Sunday 14 December 2014

IG Mini Swap

I haven't participated in a swap for quite a while, but when @curlyboy announced the #IGminiswap a few months ago I signed up almost straight away. I was part of Flossy's group (aka Brioni Greenberg) and the level of awesome in our group was astounding - I think I would have been happy to receive pretty much any of the mini quilts that people were posting.

Last week, my parcel of awesome arrived and I couldn't be happier. Seriously. I love this quilt SO much it isn't funny. Even better it was made by my friend Adrianne, so I feel especially lucky to have something made by her living in my house :o) When I posted on IG that I'd received this one, a few people said they suspected this was for me, and I'm so glad they were right. The prints are some of Karen Lewis' amazing hand printed fabrics, and the low volume background is totally me (obvs). I really can't thank you enough Adrianne, it is an incredibly beautiful mini.


Not only is the design perfection, it is even hand quilted. I will cherish this forever, and it is now adorning my sewing room right above my machine so I get to see it all the time. Sorry to get all gushy, but I'm just SO IN LOVE with it :o)



Adrianne also included some gorgeous extras in my parcel - this beautiful pouch (which was filled with some New Zealand candy which was gobbled quite quickly by my grabby children ;o))


The mini I made for my partner (@imasavanovac) also reached it's destination yesterday so I can share that with you too. The stars were made with 1.5" diamonds so it was some pretty teeny tiny piecing - but a lot of fun to put together. It all came together really easily, apart from the binding which I wasn't all that happy with - because of the angled edges I had to use bias binding, and it was an absolute nightmare to sew down. It mostly looks okay - but a couple of the inner curves are a bit bulgy. I certainly won't be trying to bind something this shape again - although if I'd left myself more time to bind it I might have been able to figure it out better. I wasn't completely happy sending this off to be honest, but I'd run out of time at this stage so I didn't have time to try to fix it.


I was really happy with how the quilting turned out - and Sami loves it so it's all good (although in all probability she is probably just being polite about the dodgy binding).



xx Jess

16 comments:

Vicki said...

Well Jess...I'd be thrilled with your mini sent to your partner! I think you're being way to hard on yourself. The mini/pouch that you received is beautiful as well.

Hayley said...

I agree with Vicki - your mini is fab (as is Adrianne's

Oops-Lah said...

What a gorgeou mini you got as well as the cute pouch and your quilt was equally amazing. I love the reflection of its big brother (or is it a sister?) ;)!!!

Adrianne @ On the Windy Side said...

Yay Jess - I'm glad you loved the mini. I really enjoyed making it for you :-) I love the mini you made - the tiny piecing is awesome but it's really the quilting that does it for me. All that detail really brings the quilt to life.

magistra said...

Both of these little quilts are such masterpieces, they are unbelievable! And make me realize I have many a year of practice ahead of me! Seriously, Jess, I love the colors of your stars, the quilting is art, and I don't notice anything wrong on the edges, but I'm sure it was very challenging to do :) and Adrianne's is so amazing, too! I love her background and how small those pretty little blocks must be! I wish I could see them both in person. Thank you for sharing them!

Renee said...

With how gorgeous your mini is, and considering the unusual shape I am sure any wonkiness in the binding is completely forgivable! Plus who's gonna look at it anyway, they will be so dazzled with the quilting and piecing! The mini you got is so nice!

Unknown said...

Wow! So much awesomeness all around!!!

Newbie Jen said...

Both minis are gorgeous! This swap was fun all around.

Leanne said...

Silly, not one is looking at the inside corner of the binding, they are looking at the fantastic fussy cut stars and stunning quilting. I love the mini you got and the pouch too. Seems like an excellent swap.

Jessica said...

Oh wow!! These are both amazing! Great job ladies. I love your quilting, Jess!

CapitolaQuilter said...

Perfect pairing of swappers and top notch minis. I did plenty of eyeing them both and I wasn't even in your group haha

Lucy | Charm About You said...

You both did such gorgeous quilting and the minis are beautiful! My children aways snag the sweets too ;)

Katy Cameron said...

Oh hell, who looks at the binding anyway, it's amazing! They both are in fact :o)

Susan said...

I'd say this was a very successful swap- you lucked out with Adrianne's beauty! And your starry mini is delightful finished off with your brilliant quilting!

Rosa said...

Such a faabulous quilts and your quilting caught my eye,just stunning!

pennydog said...

Sami sent me a really gorgeous quilt in the swap so I'm glad she got something awesome in return!