I really loved making this quilt. The fabrics are fun, the pattern creates a really great 3D effect, and I really enjoyed quilting it. The idea to “hide” some rockets among the rest of the quilting?!? Super fun! For a recap on the history and evolution of this quilt, check out my other posts about it:
- Space Age Tumbling Blocks – Commissioned Quilt Design Process
- Space Age Tumbling Blocks – Fabric Prep and Initial Piecing
- Space Age Tumbling Blocks – Slow Progress (Under the Weather)
- Space Age Tumbling Blocks – Almost a Flimsy Finish (with a fun timelapse video of the piecing process!)
- Space Age Tumbling Blocks – WiP Wednesday and Quilting Sneak Peak
It took me just over 8 hours to finish the quilting. After sewing 3 rockets across the quilt top, I went back and quilted using an all-over swirl pattern. I know I have mentioned it before, but I like the way swirls can be used to look like ocean waves or spiral galaxies. They worked really well to nest against the hidden rockets, as you can see in the close up photos below.
Space Age Tumbling Blocks – A Hidden Rocket
Space Age Tumbling Blocks – Another Hidden Rocket (Lower RH Corner)
It took about 3 hours to trim / square the quilt after quilting and put on the binding. I really enjoy the process of whip-stitching down the binding to the back of a quilt. It gives me time to reflect on the quilt before I wash it. And in this case, it was a lot of fun to have time to look at the ads that make up the quilt backing.
Space Age Tumbling Blocks – Whip-stitching Binding
I have really been interested in how my quilts shrink. As I have been paying attention, I have realized about have the shrinkage comes from quilting. More fun stats on this quilt:
- 62″ x 75″ Finished Quilt Top
- 60″ x 73″ After Quilting
- 56″ x 68″ After First Wash
The goal was to have a quilt that was roughly 60″ by 70″, so it fell a bit short of that goal after the first wash. I think that with time and use, it will stretch back out, though.
Space Age Tumbling Blocks – Completed Quilt
In all, with design time included, this quilt represents 24 hours of work for me. I will be delivering the quilt to its owner on Monday at lunch.
Space Age Tumbling Blocks – Completed Quilt
Hurray for the finish!! I love this quilt, and you did such a wonderful job on it. I hope the client/s are suuuuper happy with it! The rocketships are a really cute idea to include, and the swirls work great. I love using swirls for wind too.
your free motion skills amaze me! love love love the rocketships! <3
Such a great quilt! It really draws you in, there’s just so much to see. Great job!!
Woohoo! I love the quilting on this, I never would have thought of doing rocket ships. I also love the fabric on the back, that’s a fun print.
Wonderful finish! I know the owner will be thrilled!
Beautiful finish! The quilting complements the theme and design so well. And, as usual, love the shrinkage stats. I’m even going to determine percentage shrinkage…because I’m that cool. Is it about what the batting suggests, or more, or less due to fabric shrinkage?
It looks so great! And that ad print is so perfect for a back. Really wish I bought more of this line now! Does the customer know there will be rockets in the quilting or will that be a surprise?
LOVE everything about this quilt!! Beautifully done! The quilting is perfect and the texture! This has been on my list of to dos for a very long time. . .
Yay. Looks great! I hope the owner will appreciate all your hard work!
This looks great! Your quilting pattern is perfect 🙂
This is so amazing. I love the quilting around the rockets. I also love spiral quilting. In addition to what you mentioned, it reminds me of wind.
you did great, I love the rockets hidden in the quilting, such a cute idea.
Those rockets are SO cute! I really love this quilt. Everything ties in so nicely…the fabric, piecing, quilting and backing. Great job!
Wow, Yvonne – I never really pay attention to shrinkage, but now I guess I should. I wonder what the twin quilts I made my daughters will measure after the wash next week… hopefully they still hang enough over the sides!
Still only 24 hours’ work?! You are a speed machine!
I love the rockets you hid in it! So fun. I can’t believe it was only 24 hours of work start to finish. It looks like it should have taken longer. Do you give speed-sewing lessons?
Beautiful finish! The data on the quilt sizing/shrinkage is interesting. I’ve never compared mine sizing at those steps. The quilting is brilliant and I love you tag.