Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Musical Stairs Top








At last my Musical Stairs quilt top is finished! Yesterday I arranged and sewed the rows together. The seams don't match perfectly from one row to the next but that was never the most important part of this project. What has been pleasing is the joy in piecing and that both twins helped in making this quilt which is for their bed.




Mmmm, the difficulty of attempting a photo shoot by myself....






Today I have bought batting for this quilt and discovered that one of our two small independent fabric/quilting shops in town has closed  :(

Tomorrow I will wash the backing which was bought on sale at The Fat Quarter Shop June 2013 when I had just begun the quilt (Patty Young's Flower Shop from her Lush fabric range). It surprised me to realise I've been working on this quilt so long - definitely a slow quilter, with more than one quilt on the go. Our autumn weather is good motivation to finish this quilt and see it put to good use. Now I'd best hop to and start trimming all those loose threads on the back.....

NB My Musical Stairs quilt is based on Sarah Fielke's Bass Line quilt.

Sharing at WIP Wednesday.



44 comments:

s.c said...

Ha I see the skyline of a big city in it. Nice one.

Seeing Each Day said...

I've been really looking forward to seeing the finish of this quilt. It had a brightness from the start of those rectangles, even with my non-visual-quilt-mind, that has turned out as vibrantly as I predicted. I love it. Like, I LOVE it ! I know I'm tireless in saying this but how you manage co-ordinate all this range of colours (like you do with all your quilts), amazes me. Renee.

Susan said...

How lovely to has this one together! The twins must be very excited! I think you did a great job of getting photos! When I'm on my own I tend to resort 'flat' on the ground shots!

Serena @ Sewgiving said...

Love the way all those fabrics dance against the white background :) It's a really pretty quilt!

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Thanks Serena. The twins (16 yr old girls) helped decide the colour scheme - not too much pink, just a touch of red - blues and greens are ok etc.

*Cornelia* said...

Im always so in love with your colorful quilts, amazing work, cant wait to see it finished
and I struggle also with the photoshoots I have to do on my own, my kids are still too little to hold such large quilts up

Cath said...

Love your quilt top.....absolutely stunning!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a happy quilt and you had the help of your twins. That's great!

The backing is just right for this quilt.

Have a wonderful Easter ~ FlowerLady

Judy@Quilt Paradigm said...

Congrats on a very lovely finish!

Kristyn @ Melon Patch Quilts said...

I saw the Base Line quilt and loved it, your variation is awesome too! Beautiful work!

tinajo said...

Just wow - I can´t even understand how you pull all of those pieces together for something lovely like this! :-)

http://tinajoathome.com/

Lisa said...

Oh, this is lovely, Karen! The bright happy colors are just perfect! What a special project for you and your girls. I'm sure it will be treasured for many years to come. I really like the fabric you chose for the backing too. All of the colors just make me feel so happy! It must be such a good feeling to be able to create something so beautiful and so useful at the same time. Your girls will feel wrapped in love. :)

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

Beautiful. And stunning, as someone else already said. :-)

Love that looking up shot. So unique.

And look at that green grass and blue sky with little clouds. Your weather looks quite stunning too.

I have new snow cover, this morning. Yish... But it will melt!

DeborahGun said...

Oh I love this so much Karen. Brights with white are always such a great combination. And the backing fabric is perfect.

Sarah @ Georgia Girl Quilts said...

Your quilt looks amazing! I love the colors. I'm actually planning on using Sarah's pattern when I get around to making a quilt for my Dad who is a musician. So glad I saw your version!

Kim said...

'Tis a rhapsody of colour and pattern, Karen...simply gorgeous. I love the rumpled quilt on the ground shot. The backing fabric is perfect.

Vision By Mila said...

That's some very nice job! I love it!

Unknown said...

You do such wonderful work my friend. LOVE this quilt.. Had to smile at the photo shoot.

Hugs~

EricaSta said...

Greatful quilt work, dear Karen! Looks fantastic!

Wish you and your Family a very happy Easter <3

Greetings by Heidrun

Alison V. said...

Absolutely gorgeous! So cheery and bright! :)

the momma said...

Oh ~ it's fabulous!!! So bright and cheery :-)
In the top photo (which I love, btw) there is a red fabric two spaces to the left of a piece of California Dreaming (I see it again in the same row towards the right hand corner of the picture)Do you by chance know the name/designer?
So sorry to hear about your shop closing ~ we've had a couple of little fabric shops in my town that just can't seem to make a go of it : /
I am excited to see how you quilt this one :-)

Happy sewing ~ Tracy

geanina said...

Absolutely stunning!

maryandpatch.blogspot.com said...

Pretty, pretty quilt! Good work!

amanda said...

It's beautiful! I didn't know it was for the kids' use - that makes it all the more special.

I understand all about "slow projects." :) Life must happen in between working on project progress.. and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I painted the ceiling, trim, and walls of our old bedroom since we've finally moved out, in preparation for Lilly to move in. I'm very excited to create a loving space for her. It would have been lovely if she'd had a sister to share it with.. but she makes due wrestling with brothers.

Lisa Gordon said...

It turned out just beautiful, Karen!!
I so love all of those cheerful colors.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Hi Tracy, I’m pleased you like it too! The fabric you are asking about is actually a rich, bright orange, but also comes in a red. It’s from the Gypsy Bandana range by the designers Pillow and Maxfield for Michael Miller fabrics.

I bought a little of several fabrics in this range shortly after they were released early 2011. You may have trouble finding much of it now - maybe easy or ebay? I noticed Amazon has some but not this print. You can see more of the range here:
http://www.sew4home.com/tips-resources/interviews-inspirations/interview-fabric-designers-pillow-maxfield
http://www.pillowandmaxfield.com/gypsy_collages.htm

Mary Huey said...

Such a cheerful top! And the backing is fun, too. Will the twins share the quilt?

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Hi Mary, for several years the twins have shared a double bed with a single bunk above for their older sister, Miss E (22). When Miss E left for college/uni in February, one of the twins moved to her top bunk. They are enjoying having their own space but will need to share a bed again whenever Miss E is home on holidays.

Tina in Boston said...

Beautiful! I love the colors. The backing mimics the front perfectly!

Lynda said...

Such a beautiful, fresh looking quilt and I love your backing.

Elise Lea said...

What a beautiful finished top Karen! You may have taken a while to make it but it was well worth the time it is just gorgeous, and will look fantastic on your girls' bed! I love the backing you chose too. Do you have a binding fabric in mind yet?

Pinspot said...

What a beautiful quilt top! I've admired taht pattern, too. How fun to work on it together.

simply bev said...

Very pretty! I don't have the patience to quilt myself but I certainly to appreciate those that do! Love this piece!

Joy said...

As always:) Awesome:)

Karen Lakis said...

Stunning quilt! - and so special that your twins helped with it. I'm sorry about the quilt shop closing. I love little independent shops, it's always a little sad when they close.

sunshine said...

Very colorful and nice photos.

Anita Johnson said...

These are just beautiful photos...love the colors in this quilt!

Dorothy said...

Stunning!!!

And I love it that perfection is not the aim, but the opportunity to connect and contribute to a project, and make memories.

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pics, and a blessed Easter to you and your family. :)

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

Perfection. You did a beautiful job.

Michaela said...

It's an amazing quilt!!!
Thanks for your kindly comment.
Happy easter greetings from Lienen...
Michaela

Rachaeldaisy said...

What a wonderful top. The colours are so fresh and joyful.The backing fabric is so pretty and perfect! It's sad when sewing shops close down. Three have closed in the little town I live and now we have none. :(

Cary said...

Hi Karen! What a beautiful, colorful quilt. Sounds like it was a fun project.

Lisa said...

Magnificent! A true beauty - this is going to make one wonderful quilt.

Liz said...

This is gorgeous, Karen! Love all those bright colours!

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