Friday, December 30, 2016

MOD Bear Paw--Finished


I am doing a happy dance over this quilt!  This will be my last official finish for 2016.  Technically, I had only hoped to have this one pieced by the end of the year, but somehow managed to pull off a full complete finish.

Late in the summer, Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts  contacted me and asked if I would have time to look over a pattern that she had just put the finishing touches on.  I gladly said yes.  This quilt spoke to me the moment I saw it.  I had what Sandra calls a DrEAMi moment.  Only I didn't drop everything and make it immediately.  I waited until Lorna announced her quilt along in the fall.  I wanted to turn this into a "West Virginia" quilt.  My vision was to do the bear paw blocks in our state colors of blue and gold with a black bear, our state animal.

It took a bit of fabric planning, trying to figure out how much of what I needed and how they translated into the pattern.    


 I opted to make the baby quilt size and decided to add borders to make it slightly bigger.  Let me tell you, this was a whole lot of small HST's.  My little head was spinning.  With all the other projects I had going on, I decided to work them as a leader/ender project.  This was a great idea.  It allowed me to constantly be working on the quilt, but also finish other things as well.  


This tote stayed by my machine at all times and I kept everything straight by using sandwich bags to organize.  Each bag held a certain number of blocks.

Before I knew it I had all those bear paw blocks together and the first half of the quilt complete.


For the actual bear blocks and sashing, I had to slow down and devote my full attention to this quilt.  Slowly this little black bear was coming out of hiding.


After the book shelf quilt was finished, I decided to baste this one up and get to quilting.  I decided to go with Lorna's simple wavy lines.


My thread of choice was Aurifil #2610 Light Blue Grey.  I wanted something that would play well all over the quilt.  If I chose the wrong color, I knew it would stick out like a sore thumb on the white and black fabrics.  This particular shade of grey blended in nicely with both fabrics without drawing attention away from the over all quilt.  What's that saying never poke a sleeping bear?  I'm guessing that applies to the awake bears too.


My backing was a lovely shade of blue I picked up a LQS and my binding was blue with a yellow flange.  Everything came together so smoothly.


The only thing left to do, was take my bear outside and let him trek through the yard a bit.  Man it was cold out there.

This quilt makes me smile.  I had a vision in my head and I'm pleased to say, I transformed it into fabric, just like I dreamed about.  A huge thank you to Lorna for hosting this quilt along and writing such a wonderful pattern.  You can find more information about the quilt along here and see other finished quilts from the quilt along here.  If you have a chance, hop by and check out Lorna's patterns in her etsy store.  From jungle critters to silly hamsters, she has something for everyone over there.



I'm not exactly sure what the fate of this little quilt will be.  When I made it I didn't have a particular home for it in mind.  This was one of those "I just have to do it" moments.  Next Wednesday I will post about how Tish vs The 4th Quarter List turned out.  We fought 14 rounds, but I think it's pretty safe to say, I'm the winner.

I hope all of you have a wonderful New Years!  I will be kicking back with a glass of wine and piecing a few more quilts.  I look forward to all the wonderful and exciting things all of us do next year.  2017 is a blank slate and I think together all of us will create beautiful things and make the world just a little bit warmer one stitch at a time.


Today I'm linking up with MOD Bear Paw.

18 comments:

Lorna McMahon said...

This is a spectacular finish and a great way to end the year. I loved reading about how you chose the colours to signify your state. It's been a fun year following you along in your journey. Looking forward to spending 2017 with you! Happy New Year!

QuiltShopGal said...

Congratulations Tish. Beautiful finish. I have the MOD Bear Paw on my bucket list. Love yours.

QuiltShopGal
www.quiltshopgal.com

Ariane said...

This is a beautiful finished quilt! I love the colours you used! What a great way to finish the year.

Nancy J said...

What a grand finish to the year,the fabrics, the colours and then the binding, totally wonderful. Happy New Year greetings,

Emily said...

It looks great! I love how you customized the pattern to your state!

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

Close to the wire but a great finish tish to a great quilt . I'm glad you didn't have to poke that sleeping bear... It looks great in your state colourway . I've never heard that phrase leader ender project and a much better phrase than the one I use - that thing i work on in between other things . Gives it a real justification as a wip too ! Happy new year to your family and yourself tish and I look forward to sewing with you in 2017

canuckquilter said...

Isn't is great when the qulit turns out just like your mind's eye saw it? This quilt turned out wonderfully! Happy New Year!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Wow, it turned out beautifully, Tish, and I am so excited you were able to finish it when you had just hoped to piece the top. The photos of the bear strolling through the snow seem quite appropriate, too. Happy New Year!

MB said...

This is absolutely stunning. I love this pattern, I’m a bit intimidated by it at the same time. Thanks for sharing.


Jennifer said...

I love your quilt and impressed with all the thought you put into it. Know it will be treasured for many, many years.

Unknown said...

I've read your blog for several months, but didn't realize you were from (or are in) WV. I live in WV and wouldn't choose to be anywhere else. Love the MOD Bear Paw, especially in WVU colors. I too have contemplated that pattern, but I am busy making QOVs for veterans with my quilt guild and had better put that pattern off for a while.

Stitchin At Home said...

I can see why you're doing the happy dance. Love the use of colours that have meaning to you. This turned out beautifully. Happy New Year Tish!

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts said...

It looks beautiful! Congrats on squeezing in one final finish for the year. I'm always amazed at how much you accomplish Tish! :)

Jasmine said...

What a beautiful finish. Congrats on getting it done earlier than expected.

KaHolly said...

Your Bear Paw quilt makes me smile, too! It was an ambitious project and I applaud everyone who stuck to it! Lorna has such vision! Happy New Year! XO

Danette said...

Love your Mod Bear Paw quilt! Congratulations on all of your finishes for Q4. Beautiful!

Ruth said...

Gorgeous! I really like your colour choices - it looks great!

Quilter Kathy said...

Your bear quilt is awesome... love the yellow flange you added!
And the photo of the bear in the snow is fabulous!
I just finished my version so I'm visiting the other bears in the link up.

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