Autumn Gemstones: A Finish

  Name:  Autumn Gemstones

Design:  Gemstones block from Rachel -Stitched in Color

Size:  64" by 84"

Fabric: Stash/scrap fabrics, low volume fabrics for the background

Quilted: by me with Aurifil 50 wt in cream in straight lines 

I finished this quilt on the weekend but I have had a busy week at school so did not have enough light to take a picture.  Today it was forecast to rain and again I thought I would not be able to get a picture when I got home from work.  I sort of asked my husband if he could be my quilt photographer today if the rain let up and part way through my school day, I received an email with pictures.  What a sweetie!  And I did not get home until it was dark and it was also raining so I am doubly delighted.  So here it is, Autumn Gemstones.And just like the last Gemstones quilt, I made back in 2012, this one is also for a friend. I hope she likes it.  I made it for Jean.  And Jean and I became great friends at university back in the dark ages and have reconnected on Facebook many moons later and this is for her, in autumn colours to help her remember New England and Eastern Canada in the fall while she whiles away her days in sunny Florida.

The quilt is a big one because it just sort of grew.  I used an assortment of fabrics from my stash and used low volume white and off white prints for the background.  I was really stuck with the setting triangles.  In my first Gemstones quilt, I used really dramatic triangles in two colours.  I tired that with this one but it was not hitting my happy place.  I just could not do it.  I tried a few possibilities but then decided to make more blocks or rather half blocks and use them as the setting triangles.  That worked.  

I quilted straight lines across the quilt about 3/4" apart in Aurifil 50 wt in cream.  I always find that the quilting brings the quilt to life and adds the texture that makes it work.  I am so pleased with how this has come together.  I backed the quilt with a small green and orange print with a length of a Lotta Jansdotter print from awhile ago.  The quilt is bound in a burgundy print that is also found in the blocks.  It is very autumnal.  And somehow all those disparate prints work.  

A few more things if you have stuck with me this long.  Sew Sisters is hosting their Blogathon Canada with some absolutely awesome prizes.  Please do check it out.



And I will be linking up with Amanda Jean for Finish It Up Friday!  Have a lovely rest of your week!