Well it’s happy dance time and I’ve got my best dancing shoes on as I love this quilt so much! It’s the Cottage Garden quilt from the book of the same name by Kathryn Whittingham. Three weeks ago when I last posted I was making my way round the border and still pondering about the binding…
It didn’t take long to finish the quilting on the flowers as I’d worked out a pattern which I could get into a good rhythm with, with three rows of scallop shapes and then the middle petal. For the corner blocks I just stitched another four petal shapes and quilted a quarter inch inside round the little appliqued blocks.
I’m well chuffed with how the quilting came out, I used Gutterman’s Sulky thread, three different variegated ones. It was lovely to quilt with and the colours worked perfectly. I used a different batting to my usual too, unfortunately I don’t know what it was called as it was easy to quilt and has a nice loft, it feels slightly more polyester-ish to me than the usual 80/20 cotton ones I use.
I was still pondering about the binding, I had the two pieces of the olive green and a small amount of the dark red, a few readers were wary of scrappy borders due to the risk of trying to get a neat corner if the seam falls on it and I could see the dangers lurking there! I decided to consult with the Queen of scrappy quilts, Kate form Tall Tales from Chiconia! Kate was really helpful, she makes her scrappy bindings in four lengths so she can control the corner strips. She also advised on lengths of scraps etc. So a big thanks to Kate for giving me the confidence and know how to go through with my idea of a scrappy binding.
I cut my green binding strips into 2.25″ by 12 to 15″.The red one I just left as 2.25″ strips and trimmed as I went so as not to waste any. My original plan was to have a red square in between each green strip, in the end I decided I just wanted a couple on each side, so I put them every other green strip instead.
My first length was long enough to go down most of the first side, round a corner and almost to the second corner. This meant I could carefully pin it on to ensure I had a decent length of binding with no seams at the corner. I then carried on adding strips as needed. I did get cold feet half way through about the red, was it going to be too much, but of course I was looking at the 2″ square not the little strip which is visible at the end.
Well I love the scrappy binding and of course the red doesn’t over-power, it just adds that little pop to the edge. In fact I think it barely looks like a scrappy binding as the colours are so similar and sort of blend in.
All that was left was to embroider a name. All quilts should have a name, usually by the end I’ve thought of something, but this has always been known as ‘the cottage garden quilt’. I debated just embroidering that but I decided that was the name of Kathryn’s quilt, mine should have it’s own. After much thought I’ve called it ‘Bees & Blooms’, there are little bumble bees all over the quilt and all the blocks include flowers and I’ve quilted flower shapes too. I embroidered it in back-stitch on one of the squares at the back, together with my initials and the date.
So it’s finished! I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed making a quilt as much as this one, every stage has been a delight, from embroidering the appliqued blocks to piecing and finally hand quilting and binding it. Yes I even enjoyed the hand quilting!!
I have to give a big thank you to Kathryn Whittingham for sharing this gorgeous quilt in her book, if you fancy making one too please follow the link to her website, Patchwork Katy. My next project will be another of her quilts, the Seaside Quilt, I’ve already got my fabrics ready!
In the meantime, there’s lots of hand quilted inspiration if you follow the links below;
Hand Quilt Along Links
This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another. If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.
Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Gretchen, Daisy, Connie, and Sherrie
I’ll also be linking up to Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday.
thecraftycreek 
what a lovely happy dance! Well done, Margaret! This is a gorgeous quilt, and your hand quilting is superbe. Love the stripey band of colour on the back too !
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Thanks Claire, I like the stripe down the back, just wish I’d got it straight!! Something else to think about next time 🙂
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looks straight enoough to me ^^
Maybe once quilt has been washed, you’ll think it looks straighter?
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Beautiful quilt, so soft and gentle. Your hand quilting looks very nice.
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Your quilt is gorgeous! I am so glad that it has given you so much joy. I love the quilting that you decided on. It complements the quilt.
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What a beauty!
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So pretty! I love the soft spring colors. And your hand quilting is lovely. I’m liking the variegated quilting threads more and more.
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Thanks Karla, I’m a sucker for variegated threads 🙂
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Just beautiful. I love the pops of red in the binding!
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It is gorgeous! Happy dance for you.
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An award winner for sure! This is simply gorgeous. Dancing along with you on this finish. I love the name you gave her 🙂 The binding and stripe on the back ~ perfect!
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It’s stunning well done!
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Deserving of a happy dance! Love it!☺
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Absolutely gorgeous!
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Hi,
Your quilt is awesome! Love all the pretty colors.
Have a great day!
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I feel like I am joining in your Happy Dance. I have loved this since I first started watching Margaret and it is a stunning finish. Many Congratulations to you and this is well deserving of those Best Dancing Shoes. xxx
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Dancing along with you, Margaret, what a gorgeous quilt this is!
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Well done! It is a gorgeous quilt!
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Congratulations o your wonderful finish, it certainly is a gorgeous quilt indeed!
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It is certainly a delightful quilt and your hand quilting is supberb.
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Such a beauty! The colors are beautiful and being scrappy not overpowering. Great work!
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So beautiful and your fabric choices make it so sweet and happy!
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It’s so delightful and charming! A real treasure!! Yahoo! On a finish👏👏👏
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That is a really outstanding result! Such a pretty quilt, beautiful quilting, fund stripe on the back (it can be really hard to get those straight) and I’m so glad the binding worked out for you. I agree, those pops of red really make it. Lovely work, and a well deserved happy dance!
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Thanks Kate, and thanks again for your assistance with the binding 🙂
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Happy to help 🙂
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Absolutely gorgeous, you have made a stunningly beautiful quilt.
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Beautiful quilt. The back is as pretty as the front.
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