Network
64'' by 68''
This is what a whole pile of half square triangles can turn into when you work really hard. Really hard. I'm not going to lie. That's a whole lot of HSTs in a not that large size (4.5'') that had to be trimmed down. And that layout doesn't exactly come naturally. But, oh, are the results worth it!
Network started with a pile of fabric coming from Traditional Pastimes shared with Amanda Jean. (For the record, I don't think Amanda Jean has had a chance to do anything with hers.) On my flight to Wisconsin I sketched out ideas but none of them became this. I even played with a whole bunch of layouts before naturally settling on the most difficult one.
The whole thing is quilted with an exaggerated zig zag in a light turquoise thread. It adds a good texture and was easier than outlining the network itself. A simple pieced back for fun. After the battle with getting the top to work just so I needed to make the rest of it easier.
All the effort and love were worth it. Network was given to my husband's best friend as a wedding present. This is the guy that married us, he was our agent when we bought our first house, and he was in business with Hubby for years. All the guy needs to do is deliver this baby and he's infiltrated every aspect of our lives!
When I asked Hubby what we were going to get this guy for his wedding his first answer was a quilt. Um, sure, I've got no problem with that, but how could he justify it? Was he going to sit and sew with me? For the record, he has done that before, but this time his answer was, "My name gets to go on the label because I paid for the fabric." Well, thank-you Bernadette because that excuse didn't work! So he helped with the layout of the top, basted it with me (while making watch Machete to counter effect the whole domestic thing), and graciously took pictures. An effort deserving of his name on the label.
And the recipients? They were married in a mountain meadow in July. It was gorgeousness all around. The quilt lives with them now, adding some colour and warmth to their new suburban house. And I couldn't be happier to have shared this effort and all our days with them.
54 comments:
That's beautiful, Cheryl. I love, love, love your design! Your friends are very lucky to get this. And good on your husband for stepping up!
Oh wow that's amazing. Especially the part where you got your husband to help :)
Gorgeous quilt - I love HSTs - you can do so much with them, but yeah, they are a ton of work - but always worth it!
This is a stunning quilt--the colors and the design. Wow. And I loved reading the story behind it.
love the colours... this one must have been so hard to part with! :-)
I love this! I discovered your blog this summer and ever since your Calm Complexity post about the layout of this quilt I have been anxiously awaiting to see the finished product. I'm crazy about both the colors and layout! Thank you for sharing :)
superbe réalisation l'harmonie est très réussie ,felicitations
Amazing!!! I love the colors and the layout is stunning . . . spot on!
A really dynamic layout and while you can tell it was difficult it doesn't look forced! What a wonderful gift. Now I need to get my wedding quilt finished for my sister-in-law!
Beautiful quilt, Cheryl. Great colors.
Beautiful beautiful! I bet this almost made your eyes pop out of your head, piecing all of hose HSTs in that pattern, trying to figure out which HST goes where in which direction! But the end result is amazing! And buying the fabric isn't enough to get your husband on the label. Maybe if he bought the quilt at fair market value price....
Didn't think HSTs could look so fresh - nicely done! It's beautiful.
What a wonderful gift. I'm sure they'll love it forever.
Beautiful layout for your HSTs! And the colors are gorgeous, well done.
Amazing quilt.I love it. Your choice of blues and greens work so well together. The design/layout is absolutely Wonderful!! A Stunning quilt.
Sandra
Love this quilt. Wonderful!
Love your design. Makes the quilt so special. You did a wonderful job on it.
What a beautiful quilt and special story.
Love the design! I'll finish my 5" hst today for my daughters quilt. I think I'll try this & see how it works with my fabrics.
The effort shows - it's gorgeous! Great story about it's beginning and where it is now!
It is a beauty and a lovely story goes with it.
Beautiful quilt! And I love that your hubby helped you, that is so sweet. I'm sure it will be well loved for years to come.
it looks amazing, Cheryl! i saw it finished on your blog and was shocked. when on earth did you find time to do that?!?! i'm curious. :)
nope, i haven't done anything with my pile yet, but HST's are a great idea.
Love this, big time. Did you make an extra one? It gets cold here in Lexington ;)
really pretty~
Margaret
msolomo1@maine.rr.com
www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com
I totally love the layout here! Also the colors and such a great story.
Definitely worth the work!
It is wonderful, a great wedding present for special people.
Love the colors and design of your quilt. What a nice gift.
I really like the traveling my eyes got to do with along the white path. Swell finish!
Love the colors and love how my eye wanders everywhere!
Absolutely stunning!! I love the effects and patterns of half square triangle quilts, especially when the patterns are unexpected like this one! <3
Ah - so this is the Machete quilt! I LOVE it. What lucky recipients!
beautiful!
a combination of color and delicate design, congratulations
This is AMAZING, I absolutely love it! It almost makes me want to get over my fear of HSTs...
Absolutely gorgeous. Lucky couple to receive such a beautiful gift.
I love this! It's amazing what you can do with HST's. So not ordinary, and beautiful colors!
One of the best layouts I have seen using HSt - I REALLY like this and I'm sure it was greatly appreciated by it's recipient! The quilting is perfect. Congrats on a beautiful piece!
what a neat layout! lovely quilt.
Fabulous! I love all the different focal points in the top.
Love your quilt! Looks so easy but there's so much work: so many pieces, the design, and the dense quilting!!!
Had to go through all the comments to make sure I didn't comment on your blog. I love this quilt and the very cute story that goes with it. The colors are some I could have easily chosen, but the ambitious piecing is probably beyond my comfort zone. It is magnificent and was well worth the effort you and your husband put into it.
That's a stunning quilt, and your photos and story are lovely. Thanks for sharing it!
This is a spectacular looking quilt, Cheryl! And what a beautifully generous gift.
PS. I love how the colors of the quilt reflect the colors in the wedding photo!!
That is suck a beautiful design! I love it!
SUCH a beautiful design (*facepalm* that'll teach me to not proof read my comments!)
That is beautiful! I am really impressed with the design that you came up with. I like to design my own quilts too, but I am always anxious to start sewing; now I am thinking that I should spend more time with pencil and paper before I get started on a new project.
Such a beautiful quilt!! I wish my hubby would help me with mine - especially the basting part:)
I love this one so much!
Howdy neighbour! I'm just a little to the East in Saskatoon. I'm new to your blog and want to tell you how much I love this quilt you made! I especially love the photo of the bottom of the quilt with the feet. Very nice.
I just subscribed to your blog in my feed reader but am so disappointed that you only provide a partial feed so all I get are a few lines. I just thought I'd bring this to your attention just in case this isn't your intent. I always unsubscribe to blogs that don't provide full feeds so I'll wait a while to see if there are any changes. I'd really love to follow your blog.
I *love* this quilt. I remember the pic of it when you had it on your design wall. I even have it in my pinterest stuff...LOL. Now I get to add the finished ones. :) Love, love, love... fabulous work!
great design, nice colors, good job.
Love (1)
Your quilt is still inspiring others. I love it! Simply gorgeous.
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