Thursday, July 12, 2012

The Eagle has Landed!

Bindings... this week is all about Bindings... I have a huge stack of quilts that just need bindings, so I've vowed to get a few of them done.  Do you let them stack up  or do you get right on and fish them before you start another project?  If you do them right away, you are WAY better then I am.. I think I have 12 sitting here...

Helen, (aka: my quilt mom)  along with my REAL mom, had a nice visit when Helen came to stay yesterday. We had a lovely visit, and chatted  past our bedtimes. ( as it should be!)

And I just had word the commission CAMO quilt has LANDED at it's new home.... Here it is!

"THE EAGLE HAS LANDED!"
by Victoria Findlay Wolfe 2011-12

This quilt took me a year to make.  The hand applique of the Eagles onto the camo, made for VERY slow work... It was very hard to sew through and my hands really had a tough time...slowly but surely... I persevered. So glad I did, I think it turned out great.

The quilting was a great challenge... I did feathers in the central part that had a spine of circles... What was I thinking! Free motion Circles! 
But, they look pretty darn good for winging it. 
(haha, get it?) 
Every quilt I make is a learning curve. I always try to find some NEW thing I can try on a quilt.  Sometimes it might not look perfect, but in the "over all" scheme of things, It's the effort that counts. and by the end the skill is learned... I'm glad I took on the challenge, and know this quilt will be loved for ages... If we don't try new things, then we don't learn anything... and I learned a load making this quilt.

Enjoy the quilt, Bob.  
I hope your family treasures it for a long time!

* Bob is in the air force and her asked me to make a quilt out of his old uniforms. This is the outcome of that challenge.  The center star reflects the US Air force symbol, along with the eagles.  The colors of red white and blue are soften with the yellow tones. I wanted a subtle patriotic theme without being "4th of July"...I also wanted it to be a quilt that was lovely enough to always have on a bed, that other colors can be used in the room, besides red white and blue.  I hope it blends well in the family home.  ;-)

43 comments:

  1. Fabulousoh!!!!! Congratulations!!!! Otherwise, I'm speechless.

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  2. Victoria,

    That quilt is beyond word's ....you did a
    wonderful job as always. You are one talented
    woman.

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  3. The quilt is more than "great". It is absolutely smashing!! What a great rememberance of this man's service in the Air Force!! Hmmm......my husband's old Air Force uniforms are just hanging in the closet.......I think I see another project I can add to my "never-ending list". :-)
    That's a great pic of all of you. I have three quilts awaiting binding......if I got off the computer, I might get them done. ;-)

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  4. I love this quilt! I like the patriotic aspect without being so red, white, and blue. I can bet 100% that Bob will absolutely love this beautiful work of art.

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  5. What a beautiful quilt. Your quilting is to die for. I really, really love it. Hugs

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  6. Wonderful quilt! And I definitely let my bindings pile up-- bound 4 this week with three more to go.

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  7. Wow that came out awesome! The feather quilting really makes this pop.

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  8. I like doing the bindings, it is the pinning and quilting that i get stuck on, lol. Love your eagle piece, that is stunning.

    Debbie

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  9. The colors and design are fantastic, but the quilting is phenomenal! This quilt is well worth the wait. I love the inner border, as well.

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  10. Gorgeous, Victoria, I am sure your clients (customers, custom orderes??) will treasure it forever! I like how you have added some extra splashes of colour in the 15min border.
    I will often "save" hand sewing bindings for evenings in front of the telly or guild meetings - or for those days when I don't really want to create anyting other than a dent in the couch. Sometimes I'll have quite a few waiting, especially if I'm working on a series and don't want to lose momentum. You've got to put those creative juices to good use when they are there, bindings can be attached anytime - right?

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  11. It is amazing the journey those eagles took from when I saw them on your design wall in April until this spectacular finish V!!! Fabulous!

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  12. Spectacular quilt, Victoria! Truly special, and will be greatly cherished.

    I do my bindings right away... but only because I do them on the machine. (Too many other hand-sewing projects in the works to spend that time on bindings.) If I did them by hand they would pile up for sure!

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  13. What a stunning quilt.
    My quilts tend to get stuck at the needing to be quilted stage. Once I get past that hump it's easy sailing.

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  14. Super finish, V! Great balance between modern and classic/retro feel. the non-matchy background is great, keeps your eyes focused on the "good stuff".
    After I'm done with the quilting, I'm anxious to bind - I like binding, one of my nerdy specialties - and then I can say I'm done!

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  15. In my best Tigger voice "Splendiferous!" A treasure to be loved until the end of time.

    As for stacking up projects, yes I do. However I'm getting much better. The pile is getting smaller.

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  16. LOVE the made fabric border, fantastic
    x

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  17. This was worth waiting for the big reveal, it's AMAZING! You have grown so much with your quilting, it's gorgeous. I'm sure Bob was thrilled to see this. ? what size did you make this?

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  18. Living in a military town where all the military men and women take their service and any symbols thereof very seriously, I know this quilt will be loved and honored.

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  19. love your color selections and how they blend(but not lost) with the camo. the fact you stayed away from that '4th of July' look is not missed by me. don't get me wrong, i adore the flag and display it proudly, but it pretty much stops there. the made fabric border brings it all home. great job V.

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  20. Oh,oh,oh,my! That eagle quilt is fantabulous. When I came to the pic......sudden intake of breath!!

    So, I've missed you the past few days, but I see how busy you've been, now I know why.

    Yes, I finish binding on each quilt before starting anything new.

    Keep up your fab work! Each quilt you post is a treat.
    : )

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  21. It's an incredible quilt Victoria.

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  22. This Quilt has it all.
    Personal meaning for you and Bob!
    Traditional Symbolism
    Modern version of 1850's color pallet
    Quilting to die for.
    Oh Oh and 15min/HTS
    Thanks for sharing your wonderful work.

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  23. There are no words to convey my gratitude for this quilt. Impressive, Awesome, Fantastic are words that are inadequate. What started out as a "what am I going to do with all these old uniforms" turned into a one of a kind piece of artwork. I am glad I asked the question. Every time I look at it I like a different part of it best. I think the little blue union with stars triangles are my favorite. Reminds me of a folded flag. You Are Amazing. Thank You.

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  24. V - That quilt is so awesome. It represents what i love best about the way you work - it all comes out of your head and is completely original and from the heart. Congratulations on an awesome finish!
    It was such fun to be involved and watch and wain for this quilt!

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  25. PS - My projects in progress tend pile up - I usually have 3-5 at a time but once the tops are finished, I layer them and will quilt and bind nonstop until they are done.

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  26. Victoria - it is wonderful. I know it will be treasured.

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  27. Oh. My Gosh. Amazing! It was fun to read Bob's comment!

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  28. A truly spectacular & unique quilt ... you must be thrilled!

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  29. The eagle quilt turned out wonderful and I know it will be treasured. I am so glad you wrote about your process esp. about trying a new thing in each quilt. I have a tendency to always play it safe. I guess I need to let my hair down and play more!

    With binding I usually bind a quilt as soon as get it quilted because I need to make a deadline! Love the zig zag quilt you are binding in the picture.

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  30. Man oh man oh man....that is one totally AWESOME quilt!!!

    deb

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  31. Oh, Victoria! What a treasure!! Fabulous work and workmanship. Thanks for sharing!

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  32. My DH is retired Air Force...not sure he is ready for me to cut into his uniforms yet! Though between his AF and my Army we have about 5 different cammo patterns!

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  33. See & I could do bindings ALL. DAY. LONG. LOL
    Mmmmm, maybe I need to offer my services???
    I love the eagle quilt - just beautiful!
    Cheers
    Lush
    London, UK

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  34. This quilt gives me goosebumps! How you ever managed to make that camo fabric work is a miracle, too.

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  35. Wow. Just wow. That quilt is amazing, and so is your fearless, non-judging attitude toward letting yourself learn. We could all use some of that. I have too many projects waiting for the next stage because I'm afraid I might "ruin" them.

    I bind right away when a quilt is ready, but not because I'm better than you...just much less prolific!

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  36. It's wonderful! And you did a fantastic job of quilting it!

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  37. I generally finish my bindings right away. I enjoy binding and I like getting the quilt done. Having said that, I had two come back from the quilter in the last month ans they are sitting there waiting to be bound!

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  38. I love love love love it! The eagles in that color scheme are so classically American without being typical Americana, and the uniform fabric is playing so nicely with all the others. I am especially inspired by the crazy pieced inner border -- it adds just the right amount of colorful contrast to all those neutrals. Awesome!

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