Friday 18 October 2013

From K - Finished Salt Water Swoon Quilt

This past weekend when I was home for Thanksgiving, I gifted one of my favourite quilts to someone I am especially thankful for. This Salt Water Swoon Quilt was made specifically with my grandma in mind and I was so excited to finally share it with her.


For as long as I can remember, my grandma has had an extensive sea shell collection. Meticulously selected, each shell represents a place, an experience, a trip she has taken with my grandpa. When I spotted Tula Pink's Salt Water line, I knew it was exactly the line I had been waiting for.


She married my grandfather in a time and place when raising four kids and managing a family farm was the rule and not the exception. While I see my grandmother as strong, proud and grateful for the beautiful life she created, my mind often goes back to a conversation we had a few years back...


...my grandma loves to garden and more than anything, she loves flowers. She once told me me that had she been born in another time, she would have simply loved to arrange floral bouquets. Knowing that, Thimble Blossoms' Swoon Pattern seemed like an obvious choice when deciding what to whip up with the Salt Water bundles I ordered.


This is the first top that I have made that I didn't quilt myself. Instead I opted to send this to a local long arm quilter, who also happens to know my grandma. She did a fabulous job I think it reflects my grandma's aesthetic perfectly. Swirls, flowers and hearts all over.
 

For the backing I chose to feature the seashell print in the blue colourway, as that just so happens to be one of my grandma's favourite colours. I decided to bind it in a darker blue print from the same line to help ground the linen background of the quilt top.

Final Quilt Details:
  • Quilt Name: Salt Water Swoon Quilt
  • Finished Size: queen sized (80" x 80")
  • Fabric: Salt Water by Tula Pink (flowers, backing and binding) and a mystery linen from my LQS that looks just like sand (background)
  • Pattern: Swoon by Thimble Blossoms
  • Quilting: a long arm quilter from my home town
My goal for this quilt was to make it fit her taste and aesthetic, but also I wanted to ensure it was something really wonderful to snuggle under. Although the linen background made for quite a challenge at times, I am thrilled with how soft to the touch it is, and I may just be tempted to work with linen again.

This is my first completed project for the Q4 2013 Finish A-Long - read more about my other goals here.

Linking up to TGIFF and Finish it up Friday over at Crazy Mom Quilts.

28 comments:

  1. The quilt and quilting is beautiful. I love the fabric choices.

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  2. Oh wow - it's stunning. What an amazing gift for your grand-mother!

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  3. That line is amazing and your quilt is absolutely beautiful!

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  4. What a beautiful quilt! It seems to suit your grandma perfectly!

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  5. What a thoughtful and beautiful gift, Kelsey! I'm sure your grandmother will 'swoon' over it (sorry, couldn't resist!) -- it's gorgeous! Thanks for linking up to TGIFF! and OctoberQuest 2 -- good luck!

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  6. SO beautiful, and your thoughtful details will make it even more special to your grandma!

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  7. Oh, I love this! It's absolutely stunning and the story is priceless!

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    1. Ashley, what the heck girl, you're suddenly a 'no-reply blogger', how did that happen? Please saunter along now and go rectify that situation. In the meantime this is what I tried to email in reponse:

      Thanks Ash! My grandma was totally speechless when she opened up this quilt and I really think she liked it. I'm excited that she can use it on her bed and I could really tell how much she loved the fabric choices (which I always think is a huge compliment because picking fabric for other people is HARD). I'm glad you like the finished quilt as much as I do :)

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  8. This is just beautiful, and will surely be loved and cherished.

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    1. Kay you are a 'no-reply blogger' - yikes! Better work on that! Here is what I tried to email you in response:

      Thank you Kay :) I really think she loved it and I'm so happy about that. She is the sweetest little grandma and it's nice to know that even though I live far away, she will have something to look at everyday that reminds her of how much I love her... Yah super cheesy but honestly so true :)

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  9. Kelsey, it's really gorgeous. Your grandma will love it. The quilter did a really nice job too.

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  10. Absolutely beautiful Kelsey! The quilting is fantastic and i love your choice for the back and binding. Gorgeous!

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  11. This is beautiful! What a wonderful gift for your grandmother.

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  12. This swoon is beautiful! The quilter also did an amazing job.

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  13. I love this! Your grandma sounds like a great lady! I am sure she will cherish your beautiful gift. And the blue binding was a fabulous choice!

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  14. It's gorgeous. Congrats!!!

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  15. What a lovely quilt and lovely story! I love Tula's fabric and it looks great in the Swoon! Congratulations!

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  16. A beautiful quilt, and a beautiful story. I'm still auditioning fabric for my Swoon quilt. Nice to have a finish checked off, isn't it?

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  17. oh. my. goodness! This quilt is so gorgeous! I love that fabric line and your quilt really shows it off!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  18. Super gorgeous, Kelsey!! I love it! I bet your grandmother loves it too! Gosh, I need to make a swoon quilt!

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  19. Gorgeous! What a touching gift, I love hearing the stories behind the quilts!

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  20. This is a wonderful quilt, and a lovely story too.

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  21. Stunning! Great story for a fabulous quilt and grandmother! Nicely done.

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  22. What a lovely and thoughtful quilt! Salt Water is such a fun line, and I think it is great how you tied the project to things your Grandmother loves.

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  23. It looks amazing!!! I love how you quilted it and I loved playing around with the red tool at summit :)

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  24. This is absolutely beautiful! I loved the first few blocks you posted and the finished quilt is fabulous - you have a very lucky Grandma!

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  25. Beautiful quilt - what a loving gift!

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