Scrap Happy – Finished Provençal Quilt!!!
Provençal
I have been working on this quilt since January 2020, making one block a month, using scraps of fabric bought in Provence – some by my mother-in-law in the 1960’s and 70’s, and others bought there by me in 2010 after I walked the Camino de Santiago.
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Quilted!
On Saturday I picked up the finished top! The machine quilter was skeptical about my request to do feathers around the outside borders and geometric centre blocks, but she did a nice job. She also wanted to quilt it in yellow thread but I had my heart set on red.
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trimming
I trimmed off the extra cotton/polyester batting, then machine-sewed a 2.5 inch strip of binding fabric to the right side.
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Pinned
…then folded over and pinned the binding to the back.
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Red
We wanted to stitch the binding with red thread too in case we accidentally went through to the front side.
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Sewing
Constance helped sew the binding strip to the back using a slip stitch…
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Acceptable
…the cat kept her eye on the work.
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Bedroom
The quilt looks good in this room…
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Finished!
What a great feeling to have finally come to the end of the work…and it is full of memories – of my late mother-in-law, the pilgrimage to Santiago, and the pandemic…a long life, a long walk, and a long test of endurance.
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ScrapHappy is a group of bloggers using up scraps of anything – no new materials…Anything made of genuine scraps is eligible, and posts come out once a month on the 15th! If you like the idea and want to join the group, contact Kate or Gun who devised and run this group. Their blogs are the first two links below:
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Quimper Hittys 
That’s fabulous, Kjerstin! What a wonderful memory quilt! It’s absolutely gorgeous!
Thanks so much…We are pleased with it and so glad to get it finished and on the bed!
Dear Kjerstin, Your Provencal quilt is so gorgeous–love the rich colors and the variety of blocks. And how wonderful it is that the quilt includes fabrics from your late mother-in-law, bringing her into the warmth and wonder of the season. Love, Judith
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In this dark season it is really comforting to think of warmth and wonder being wrapped in a quilt full of stories. I think it will impart good dreams, and good memories to me anyway. A real true comforter!
Kjerstin, your quilt has turned out beautifully. You and Constance have been troopers all along with this in the choosing, the cutting, the arranging, the sewing and now, the presentation. Isn’t it amazing what fabric can hold for us? Hitty hugs plus from me to you.
Thanks so very much – for the hugs and the love and encouragement! One block at a time got it done, just like one day at a time gets us through the pandemic, the long walk, and our lives!
I have enjoyed following your progress on this beauty. What a wonderful way to keep a memory. When I look at all that’s been done by people during the pandemic… I am in awe. Merry Christmas! And may 2022 be much better than 2021! Amen, and pass that egg nog!
Best wishes for 2022 to you and yours too. All we can we do is hope and do our small part to make things better. It has been fun sharing the progress of the quilt-making. I can’t wait to share the finished quilt with the friend who made the same blocks along with me, except in Liberty print fabrics!
I didn’t realize until this post that it was a lifesize quilt. I always thought it was doll sized. hehe. I had mentioned my scrap bin was nearly empty at a ladies meeting at church… mistake… I now have three drawers FULL of fatquarters and partial yards. As of last night. If I disappear for a few days… you’ll know why! ROFL! 🙂
That is a beautiful quilt and the feather quilting looks gorgeous – you were right to hold out for your choices!
Thanks so much! The quilter was convinced that I was breaking some rule in wanting it done this way, but I wanted to honour the classic Provençal quilting tradition with fancy borders and plain quilting in the body of the quilt…I like the way it turned out!
Beautiful fabric, and I love the variety of blocks!
Thank you – it was a very warming and fun project to work on during this time!
Your finished quilt is beautiful. The memories that are sewn into each square of fabric is precious.
Thank you so much, the whole quilt is rich with memories. I love every block – even the ones that look a bit chaotic – now the quilt is complete they blend in too.
It is glorious! And, yes, it does look exquisite in that room. This beautiful quilt will continue to bless those who see and touch it for generations. Thank you for creating such beauty.
I wonder who will sleep under it in the future, and what they will dream about? You are welcome – it was a pleasure to work on, how could I not share!?
amazing, the colours are stunning. Happy you held out for the red thread and the feather quilting. Think your mother-in-law would be delighted – so many memories, held together with little stitches.
Yes – memories held with stitches, what a nice thought. I know the stories that make it meaningful to me, and I am glad you see through the overall riot of colours down to the level of needle and thread! Thank you!
Congratulations on a beautiful, luscious finish! The colors sing and I especially love the teal/green you chose for sashing! Gorgeous!
Thanks so much! The sashing/mullions were my innovation since the pattern instructions to place an “hourglass” between every block. didn’t work for me!
That’s wonderful, such warm, strong, sunny colours. Also perfect for the season, of course! Outstanding quilting, too – I’m sure the Hittys were very helpful with that.
My brother’s daughter walked the Camino de Santiago last year and said it was a life-changing experience.
Surprisingly perfect though it wasn’t my intention, and like you red and green don’t particularly mean Christmas to me.
I do love the finished quilt for so many reasons, and of course the Hittys were helpful at every step of the way, especially with encouraging and egging me on the take “one more step”…as Constance did when we were on the Camino!
such an emotive piece, and really lovely. thank you for sharing it.
Thank you! I was particularly pleased when our cat curled up on it before during and after it was being worked on…the cat’s seal of approval!
It´s a beautiful quilt and I´m glad you took time to finish it!
Thank you so much! It was a little like stealing time from Christmas projects to do the final finishing, but I really thought it deserved to be completed!
This is really so beautiful dear Kjerstin, I loved the colours and patterns, I know the feeling to finish. Thank you, Love, nia
Nia, thank You! It is good to complete a project! My little black cat likes it!
what a work of art. Your choice for quilting the feathers and the use of red thread..inspired! The colors the patterns…so wonderful!
I am amazed that it is all done – thanks! I was wondering if I should start a new one, but maybe I will concentrate on the star and flower quilt first…
This is one of the most beautiful quilts, full of memories and good cheer.
Thank you so much! We are cheerful that it is finished at last!