I have been posting my quilting progress on my Instagram account, and I want to get anyone who does not follow me there up to speed on the quilting fun I have been having. After an initial loading error (I loaded the quilt top upside down and had a moment of horror when I thought I had pieced the border upside down), it has all gone smoothly. I am taking my time and planning out what to add to each section, but I think all the decisions have been made and I will be working a few hours a day until I get this gigantic 103-inch wide by 122-inch long quilt finished up. Once I unload it from my long arm, I plan to use my walking foot on my Bernina to outline the center medallion leaves one last time and then bind it! If I am super lucky I *might* have it done in time for a Friday finish… next Friday?
Cocoa Leaf Drum Light – Quilt Inspiration
Using my quilting questionnaire, I spent some time talking with my clients last week. They are interested in a custom, unique, organic look. Since the inspiration for the quilt is a drum light made from dried cocoa leaves, I figured I had some good sources of inspiration to work with.
Cocoa Leaf Medallion: Quilting Detail
I started with some flowers on the outer border. Then I traced around the cocoa leaf applique border elements and stippled the area between the leaves. In the large negative space in the middle, I am using a swirl chain pattern to evoke wind or water.
Cocoa Leaf Medallion: Quilting Detail
I really want the center cocoa leaf medallion to stand out, so I chose to use a very small meandering loop in the negative space around the leaves to smash that area flat and help the leaves stand out.
Cocoa Leaf Medallion: Quilting Detail
As the quilt starts to roll up on the frame, I love getting the peaks of the back of the quilt. The quilt backing is solid Kona Cream, so the quilting really is going to stand out on the backing, too.
Cocoa Leaf Medallion: Quilting Detail
Cocoa Leaf Medallion: Quilting Detail
The photograph below is a view standing behind my frame looking down on the quilt. I am quilting in the leaf veins on the center cocoa leaves, and I really love how they stand out on the backing.
Cocoa Leaf Medallion: Quilting Detail
Cocoa Leaf Medallion: Quilting Detail
I had initially planned on leaving the border cocoa leaves un-quilted, but after seeing how the center leaves were looking with the veins quilted on, I decided to go back and quilt the border leaves as well. I will have to back up to touch up a few of the leaves that I have already moved beyond, but I think it was the right decision.
Cocoa Leaf Medallion: Quilting Detail
Through Tuesday evening, I have put in 12 hours and 15 minutes of work on the quilting. I didn’t get any good photographs of the wood grain quilting in the transition from the medallion (circle) to the square quilt, so I will just have to share one from my IG account instead.
Linking up with Let’s Bee Social and WiP Wednesday (buttons to the right).
Absolutely STUNNING! I can hardly wait for the finish. Yvonne, the quilting is just beautiful!
I’m really excited to see this one finished, it definitely is coming to life so much more with the quilting, I especially love the veins in the leaves and I’m very glad you went back to the border ones. What a mammoth job though! Is this one feeling out of your comfort zone?
How incredible and amazing this is. I love the quilting so much. This is such a beautiful quilt. Every element is perfect.
Oh. My. Gosh. This is looking so good! I am really enjoying watching this quilt come together, and appreciate you taking us through your decision making process. This is truly a one of a kind quilt!
Wow…amazing quilting.
Really? Friday? Wow!
It is looking truly fabulous. Good call on adding quilting to the outside leaves.
Your quilting is amazing Yvonne! I can’t believe your quality of quilting when you have had your longarm for such a short amount of time. You are inspiring me to get quilting again (I have 2 quilts basted and ready to go but need to finish the mystery quilt before I start on them).
Wow!! It looks fabulous! So fun to see all of the different designs you are using and why you chose them. I agree, adding the veins to the outside leaves was definitely the right choice! They look great! This is going to be so spectacular! 😀
I’ve been waiting to see how this would be quilted! Certainly worth the wait! You have done an amazing job picking and executing the perfect quilting design! This is such a gorgeous and HUGE quilt!
I really like the texture your quilting adds. The veins in the leaves are perfect. I think you definitely made the right decision to quilt veins in the border leaves.
Oh, wow! Your quilting is beautiful and inspiring. I love the custom treatment you are giving this quilt. The wood grain and the quilting on the leaves are the perfect touch.
I just can’t get enough of this one. Lucky customers!
Your quilting is amazing! I love how you are adding the veins. It is just the right touch.
Over 12 hours already!! WOW! It is looking SO fabulous, though, Yvonne!! I really love the veins on the leaves, and the balance of the woodgrain and the swirls is perfect. I think your clients will be SO pleased! Are you feeling better about making progress on this now that it’s up on your frame?
I agree, all the leaves need veins. I’m loving the quilting design along with the others. I tried the tiny stippling once and was amazed at the time and thread it took to cover a small area. Still, I’d do it again when the quilt needed it. And yours certainly asks for it around the center leaves.
Looks awesome! I bet you will be so happy to finish it!
Oh. My. Goodness. This is so spectacular! Thank you for sharing pictures of how you can see the back as you roll the quilt too. That is really neat! I like the veins on the smaller appliqued leaves too. You are so amazingly talented! You are going to have one thrilled customer!
this is looking amazing!!
This is looking sooo beautiful. I think you’ll be glad you added quilting to the outer cocoa leaves. If not, they might have looked sort of rumpled when you were finished–especially after a washing–with all of the other quilting around them. I’m looking forward to a photo shoot on the bed when you’re finished. I envy your clients!
Your quilting is so stunning!
This is just amazing. I’ve seen your earlier IG photos but haven’t checked back in a while. WOW! The quilting that you’ve done in the negative space (the windy swirls) is just wonderful!
Wow woman!! It looks fabulous. I really love the stitching within the leaves. Makes them look so real!
It is looking awesome, I really like the small meander, because I think those leaves will really pop!!!
It is fascinating to watch your progress. Plus all the details about how much thread you used. Who knew!
Wow, what a HUGE (and beautiful) quilt!!! That is some tiny filler around the center medallion, you cwazy wabbit!!! But it sure does what you wanted – the leaves really pop. Your quilting looks great. 🙂
Your quilting is amazing. I love those leaf veins in particular. I have never seen anything like them.