With the rain lashing down endlessly again; I have decided to live in denial for a few minutes by feeding you the impression that it is in fact fairly beautiful outside. These lovely pics of my finished Delightful quilt were taken a couple of weeks back, when we were living (as we should be) in spring.
This quilt pattern uses a simple block arrangement to give a pinwheel with a twist. When I first drew it up back in December, the blocks reminded me of those pinked edges you get on the end of ribbons. A couple of my readers have also commented on how the blocks resemble the letter M, which is something I really didn't see until it was mentioned. I really love the movement that is created when you look at this pattern - my eyes kind of go fluttery as they go back and forth looking at the jiggedy-ness created - do yours do it too? (or is it just these eyes of mine).
Since this quilt is named delightful - I thought it only correct to wake my eldest daughter up early one morning in the Easter holidays, then drag her outside to hold up the quilt whilst I took a few snaps (before she'd had her breakfast). As you can make out, she really was delighted to be my little quilt elf and did not complain that her arms were aching. Not even once.
Not even when I took this one.
The garden bench was slightly more helpful but that is probably because it can't speak.
Of all the quilts I have ever quilted, I think this one was my all time favourite quilting experience. Maybe I have finally got used to my machine after only three years of use. I quilted it in lines of loops going across the width - it took a whole day to quilt but I am definitely doing the loops again.
Delightful quilt pattern is available here.
Fabrics are from my Sew Stitchy line (available in August) and moda bella solid in white bleached.
Just ordered some "Little Apples" to make my Delightful with. Can't wait! :)
Posted by: Mary | 04/26/2012 at 12:54 PM
Your quilt is certainly delightful and gorgeous too. I have some, A Walk In The Woods and Sherbet Pips that I want to make something with, but haven't been able to bring myself to cut into them yet. I will soon, well that's what I keep telling myself. So glad your daughter was so happy to help. Jacinta
Posted by: embracingitall | 04/26/2012 at 01:13 PM
it is absolutely...delightful :)
Posted by: Michelle | 04/26/2012 at 01:25 PM
The loops look perfect.
Posted by: Flying Blind | 04/26/2012 at 02:47 PM
Your sweet daughter makes a superb quilt elf and, yes, my eyes do struggle to see the "m" amidst the pinwheels!! Lovely fresh Springtime quilt (Spring is the time for weather system battles here, too. Very cool and many rain filled days!). Lovely pics. Hugs, Doreen
Posted by: Treadlemusic.wordpress.com | 04/26/2012 at 03:00 PM
It is indeed Delightful! What a cute quilt elf you have there!
Posted by: Jody | 04/26/2012 at 03:29 PM
that's gorgeous Aneela! And I can relate only too well to the complainy 12 year old girl :-/
Posted by: Charlotte | 04/26/2012 at 04:58 PM
I didn't see the 'M', too. But if there's a 'M' there's also a 'W' ... like wonderful!
Hildy
Posted by: Hildy | 04/26/2012 at 05:10 PM
It's definitely delightful!!
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | 04/26/2012 at 06:23 PM
Delightful indeed. Delightful quilt and a more delightful elf. It took these old eyes a bit to see the ribbon ends or the Ms but I found them. I was too busy eyeing off the delightful fabrics and neglected to see the white fabric. But I see it now and prefer the ribbon ends to the Ms even with my maiden name beginning with M.Roll on August.
Posted by: Julie | 04/26/2012 at 09:19 PM
PS I love the quilting. You've done a great job on it.
Posted by: Julie | 04/26/2012 at 09:21 PM
I love your quilt. I'm excited about your new fabric line coming out too!
Posted by: Nicole Gendy | 04/27/2012 at 03:39 AM
First thing I noticed was the M. Maybe your quilt is an M-'n- M's quilt? ( or is that a trademark infringement?) Never mind. I hope that this quilt is for the charming young quilt princess. It would only be a fair exchange for her sore arms.
Posted by: Ute | 04/27/2012 at 08:36 AM
Oh this is so so pretty Aneela! Love me a good pinwheel! And loopys are my favorite quilting pattern, they're so relaxing! :)
Posted by: Jeni | 04/27/2012 at 10:55 PM
This is such a beautiful quilt. I love the way you've changed the pinwheel, it adds a great visual interest to an already intriguing quilt pattern. I may have to try this with my next quilt!
Posted by: Judy | 04/28/2012 at 01:15 PM
Hello from Abilene, Texas! I love the pinwheels and fabric, beautiful quilt! I really like your quilting loops. I have never attempted anything on my machine but straight lines, in the ditch and outlining. Would love for you to give some instruction on how to handle the bulk of a larger quilt while working on the loops. I enjoy your blog and you have a lovely helper!
Posted by: Brenda T | 04/28/2012 at 03:44 PM
Gorgeous design and beautifully quilted. Did you manage to quilt this large one with your ordinary sewing machine, or do you have a long-arm machine? PS I have Little Apples waiting to be used - it's going to be a quilt for my grand-daughter.
Posted by: Pat Gornall | 04/29/2012 at 04:34 PM
Hi Pat,
I quilted this on my own machine at home. I have a Pfaff quilt expression 4.0 which has a generous throat space for keeping the rolled part of my quilt under whilst I machine quilt it.
:)
Posted by: aneela | 04/29/2012 at 05:04 PM
Very pretty - the pattern and the fabric (and the quilting too!)!
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | 05/14/2012 at 11:28 PM
Aneela, you are a star!
I've had a stack of my late dads shirts to make into memorial quilts for my 3 siblings and myself and I just couldn't decide on which block pattern to use (it was hard enough making the first cut in preparing the shirts to cut) However this "delightful" quilt is going to be the one as indeed my lovely father was a delight AND his name was Michael. The M's in the blocks are just perfect.
Thankyou, thankyou xxx
Posted by: Sharon | 05/16/2012 at 11:11 PM