilting session.

I mitered the corners, and they turned out just right.

I feel such a sense of accomplishment, but won't be able to pet it for much longer.  It's going into the mail tomorrow, and I really hope Lisa likes it.  She graciously allowed me to be her swap partner for the doll quilt swap, even knowing that I would be late, late, late.  I'm not sure, but I think I'll be ready for the next one coming up in June...

Edited on 1/16/2009 to add: Whoops! Forgot to mention that months after this was posted, I wrote up a tutorial for this quilt block, if you'd like to try it for yourself!

Comments

[Melissa]

Wow - this is beautiful!

[Michelle]

DOUBLE WOW. Wow, wow, wow! (that was a triple wow) That quilt is absolutely wonderful. I LOVE it.

[Wendy]

Wow, doing that by hand is just amazing. I've just started teaching myself hand quilting and my stitches are about the same. But I would never have the patience to even do a whole doll quilt by hand! It totally looks like it's worth the wait for the swap.

[Beth]

It's wonderful!!! You did a great job on it. Your stitches are so nice and even. And it's finished! :)

As far as a name, how about Kaleidoscope? I was thinking of the way the colors move about on the quilt and the tilt of the pieces and it reminded me of a kaleidoscope. The movement of the quilt also made me think of the name Shimmer.

[Angela]

I love it! Anytime you wanna do a mini exchange, let me know. I will play with you. :o)

[Felicia]

Its fantastic! The color combinations are so pretty.

[Mirre]

So pretty! And the binding so neat :)

[Maria Peagler]

Great quilt with so much movement in the piecing. And the hand quilting gives it a lovely texture. Wow - amazing binding too. Thanks for posting it - it's adorable!

[Lynne]

What a great little quilt, Michelle...You did a fine job in the design and the vision for it.

[Heidi]

Wow. that is gorgeous.

[Malka]

So,so beautiful. I love it!

[Regina]

Michelle! It's beautiful! WoW! Quilting is something I've always wanted to try, but the time involved makes my head spin! A doll quilt, that more my pace. Although, my list is miles long and just became more complicated with the purchase of a "new" home. New to us, that is. And it's a fixer-upper (eeeks!). We'll be working on it all summer. Anyway, your quilt is lovely. I especially love that it is made from scrap pieces.

[susan]

super pretty! so is it just the square cut on an angle for the shape??? i would love a quilt like this! lucky lisa!!!

[Amy]

Completely fantastic! I just love it.

[Kate]

This is a really wonderful quilt - gorgeous colours and design!

[happy zombie]

Stunning and beautiful!!!!

[joy]

great quilt-wow!!! just love it!!

[yaiAnn]

Your quilt is amazing! You should be really proud!

[Katie]

Ooooh, Michelle, it's gorgeous! I have been behind in blogland, sorry. But I had a few minutes and wanted to check in with you.

[Wendy O. from Canada]

very pretty, summery quilt. My name suggestion would be "windblown posies" cause that's what they look like to me...little flowers dancing in the breeze. Lucky lady who receives it!
Wendy O. in New Brunswick, Canada

[kathy]

This is a gorgeous quilt Michelle, thanks for the inspiration!

[BettyJ]

Propellers!

[Heather]

This quilt is absolutely beautiful. I love it!

[CAB]

How about Whirlibird? :) I realllly like the quilt - I'm sure its recipient will as well!

[Kathleen]

How about the name Cartwheels? With the spin of color make childs play. Fantastic quilt!