Well, sorta finished… It’s quilted, bound, and on our bed, but the journey isn’t over juuuust yet…
I am BEYOND thrilled with this quilt. I started out making Tula Pink’s City Sampler quilt with a grand plan of having my blocks making a dark grey-white-dark blue ombre as well as paying tribute to a variety of my family’s favourite bits and pieces. And it went above and beyond my expectations!
I have absolutely no regrets in how often I included fussy cuts pieces of Tokyo map fabric. I love that I included subtle hints of Star Trek… and then actual Star Trek fabric.
I love that I got to use funny Engrish fabric from Japan that I fussy cut to remind me of my English teaching years.
And some of my favourite Japanese prints in general.
I am obsessed with the Japanese newspaper fabric that I designed with my husband that features some personal sentiments, including our wedding vows and scriptures, and that it pays homage to our time in Japan.
The longarm quilting by Karen is the perfect random square maze that both echoes the quilt blocks and also is reminiscent of the train maps in Japan.
Even the binding, my most-dreaded quilting task, wasn’t too onerous as the fabric I bought is exactly what I wanted – a darker fabric to frame the quilt, but subtle enough to blend in with the newspaper print.
But the journey doesn’t stop there. I had long toyed with the idea of adding some hand quilting touches. I even had Karen quote me for basic straight line quilting in the sashing to stabilise the quilt so I could hand quilt in each block, but the cost was just as much as an all-over (and I had fallen in love with the quilting design). Yet it didn’t deter me from my original plan.
I ordered a selection of 12w thread from Aurifil to match my quilt, and I will slowly enjoy adding the hand quilting touch to this quilt whenever the fancy strikes. Maybe it’s a part of me not willing yet to admit that this quilt’s journey is just about over! Because I am just obsessed with Tula Blue, my most favourite quilt I have ever made, and one I hope will last for many many years to come. But either way, I’m glad I still get to play with Tula Blue.
Kathleen McCormick says
I love this quilt! I am a new follower and hadn’t seen it. I love the gradations and the way the center gradations glow! So gorgeous and the extra hand quilting will make this exquisite.
Alyce says
Thanks (and welcome!) Kathleen! It’s been a year since I started it, so I’m definitely still in that “freshly finished quilt glow” stage 😉
Kay says
Simply stunning.
Alyce says
Thank you!
Kathe Gardner says
WOW!! Beautiful!!
Alyce says
Thanks Kathe 🙂
Angeline Shaka says
Your quilt came out beautifully! It’s so fun to follow from start to finish.
Alyce says
This is definitely one I’m inclined to overshare, haha! Thank you x
Ioleen says
This turned out beautifully. Love all the Japanese fabric and the fussy cutting.
Alyce says
It honestly just makes me smile everytime I see it 🙂
Beth LaMotte says
This quilt is one of the most wonderful quilts I have ever seen. It is just breathtaking!
Alyce says
Oh thank you so much, Beth!
Cocopatch says
You made a great quilt!!! It’s very original in these colors!
Alyce says
Thank you so much! I’m thrilled with it.
Karen s says
Your fabric choices are beyond stunning! If I were you, I’d just pet and swoon over my new quilt, filled with pride! And that you included personal memories–perfect!
Alyce says
Haha, thanks Karen! Yeah, that’s pretty much sums it up 😉