Wagon Wheel Quilt. Done.

Monday, January 18, 2010


I finished it last night and this morning I threw it in the wash for a quick rinse/spin cycle and then into the dryer it went.  You can't help but want to curl up with these things when they're all warm and fluffy and wrinkly, right out of the dryer!  Mmm...there's nothin' better.  I can't though.  It's kind of a secret quilt.  I'm trying not to draw too much attention to it.

The inspiration for this quilt came from here.


This is my first quilt that I made completely by myself.  No longarmer.  Just me and my little machine.  I've quilted some smaller runners before, but this was a pretty big project for me [65x44].  It went really well.  I think I only got one tiny little tuck as I quilted it.  Like one little stitch accidently caught a little extra fabric that it shouldn't have.  I'm feeling pretty good right now though.  Dare I say even a little proud of myself?  Just because I didn't spend any money on the quilting part of it and it turned out fairly well.  That makes me feel good inside.

Q. Katie said, "You should be so proud! This turned out beautifully. Did you draw your lines for the quilting? How did you get them so straight?"

A. Well, I used blue "painters tape" to mark my lines. Each piece of tape would stay sticky for 2 or 3 rows and then I would get a new piece of tape. I started in the middle of my quilt and then put a piece of tape on either side of that first line so I could do two lines without having to get up and reposition the tape again.  Plus, it didn't sound too fun to me to spend a half an hour [at least] marking my lines, so I just did it as I went.  Like I said, this was my first time, so this is what appealed to me.  I often just make do with what I have.  Plenty of painters tape.  No water soluble marker.  Go figure.


I used Amy Butler's Sun Spots in Mint for the binding.  I chose to do it on the bias so that the dots were a little more staggered.  I love the colors of it!



Here's the back: 

It's Nicey Jane's Hop Dot in Cream.  I was just barely shy on my width, so I decided to use up some more scraps for a pieced strip going down the middle of it.  I wanted a light back so that my white thread would blend a little more, just in case my quilting job wasn't pretty:)

At the last minute, I decided I better put a label on this baby so I did a quick stitch of some important info about this quilt right onto the back.  Blake's baptism isn't until October, so for once, I'm ahead of schedule.  I wanted to put our city and state, but ran out of room so this will have to do. 

This one brought a big sense of accomplishment.  Thanks for all of your support and tips.  Maybe next time, I'll get myself some basting pins.  Then it won't be physically scary.  Maybe just a little emotionally scary.  It actually wasn't too bad though:)

***P.S. Today I'm going to the printer for the final proof of my patterns.  I'm so excited!!!***

24 comments:

  1. Amber, you should be proud of yourself. You did a beautiful job both on the piecing and the quilting. Love the way you pieced the back too. Will watch for more of your quilts, also your finished patterns.
    Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  2. That's such a pretty quilt! And isn't it a miraculous feeling to know that you can quilt them without relying on someone else's machine?

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  3. I think it turned out lovely!

    I'm always interested in how others quilt their quilts - I mean what pattern they choose. That's the hardest thing for me to decide. I've never paid for quilting... maybe I should just once.

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  4. You should be sooooo proud, that is a beautiful quilt and very well done!!!

    Yahooooo about your pattern!!

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  5. Oh it is just beautiful! I love your signature box on the back!!

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  6. Well done Mom! It's so beautiful. You did a great job. He will cherish it.

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  7. It's beautiful! I love your use of the binding fabric and pieced backs are always cute. The quilting is really nice too.

    And months ahead of time! You rock!

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  8. Beautiful quilt. I love the way you've quilted it. You should be very proud of yourself.

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  9. The wagon wheels are very nice, and it will be loved to the dottie edges! I like your neat label, too.

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  10. What a beautiful quilt! You never cease to amaze me with your crafty skills and you should definitely be proud this project, it's wonderful. What a special gift for Blake, for a very special day. Way to go!

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  11. You should be so proud! This turned out beautifully. Did you draw your lines for the quilting? How did you get them so straight?

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  12. LOVE IT! Your stitches are perfection! :)

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  13. Awesome job Ambs! I love, love, love it!

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  14. Amazing! I love it, Blake is a lucky little boy!

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  15. amber, i am so impressed. project after project, and each one so wonderful. i would love to try the quilting on my machine sometime, i'll have to work up the courage. that is such a sweet idea for blake. my mother-in-law made a simple blanket for matt's baptism, and he loves it.
    good job! xoxo

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  16. Thanks for answering my question about the lines! I like your painter's tape idea. The markers make me a little nervous.

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  17. It does look more like a wagon wheel than a spiderweb quilt I like that name better.I'm one that will not pay to have my quilts quilted. I can live with them how ever they turn out when it saves money.LoL

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  18. Beautiful. I love how you signed it. I'm working on a quilt for my son's 18th birthday and I think I will do that, too. His will be abit late, though :) What kind of foot did you use on your machine?

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  19. Your quilt is wonderful! What a great job you did with the quilting. I just found your blog but will be back to read more and see your new patterns.

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  20. It is gorgeous! I love the colours you chose, and I like the idea of giving one as a baptism present - I have one turning 8 this year, so maybe can get one done in time too!

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  21. I have just found your blog today. Great job on this quilt. I just finished one that was simliar, a kites & spiderwebs quilt. I love the quilt pattern in the top left corner of your banner, is that one you designed? Also, how special that you give your son a quilt for his baptism. That is a wonderful idea. :)

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  22. Oh my, this is an awesome quilt...love the colors and the backing is perfect!!! Enjoyed visiting your blog!

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I ♥ to hear from you so please feel free to leave a comment. I read each one and try to respond as often as I can. Thanks so much for stopping by! ~Amber