Tuesday, February 9, 2016

My Small World

A blog post about this quilt finish is about three weeks overdue. Though I completed the quilt in January, the weather has prevented me from photographing it as I wanted. We've had rain, cold (in the 40s which is cold for Florida), and strong winds. The weather of late, is the kind that makes it much nicer to be indoors in a sunny room.

This is "My Small World - The Villages." It measures 33" X 52" and is the sort of quilt that makes one pause to look at the details.

That's one reason why it now hangs in the entryway of our house. If nothing else, it's sure to be a conversation-starter when we have guests.

Everyone who makes My Small World, a design by Australian quilter Jen Kingwell, interprets it as they choose. I've seen a lovely variety of finishes with these being favorites: Di's "I Spy"; and Cindy's "A Day at Disneyland." You need only to look at the Instagram hashtag #mysmallworld or #mysmallworldqal (quilt-a-long) and a beautiful range of interpretations can be seen.

My Small World includes regular piecing, as well as hand appliqué, English paper-piecing (there's a "hill" of hexagons), and foundation paper-piecing.

Most of the approximately 550 neutral sky squares finish at 1" X 1". I really enjoyed that I didn't need to buy a single piece of fabric to make this quilt. I even had a backing fabric in my stash. (What does that say about my stash?!)

Specific to My Small World, I wanted to use colors (brights), prints (palms, oranges, fish, sand, beach chairs, flamingos), and designs that reflect Florida and The Villages. In place of embroideries for the Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, and Sydney Opera House, I embroidered the local Sumter Landing lighthouse, a palm, and a golf cart. Hence my reason for photographing the quilt on our golf cart.

"The Sunshine State" and "Flip Flops," are among some of the words in the quilt. You will also find a "blah" and "Delight yourself in the Lord."

I like this photo because of the shadow I made on the quilt. You can see I use a point-and-shoot camera.

To put the quilt together, I used Quilter's Dream Poly batting, and quilted two designs - a cloud-like free-hand formation for the sky, and cross-hatch in the lower "land" areas - simple quilting that doesn't distract from the busyness of the prints.

When this quilt popped up on Instagram last June, I jumped into the quilt-along. Though it's taken me six months to finish it, and many quilters have finished theirs ahead of me, other quilters are still working on theirs.

Now the original Quiltmania magazine pattern (with its many mistakes!) is out-of-print, and has been turned into a regular pattern... just in case you'd like to make Your Small World in fabric. Linda

21 comments:

  1. Another wonderful example of your creativity and attention to detail. It's also another of your quilts I hope to see in person one day! Congrats on a great finish.

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  2. It is a fantastic quilt. I love all of the handwork and special details. I hope you plan to enter this in a show.

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    1. Ah no... no show for this quilt! Too many imperfections. Besides, I made it just for me. But thank you for the compliment!

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  3. Stunning and you found the perfect spot for it (I'm assuming you won't leave it on your golf cart ;))! Great that you were able to use your stash; that always makes it a bit more special, right?

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  4. It is wonderful! And shows up so well on your entrance way wall!

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  5. The entrance way is the perfect place to display your quilt Linda! It looks right at home there. Cold weather in Florida- amazing! What a great excuse to stay in and sew!

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  6. Wow. What an accomplishment! I like how you made it so personal!

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  7. So much is see in your small world quilt. Very nice quilt!

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  8. Wow Linda!! It's simply fantastic! Thank you for sharing all the details you put into this quilt. I love that your themed yours The Villages. Hanging in your foyer seems the perfect spot! I bought the Quiltmania issue just for this pattern but never started. It's interesting to learn there were so many mistakes in the original pattern.

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  9. I really like your bright and cheery version. Nicely done.

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  10. I enjoyed seeing the finished project. It looks perfect in your entry.

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  11. Your Small World quilt looks amazing. I love all the interesting blocks and techniques you incorporated to personalize it for you and Florida. Would love to see it in person at a show in the future!

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  12. Beautiful! What a wonderful project! The placement in your entryway is perfect!

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  13. Congratulations on your finish. I love all your fabric and colour choices as they certainly look bright and sunny just like how I imagine your part of the world.

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  14. Linda, it's absolutely beautiful! I just love how everyone customized their versions with thoughtfulness and personalizations. Your skill and many talents definitely shine through in this lovely creation. XO

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  15. Linda, I love your small world quilt. It is so bright and cheerful. Good work!
    Edith

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  16. This is a such a "fun" quilt Linda. It looks lovely in your entryway. I like photo with the shadow too. Gives it a personal touch.

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  17. Your Small World looks beautiful hanging in your front hall. Really lovely finish!

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  18. What a great quilt! I think I'll go look for the pattern.

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  19. Great finish! And you are waaaaay ahead of me!

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