Friday, April 14, 2017

Tokyo Subway Map

It's scrappy. It's modern. It's urban. It's Tokyo Subway Map! After more than a month of piecing the top, and nearly a month of quilting, I'm proud to unveil my finished Tokyo Subway Map quilt. The pattern is by Elizabeth Hartman of Oh Fransson. It is the perfect quilt for a self-professed Japan-o-phile like me.

This quilt is the biggest quilt I've ever quilted, at 80" x 80". I won't lie, it was a real chore to manage the bulk on my midarm. More and more, I find myself longing for a longarm (no pun intended). I thought the best quilting design for this quilt would be improv, and plus I've wanted to try improv quilting for awhile. I had a lot of fun doing improv because there's no planning. Naturally, I quilted this quilt to death. I really like the neat Where's Waldo effect because of all the things I threw on there. I did notice after awhile that one motif kept showing up ... the sunburst medallion. I must like it a lot!

I kept the quilting in the train lines pretty simple, and just did a continuous curve, mostly so I can maneuver in and out of the space easily.

I had a vision in my head for this quilt, and that was to make it look very urban, very modern, very colorful, but still clean and bright. (Kind of like Tokyo itself.) I think I achieved what I set out, with the beautiful and striking scrappy fabrics, and the heavily textured improv quilting. I absolutely adore this quilt! (But it's really heavy.)

Previous posts on this quilt:

  • Scrappy Subway Map Quilt
  • Tokyo Subway Map ~ Ready to Quilt!

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    This post participated in the link parties at Crazy Mom Quilts, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and Busy Hands Quilts. Link up and join the fun!

  • 14 comments:

    1. This is SO FABULOUS! I love the quilting so much.

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    2. Love the quilting, Liz!!! This quilt looks fabulous on your sofa!

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    3. That is awesome, I love the colors, but the quilting just makes it go over the top!!!

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    4. Great job! It is really spectacular!

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    5. I love this quilt. We used to live in Moscow, Russia and now I think I need to make a Moscow metro quilt. Fantastic job!

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      1. That would be a fantastic idea! If you make it, I'd love to see it!

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    6. Gorgeous quilt! And your quilting is simply amazing, well done!

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    7. This turned out beautifully! I've long admired this quilt pattern, and admire you even more for seeing one to a finish!

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    8. So gorgeous!!! You did a fabulous job quilting it! Congrats on the lovely finish!

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    9. Visiting from Crazy Mom Quilts. What a GREAT quilt! The colors, the design, the quilting. I love it all! And I am amazed at how many quilters are retired engineers! I love that. Do you have another post that talks about your process here? Did you use an actual subway map as a guide?

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    10. Beautiful!! Congratulations on such a great finish! 80"x80" is big big big, good for you getting all that quilted :)

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    11. This is just stunning! You certainly achieved your aims with this one and the quilting is wonderful.

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    12. Beautiful quilt. Love the colors and the quilting. I'm sure it took a lot of patience and arm strength but it was definitely worth it!

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    13. This is just stunning, the colors and your quilting...fantastic!

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