Coming of Age

Yesterday I turned 21.
I finished my 21st quilt. It is a "Coming of Age" quilt for me.

Here is why...

• It is my first truly modern quilt
• It is my own design (the process is documented here)
• I stepped out of my comfort zone when it came to quilting this baby.
• It was also the first time I used masking tape to guide my quilt lines.

Quilt Top - White, Charcoal and 16-Patch Blocks
Batting - Warm and White
Backing - Bright Blue Printed Fabric (from fabric.com)

Binding - Charcoal Solid (same as the quilt top)
 

Backing Fabric

 

As recommended by my blogging buddy (CathyRush.Blogspot.com), I quilted horizontal lines on the white and vertical lines on the charcoal fabric. My usual quilting style is - how soon can I finish this thing - and move on to the next. I usually quilt pseudo-straight lines using "stitch around the ditch method". Therefore, quilting this took a while :-) and more than usual patience.

I quilted the white portions first using horizontal lines. No masking tape used.
By the time that was done, I had developed quilting fatigue. Therefore, the vertical lines on the charcoal portions are much less dense :-) Someday, I will develop a quilter's patience...
Actually, I did it to create difference in textures of the two fabrics (ahem!!!). That is my story and I am sticking to it. Oh, look at the really dense horizontal lines quilting in the right on the white. That is the skinniest stretch of white fabric. It conveys the feeling that the river has to squeeze through that narrow opening. No, it was not intentional. However, I am quite happy with the organic quilting and the resultant texture.

Here it is - quilting completed, trimmed and ready for binding.


Completed quilt pictures follow:

The finished quilt measures 42" by 53"

My eyes are drawn to the dense quilting in the skinny white portion of the quilt, creating a quilt focus!!!

The colors look different in the light of the setting sun and the quilting on white seems subdued but the quilting on charcoal appears more distinct. My tall husband is the model :-)

And some more...

 I think I will keep this one!!!

Thank you to all of you who came along with me on this journey of my first truly modern quilt. Your comments made me smile and gave me support. Thank you for quilting suggestions, tips and tricks!!! With your encouragement (nudges and pushes), I did it!!! 

There is one last thing. What shall I name it? I have a few ideas - Coming of Age, A River's Journey; but I would love to hear your thoughts.