Sunday, September 20, 2020

Bold Elvira

 

Way back in March, designer Gudrun Erla sponsored a quilt along with her pattern "Elvira." She offered the pattern for free for a few weeks to help lift spirits in the early part of the Covid lockdowns. Several members of my online quilt guild, Sunshine, joined in. I pieced my own Elvira in just a few days, and finished it last month.


Someone donated this bold, bright fat quarter bundle to Covered in Love, and it was perfect for Elvira. I know Gail donated the extra yardage of poppies, but I'm not sure if the entire bundle came from her. The large rectangular blocks really highlight those big poppies, especially. Between the top and the pieced backing, I used up pretty much every scrap. Don't you love the black and white animal motif? Such an unusual and effective foil to the reds, greens and oranges.


I used a red thread to quilt a simple stipple meander over the entire quilt except in this one solid black block. There I did a floral motif that mimicked the poppies, just for a little added interest.


It's not often that I learn anything about the recipients of my charity quilts. But Kat helped deliver this one herself to a mother whose daughter is really struggling with COVID. My heart goes out to this family and I hope the quilt offers some comfort.

On the few occasions where I do have some information about recipients, I try to share that here on the blog (while protecting their privacy, of course.) I love when other quilt bloggers do this, too, so we can all feel a piece of the satisfaction that comes from seeing our work in action. Usually we get to revel in seeing a new baby napping on a happy quilt, or a favorite nephew delighting in a graduation gift. Rarely, a charity quilt's forever home is revealed. Especially now, we sometimes sew in isolation. It's so good to be reminded of the connections that thread across time and space, with friends and family and strangers, too.

22 comments:

  1. LOVELY post and what a gorgeous quilt.

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  2. I love the quilt... those slashes of colour are so appealing and perfect quilting for it.... as you say great to see where quilts go to and remember that some are really struggling during this pandemic...
    Hugz

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  3. Wonderful, uplifting post, and what a vibrant quilt. Love the quilting!

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  4. That is great that you got her hear about the recipient of your beautiful Elvia quilt. Super finish.

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  5. Bold Elvira is simply wonderful, Louise! Even more so, since you received a photo of Kat delivering it. :o))

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  6. So many jumped on board the Elvira train, I love seeing them.
    I think you had fun using all those wild brights in this one.
    Your poppie quilting adds a nice sparkle to this quilt.

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  7. Oh, I love those bold poppies and all that bright color. That's sure to cheer her up! There were so many that joined in on the sew along for Elvira. I cheered them on from the sidelines. Meanwhile, I'm thanking GE for the earworm - Elvira (cue music) - that song will be with me for the next few hours . . .

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  8. Gorgeous quilt and wonderful story. Thank you for sharing with us.

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  9. Fun and bright quilt to delight and comfort someone. Love the story that you shared. It makes all the effort worthwhile and inspires me to sew more.

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  10. Those fabrics were perfect for the Elvira quilt. Good job on the quilting too. I am still trying to decide how to quilt mine!

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  11. This fabric bundle was a perfect match for this design. Almost has an Oriental feel probably because of the poppies. I love large florals like that, but then struggle for a way to use them. I saw Kat's post about gifting this CiL.
    Pat

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  12. I love that quilt. Poppies are a favorite flower of mine. This quilt will bring a lot of comfort to the daughter with COVID. All charity quilts are special but those with personal stories behind them make our giving so much more real & personal. I love how you quilted the poppy motif in the black backing. Special touches like that make your quilts so unique. Thanks for all you do for ALL the charities you sew for.

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  13. Absolutely gorgeous quilt! Love those poppies!
    That's a wonderful quilty hug for someone who needs it!

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  14. Awesome Elvira, Louise! Love seeing the person it was given to, too! Very special indeed!

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  15. This pattern is so good for those big, wild prints. Lovely finish, and how nice that you got to see it to its new home, too.

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  16. That fat quarter bundle really was perfect for this design - it's beautiful, Louise! I think it's wonderful that you learned a little something about who the recipient was. I'm sure your quilt will bring lots of warmth and comfort!

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  17. This quilt is great. I read about it first on Kat's blog and it's nice to see it again here. Somehow the water and the boat make such a great background! That pattern would be a great one for other large design fabrics. I'm going to take a peek at what I have in the way of big prints....

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  18. Beautiful, bold quilt, Louise!! It seems a challenge to find patterns for large scale prints, but Elvira seems perfect. I’m glad that you were able to learn who this quilt went to. I hope it was just the medicine needed to help the recipient to overcome such a mystifying, strangely unpredictable disease.

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  19. Wonderful fabrics, quilt and story! And I'm impressed with that quilted poppy!

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  20. (how did I miss this post?). Your Elvira quilt is stunning! I love your quilted poppy! It is heartening to learn where a quilt goes, and I’m sure this one is cheering up its recipient greatly!

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  21. I did see this post Louise and thought this quilt a stunner, why I didn't leave a comment saying just that I really don't know! I love the bold colour scheme.

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  22. Such true words and well-said! There is nothing better than seeing a quilt we've made in use and knowing it's giving comfort or joy or both. I LOVE your hot hot hot version of Elvira! Interesting, mine went to a recovering addict but that is all I know and all I will ever know for his privacy. It's a cool pattern. I love how you quilted some poppies in!

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