Throwback Thursday - My Favourite Season

My friend Jenn who blogs at A Quarter Inch from the Edge has been hosting "Throwback Thursdays" for several months now.  On the first Thursday of every month, we are encouraged to link a post featuring a quilt from the past.  For my first participation to Throwback Thursday, I give you - drum roll please - My Favourite Season (can you guess what season that is?)

Hanging at the Ottawa Valley Quilt Guild Quilt Show in 2009

My Favourite Season was my first "substantial" quilt.  I started it in 2005 or 2006, and I worked on it for a couple months every fall until I got sidetracked by a baby or a move.  I finished the top in the Fall of 2008 and, having no skills whatsoever in machine quilting, I decided to have it professionally quilted.  Had I not done that, I probably would have set it aside again and lost interest in it.

As a relative beginner quilter, I made a lot of mistakes with this quilt, like skimping on 1/4 inch seam allowances and using a long stitch length.  It is definitely not suited for high usage, but it fits perfectly in my guest bedroom.

I also wish I had known about the tradition of using red squares in log cabins to symbolize the hearth... I am not much of a rule follower, but I think the red squares would have looked better in such a traditional quilt.

The label was entirely embroidered by hand (then I had to machine appliqué it to a background that was then sewn on the backing because I did not leave enough room on the leaves to turn under - not very efficient.  Although I always aspire to make these hand embroidered labels, I set the bar a little high.  It was easy to find the time in those days because I took the bus to work, 30 minutes each way, which made the hand embroidery easy to fit in.  I am glad I thought of crediting the machine quilter (Maggie Fontana of Ottawa) and the designer of the quilt (Diane Doro who used to write for American Patchwork and Quilting) - otherwise I would not have remembered.

I am happy I made that quilt when I did because that is a quilt could never make today.  My aesthetics has changed, and I have less time (or patience) for huge undertakings with thousands of pieces.   I am still in love with it.

Linking up with...

Now go check out what other folks were making back in the day, and maybe link your own throwback project!