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Sunday, August 25, 2013

Serendipity

Finding something good without really looking for it.  In this case, of course, I wanted my end result to be beautiful, but I still think that Serendipity is the perfect name for a quilt that is sewn together with more of a method than a plan, from the scraps that happened to be in my baskets.


Mr. MQI has been out of town this weekend, and Janet from Simply Pieced came over yesterday for a sewing day.  Our kids played together, and we were able to get a lot accomplished.  I finished the quilting on Serendipity last night and put the binding on this morning.



I absolutely love this quilt with all of its bright colors and irregular design.  It's just so fun to look at all of the different fabrics and see pieces of the quilts I've made in the past.

The finished quilt measures 84 x 96 inches and was quite a challenge to quilt!  I quilted with a wide-ish stippling.  I could really have chosen any color for the backing since there are so many colors in the top, but is it really any wonder that I picked my favorite color?  I swear, I don't really plan it, I'm just drawn to greens!


The lime green polkadots look great with the improv blocks and don't add too much busy pattern to an already busy quilt.  I'm so glad I had enough blocks to put a couple of rows across the backing too.  The binding is Kona Purple, and I really like the little bit of contrast it adds.


I've decided that I'm keeping this quilt for myself, so I can hang onto a tiny piece of all of the other quilts I've made and loved, that have gone onto new homes.


Creating something so beautiful from humble scraps?  Definitely Serendipity.


79 comments:

  1. Beautiful quilt and pictures! I love the scrappiness and how it came from leftover scraps.

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  2. I love the quilt and I would be happy if I could make anything similar :-)

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  3. Kelly, it is fabulous! I can't believe how you quilted such a big quilt on a regular sewing machine...My hat is off to you. I am glad you have decided to keep it for yourself.

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  4. Great job Kelly! It looks awesome. And such a wonderful memory of all the quilts you've made.

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  5. One day I'll try an improv quilt. Yours looks great, I love the bright colors of your fabrics and the backing is gorgeous.

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  6. Oh Kelly - it's stunning. Love the back too. Very nice finish.

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  7. Yay for scrappy quilts! I have been working on my scrap bin lately too. Should have lots to share in about a week. Nice job on yours.

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  8. This is beautiful and a lovely reminder of the other quilts you've made :)

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  9. Wow, I love it!!! You can't tell where the blocks start and finish, it looks like one giant block!
    I would keep this one too. And it's a nice size for the bed :)

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  10. It is gorgeous and really fun. I love scrap quilts.

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  11. That is such a big quilt! I can't imagine quilting that, but you did a terrific job. i love the scrappy colours and your quilting! Beautiful. :)

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  12. It turned out fantastic! Wonderful scrappiness :)

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  13. It's big and beautiful! I know you what you mean about enjoying those scraps - enjoy your quilt!

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  14. I love. this. quilt! I am so drawn to scrappy quilts, and have just started experimenting with improv/slab quilting. You always inspire me!

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  15. Amazing! What a great, big awesome tribute to all the quilts you have made. I do love the pieced backing and the purple binding. They are perfect choices and compliment this quilt sew well. How nice that you and Janet got some quilting time while the kids had a play date! Congrats on a job well done!

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  16. Beautiful quilt Kelly. Love how spontaneous it is, but it still works so well together. Great idea to keep it for memories!

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  17. Fantastic! It is a great finish and I do love those green polka dots! I seriously have no idea why I'm so fascinated with the backs of quilts. This one is lovely front and back. :)

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  18. Wow that turned out beautiful! Amazing how fantastic little pieces of fabric can look!

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  19. Awesome! And I love the idea of having a quilt full of scraps from previous quilts.

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  20. Really beautiful! My daughter would use the back as the front. That is her favorite color too!

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  21. Totally and completely LOVE this quilt! Aren't polka dots the most fun?

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  22. Very fun! I love the back too!

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  23. Your quilt is just beautiful and I love the tutorial. I am going to put this at the top of my "next quilt" list. Time to bust those scraps!!

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  24. Your quilt looks fantastic and I love the green polka dots on the backing!

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  25. So, did you empty the scrap bin? Lovely quilt!

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  26. I love this! Thanks for the improv tutorial as well. I love these type of quilts, I haven't been brave enough to try it. Not sure why, it doesn't look so hard...

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  27. Scrappy, improv and colorful - three of my favorite things! Great job!

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  28. This wonderful! Props to you for using ALL your scraps! That is amazing! And the finished product couldn't have come out better. I am feeling inspired now to try this out.

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  29. I love it - great use of scraps.

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  30. visiting from anything goes Monday. This is an enormous quilt. Well done.

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  31. that is some delicious serendipity! really love it, particularly the green dot backing. go green!

    ps - I like the update to your blog design. it's cleaner without the blue and the scallops are cute. =)

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  32. Oh Kelly, it's beautiful! And the back too! It's genius. Who would ever guess you started with scraps!

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  33. It looks fantastic! You sure worked fast on this one! Funny, I feel drawn to blues to way you do to greens.

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  34. very pretty and I am a green person too. I really like the purple binding!

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  35. What a beautiful quilt Kelly and you will enjoy keeping this quilt and seeing so many others that you have made when you look at it! Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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  36. I absolutely love this. I think scrappy quilts are the best. I also love the pieced back. Yaay for a great quilt.

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  37. Hi! You have made absolutely fantastic quilt! I love all the happy colours and prints! Your design is so well in 'balance'! x Teje

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  38. A great finish and the purple binding a a wonderful job framing your scrappy masterpiece! Thanks for having me over for an afternoon of sewing fun!

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  39. Love this!! I love the purple binding against the green backing, too!

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  40. Your scrappy quilt is wonderful, the fabrics look so balanced together. You have great scraps! I think the back is great too!

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  41. Love it! And the back is so great. What a nice quilt to have all for yourself :-)

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  42. Beautiful,beautiful and beautiful!!Hugs Bambi

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  43. The lime green polka-dot is PERFECT. You couldn't have chosen a better backing. I'm so glad there were blocks left for the back! The pieced strip looks fabulous. This is one fantastic, inspiring scrap quilt, Kelly!

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  44. Gorgeous Gorgeous quilt Kelly. Love of the colours and I am partial to a bit of lime green too!

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  45. i love it! Like squealy love it! :-p

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  46. Wow great scrap quilt! I love that green backing and recently used it myself on a baby quilt backing. Great minds ;)

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  47. Wow it is astoundingly wonderful, I am planning on starting to sew my scraps together into blocks in the next couple of weeks and your quilt is sooooo inspiring!

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  48. Oh my...what a lovely quilt! Some scrappy quilts, well, just don't work. BUT this one is amazing! You must have a phenomenal scrap collection!

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  49. The quilt is fabulous with the perfect backing for sure. Play dates with a quilty friend is the best. FMQ of a beast deserves a big hand, congrats - I'm glad you're keeping it to enjoy.

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  50. What a beautiful quilt you made.:-)
    Just beautiful! And all the scrap you used, i'm impressed.
    Regards Ingrid from Skåne

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  51. What a fun scrappy quilt! I've yet to make a successful quilt from scraps, LOL!

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  52. I love everything about this quilt..and what a great keepsake....all the bits and pieces from quilts you have made! great idea!

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  53. Kelly! A really wonderful finish. Congratulations. I love the idea of being able to look at the quilt and remember all of the other quilts/projects you've made with those fabrics. How marvelous. And speaking for my people, the Greens, we like you, too.

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  54. Fab quilt, I love the idea of using your scraps, my vomit quilt is a bit like that, thanks for linking up :)

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  55. Love it, especially the lime green backing paired with that purple binding!

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  56. What a great way to use up scraps! I don't blame you for holding on to this quilt for yourself. It's gorgeous! Enjoy!

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  57. It's beautiful, and your photos are great. You're lucky to have someone to sew with. I'm still searching for that person. Enjoy your great quilt.

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  58. I am creating a memory quilt also of my fabrics that go with my house. Some are scraps, some are not. But, once my house sells, this is to remember all the quilts I have sewn while living here the past 9yrs. The older color tiles in my bathrooms that were once popular, and the terrazzo flooring, the beige carpet, the peach colored kitchen, and blues and purples that go with the peach color. Greens, for the big yard and various brown for the trees that surround my house.
    Your quilt is really pretty and I know exactly how you feel when you look at it and remember the other quilts you have made. Nicely done.

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    1. Thank you so much, Celia! That sounds like it will make a really beautiful quilt and a nice reminder for you. I'm sure that all of the colors will be fun to look at!

      :) Kelly

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  59. I love it!!! Love the fabric you chose for the back too!!

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  60. Your quilt looks great! And I'm glad you're going to keep it too...it'll be fun to look at and remember everything.

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  61. Absolutely gorgeous - my kind of quilt!! Love it! stopping in from Fresh Sewing Day!

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  62. That is a really great quilt. I love scrappy and you did an amazing job. I love the polka-dot green backing and the purple binding. Those are just the perfect touches to tie it all together. Congrats on a fun finish full of memories and thank you for linking up!

    xo -E

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  63. I love this quilt! Your fabric scraps are so bright and cheerful,

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  64. Scrap quilts are my favorite, but not the kind that only use matching fabrics or fabrics from the same line. Scrap quilts are to be made from whatever you have on hand and are not planned out. Whatever happens happens. Sincerely, Paula K.
    Great job by the way making a very happy quilt.

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  65. Oh my. Just yesterday I was thinking of throwing away my scraps. Now I will continue to collect them!

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  66. I love this quilt and can't wait to try to make one for myself! Your tutorial was great! Thanks for sharing!

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  67. I love this quilt and can't wait to try to make one for myself! Your tutorial was great! Thanks for sharing!

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  68. Love the process of how you put this quilt together, along with the beautiful colors & fabrics. Thanks so much for sharing, and also for the Sewing Machine Improv Pieced Cover!

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