Friday, September 6, 2013

Final Farmer's Wife Friday

Today marks the final post featuring my marathon project called, The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt! I'm so in love with this quilt and happier with the final product than I've probably ever been with any quilt that I've made in the 30+ years that I've been quilting.
Cindy Weins (Live a Colorful Life) and I began making the Farmer's Wife blocks together and featuring them on our blogs almost every Friday beginning in June 2011. If you missed it, you  can follow along with our comments on the various blocks as well as the letters that accompany each in the book beginning here.
I am fairly certain that without my commitment to Cindy and my blog followers, this quilt would have joined many others in my UFO pile within a few short months. The accountabilility served as a sure motivation over the year that it took to piece all 111 six- inch blocks.
In the front of my book, by Laurie Aaron Hird, I have written, "Last block finished: July 2012". Early on, I decided to use a different setting for my quilt than the one suggested in the book. I'd seen another Farmer's Wife quilt that used a more modern setting that seemed to give the blocks more "breathing room". Finding it was an instant "BINGO" for me!
I also decided that with all of the time I'd spent on these little blocks (many have, what seemed like, 1000 tiny pieces!) I wanted the quilting to be extra-special...something that my utilitarian style couldn't give me. I found a talented machine quilter named, Lynne Harbour, who did a fabulous job! It took some waiting and some "frog stitching" to get it just right, but in the end the result was worth the wait!
From the back, the quilting on the white sateen gives the look of a whole cloth quilt and makes my quilt almost reversible if you ignore the label. (I've had the scripture fabric for several years and with the joy that I felt at finishing this project, it seemed the perfect way to sign the quilt! I added my name,city and dates to the script piece.)
Quite a few of the small blocks became my favored ones while working on this quilt. I have a list of blocks that I hope to enlarge and, perhaps, make again as more modern versions and then stitch more quilts featuring them.
The whimsical effect of using colorful scraps and white sashing make me smile almost every time I look at the Farmer's Wife. I also think of the happy result of meeting Cindy  in person shortly before we finished the piecing. We had so much fun working on this project together! 
Photographing the quilt on the antique hay wagon at the country home of my good friend, Vicki, made for a happy conclusion. (Vicki's daughter-in-law and grandson were good sports to help with the quilt holding!)
Cindy is working on getting her quilt finished up before long and I'll be sure to point you in her direction when it's ready to shine! (Right, Cindy!?)
A big THANK YOU to all who have offered me encouragement over the last two years...you will never know how much it helped to make this a FINISH!

FWQAL_button.jpg

61 comments:

  1. WOW...What a beautiful, colorful, well made and quilted quilt. It is truly amazing. Congrats on your Friday finish!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bingo indeed! You have every right to be happy and proud of this beautiful and interesting quilt! I love the blocks and the custom quilting that brings them to life! Congratulations on a wonderful finish! ( I'll send you a longer email when I get home tonight. )

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow!!!! Carla, you're a star! Your Farmer's Wife Quilt is absolutely gorgeous and looks so fresh and happy with all that white space to show off every block. This was one project worth making and your perseverance is to be applauded. I'm lost for words.... :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Absolutely stupendous! This is surely the best FWQ I've seen. If my lap-sized one turs out half as good as this I shall be happy.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Absolutely stupendous! This is surely the best FWQ I've seen. If my lap-sized one turs out half as good as this I shall be happy.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your setting certainly does give the blocks room to breathe. The quilting is gorgeous too. I love it, stunning, fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful job Carla. So happy for your wonderful finish. I can't believe it's been 2 years. It turned out beautiful. A treasure for the ages.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your quilt is absolutely gorgeous!! Love everything about it and your photos are great too!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. It is fantastic!! The quilting really sets it off as well.....I especially love the button that's quilted on one of the blocks!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What an accomplishment! It is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Carla it is over the top beautiful! I think your color combinations really make this quilt a show stopper. Blogging IS a good motivator!!! Congratulations on your labor of love.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your quilt is stunning. I think it is the prettiest Farmer's Wife I've ever see. Love how it is quilted too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Completely gorgeous! A testament to "keep on, keeping on" too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. It is so beautiful!!! You are my inspiration for an upcoming project - thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. OMGosh!!! That is a stunning finish. I love the fabrics and the quilting is wonderful with it. Your block placement is great!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh my! Oh my! Just remarkable!!! What an inspiring quilt and story!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lovely, lovely quilt! It shines!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Congratulations on a gorgeous finish. What an accomplishment! I started following you when you were about half done with the blocks, so its great to see the completion.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Carla - your quilt is absolutely gorgeous! The colors are fresh, bright and cheerful - just like you! :-) I'm jealous of all the KCMQG gals that will get to ogle over TFW quilt next week. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congratulations! I can see why you used that particular Bible verse - how appropriate! I've seen quite a few FWSQs out on the web but I can tell you that yours is my absolute favorite. Love the white background and sashing and your colors are spectacular! Maybe...someday...I will consider making one of my own. Thanks for sharing - I haven't been following you for the entire journey but I'm going back to read the older posts.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love this quilt! I, too, love the white background. Really makes it timeless. You should be so very proud of yourself Carla. That was quite a feat!

    ReplyDelete
  22. THIS IS SO FABULOUS!!! seeing yours makes me so happy i chose white for my background. I hope mine is half as lovely as yours Carla

    ReplyDelete
  23. RIGHT!! I SO wish we could have done a big reveal at the same time. Definitely my fault. This quilt is simply stunning. Every single thing about it! It was fabulous making the blocks together with you. As you mentioned, there is NO WAY I would have ever finished the blocks if it were not for the goal of having something ready nearly every single Friday. I'm glad you didn't wait for me. This is just so gorgeous. And I'm so glad we were able to meet, and our blocks could play together for a little bit, during the making. That was a complete bonus!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Yay Yipee and Yahoooooooo!
    It is so beautiful-- such a wonderful conclusion to your farmer's wife journey!
    And you are so right--working with another person makes all the difference in the world. You keep each other moving when the fatigue sets in!
    What an heirloom you have created! And the quilted did a really amazing job. Just perfect all the way around!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Absolutely beautiful. Mine is not at the finished stage yet, but getting there.

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a spectacular quilt! Congratulations on your perseverance in finishing up this quilt; I can see how it is your favorite. The quilting makes it really special.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I knew I recognized this! Just saw it on Pinterest and recongized it from the KCMQG meeting. It's definitely my favorite version of this I've seen. Such great colors! So much work.. I wish I had it in me to complete one!

    ReplyDelete
  28. A beautiful beautiful reward for all your diligence and talents!!!! Happy happy for you! It really is stunning, in every way!

    ReplyDelete
  29. That is one beautiful quilt and I love the more modern setting it really shows the blocks off perfectly.
    The quilting is beyond beautiful, what a treasure you have.

    ReplyDelete
  30. It's beyond spectacular!!! The back is just as gorgeous as the front...WOW!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. You deserve lots of kudos for this diligent, beautiful finish. It's a stunning quilt, and you have every right to be proud of it. Best of all, after seeing your commitment to it, I'm firm about never making that quilt myself! You deserve a standing O. Hope you will show it in quilt shows, and get lots of recognition and awards.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Your quilt is gorgeous. You should be proud. I have completed five blocks so you have inspired me to keeping on going. I became a follower today. Love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I have nothing but admiration for you. What an accomplishment and a stunningly beautiful one. A true heirloom. I can only admire because I know I would neither have the skill nor the determination. I'm SO impressed!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I am over the top, crazy in love with your Farmer's Wife...this is the most wonderful setting I have ever seen! It is phenomenal!

    ReplyDelete
  35. What a fantastic quilt! I love it. I really think the spacing of the blocks really lightens it and also enables them all to be shown off properly. Each one shines like a jewel, rather than being lost among the others. I especially like the label. The words are so appropriate.
    Thank you for sharing it! Now you have inspired me to make a start on my own FWQ

    ReplyDelete
  36. All I can say is WOW!!!!! Your Farmer's Wife quilt is just stunning!!!!! Congratulations on your finish Carla!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wow! I love your quilt. The colors are beautiful and perfect with the white background. Great job on the photos too. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Stunning. Absolutely stunning! Way to go.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wow -- it's gorgeous! Congratulations on sticking with it -- a wonderful finish!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I loved watching the lovely blocks revealed each week. The quilt turned out beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  41. That is the most amazing Farmer's Wife Quilt I have seen, what an inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Not sure how I missed this, I think we were up seeing baby Jack :). Anyway, this is totally amazing. I'm sure this surpasses every thought you had about this quilt. I know you will treasure it always. Congrats on a great quilt. And worth every ripped out stitch!! A you going to enter this anywhere? You should.

    ReplyDelete
  43. This is simply stunning!!! Congratulations - the nicest Farmer's Wife I've seen!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Wow!! What a gorgeous Farmer's Wife quilt!! I love your fabric choices and the white just sets the blocks off so beautifully! Awesome photos too!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I can see why this is a favorite. So much work but such a great finish. I really like the bright colors and prints.

    ReplyDelete
  46. There are so many pretty Farmer's Wife Quilts being made, and I have felt the tug, but have been apprehensive about jumping on board. However, your quilt may have pushed me over the top...it's absolutely amazing! That setting is perfection and really lets those blocks shine! Stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Your quilt is so beautiful, the pictures of its loveliness along with your quest and determination to complete it brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful wonderful piece of art!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Carla--I'm back admiring this gorgeous quilt again. May I ask what your finished dimension are on this beauty?

    ReplyDelete
  49. This quilt....OMG. I wasn't a fan of the Farmer's Wife until just now. This is amazing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. This is truly stunning! I am in AWE...the color choices make me soooo happy! I don't know if you can understand how much emotion this can bring out in other people...I just don't have enough words to tell you how much I love this!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Gorgeous Quilt!!! I love everything about it, the blocks, the colors, the quilting, everything. You are an inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  52. This is the most stunning Farmer's Wife quilt that I have encountered! I surely can see why you are proud of it. I think what drew me in is the "breathing room" you gave the blocks. It lets each block shine. Gorgeous job!

    ReplyDelete
  53. I FOUND IT!!! WOW beautiful!! On this post you mentioned Lynne Harbour did the quilting, but as I recall you had mentioned a different website you had planned on using. Was she the person at that same website (can't recall the name, sorry) or did you go with someone else? I love the design that it was quilted with. It really highlights your intricate block work. I hate to ask but isn't paying someone to quilt that custom cost a fortune? Not to say it isn't worth it because you put so much work and love into this project, I'm sure it was worth it. Thanks for sharing this and I would really be interested in a ball park of how much something like that costs to quilt if you wouldn't mind sharing? jdengler@sbcglobal.net
    Thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I'm currently working on my own Farmer's Wife quilt and love this layout. I love the Farmer's Wife blocks, but agree that they need a bit of breathing room. Can you please tell me what the finished size of this quilt is and the size of the sashing around the square and on point blocks? Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  55. This is a magnificent quilt. I love the colours yo have chosen, the extra white you have used and the quilting itself is spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Wow....that is gorgeous! What commitment to make all those blocks (with templates!) and assemble them in such a dramatic manner. Such a special quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Wow. I've seen other Farmer's Wife but have never wanted to make one until now. Your setting with white along with the quilting makes for the perfect quilt. I now need to purchase the book as this will be my next long term project.

    ReplyDelete
  58. I'm here from Cindy! It is beautiful - be proud! :)

    ReplyDelete
  59. Sering main Poker tapi tidak dapat bonus apapun?
    Jangan khwatir kawan mari join bersama kami di POKERVITA
    Dapatkan bonus harian & mingguan bersama kami di POKERVITA

    Info hub
    WA:0812 2222 996

    ReplyDelete