Tuesday, November 05, 2013

A Tale of Two Quilts

In my previous post I briefly lamented the fact that while I was in Vietnam there was buggerall chance of me buying clothes off the rack because I’m twice the size of your regular Vietnamese chick. A number of alternative possibilities were considered and discarded. I didn’t honestly need any more handbags and shoes (I cannot believe I just typed that out loud- and sincerely hope Mr. P doesn’t read this post) even if they were fabulous Prada knockoffs. None of my real life friends even know who Prada is so I’d have to fling it around leaving it conspicuously on tables and eventually tell the story about how it was Prada and that kind of defeats the point of having one.

Anyhoo. I had birthday money burning a hole in my pocket which I was determined to spend even if it killed me and I wanted a memento of my time in Vietnam and a pointy hat or Vietnam magnet just wasn't going to cut it ...

So I bought myself a quilt....




I got this from a wonderful craft and quilt shop in Saigon called Mekong Quilts. They sell all sorts of things on consignment that are made by women in a number of villages around Vietnam. The money goes back to the people who makes the goods , and the project generates employment and wages for a sustainable living situation for those living in poorer communities. Fabulous quilt + Great cause = win, win. 


The hand quilting on this is amazing and it's far more gorgeous than my cruddy photography shows. 


The back is a plain white and really shows up the gorgeous hand quilting. Honestly it was incredibly reasonably priced for a hand made quilt. I could quite easily have brought back more than one if I could have convinced Mr. P to be a pack horse. 

Moving right along...the second part of this post deals with an actual finish from moi. After working on the binding for my Irish chain quilt for what felt like forever , I finally finished it late last week. 


This one is a keeper...and i finally managed to some of those reds I collected for my Farmer's Wife quilt that never got anywhere near finished. 


Beautifully quilted by my quilting fairy . I'm thrilled with how it's come together in all it's antiquey loveliness. 


It's backed with a heavy damask I picked up on sale eons ago and I think the back is just as pretty as the front.  I think this is my favourite quilt of 2013. 

28 comments:

Jackie's Stitches said...

Your red Irish chain quilt is gorgeous! Congrats on a big finish!

Karen said...

No more handbags and shoes!? I actually gasped...how in the world could you write these lies? :) Love the quilt you bought and sounds like a wonderful cause..all that quilting is amazing. I love your irish chain too! My FWQ is sort of moving ahead of the rest of my want to do list. It is my only WIP but I don't like the fabric any more.

Noela said...

The quilt and the story behind it is just wonderful to remember your holiday by. Your Irish chain quilt is beautiful also. Congrats on your finish.
Hugs Noela.

Terri said...

Now you have two very lovely quilts! Congrats on your finish.
Hugs

Elizabeth said...

Wow! Both of those quilts are so beautiful. The hand quilted one from Vietnam is amazing! The quilting is gorgeous! And I really love how your Irish Chain turned out. The quilting is fantastic on that one too! What an awesome post of quilty goodness!

xo -E

Leanne said...

What a wonderful birthday present however o pointy hat would have been nice. I keep seeing finishes every where in blog land and I wonder what am I doing!!!!!!!! I never seem to accomplish anything. I waste so much time.

Sue SA said...

Love your two quilts, how nice to be able to buy something so beautifully hand quilted. I love love love red and white quilts and an Irish chain is a perfect pattern for this gorgeous quilt!

thea said...

The Irish Chain quilt is beautiful! You did such a nice job and your quilting fairy did a great job too. The quilt from Viet Nam is terrific too. I think you must have had a lapse of something .. no bags & shoes?

Rachaeldaisy said...

It's a Vietnamese Sun Bonnet Sue!! that is a very cool souvanier. And it's worth it to have a quilt with all that gorgeous hand quilting. Can we send our quilts over to those ladies to do our hand quilting? How beautiful is your irish chain quilt! I've got it in my head to try a scrappy trip in reds/whites. Seeing how beautiful your quilt is has inspired me even more.

audrey said...

What is it about an Irish chain quilt? Gorgeous. Love the scrappy reds and the texture! Your birthday quilt is wonderful too. Really great memento of your trip!

Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...

Gosh two quilts at once!!! Both look amazing.

Linda

Tazzie said...

Just lovely Shay hon, on both counts!
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

Mistea said...

That is one beautiful souvenir. Very special.
Perfect use for pretty reds that were feeling neglected. Forever binding paid off. Your quilt are gorgeous.

AnnieO said...

Surely you jest about Prada! The quilts are both gorgeous. Love the feathers on the Vietnamese one, and all those great reds on your ex-wife quilt :)

ThreeOldKeys said...

oh wow. both quilts are exquisite. I like your Irish Chain best.

don't you love those sunbonnet sue figures? they will help you cherish your souvenir even more.

you are seriously international today, our Irish Down Under Vietnamese friend.

Katy Cameron said...

They're both fab, but really, you'd think Mr P would be more accommodating after the cat incident ;o)

Cindy said...

Both of these quilts are gorgeous!!! Love the story behind your Vietnam quilt...beautiful! (and SO much more unique than a knock off Prada bag...LOL) Your Irish chain quilt is to die for. LOVE the reds and the quilting....just outstanding! You've definitely got it going on sister!

Marlene said...

Gorgeous quilts. Surely at least one handbag!! I have two quilts bought in Vietnam from the same cause-one from shop in Hanoi and one Saigon and I love them. One sits on the bed in my spare room and one in the lounge. I believe Sue Spargo was involved in the project and I love the sustainability of the project.

Michelle Ridgway said...

Beautiful quilt and like you said...win/win. I love your red and white Irish Chain. Gorgeous :-)

Kirsten's Cooking said...

I don't know which one I love more!!!!

So awesome you could support a small business and an artisan in two countries!

Hope your intro back to real life wasn't too brutal :)

Helsie said...

You bought a quilt? Of course you did! You love quilts and what better than to buy one that you will love and use to remember a great holiday.
The one you've just finished is lovely too and the quilting that shows up so well on the back is beautiful. Your quilting fairy is very clever .

Kristie said...

I can see why this is your favourite! I absolutely love this quilt, and the texture provided by your quilting fairly just adds to it. Gorgeous. And I love that you bought a quilt. Who appreciates them more than us quilters? And a great cause. Much better than some silly Prada something or other.

Unknown said...

Wash your mouth out women; no more shoes or handbags??? Lol. Lovely quilts and a great momento. Sharyn:)

Canadian Abroad said...

A finish and a beautiful one at that. Woohoo! I bought quilts in China eons ago, before I was ever a quilter. They cost about US$20 each at the time. Such a deal. And I bought hand embroidered table linens in Vietnam. Love them still.

Paulette said...

LOVE the Irish Chain quilt, Shay. It is simply gorgeous! I like your hand quilted quilt from Vietnam as well. A great memento from your trip!

RenaissanceSandi said...

Shoes and bags may come and go, but a quilt is forever! LOVE your purchase!

Anonymous said...

I love both those quilts but I covet the Irish Chain quilt. Beautiful.

Kate said...

The Irish Chain is seriously gorgeous! Congrats on the finish. Your souvenir quilt is really pretty too.