Choo! Choo!
This quilt is for Pops, my dad. No, not one of the boys. Not a nephew. Not a friend's child.
For my dad! He is an AVID train hobbyist. You know those model train set ups around Christmas time? The kind that a group of men don't just build a train layout, they try to replicate an actual town and actual running train?
I could go on and on, but I will spare you! We can just say that I have very fond memories for trains and hobby shops (all the teeny tiny things behind glass cabinets). I felt that the quilt for him had to be train related. I started out looking for train patterns and every single one was either very juvenile or in the "art quilt" classification that I could just never pull off.
I was also going to do his favorite railroad logos like above (and still may do some throw pillows for him) but it seemed complicated when I only had a few weeks left to cut, piece and quilt. When I first ventured into this idea, I had thought of using a railroad sign, but had tossed it. But then ironically came right back to it two weeks ago when I decided that I was running out of time.
The quilting. Oh the quilting. I surprised myself. I put the quilt on and just pictured smokey swirls coming out of a steam engine. I'm not exactly sure if that is what came across, but I really enjoyed the end result.
I did some organic swirls on the crossbars and pebbles on the Rs in black. Then I ran a "railroad track" quilting on the bias tape. I'm not in love with it, but it gives it a bit of "fun".
The yellow patchwork was meandering/stippling. The outer yellow edge was a "f" swirl. I will admit. I learned something about my freemotion quilting. I struggle much less going from left to right like I read and write. And I need to make sure I try to do that as much as possible. Especially on curves.
The backing is a fun gray swirl, that again, reminded me of smoke!
I did used the same bobbin thread color from the top, so it is fun to see the reverse image of the sign on the back.
And the binding. I was excited to use this black and yellow fabric. It was the fabric I used for Button's highchair cushion. His highchair days came and went so fast that I couldn't enjoy it as long as I wanted! So how perfect to use it on Pop's quilt!
The one thing I can't help but get tickled about? This quilt is the direct antithesis of my mom's Garden Party Quilt. I have a distinct feeling that his quilt will be relegated to the office they share...way up in the upstairs, far corner room in their house. But I'm okay with that, because I know HE will know why I chose to make it for him!
Gorgeous!! love it!!
ReplyDeleteThis is really lovely and the quilting is fabby :)
ReplyDeleteHe's going to love that quilt!
ReplyDeleteHeidi, you inspire me with your quilting. I love those swirls!
ReplyDeleteI like it! The simplicity of just one sign makes it stand out much more!
ReplyDelete