Catherine Daniel Ceramics

Hello and welcome to my blog where I share some of the thought processes and textile/quilting inspirations behind my ceramic art, and occasionally other random topics!
For more details and pictures of my ceramic creations, please see my website -

catherinedanielceramics.com



Thursday 20 December 2012

My First (but not last!) Quilt

So, as promised, here is some Christmas cheer, or more precisely something to give you a good laugh!
I finished my first ever quilt and really enjoyed making it.  I started with a plan (above) of what colour squares went where and then sewed them together in strips. I love these rich earthy colours - so wintery and warm.

I then embroidered five of the central plain squares with our family names and birthdays and then sewed the strips together to form the quilt top. Then I sandwiched together an old flannelette bed sheet,(which has made it REALLY cosy), my wadding in the middle and the quilt top on top and laid it all out on the floor.                                                            

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Taped it to the floor so that it didn't move and pinned it all together all over.  It helped laying it out on the kitchen tiles as I knew it was all straight by the edge of the tiles!
I really loved doing the embroidered squares - I haven't done chain stitch (or any stitch!) since primary school, but it somehow all came back and was totally relaxing.


Even the little lazy daisies were lurking somewhere in the recesses of my brain.  I decided to machine quilt the whole thing together using rainbow thread.  I love the idea of hand-quilting, but I knew 100% that I would never finish it if I went down that route!  I cut binding strips from a matching creamy yellow material and sewed those round the edge.  So pleased with the colour as it really sets it off beautifully - did mitred corners and everything!

Some of the quilting isn't completely straight - I went diagonally across each square - but it's not too bad for a beginner, and to be honest, I found pushing and pulling something this huge through the machine was an art in itself!  But ..... ta daaa!  Here it is - our Family Quilt - all finished.  Even sewed a label on the back giving it's name, date and maker.

Eldest child has already claimed it when I die (nice!).


I can honestly say that the whole thing was really enjoyable to do.  Thank you Lynne for your advice on how to go about it all.  Please note that this is IN NO WAY a tutorial!  But there loads of on-line tutorials and u-tube videos out there to help at every stage.

I shall now be snuggling under this to watch Downton on Christmas Day.  To date I have watched Jamie's Christmas, Mary and Paul's Christmas, Nigella's Christmas, Hugh Fernley do daa's Christmas, Kirsty's Christmas and many many more and I can honestly say that I now feel absolutely ready to have Cathy's Christmas!

Thanks for visiting throughout this year.
A Very Happy Christmas everyone!
See you in 2013!
x Cathy

25 comments:

  1. I have been wondering how you were getting along with your quilt! well done, you are now officially addicted...have a lovely Christmas Cathy.X

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  2. Lovely heirloom quilt Cathy - I love the colours and fabrics, and you've made it special by adding the names of your family.It's brilliant for a beginner (says she who's only ever made one full sized quilt so I should know - I never had the guts to machine quilt mine as I know that bits hard work!)

    Have a wonderful cosy Christmas (under your quilt)!
    Gill xx

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  3. Blah blah blah.. you said you couldnt quilt! Whatever! That is bloody gorgeous, I see we have some serious competition! Have a great christmas!!
    Heatherx

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  4. Beautiful quilt. I love the colours and what a brilliant idea to add the names and birthdays of your family. I like it that you planned out what goes where. I would never have thought of that (I know, I'm a complete fool!) - I'm a bit random! xx

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  5. You did a great job, and if Eldest's response was less than tactful, at least it shows that it was appreciated!

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  6. Lovely quilt, typical child response, well done you. Merry Christmas

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  7. This is so beautiful Cathy. I adore the colors you chose.
    Happy Holidays!

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  8. Hello Cathy, thank you for the Christmas wishes on my blog. We are still struggling with this virus but can see light at the end of the tunnel, so wishing you a very happy Christmas snuggled under your lovely quilt! Xxx

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  9. That is a really beautiful quilt - and I love the personal touch with the family birthdays.

    Happy Christmas - and may 2013 be filled with unexpected blessings for you and yours x

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  10. Looks lovely. I made one earlier this year and some of the quilting isn't totally straight either - but that's what makes it handmade isn't it.

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  11. That quilt is gorgeous.I love the colours and the idea of putting family names on is inspirational.Are all the family asking for a quit now?

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  12. Hey hey, Mrs Daniel! You have FINISHED it! And it looks brilliant. I did chuckle at the photo of the three layers laid out on the floor and TAPED TO THE TILES!!!! Well done you! And extra Brownie points for getting to grips with the sewing machine to quilt it. I'm very proud of you!

    Hope you and the family have a great Christmas, Cathy, will be in touch after the festivities. Lynnexxxx

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  13. Wow! I love it! I have never quilted either and am working up to trying some in the new year when the Smalls are back at school - I can barely string a sentence together with them home let alone try an new craft! I love the muted colours you have chosen and I love the idea of adding embroydery too.

    Have a lovley christmas - I look forward to seeing more of your creations soon.

    Eleanor x

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  14. hey if thats your first quilt I'm amazed, it's beautiful!
    Happy Christmas Catherine!!

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  15. That's an impressive quilt! Happy Christmas and I look forward to more posts in 2013!

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  16. Looks great like all creations, Cathy :0) Really cute :0) Wishing you have a Magic Christmas, dear friend :0)
    With lot of love from Moscow
    Natasha & Fam

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  17. Bravo! You go, girl :)
    Have the best Cathy's Christmas ever!

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  18. Congratulations on your first quilt! Nice job, and the embroidery adds so much to the quilt. I'm with you on the machine quilting-I love hand quilting-but it's so slowwwwww. Enjoy.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  19. Wow Cathy, that is some quilt for a first try ... I love it!

    I'm ridiculously late to be wishing you a Merry Christmas so have a slightly early Happy New Year instead :D

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  20. Oh it's beautiful and I love the birthdays idea. It makes it a very special blanket. I am impressed.

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  21. Congratulations on making a lovely quilt. I have seen the beautiful pottery you make and how you decorate the plates. This explains why embroidery on a quilt comes 'naturally' to you. Just beautiful.

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  22. it's really, simple can be beautiful ! Congrats with your first quilt, but not with last )))) hhtp://nataliaturchaninova.blogspot.com

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  23. Very nice work! Congratulations from Cracow!

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