We visited Ireland almost ten years ago. We took our children with us and I still have vivid memories of the place. We stayed in a place calls Schull in County Cork on the West Coast of Ireland. We took a lot of drives all around County Cork including the tip of Ireland where the Titanic sailed passed on its fatal voyoge! Just for interest, when we returned from Ireland I made an Irish chain quilt in memory of Ireland. I had lot of Liberty prints at that time so I thought, English - Irish well, related right? Maybe not, but anyway I decided to used Liberty prints for this quilt. The little squares are 1" x 1".
I decided to make it looks scrappy and because I have a lots of Liberty prints I thought I would throw them all in. The result was quite pleasing. After I finished the top I thought it needs something else in the white center of the blocks. I thought of the shamlock leaves and as it happened I had a solid green Liberty fabric that was perfect for it. I got to work on that and it took ages to complete all the blocks and border.
I started hand quilting it using cross hatch design. Cross hatch quilting is my favorite hand quilting design. If all else fails cross hatch it! I have to try and work on it a bit more, but time is a big fector in my life at the moment.
I do have many quilt projects on the go and I would love to get them finished one day. My idea and style preferences have changed over the years and what I thought I liked 5 years ago, I'm not so keen on any more. Luckily my quilts are kind of traditional and scrappy so they have not aged that much. I haven't started many projects lately; instead trying to finish the one I started. I actually stopped quilting for a few years just prior to started blogging. Blogging has been great to motivate me to get back into quilting again. Thank you Mr Blogger!
What a great quilt
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs Gina x
Waht a lovely quilt and such wonderful memories behind it!
ReplyDeleteYes, I know what you mean about taste changing. I think that is fun. It would get boring if you stayed the same, I think.
Enjoy all the finishes you want to work on ;o)
thanks for sharing your memories with us, what a great quilt.
ReplyDeleteOh I love cross hatching on any quilt! I am happy that your back into quilting I enjoy seeing your projects and quilts !
Kathie
Pretty quilt, Nat. And how lovely to sit and remember that trip while you work on it. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely memories for you dear Nat...isn't that what it's all about!!! I know what you mean about tastes changing...mine stays the same sort of but different if you know what I mean...Love Dzintra♥x
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely quilt to keep the memories of your trip alive. The shamrock leaves really make it something special.
ReplyDeleteThat must of been such an amazing trip, did you kiss the Blarney Stone.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is very lovely.
Love Lynda xxx
Love your quilt Nat and thanks for sharing your story about it. I'm a starter and I love to start projects, but I'm slow to finish. Blogging has kept me encouraged to finish also.
ReplyDeleteI love the quilt and the hatching looks beautiful on it. I am going to put that down as one of my projects to do one day. I just love the ideas you come up with.
ReplyDeleteWillow
Love your scrappy quilt and cross-hatching is perfect.
ReplyDeleteFor me too, blogging encourage me for more finishing !
That's a real special quilt! All your memories about your trip are in there....... (and probably many more..... ;) ...)
ReplyDeleteI just love the scrappy look of it and those lovely green shamlock leaves look perfect on the white blocks!! :)
Love and hope you find a bit more time to quilt!
(I hope so too......) Hug, Ria.
Thank you Nat for sharing the story and pictures of your lovely quilt. I like the scrappy look. I also find encouragement through blogging.
ReplyDeleteIt's so crazy that I've never been to Ireland and I live just next door in a global sense!! It's on my wishlist. My niece was born on St Patrick's Day and celebrated her 21st birthday in Dublin, she had an amazing time. I would prefer the coast and countryside I think but really should go.
ReplyDeleteCompletely charming. I like the added shamrock. It's a strong contrast, and it works!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely quilt.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to remember your trip! I love how you were able to use your Liberty fabrics.
ReplyDeleteBTW-I agree with you- scrappy quilts never go out of style! That is how they made quilts in the "old days" and that is how I love to make my own quilts.
Enjoy your hand quilting,
Stefanie
I like the addition of the shamrocks to the Irish chain. You will always have fond memories when you look at it.
ReplyDeletenice quilt to bring back all those memories. i understand about having lots of unfinished projects, but i can't stop myself from starting new ones.
ReplyDeleteNat: your quilt is breathtaking: I agree, it is timeless and couldn't be more Irish.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love love love the scrappyness of it
Congrats!
xox 4 u , 'philenada-mou'!
Yes tastes do change but the memories the older quilts have stay the same.
ReplyDeleteI look at early quilts and remember why I made them and where the fabric came from. ect. Hope you find some time for the cross hatching.Alwaya so much to do here as well.
Huggs Terry
Wow! Great quilt and such a nice memory of your family trip. One inch squares is REALLY TINY - yikes! I think the shamrocks are a really nice touch!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be nice if we could all finish the things we have started?!? LOL I try to be disciplined and not start anything new, but there is so much lovely stuff out there to tempt us!
The scissoroos are such a huge hit in Ypsilanti, MI USA!!! They are just my favorite thing...when I am sewing with others, I make a HUGE DEAL every time I make the smallest little snip so that they will get noticed! Thank you ever so much.
I am sending you one of my latest, greatest finds...an amazing, USEFUL tool for hand quilting. Maybe it can assist you with finishing this quilt!
In stitches,
Teresa :o)
Hi Nat. You have led such a interesting life and travelled to some amazing places. I know you would have made the most of your time in Ireland. And your quilt is gorgeous (those liberty squares are so teeny!) As always I feel inspired and happy after reading your latest blog post.
ReplyDeleteDot xx
A lovely Irish quilt
ReplyDeleteWe are very fortunate to have your blog to read! Thank you for such interesting posts showing all of the wonderful things you make and do.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who LOVES Ireland. She is an award winning quilter, and has many Irish tribute quilts around her home.
It's lovely and has a nice story attached to it too. I don't think scrappy does go out of style and definitely not liberty fabrics. Ireland is one place I'd love to see.
ReplyDeleteLove that quilt--so bright
ReplyDeleteHello Nat, A quilt with memories,that is the best sort. Good luck with the projects waiting to see the light.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Bev.xoxo
Hi Nat, I love your Memories of Ireland quilt. Making it to honour your holiday gives it a special meaning and all those beautiful liberty fabrics are just perfect together.
ReplyDeleteI love crosshatching too for handquilting, mainly because I don't have to turn the quilt around and carry the thread as much (I'm too lazy) plus it looks really good too, especially on traditional style quilts.
Hi Nat,
ReplyDeleteYou have been selected to receive the Sunshine Award.
Please check my blog. I was nominated by Granny Quilts. Congratulations and I hope you have fun with this.
Emily
What a pretty quilt! Ireland is awaiting you, and you can always visit again. It would be lovely to meet you!
ReplyDeleteMicki
What a neat quilt Nat! I love it! :-)
ReplyDeleteA wonderful quilt Nat! One day I hope to visit Ireland.
ReplyDelete