Dalek Quilt
Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 3:02 pm
I just wanted to share the project I did for my boyfriend's "Birthmas" present (his birthday is really close to Christmas). I took progress pictures along the way to send to both our mothers. I actually started on this quilt in August after he went back to work. We have a semi-long-distance relationship and he works in the oil field, so he gets to come home for a week or two, then has to go back to work for 20-30 days. I managed to keep this quilt a secret from him until I presented him with it on his birthday.
First progress picture, taken 09-SEPT-13 -- Everyone thought I was insane for tackling such a large project as this is only my second quilt and I'm notoriously bad at finishing projects. This is all 1" squares. I mixed solids with patterned fabrics to give the design a more interesting look. Besides, working only in solids is extremely boring! I made the pattern based off some Dalek sprites. I never could find a sprite with enough detail at smaller counts, so I picked this one, which is 63x73 squares. I made it as a cross stitch pattern in KG Stitch and worked in fabrics.
Second progress picture, taken 30-SEPT-13 -- I'm making pretty good progress at this point. He was coming back home, so I wanted to do an update before he got back. At this point, I've watched about 2 seasons of Gossip Girl while working on this.
Third progress picture, taken 17-OCT-13 -- I've got all but two 5x5 columns left to do at this point. Our cat, Jack Burton, has been a huge "help". I think he'd been gone for about a week here.
Fourth progress picture, taken 20-OCT-13 -- Got some extra work in on this and finished up those last two columns. The middle is entirely done at this point, and I've been working on the piecework border.
Detail of piecework border. I'm mixing 9 patches of 1" squares with 3" squares cut from Doctor Who themed material that I ordered off Spoonflower.
Fifth progress picture, taken 09-NOV-13 -- I know I took some breaks in here. Doing that piecework border after doing that entire middle out of tiny squares is really soul-crushing, but I persevered. Now I have all the borders cut out and all the piecework done.
Sixth progress picture, taken 28-NOV-13 -- I took a looooot of breaks between this picture and the last one. I'm not super good at corners and it was intimidating trying to get the quilt top finished because it's soooooo heavy due to all the seams. I figured since he's in northeast Wyoming a good portion of the year, the heaviness of the blanket will actually be very nice for him.
I actually sent the quilt off to a long-arm quilter the day after progress pic #6. I told her I wanted double batting with a large pattern for max fluffiness. She also did the binding for me. Total cost from her was $60 (which was a STEAL considering the high quality of her work!) For anyone debating whether to tack or quilt, just go with the quilt. It's prettier and much more sturdy, especially if you get the quilting done professionally. She also got the quilt done for me in about 2 weeks.
Finished product (taken 18-DEC-13):
For the backing, I used a high thread count flat sheet. It feels waaaaay nicer than plain cotton material, and in some cases, might even be cheaper.
The night I got it back, I slept under it and it was supremely comfy. When I presented it to him, he teared up a little, gave me a huge hug and told me that it was the nicest present anyone had ever given him. We snuggled under it on the couch together and he was so happy he got to take it back with him. Sadly, he had to head back to work on Christmas Day.
First progress picture, taken 09-SEPT-13 -- Everyone thought I was insane for tackling such a large project as this is only my second quilt and I'm notoriously bad at finishing projects. This is all 1" squares. I mixed solids with patterned fabrics to give the design a more interesting look. Besides, working only in solids is extremely boring! I made the pattern based off some Dalek sprites. I never could find a sprite with enough detail at smaller counts, so I picked this one, which is 63x73 squares. I made it as a cross stitch pattern in KG Stitch and worked in fabrics.
Second progress picture, taken 30-SEPT-13 -- I'm making pretty good progress at this point. He was coming back home, so I wanted to do an update before he got back. At this point, I've watched about 2 seasons of Gossip Girl while working on this.
Third progress picture, taken 17-OCT-13 -- I've got all but two 5x5 columns left to do at this point. Our cat, Jack Burton, has been a huge "help". I think he'd been gone for about a week here.
Fourth progress picture, taken 20-OCT-13 -- Got some extra work in on this and finished up those last two columns. The middle is entirely done at this point, and I've been working on the piecework border.
Detail of piecework border. I'm mixing 9 patches of 1" squares with 3" squares cut from Doctor Who themed material that I ordered off Spoonflower.
Fifth progress picture, taken 09-NOV-13 -- I know I took some breaks in here. Doing that piecework border after doing that entire middle out of tiny squares is really soul-crushing, but I persevered. Now I have all the borders cut out and all the piecework done.
Sixth progress picture, taken 28-NOV-13 -- I took a looooot of breaks between this picture and the last one. I'm not super good at corners and it was intimidating trying to get the quilt top finished because it's soooooo heavy due to all the seams. I figured since he's in northeast Wyoming a good portion of the year, the heaviness of the blanket will actually be very nice for him.
I actually sent the quilt off to a long-arm quilter the day after progress pic #6. I told her I wanted double batting with a large pattern for max fluffiness. She also did the binding for me. Total cost from her was $60 (which was a STEAL considering the high quality of her work!) For anyone debating whether to tack or quilt, just go with the quilt. It's prettier and much more sturdy, especially if you get the quilting done professionally. She also got the quilt done for me in about 2 weeks.
Finished product (taken 18-DEC-13):
For the backing, I used a high thread count flat sheet. It feels waaaaay nicer than plain cotton material, and in some cases, might even be cheaper.
The night I got it back, I slept under it and it was supremely comfy. When I presented it to him, he teared up a little, gave me a huge hug and told me that it was the nicest present anyone had ever given him. We snuggled under it on the couch together and he was so happy he got to take it back with him. Sadly, he had to head back to work on Christmas Day.