Friday 18 December 2015

CQJP Challenge 2015 - Finished Quilt!

Today I am really excited to share with you my CQJP Challenge 2015 finished quilt!!  After I had finished my December block I was keen to get all my blocks assembled into a finished quilt before the end of the year.



I got out all my blocks and arranged and then rearranged them several times.  I was a little uncertain that all the blocks were going to work together in one quilt as some of the blocks are quite different styles but, especially as some of the blocks were slightly different sizes. In the end, I managed to trim them down so that they could be pieced together but, it does mean that some of the embellishments are a bit closer to the edges of their blocks than I would have liked.  I learned a valuable lesson about leaving plenty of seam allowance which, I will definitely be carrying forward to my next crazy quilt!!



I knew that generally crazy quilts are not quilted, so I didn't layer the quilt with batting and backing and then bind it as I would a normal quilt.  Instead, I layered a piece of thin batting with the backing (right side up) and then laid the quilt top (right side down) on top and sewed around the edges leaving an opening for turning.


Before pressing.....

As I was piecing the blocks together I had been really, really careful not to press anything with the iron too hot as I knew there were a lot of sequins and other embellishments which may be damaged by the heat.

After..... see how the sequins are flatter and have lost all
their shine?

However, once I had stitched the top, backing and batting together, I thought it would be safe to turn up the heat a little to press the quilt when I turned it right side out.  That was a big mistake!!  Another lesson learned!! A lot of the sequins had lost all their shape and sparkle.  I ended up replacing the majority of them!! I won't be doing that again in a hurry!!


Pearly button added to the quilt front

The back of the button.... ties the layers together

Despite that, I have managed to get the quilt finished.  I tied the layers together by adding a few pearly buttons to the top here and there and stitching them all the way through to the back.  So here it is, my first ever crazy quilt! 




As I have my family all coming home from their studies and lots of fun activities lined up for over the Christmas period, this will be my last post for a couple of weeks.  I would like to wish you all the most wonderful Christmas whatever you are doing and thank you all for visiting me here!

::   M E R R Y   C H R I S T M A S   ::



53 comments:

  1. Liebe Christine,
    was für ein wunder-wunderschöner Quilt, einfach nur schön! Recht hast du, nimm die Zeit für deine Familie, dann wünsche ich euch allen schon: Ein frohes Weihnachtsfest und vor allem viel Gesundheit für das neue Jahr!
    Liebe Grüße
    Steffi

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    1. Thank you Steffi! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas too and my best wishes for the New Year! (I will probably be back before then!) Christine x

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  2. Christine, this crazy quilt is gorgeous, so delicate and pretty. I love adding sequins and beads to my work and have had several `accidents ´with the iron and also with decorating too near the edge. I do hope you and your family have have a wonderful Christmas, see you next year.

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    1. Thank you Sheryl! I am delighted to have it finished! Have a wonderful Christmas! I will probably be back again before New Year! Christine x

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  3. Wow Christine your quilt is amazing I really love it,well done my friend and merry Xmas to you and your family.xx

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    1. Thank you Shez! I am very pleased with it! Have a wonderful Christmas! Can't imagine what it must be like to have Christmas in the warmth of the Summer! Christine x

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  4. Well, it is beautiful in fact gorgeous I bet you are pleased, you should be. Have a great Christmas with your family..Doti..

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    1. Thank you Doti! I am rather pleased with it! Marry Christmas to you and your family too! Christine x

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  5. Christine it is so beautiful! I'm sure everyone will enjoy looking at it over the holidays. ;)
    What a sense of accomplishment you must feel. Great idea to add your lessons learned. What was the final size? Love the backing too.

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    1. Thank you Linda! I am thrilled that I have it finished! The finished blocks are approximately 8 inches square so it is roughly 32 x 24 inches. Have a lovely Christmas with your family! Christine x

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  6. What a beutiful quilt! It turned out sooo nice!
    KATRIN W.

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    1. Thank you Katrin! I am delight to have it finished! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas! Christine x

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  7. Congragulations. Your Quilt is so beautiful! Lovely embellishment!!!!

    Greetings Marion

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    1. Thank you Marion! Have a lovely Christmas with friends and family! Christine x

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  8. You did a beautiful job! I can't believe it's your first one! Congratulations and have a Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thank you Heather! I am really pleased I decided to try a crazy quilt! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas! Christine x

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  9. Wonderful!
    I just say wonderful!

    Dollandesign

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    1. Thank you and a merry Christmas! Christine x

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  10. How lovely to get it all finished in time for Christmas. It all goes together very well. I am looking forward to seeing it for real soon!
    I hope all the family arrive safely! xx

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    1. Thank you Janet! Looking forward to seeing you soon too! Chrissie x

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  11. Wow, wow and WOW!!! Your quilt is absolutely wonderful! I'm so glad you decided to make it into one quilt, rather than the two you were contemplating. So sorry about the iron issues though. Have a very happy, healthy and safe Christmas Christine - to you and your family.

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    1. Thank you Mary Anne! I am very pleased with the end result! Have a very happy Christmas too! Christine x

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  12. How wonderful it is all ready for Christmas especially now your family will be able to see it. I think your crazy quilt is gorgeous!

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    1. Thank you! It is lovely to have the family home! Have a wonderful Christmas there too! Christine x

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  13. I knew it would look pretty - and amazing. There is so much to see and admire on this special quilt.
    Have a lovely Christmas Christine and a very healthy, fun-filled New Year.
    p.s. Thank you for all the enjoyment I've had following your blog this year.
    xxxx

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    1. Thank you Amanda! I hope you have a lovely Christmas and a happy New Year too! Looking forward to following your blog again in 2016 too! Christine x

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  14. Absolutely fabulous!!! That quilt is just gorgeous! Have a great christmas and a happy new year!

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    1. Thank you! Hope you enjoy a Happy Christmas and New Year too! Christine x

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  15. Your crazy quilt is absolutely gorgeous! A real work of art! I love the subtle shades and beautiful embroidery and embellishments. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
    Helen xox

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    1. Thank you Helen! I am delighted with the finished quilt! Have a peaceful and happy Christmas with your lovely family! My best wishes for 2016 too! Christine x

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  16. Your crazy quilt is just stunning! I wasn't aware that sequins were so sensitive to heat--good to know. That couldn't have been too fun to replace them. The pearl button ties are the perfect ending to a lovely quilt!
    Merry Christmas!!!

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    1. Thank you Karen! I was pleased with the button ties! I wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas! Christine x

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  17. Fabulous job on finishing the crazy quilt I love thone crazy squares! Merry Christmas to you and your family too Christine.

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    1. Thank you Ali! enjoy a wonderful Christmas too! Christine x

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  18. Your quilt is absolutely beautiful, Christine. You must be so pleased with it. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Hugs, Christine xxx

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    1. Thank you Christine! I am really pleased with it! Have a lovely Christmas too! Christine x

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  19. That's a gem of a quilt, so, so pretty. A years stitching to truly cherish.
    Have a peaceful Christmas with your friends and family : )

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    1. Thank you Lyn! It is a quilt that will be cherished! Hope you have a lovely Christmas too! Christine x

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  20. Christine, it is really beautiful! What a work of art and a labour of love!

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  21. Oh and i forgot to say- have a wonderful christmas!

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    1. Thank you Wendy! I hope you have a lovely Christmas too! Christine x

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  22. In one word "Incredible" , I just love it and congratulate you on this finish . Merry Christmas to you and your family , enjoy your special time with each of them .

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    1. Thank you Sheila! I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas too! Christine x

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  23. Congratulations on completing your Crazy Patchwork Quilt - it is just amazing for your first one (I dont think I would have the patience to do a whole quilt!) Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and I look forward to our friendship continuing in 2016 xxx

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    1. Thank you Dawn! So excited for your new baby granddaughter! Looking forward to catching up with you again in 2016!! Christine x

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  24. Liebe Christine,
    traumhaft schön sieht dein Quilt aus, mit den Pailetten ist schon ärgerlich, aber der Quilt hat durch die vielen schönen kleinen Stickarbeiten und Verzierungen nicht an Schönheit verloren.
    Ich wünsche dir für die zeit mit deiner Familie schöne ruhige Tage und ein glückliches frohes Neues Jahr.

    Liebe Grüße
    Uta

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    1. Thank you Uta! I was really pleased with the finished quilt! Happy New Year to you too! Christine x

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  25. Your Crazy Quilt is so pretty, Christine! There is so much to look at. It's a record of many happy hours spent stitching, and a proper family heirloom! Congratulations on finishing it.
    Hugs! Barbara xx

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    1. Thank you Barbara! I am really pleased with the finished quilt and I love looking at it... you forget all the different stitches and motifs you have added! Christine x

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  26. Such a beautiful quilt and such nice stitching!
    Greetings Marle

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    1. Thank you for visiting me here and leaving a lovely comment! Christine x

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  27. Precioso, sorprendente y muy femenino! Me encantan tus trabajos!

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