Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Western Skies Quilt

I don't know how I missed sharing this quilt with y'all! I finished it last year and I guess I was SO excited that I just put it on the bed and completely forgot to post about  it here. I remember telling myself I needed to paint our bedroom before I shared it and then that too was forgotten. I must have taken leave of my senses because its probably my favorite quilt.

 I bought yards and yards of this fabric when I first saw it about 5 years ago.

                                         

I was a new quilter and I didn't have a plan. I just started playing with ideas and thought I might be able to fussy cut some of the scenes and make them the focal point. The minute I saw this fabric, a particular song started playing in my head. I adore Chris Ledoux and he has a song called "Western Skies". You can listen to it here:


There probably isn't a day that goes by that it doesn't go through my mind, and yes, I may even sing it a bit as I go about my day. Its my theme song. :)

When I brought this fabric home and spread it out on the bed, my eyes drifted to the painting above our bed:


 We have a friend,  Wayne Baize, who is a western artist and he painted this of DH about 15 years ago. My husband does NOT like to be in limelight. He doesn't want articles written about him, or to be the subject of a magazine shoot, or to be included in a calendar. He just likes to go about his business quietly without fanfare.

Once we went to a Cowboy Poetry Gathering and a bit and spur show. When we walked into the museum, there was a huge, life sized painting of DH on one wall. Wayne said it was a commissioned piece. DH avoided it completely and spent the remainder of our visit outside. :)

 That's Timber Mountain in the background which is where we lived in Texas and his favorite horse ever, Poncho, and Doc.

 Look how much it resembles the fabric in this quilt.

                             

I didn't use a pattern as I had to work around the fussy cut squares to build my block. And at the time, I didn't understand the concept of pieced borders and using fudge strips to make them fit so one corner square is cut off. I should have just left it out, but I can live with it.

                              

I sent it off to Shelly of Prairie Moon Quilts to be custom quilted and she did an amazing job!
I love the barbed wire in the sashing and the rope she quilted in the border as well the stitching in each border square:

                              

She outlined each star block adding cool stitching around the star:

                              

O.K. - I love everything about it! Thank you so much, Shelly! I am thrilled to pieces with how you've brought it all to life! You are a master at your craft!

                                 

At 108 x 108, its another huge quilt. I need an intervention, but it spends the summer on our bed and makes me smile every time I walk in our bedroom.

                                

17 comments:

Carol said...

It's really wonderful...captures hubby perfectly!

Dorian said...

What a wonderful quilt Karin! You did a great job for being a new quilter. I love the border, even if you had to cut a block to fit. Very colorful and pretty.

Angela Tucker said...

Your quilt is beautiful!! And I love the story that goes with it. It is perfect.

Anonymous said...

Your quilt is beautiful! You did a great job. I enjoy your blog. Thank you!

Lana said...

This is SOOOO perfect! I am now on a hunt for fabrics to make me one for the ranch...hubby would love it! You did such a great job! It looks warm and cuddly soft!

Catherine said...

Beautiful quilt. It exudes the beauty of the West. Your fussy cutting is perfect. I like to fussy cut though I sometimes cringe when I see all the scraps I create, lol. Thanks for sharing.

Gwynette in NW Arkansas said...

I'm glad you finally showed off that gorgeous quilt!! I love the painting of hubby and it goes so well with the quilt. Perfect!! Some men don't need fanfare to be bigger than life!

Anonymous said...

I love the quilt, its beautiful! Chris Ledoux was a one of a kind artist, miss him!

Judy said...

It is my favorite quilt too! It's perfect and goes well with the picture. Are all of those flying geese? Amazing first quilt!! I love it!
Thanks for sharing and sharing about your hubby!

Tired Teacher said...

An amazing quilt and background story, too. I love how the stars were quilted. It draws attention to them but doesn't overwhelm. Keep that quilter on speed dial!

The painting of your husband is fabulous. Did you snap a photo of the one on display at the show? I'd love to see it.

Tired Teacher said...

Did you know that Chris Ledoux was from Wyoming and had a ranch near Kaycee? Every year the small town comes alive with Chris Ledoux fans who celebrate his life and the impact he made on country music in such a short time.

Dar said...

I totally understand why this would be your favorite quilt. It is so well done and the quilting is great. What a nice memory of your honey and the land you love.

Pauline said...

This quilt should be called your masterpiece! Stunning! I love it! DH sounds like such a humble man. Both of you are lucky to have found each other. I am happy for both of you.

StitchinByTheLake said...

It is more than wonderful - it's a treasure! blessings, marlene

Scrapatches said...

Gorgeous quilt, Karin! The fabric is beautiful and does have the same look at the painting. The layout and colors in the stars are perfect. Wonderful painting ... a real treasure. Thank you for sharing ... :) Pat

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

That is just gorgeous!!! I love your husbands - staying out side the whole time..... he and I have a lot in common lol

Staci said...

HUGE HUGE HUGE! I am amazed at your constellation of western stars. It is quite an accomplishment, and your quilter did just an amazing job with it.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...