Thursday 5 May 2011

no. 034

introducing the first quilt i have completed in well over a year...

no. 034

this quilt got it's humble beginnings as leftover blocks from two previous quilts, including the one i made for sophie before she was born. i framed the pretty blocks, containing dusty purples, pinks and greys, with scraps of linen and then chopped them (all but one) exactly in half and pieced them together as the frame for the intact center block. the quilting i left really simple: just lines, not straight, not crazy, just pulling the quilt through the walking foot and letting them stray where they may. and then it came time to put a tag on and i decided to tackle yet another project that has been on my mind for ages - quilt labels. i wanted something different than my standard woven onegirl tags - although they add a really professional look, i've long wanted something a bit more personal. so i came up with these...

new quilt labels

they are inkjet printed on natural linen, with the fiber content listed plus space to number the quilt and write the date on which it was completed. the edges are designed to fray, specifically why i chose to use linen (although it turns out it is bloody hard to write on neatly) and should stand up to repeated washings. my printer ink is resin based and water resistant and i've found with a good long heat set from my iron, they hold up really well. mae's fleur has been washed countless times and it's label still looks good as new. i'd actually love to hear from anyone who has one of my toys that has been well loved (christine?) and find out how their labels are looking. i could always use inkjet fabric iron-on sheets to create these labels, too although i don't really like the print quality they give...

no. 034

here's my first quilt label in action. it was hard to write on. after two big fails on the slippery linen, i ended up using masking tape to tape it down to my table and i'm still not super happy with the final writing but i'm sure it's one of those things that will get better with practice. and yes, i've decided to start numbering my quilts, which meant i had to go back through my photos and try to figure out how many quilts i have finished. apparently, thirty three! now thirty four. that seems like such a high number to me, i somehow don't remember making that many quilts. probably because they are just too darn fun.

edited to add: i just had a quick look back and realised my very first quilt was made almost exactly three years ago, on may 2, 2008 - what a strange coincidence!

14 comments:

  1. Sheesh, that quilt is amazeballs!
    I might have to put one on my want list.

    If the linen is hard to write on, maybe you could stamp it? A nice little red 35 could look really good.

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  2. Lovely to see you back quilting.

    Stunning Leslie x

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  3. this is so desirable Lesley. I'd love this in my house. I remember not so long ago your first publicised quilt. you really are 'one clever girl'

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  4. Leslie not Lesley, sorry I'm on iPhone still and my spelling is slacking off.

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  5. Saw this on the Simply Solids flicker group and decided to check it out. Very subtle colours and I like your labelling and quilting :)
    PS: Have you tried putting sandpaper under a fabric to hold it whilst writing on it?

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  6. SOOO beautiful Leslie! AND....I'd love to catch up before you head to Canada - we're hoping to get there asap too but for now, I need to live vicariously through your travel plans!

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  7. Just beautiful Leslie, I love it - I'm a big big fan of linen and your labels look great too!

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  8. just so nice. i want to do a plain coloured one, well not plain - i mean tonal. well you know what I mean.

    your labels are still looking the goods on all my, sorry my kids sofites. but i have to say - im not much of a regular washer...of toys that is.

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  9. really love this quilt... it's divine.

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  10. Truly gorgeous Leslie! Love the simplicity of the quilt, and the tags are very clever. Love the idea of numbering them. Wonder how many more you will do this year..?

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  11. This is stunning. I am so in love!

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  12. This is just an all around wonderful quilt. I love the soft colors and minimalist design. And the quilting is perfect. Even though it is new, it has a beautiful old-time quality to it. Simply beautiful!

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  13. This is beautiful! I'm honored to be featured with you talented ladies!

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  14. I love this. I want to make a modern looking quilt for our queen bed, but something that won't compete with our art deco wallpaper. I think something like this would be wonderful! Elegant but with that homemade-homespun look to it. Thanks for inspiring!!

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