Sunday, September 15, 2013

Quilting

I decided to set a timer and document progress in 1 hour increments.  Photos taken from the back as the matching thread on the front makes progress impossible to determine.

1 hour.

2 hours.

The hoop is 18" x 27"

3 hours.

Position 2 of the hoop.

4 hours.

Position 3.

5 hours.

The bird applique is about 33" square.
I'm guessing it will take me about 2 more hours to finish outlining the bird.


And non-quilters don't understand why it is that whenever they ask how much it would cost them for me to make them a quilt I just laugh hysterically and say "You could NEVER afford it."



I'm linking up with the Slow Bloggers...since quilting is a Slow process.
Knotted Cotton
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13 comments:

Dolores said...

After the bird is done, will you be doing some quilting in the background and if so (of course you will) what will it be?

Anonymous said...

What a great way to show just how much time and effort goes into making a quilt.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...


very nice Marjorie; I hand quilt, but in a large frame so I don't have to move the hoop. You are doing great with it.

Lynette said...

lol!! no kidding! I *hate* it when people ask me if I could make a quilt to order, because I know they want something that I've put hundreds of hours into, and don't want to pay more than 75 or 100 dollars. Ain't happenin', baby!

Julie Fukuda said...

The resort where we held our family reunion this summer had quilts on all the beds. They were nicely machine pieced and were all hand quilted BUT made in China with about two stitches to the inch. I couldn't help wondering how much money actually went to those quilters. I have seen quilts on consignment at quilt shops, at prices that wouldn't even cover the price of the fabric.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

You stitching is wonderful...tiny.

QueenB said...

Yeah oh yeah! I got asked by a neighbor about making a quilt and half way through detailing expenses her eyes glazed and she started talking about where she could buy a ready made quilt!
Your bird looks great. What colour is the front?

QueenB said...

Sorry didn't page down far enough. The blue looks great hope your friend enjoys it after the hours you put into it.

Unknown said...

Looking good Marjorie and how right you are about the 'costs' - no matter what craft there is a huge group of lay people who do not understand the amount of time taken to handcraft something - granted there area a few artists who are honoured for there work in the prices that are paid, but as you know they are the 'few'

Quayceetatter said...

Beautiful hand quilting! I have been hand quilting a snowman quilt seems like forever. I quilt for an hour every day and still have one long border side and border bottom working on a hoop no frame. I also am tatting a vest and every circle takes 1 hour. Thanks for showing people your progress and the time it takes!!

Priscilla said...

I put off my friend for more than 20 years when she wanted to "pay" me for making her a quilt. Now that I am not only older but have more disposable income I changed my tune. This past year I made her a New York Beauty and her daughter a Melon Slice, both queen sized, hand pieced, hand appliqued and hand quilted. I finally figured that I was going to be spending my time at quilting anyway so I might as well but it had to be as a gift not for money.

Catherine said...

Your quilting is amazing - you are so right that most people don't realise the time a quilt represents. Thank you for linking up:-)

Victoria said...

A friend who is a painter tells this story: On completion of a large mural in the lobby of a hotel, he was asked why he charged so much for what was only a week's work. His response? "You aren't paying me for the time it takes. You're paying me for the knowledge and skill it takes."

I love the idea that some things may only be done for love.