I finished a project this past week that I started in July of 2015. It was something I realized when I got into it that I had no idea what I was doing or the skills to really make it happen.
When I got to this point I realized each and every one of the petals on the blossom had to be quilted. Not being a free motion quilter, I knew I was in real trouble. So I stashed it away until 2019 and began to work on it off and on through 2022. By that time I had all the blossoms, leaves, stems and vines fused on. I now had to quilt them down. Between 2022 and this past week I picked it up off and on continuing to work on quilting down the blossom petals, leaves, stems, and vines. Often months between working on them. It was the hardest thing I have ever tried to do.
This past week I finally finished quilting down the last blossom on it. I have a sleeve sewn on the back and I am just finishing off the binding by hand. It is not perfect, there are a few wrinkles in between some of the pieces. Once I give it a good pressing I hope to eliminate some of those. However, I told my husband that brick walls, that the red fabric is supposed to represent are not smooth, and the red batik fabric does have some dark shading and splotches, hopefully will hide the wrinkles. This piece has sentimental memories for me. I just could not give up.
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You really grew in your skills over the years as you worked on this project. Well done. Lovely wisteria memories of your in-laws in every stitch. Gail at the cozy quilter.
ReplyDeleteYour wisteria wall quilt is beautiful. I'm glad it will remind you of the pretty wisteria that your husband's parents had.
ReplyDeleteWhat a special story being the wisteria wall hanging! Beautifully done!!
ReplyDeleteThe wisteria wall is beautiful and a lovely reminder of your wonderful in laws.
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful. Well worth the patience in learning the skills and the effort to make it the way you envisioned.
ReplyDeleteWow Donna--lots of beautiful quilting on these flowers...beautiful work...Too bad you had to take that wisteria down--so beautiful...they do really take over...hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteWhen we moved to our current house 3 years ago, my husband wanted to rip down the green vine. I told him NOOO! That’s wisteria. I’ve wanted wisteria my whole life. I look forward to the blooms every June. You’ll have lovely memories every time you look at this piece.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful. I am sure the memories it evokes will be fond ones.
ReplyDeleteYour brick wall of wisteria is beautiful. Once you hang that beauty on a wall it will look wonderful. I'm really impressed with your stick-with-it-ness. (not a word really but you did keep on working!) It is a visual representation of wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteOnly you will know where those small wrinkles are. It's a beautiful finish with a lovely story to go with it. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteA very special project, that was well worth finishing. Your fused-appliqué and quilting are beautiful, it's a lovely runner, full a sweet memories. Thank you so much for sharing this beauty and linking up.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! And even more special because it inspires such good memories. Wonderful job!
ReplyDeletewow huge beauty of art....very very nice...
ReplyDeleteWOW! I have seen this in your quilting studio for years, so proud of you for completing it. I can't wait to see it up close next month. Definitely a lovely reminder of the beautiful garden grandma and grandpa had. Awesome job, Mom!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're finished it.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful quilt. The flowers stand out beautifully against the red of the wall, and I can imagine how much effort it took you... but when it's finished, all the effort is forgotten.
Our goal is to create beauty.
You did it.
Congratulations.
I'm currently sewing the binding for my third quilt... what a wonderful thing: Quilt & Co. I'm so glad I found it.
Best, Viola
What a beautiful wall hanging!! I absolutely adore wysteria ... what a fun tribute to these beautiful flowers! And what a sweet comment from your daughter! :)
ReplyDeleteDonnalee your Wisteria wall hanging is a treasure. I’m so glad you kept on and got it finished. Every stitch must be filled with love and memories of loved ones and your happy home. Thank you for sharing your lovely quilt and the stories of your memories on To-Do Tuesday 😁 Carol
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Wow. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥
What a lovely achievement! Such a lesson on not giving up, knowing that we can all make progress if we just do even a little every day. The result is gorgeous. I'm so happy it brings you joy and reminds you of your in-laws. Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2025/05/21/wednesday-wait-loss-433
Hi Donnalee, after reading your post, I now understand why you didn't give up on this project. It's a long project that helped you become more comfortable with FMQ. Having to stitch all of those separate pieces means that none of them are the same, and that's a great thing. Your finish is truly beautiful and a great reminder of your husband's parents. Enjoy it and dismiss any puckers it may have. Thanks for linking up to Free Motion Mavericks!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt with beautiful memories. It was a lot of small pieces to stitch down, and working on it in small bites was a great idea.
ReplyDeletePerfection is overrated – but such a beautiful piece of art is always appreciated. Your wall hanging is beyond gorgeous! Congratulations on such a meaningful heirloom finish!
ReplyDeleteDonnalee, I love your Wisteria runner! It is fantastic. You did a great job with the quilting and I'm glad you got around to finishing it. Thanks for joining us at Monday Musings.
ReplyDeletecrazy beautiful
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