Bartering for Flowers

My mother-in-law knows how to strike a deal! Earlier in the year she casually mentioned how she wanted to make herself a new duvet cover, and I fell for it, hook, line and sinker. No sooner had I suggested I instead make her a quilt, were we at The Remnant Warehouse shopping for fabric. “Beverley, they don’t open until nine.” “Yes, but we want to make sure we get the good fabrics,” she said, turning to me as we stood outside on their sidewalk at 6:37 AM on a Saturday morning.

Oh, we got the good fabrics. All the pinks, mint greens, rose buds, and precious floral fantasia you could find in the place. Oh, and checks, it must have checks. I had to scale that woman back, lest it turn into an overpowering, Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds mess. It almost went there, let me tell you.  I insisted we dilute the sweetness with a few graphic elements like the red and cream stripe, and the pink mini-herringbone.

It wasn’t all bad though. She gravitated towards the Tilda Mini-Roses in White, and while not necessarily my cup of English Breakfast, I can get down with some preciousness every now and again. (Lord Latifah knows I’ve been known to clutch my pearls!) I also thought that other multi-coloured fabric used for the binding was especially crisp, so I was happily on board her crazy-train for that one.

So fabrics in tow, I was off to make some magic happen. I’d never made a Disappearing Nine Patch quilt before, and since known for its effortless effectiveness, I thought it would be a good way to sail through this project with fabrics that didn’t quite leave me inspired.

Along the way, my mother-in-law loaned out her Pfaff sewing machine for me to complete this project and sneak in as many others as I can. For that, I am forever thankful! (:::bows humbly and graciously to Beverley for her patience, kindness, and generosity:::) I’m a bit sad that it will be returning to her house, but it has given me proof that I need to invest in a quality machine of my own. 

I also learned more about machine binding, and took the opportunity on this quilt to try it out myself. I don’t think I’m a total Stan yet, but with some more practice, and with the right quilt, I can see the benefits. You might even see it on an upcoming quilt — hint hint!

The stellar quilting was completed with Aurifil 2835 Sage Green, by Jane Davidson (Quilt Jane) of Want it, Need it, Quilt! I was uber-impressed with her artistry, communication, price, and speedy delivery. If you need a quilting service in Australia, I would highly recommend this divine creature! I’ve yet to label it, but I plan on doing that post-haste as soon as I get some labels ordered.