my string quilt creation for the All About Strings Blog Hop hosted by Carla at Creatin' In the Sticks. Isn't it an ocean of string beauty???
Before I tell you more about Seafarer, I must share the list of the other awesome quilters participating in the Strings Hop:
All About Strings Blog Hop Schedule
Monday, March 25th
Tuesday, March 26th
Wednesday, March 27th
Now on to how Seafarer came to be.
The design of this quilt, mostly the concept of strings to depict an ocean and with a lone sailboat, was dreamed up at around 4 in the morning. Yes, I'm usually awake that early, either creating, like that morning, or getting ready to go for a swim workout.
Fabric, both scraps and yardage, was pulled, and a few string blocks made to see if this vision was going to work. That's the sneak peek I showed early last week.
Still undecided as to whether this would be a baby quilt size, or lap/twin, more blocks were made, including the sailboat, and continually rearranged on the design wall.
Then it hit me - the reality that my son was leaving within weeks for a 27 month tour with the Peace Corps. Since he had already asked to take a quilt with him, this would be perfect for him - a lap/twin size it would be!
Since it was still in the works, he got to choose the batting, a soft 80/20, and also the backing. For that, I happened to have 4-5 yards of an aqua/blue flannel purchased years ago, just waiting for a water themed project. Perfect!
Quilting was a fast and easy freehand wave design, done in around 2 hours.
We had fun tossing around names for this quilt - my favorite from him was "Damn it, does this ocean ever end???". But that's quite long, so we chose the more simpler, Seafarer. It suits his adventurous spirit, and the unknown experiences yet to discover.
Will I miss him? Yes, but he's a young man now, ready to set off on an adventure of life after college. Twenty-seven months may seem like a long time, but it will pass quickly, and I know that an awesome man will come back. And ya, I'll miss the quilt too.
Update: to see how I made the sailboat, check out the Making a Strip Pieced Sailboat post!
Happy String Quilting and enjoy the rest of the hop!
Oh, Susan, you always are full of inspiration. This is perfect for your son and I wish him well. Thank you for playing along in the All About Strings Blog Hop. This is a super quilt and the colors are amazing.
ReplyDeleteWow now that's some pretty blues...Great idea tyty for sharing your talents with us...
ReplyDeleteWow, you made a beautiful quilt. My reaction to this just now was thinking of the big cruise ship with American tourists having problems in the big waves right outside our coast line, not far away from here. Such a dangerous situation, but everything went well in the end.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt, and best of luck to your son!
ReplyDeleteA-maz-ing! And I love the addition of the sailboat in the big ocean.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. My favourite colour blue. I am sure this will be a treasured quilt.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt!! I love the look of movement in the blocks and the quilting. It will be something special for him to treasure while he's away, and you're sending a part of you with him!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Beautiful quilt! Our son just returned from 27 months in Africa with The Peace Corps. A life changing experience. Your son will treasure this piece of home. Please thank him for his service ahead of time
ReplyDeleteI’m proud of your son. What an amazing experience.
DeleteLove it!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt! I absolutely love all the blue with the boat standing out in it. Such a lovely piece for your son to treasure while he is gone!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a uniform color string quilt with an applique! Best wishes for your sons adventure.
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt! Good luck to your son in his endeavors.
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous quilt. I love how this came to be and that it is for your son and he helped. It is a difficult time when our kiddos head off as adults. We have prepared them as much as possible. But it also is wonderful to see them come into their own as young adults. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
ReplyDeleteI love your quilt. My son, also, went to the Peace Corp after college. I thought it was a long 27 months, but he brought home a bride, so that was a life changing event. Of course, he loved Africa so much, he took a job there, so now I really miss him!!
ReplyDeleteYou are very creative and this turned into a beautiful quilt!
ReplyDeleteThe colors are wonderful, and the setting is perfect - you don't have to match anything up! And the boat is so symbolic. How exciting for your son to have this experience. Hopefully he'll have some internet connections so you can keep in touch.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love your quilt in my favorite colors and sailboat. Great work, and best of luck to your son!
ReplyDeleteThat is just beautiful! That boat is just perfect on your sea that never ends ( ha ha)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! And a beautiful story to go with it.
ReplyDeleteAwesome quilt Susan! How great that your son gets such an appropriate quilt to take with him. He can wrap himself in your quilty love each night. It is a gorgeous quilt and I love the blues and the quilting is perfect. You always do such nice work!
ReplyDeleteIt's fabulous!! I think it might be my favorite quilt of yours. SEW perfect for your son's upcoming adventure! I'm sure he is pleased with his gift. Way to go, Mom!!
ReplyDeleteThe quilting made the quilt even more Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI love the colors, great finish.
ReplyDeleteI love your first name for the quilt. LOL!! That really hit my funny bone this morning. What a gorgeous quilt that does fit it's name (both of them).
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your son for his new adventure. What a special time for him.
This is an awesome design, Susan. You always come up with the neatest ideas.
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful imagination and color sense. I love all your quilts! Your son will take a part of you on his trip.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely string quilt! I think of string quilts as scrappy and with a lot of contrast. Yours is scrappy and almost one color and has a cool theme. Best wishes to your son.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty. I love those blues and the sailboat. Very nautical and original.
ReplyDeleteAwesome quilt, and it will bring joy whenever the boy gets homesick. The quilting is fabulous too.
ReplyDeleteIt's PERFECT!! I just happened to finish reading the book called 438 days about a fisherman stranded at sea for 438 days and he survived. This reminds me of that book. Great job! Perfect backing and quilting for it.
ReplyDeleteLove Seafarer!! The colors are my favorites and I love the way your strings actually look like the ocean. Your son will have a quilty hug from mom while he is gone as well...WIN!!! It is hard to have our babies leave for long periods of time, but you are right, the time does go by so fast.
ReplyDeleteThis is really beautiful and your quilting totally adds to the ocean effect...love it! I'm sure this will be a treasure for your son on his 27 month journey.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great gift for your son. So creative which has given me a few ideas of my own.
ReplyDeleteWow! I love this!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan! What a lovely quilt and a wonderful way to send off your son. Wish him safe travels for me. He will learn so much and have exciting experiences, yet he'll have a wonderful reminder of you to keep with him. He can wrap himself in your love any time he wishes, and it will feel just like a real hug. ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your quilt! Let me count the ways: string blocks, ocean theme, fabulous use of color AND stash fabric, the quilting, the lone boat venturing off ona new adventure (much like your son!), and your positive upbeat attitude! Fabulous post!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, this is beautiful Susan. What a great inspiration and so creative. I bet your son loves it. Who wouldn't, it's a great quilt.
ReplyDeleteLove your string quilt variation...this is a wonderful idea for your sons quilt and you achived a much envied (meaning me) design...
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this. Will this be a pattern in your etsy store? I would love to have it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful qult and fun to have it going off with your son. Kudos to you!
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I saw this quilt, I pinned it...gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing. There's so much movement...I can't believe it's made from string blocks. Wow.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it!! One of the best I have seen so far! Love the water.
ReplyDeletePerfection!!! What a fun string quilt and the meaning behind it is so sweet. I hope you didn't shed too many tears making this gift. Thank you for a truly inspiring post.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is so awesome!
ReplyDeleteI love it! The light to dark values looks so pretty and the sailboat is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely a wow quilt and perfect for your grandson.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, that's a really great quilt - using scraps but not scrappy. I love your son's name for it - that really how it is when you're in the middle of the ocean. All the best to him on his adventure!
ReplyDeleteSUCH A NEAT QUILT! THANKS FOR SHARING!
ReplyDeleteI love your quilt. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful quilt design and what an adventure it will have travelling with your son.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful quilt and I am glad you knew it was going to go with him so you could sew your love and prayers in every string. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Good luck to your son.
ReplyDeleteLove this quilt! The movement in the quilt really captures the ocean currents! Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteOh my, it's just gorgeous!! xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! And perfect for anyone who loves the calm that waters and oceans bring to the soul. Safe travels to your son, and so glad he is taking a piece of home with him.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful, beautiful quilt Good luck to your son on his adventures!
ReplyDeleteWow--love this!
ReplyDelete