50th Anniversary Wall Quilt
 

My parents 50th Anniversary is in June and I decided that since they don’t want a party, I would take this opportunity to do an art quilt. So I decided to find a picture from their wedding and draw their portrait in colored pencil on fabric.


I found a picture I liked and cropped it close to their faces. I decided to stop trying to free hand everything, even though I can draw, trying to get the proportions right is quite difficult. So I went the easy route and bought a small projector. Within 10 minutes, I had mom and dad projected onto my 20x20 fabric square on the wall. I roughly sketched them in and 15 minutes later I was done and my proportions were correct.

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I got out my colored pencils and went to work. I also knew that I’d darken the background up a bit with inks or perhaps coffee and I wound up using inks. It came out with a nice sepia toned background making it look rather vintage.

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After getting the colored pencil part done, my portrait was 18x18” and I wanted to make some blocks from the embroidery pattern Affair of the Heart by Aie Rossman. I purchased the pattern with every intention of making all 36 blocks and making a fancy colorful quilt with my fabric scraps and I still might. But I thought I’d use those blocks since they are centered around a heart shape and frame the colored pencil portrait with the blocks. And since its for their 50th which is traditionally gold, I thought I’d make the blocks in all creams, tans and of course gold. They turned out really nice.


But the blocks are either 6” finishing at 7” or 8” finishing at 9”. So I decided to add 3” mitered border around the portrait making it 21x21”. I shopped for fabrics and found a nice golden brown solid fabric and a whitish/tan marble with gold print.

But before I added the borders, I decided the area above mom was pretty empty and should be quilted. I liked the idea of a 50 in the corner but I also wanted the quilting to be subtle yet pretty. I also had no idea what other quilting design I would use. So after a few days, I thought about using the Ohio quilt block, which is pretty much a star pattern. So I got out the projector again and placed my 50, a large star and a small star. In the areas around the designs, I thought I'd just do some scrolling vines and leaves. I won't go into all the agony I went through in picking the thread I used but I'm sure you all understand my suffering. I went with a variegated cotton thread that is cream, tan and darker tan. I also used a cream colored silk thread, which matched the background. After I got the designs outlined, they just kinda blended in and it looked boring and blah, so I did a tight meander stitch in the large star and suddenly the thread really popped and I liked it so well I filled in the 50 and filled in the small star with the cream thread. And I have to admit, these pictures really don't do it justice.

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After the quilting, I got back to the borders. I had this vision in my head of a darker solid around the portrait and then a lighter fabric around that. I found what I wanted and now I just had to figure out how to miter the corners. And like any normal person, I surfed YouTube and found several videos about how to make a mitered border and it didn’t seem hard at all however, I had a great deal of trouble. I sewed and picked repeatedly until I want to scream but I finally, finally got it all to work out. This was definitely the hardest part for me. I can draw and paint but sewing is challenge.


Anyway, after I got the borders on, I auditioned the blocks I made around the portrait. It wasn't too hard to figure out since they all look fairly good. I did the best I could keeping everything straight but I'm pretty sure some things look wonky.

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I also thought it would be nice for friends and family members to contribute a little to this wall hanging. So I asked everyone my parents know to send me a message for my parents. I don't have any yet, but I'll print the well wishings on fabric and hand stitch them to the back. I also found some other pictures of my parents (before/after marriage) that I thought I'd print out and put on the back as well.


The wall quilt is 36x36"

Wow! It's just beautiful. Your parents will be thrilled with this!

Wonderful! You are so creative! I'm sure they will enjoy it.

Wow, this is amazing. They will be so thrilled and honored.

Just beautiful! What a wonderful tribute!

Lisa,
Your quilt is amazing. Love your drawing, your color choices and the quilting. Priceless gift. Last June my parents had their 65th wedding anniversary and we asked everyone they knew to send a hand written letter of their favorite memories of mom and dad. They were put in a nice album that mom (dad passed in Sept.) keeps on the coffee table. We all love the letters and fun memories that it brings back.
Brenda

amazing, a real treasure

What an amazing quilt! I'm sure your parents will be absolutely thrilled and treasure it!

You created a beautiful quilt :)

What a beautiful labor of love!! I love every detail and I know they will too. Family heirloom for sure!!!!

I am in awe of this beautiful gift for you parents. I know your Mom will not be able to take her eyes off it. I sat and studied each photo, noticing the beautiful quilting and embroidery...absolutely stunning my dear!

Wow Love it! I was not quilting yet when my parents celebrated 50 but did a photo of the two of them I, at that time had a great program on my computer where I combined separate pictures of them and made it one. I framed it with gold ribbon. No pic right now as that was some time ago but it still hangs in their livingroom. Mom has since gained her wings so it is wonderful to me. Love what you did!

Awesome! It is absolutely stunning! Fantastic job. Your parents will LOVE it!

you are one creative lady... love your quilt

wow what a wonderful quilt!!

That is absolutely gorgeous!! They are going to love it!

Just absolutely gorgeous. I am sure your parents will be proud of the quilt you made for them. You are a very excellent artist.

Lisa, this is exquisite and your parents will surely be overwhelmed with your thoughtfulness and creativity. I predict tears of joy. I would also like to add my welcome to the QB and can see already what a wonderful asset you will be to our community. I love how you detailed how you went about making this wonderful tribute to your parents. Beautiful work!
PS I wouldn't be without my overhead projector, aren't they great!

Oh, my goodness...that is magnificent!

amazing, stunning, fabulous work!!!

Beautiful in every way.

Your quilt is amazing! Expect a lot of tears of joy!

oh how wonderful!

A lovely tribute to a beautiful couple!

Absolutely beautiful

You have created a wonderful keepsake for your parents and future generations to treasure. It is absolutely spectacular!

Gorgeous! That's a masterpiece!

Stunning! Absolutely beautiful. This will be a family heirloom.

wow, wow, wow!!! so beautiful everything about it!!!

WOW! What more can one say. Absolutely beautiful!

I am completely agog! What talent! What an incredible gift!

What an extraordinary gift. It is beautiful! you did a wonderful job.

WOW!!! What more is there to say?

Beautiful!!!! You are an amazing daughter

that is simply amazing, love it.

So beautiful just like the beautiful bride your mother is. WOW. What a labor of love. They are going to be very thrilled with it. blocks are straight as board, you have nothing to worry about. everything turned out just fine and dandy. when you're done with the back, I would like to see that. very very well done.

What an incredible touching, memorable treasure. You have created a priceless heirloom. Amazing gift !! They are going to be absolutely thrilled.

I can not think of anything else to say that hasn't been said....truly amazing and what a treasure to hand down thru the generations

That is outstanding work. Husband & I observed our 50th last year and I can so relate to the dress and cake. We also chose to not have a party but I told my kids I wanted a nice family picture and everyone better cooperate with a nice face (smiles) or the will would be changed. All turned out good - I was happy. You have made a real treasure there.

What a talented lady you are!!! This is beautiful, beyond words. Your love really shines through this work.