Turtle Sherbet is one of the most fun quilts I've finished so far this year, but I counted again after binding this one, and I'm still two quilts short of my Thanksgiving goal. Wishful thinking, I guess.
This quilt doesn't have as much of a story behind it as most of my other finished quilts and WIPs. About a couple of years ago or so, I think, I read about jelly roll race quilts that could be finished in a day. I was skeptical but up for the challenge. I enlisted my friend Ruthie in New Mexico to quilt along with me. Both of us bought our first (and very inexpensive) jelly rolls with the goal of finishing a quilt top the following weekend.
I didn't finish mine in a day because I came up with a bunch of fun ideas while I was piecing the strips, including the turtle designs featured on this quilt. After finishing the piecing, I sliced a diagonal strip out of the quilt top and replaced it with a bias strip of white.
The finished top looked pretty awesome but to me, seemed to be missing something. I drew the turtles on scrap paper, then cut them out using the strip of rainbow jellies I'd cut out of the quilt and odds and ends of white. After machine applique of the turtles in their new tropical habitat, I was very happy with the new look.
Earlier this year, I went through all my WIP projects and made quilt sandwiches from the completed tops. This has made trying to finish a bunch of quilts in time for Christmas a little easier, however, I miss piecing! Can't wait until all my Christmas gifts are done so I can start piecing again.
I envisioned using a free-motion water wave stitch on this one, and actual stitching went very quickly when I finally sat down to the sewing machine.
Second totally free-motion quilted WIP I've finished this month, and although I'm still pretty shaky, this one turned out great. It should make a niece a happy and warm camper.
Ruthie still hasn't finished her jelly roll quilt. Perhaps this finish will inspire her to get going again!
Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.
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The turtles sure look at home in their new habitat, great idea indeed
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat! This was a super fun project, from start to finish!
DeleteIt turned out great! You make it look easy.
ReplyDeleteThis one was comparatively easy, Lizard. I'll have to show you how to do that wave stitch because it does go super fast!
DeleteWhen I saw the photo of the turtle quilt over on Can I Get a Whoop Whoop link party, I just had to come see. I love sea turtles. And I love your quilt and how you adapted the jelly roll race quilt to jazz it up a bit. Your niece is going to love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, SuperMom! I can kind of see all seven girls arguing over who's going to get this one!!!
DeleteBeautiful! A nature lover will really treasure this quilt.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gemini Jen!
DeleteWow! The quilting looks great. As does the entire thing. I love the way the turtles seem to be swimming down a white tunnel before turning into the rainbow sea. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue! I'm kind of anxious to make another like this! After I finish some of the WIPs...
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