Comments on Lisa's Carolina | Handmade: Clifford's 'Road to Oklahoma' quilt is complete!

Beautiful quilt. I had to chuckle when you descri...

2015-08-30T11:05:25.700-04:00

Beautiful quilt. I had to chuckle when you described how excited your uncle was about the deer fabric.

A gift of love... Nothing can be sweeter than that...

2015-08-29T08:02:46.061-04:00

A gift of love... Nothing can be sweeter than that!!

Very pretty. Putting some deer on the back was bri...

2015-08-28T22:55:57.040-04:00

Very pretty. Putting some deer on the back was brilliant for a guy. Your post and quilt reminded me of a time when my husband and I were driving through Nebraska and a deer jumped out of the ditch and ran into our car. Yes, really. Causing over $5,000 in damage to our car. We were lucky we could still drive it as there was o cell service for about 60 more miles. I guess after this story, it's a good thing the deer is on the back of Clifford's quilt and I probably won't be putting any on mine.

Your quilt looks great.

2015-08-28T00:46:31.998-04:00

Your quilt looks great.

My husband always like the backs better. Lovely qu...

2015-08-26T17:19:17.258-04:00

My husband always like the backs better. Lovely quilt.

Beautiful quilt, Lisa. I know you are proud of you...

2015-08-26T09:05:06.106-04:00

Beautiful quilt, Lisa. I know you are proud of your finish, and Clifford is proud to have it, too! Thanks for joining our party!

This is gorgeous, Lisa!!! You are so talented! I l...

2015-08-25T21:49:21.288-04:00

This is gorgeous, Lisa!!! You are so talented! I loved reading your story, too! I know Clifford will enjoy this beautiful work of art!!

Beautiful quilt! It's wonderful to see a happ...

2015-08-25T18:21:27.723-04:00

Beautiful quilt! It's wonderful to see a happy quilt recipient!! It looks very comfortable , especially on the back with the deer.
Susie

This is wonderful, and what a happy story. I'...

2015-08-21T23:11:06.921-04:00

This is wonderful, and what a happy story. I'm glad you entered it in the Pets on Quilts show, because now I got to see it and enjoy it too!
~Brandy

I like deer, too, and really like that backing fab...

2015-08-21T04:46:18.494-04:00

I like deer, too, and really like that backing fabric. I'm sure Clifford will treasure it for years to come.

This is a great pattern to use for a man's qui...

2015-08-19T22:22:35.893-04:00

This is a great pattern to use for a man's quilt and the backing fabric is a wonderful touch.

Wow! Only your 3rd quilt. That is brilliant. Yo...

2015-08-18T20:59:49.805-04:00

Wow! Only your 3rd quilt. That is brilliant. You have done a fantastic job of it. No wonder your cousin is smiling so much in the photo!

Road to Oklahoma has always been a favorite quilt ...

2015-08-18T14:54:13.815-04:00

Road to Oklahoma has always been a favorite quilt pattern for me. Your cousin Clifford looks like he jsut loved his quilt! Great job Lisa!

We're back now and I've written the rest o...

2014-11-03T08:24:35.024-05:00

We're back now and I've written the rest of the story here: http://pieceworktreasures.blogspot.com/2014/10/road-to-oklahoma-rest-of-story.html

Thank you for joining me on our journey!!!

When are you planning your trek to Oklahoma? You...

2014-10-20T23:15:03.609-04:00

When are you planning your trek to Oklahoma? You will have to share the remainder of the story when you give this beautiful of quilt to your cousin. Have a safe trip.

Completely agree that the quilt has a 'masculi...

2014-10-16T08:24:07.972-04:00

Completely agree that the quilt has a 'masculine' look with being dreary-laden and that was a pleasant surprise as the color choices came from Clifford, collaborated with his sister Dorothy, all in the guise of secrecy! The colors happened to coordinate with Karen's quilt, my 'inspiration', so it was easy to sort color placement more or less. One of my readers from Oklahoma said, to her, the colors represented the state of Oklahoma..... green for grass, rust for the red clay dirt, etc.... and thought that was another neat way this quilt 'connected' all the dots together.

I have to say, I love the thought that 'so much of our lives, both past and present, are sewn into our quilts'. I will have to remember that. Thank you so much for your supportive and encouraging words through this quilting journey.

Your quilt is not only completed, it's absolut...

2014-10-15T22:11:34.484-04:00

Your quilt is not only completed, it's absolutely lovely, too. The colors of the fabrics you chose are just right for a "masculine" quilt without being the least bit dull and dreary.

I love that you said you were reliving memories of times with Clifford years ago as you made his quilt. It's said, too, that years after a quilt is completed we can look back at that quilt and remember what was going on in our lives as we worked on it. So much of our lives, both past and present, are sewn into our quilts.

It meant a lot to me to share a little of my famil...

2014-10-14T14:44:14.907-04:00

It meant a lot to me to share a little of my family's 'story'. Thank you Tracy!

Oh I am so glad you decided to try to do the bindi...

2014-10-14T14:42:58.349-04:00

Oh I am so glad you decided to try to do the binding yourself! You can so do this!!!! It is not that difficult at all. When you look at the shiny,happy, world video, you'll see she machine stitches the binding to the front, then hand-stitches to the back..... that is what you may want to do. It is more of an heirloom look..... and please, please show pictures and let us see your beautiful quilts!!!!

Thank you Sarah Liz! To answer your questions: ...

2014-10-14T14:29:48.229-04:00

Thank you Sarah Liz!
To answer your questions: *No I did not pre-wash the fabric. There is some debate in the quilting world about that, but I like the crispness of the fabrics while I cut, piece, sew and quilt.... THEN wash in washing machine and dry in dryer where everything softens.... colors and snuggliness.
*Fabric content - I've been using pretty much 100% cotton fabrics. My first quilt for the Alabama children's home I was crunched for time and used a 60% cotton/40% polyester flat sheet for the back and it worked great. I have stuck with, and will continue to use, the Warm & Natural 100% cotton batting..... no polyester there!
* manipulating the quilt this size under the machine was a challenge, I admit.... but thinking ahead, I chose simple straight stitches that I could line up against a seam line easily. The quilt was rolled up to fit under the machine and with a little starting and stopping to take any weighty drag off the quilt, it was simple straight seam sewing all the way.
*with garment sewing you are sewing a little here and a little there - but with quilting you are sewing on and on and on..... mindlessly at times once you've got the assembly line going, or quilting lines in order..... but I found it a nice time to think about my childhood memories or listen to the radio and lose myself in the sewing moment.

This is my third quilt and I have fallen in love with the entire process of putting together a quilt from start to finish.... enjoy every step..... but I would not want quilting to be my only creative outlet and am so grateful for garment sewing.... enjoying the best of both worlds?! With your sewing abilities and creative streak you will produce a beautiful quilt! Look forward to seeing if one day you put together a quilt too!

Thank you Barbara for such kind comments!

2014-10-14T14:15:54.015-04:00

Thank you Barbara for such kind comments!

Congratulations on finishing your quilt it's b...

2014-10-14T01:52:54.283-04:00

Congratulations on finishing your quilt it's beautiful. I am sure your cousin is going to love it. It's nice to read about the story and inspiration behind the quilt it makes it so much more special.

What an lovely quilt Lisa...and I know Clifford wi...

2014-10-14T00:59:13.659-04:00

What an lovely quilt Lisa...and I know Clifford will cherish it. I myself, appreciate the family history you shared with us. Having family from Oklahoma myself, have enjoyed the common bond of a fellow Okie...even though be are both living in other states now...but the memories of the summers and families spent in Oklahoma.
With my grandma's quilts and your encouragement, I'm going to check out the link for the binding to see if I can do it myself.

That is beautiful - I didn't realise you could...

2014-10-14T00:38:44.760-04:00

That is beautiful - I didn't realise you could wash these quilts - did you pre-wash the fabric? I guess cotton would hold fabrics better than polyester, and certainly have a more organic and softer feel. I think I have never been interested in making quilts thinking that they would have to be dry cleaned. Now I might have to think again! (One day...).

What a lot of work - you must have spent hours making this - and manipulating such a large piece of work around must be very hard work and physically tiring. I do hope you enjoy your visit and the quilt is much appreciated. Take care...

That is AMAZING! I hope Clifford recognizes all t...

2014-10-13T20:07:45.394-04:00

That is AMAZING! I hope Clifford recognizes all the time put into it. He'll certainly not be able to miss the love. Congratulations on a job very, very well done.