Golden California (Small World)
Quilt #229 • 55″ wide by 36″ high
I mean, you already know what this quilt looks like, having seen various permutations of this on my blog, on the web, on Instagram. It’s kind of like the quilt that keeps on giving, rolling out forward from the talented mind of Jen Kingwell, and until we all finish up all those My Small World UFOs, it’s likely this quilt will become a quilter’s version of eternity.
[Aside: a cook’s version of eternity is defined as a ham and two people. An old joke.]
I had a Before…back when the pattern was in the magazine and it sold out like hotcakes. Then this quilt languished until I had vowed to make Three Hard Quilts in 2019. It was mostly finished then, but I didn’t have binding sewn on until just before Road to California, where I was taking classes with Ms. Kingwell, herself, and wouldn’t you know it? I don’t have ONE photo of myself with her and this quilt. I thought I took one, but, nope. Can’t find it.
Breaking News!! My friend Lisa sent me a photo of the quilt with me and Jen Kingwell, so here it is. Thank you, Lisa!
To keep myself sane when working on a long project like this, I take little snapshots of progress, title and date them, and keep going. It reminds me that quilts — like children — will one day be all grown up.
My photo shoot locator (AKA my husband) suggested we head out to the neighboring town where they had some cool tile murals of different parts of that city. We battled the shadows, however, but he was right: they were cool murals.
For the backing, I chose something that had cities in it, and two pieces that represented quilters.
See that golden sun? One of California’s monikers is The Golden State, so Susan suggested to me that instead of just taking on Jen Kingwell’s name for the quilt (based on the drawings of the Small World ride in Disneyland), I should incorporate something to suggest this quilt’s origin. So I did.
Each of my posts about this quilt have the tag “My Small World” so you can click on them to be taken to other posts about this, if you are still making yours. Carry on! Keep on! and soon yours will be finished, too.
Next week, March 10-11, I’ll be at the Orange County Quilters Guild, giving my Abecedary of Quilts lecture, and teaching a workshop. Here’s a screenshot from their webpage (kudos to the Communications people for this nice display).
This week I’ll be giving a hands-on lecture at the Inland Empire Modern Quilt Guild, teaching them an abbreviated version of my all-day workshop on English Paper Piecing. Excited to teach and meet new quilters!
OccasionalPiece--Quilt! 
A fun quilt and a fun photo shoot as always!
What a fabulous finish! I really love that photo with the airplane Miral, it is just stunning!
What a fun thing to have it finished and a great photo shoot. It’s a beauty!
I love your photo shoot locales. And kudos for the “hard quilt” finish. I just saw in my 2018 planner the goal “Finish Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Crosses in 2018.” You have inspired me to make it one of my hard finishes in 2020. Now if I could only bring myself to finish my mother’s 60th birthday quilt….she is now 93, and refers to it as her “laying out quilt.”…..
Congratulations on your finish! It is beautiful! You should be very proud! What an accomplishment. Especially when it was laid aside for a while and you picked it back up!
It’s such a beautiful quilt and you’ve managed some great location photography too.
Your quilt is wonderful, and best of all, it’s done!
Bravo! I’ve enjoyed each and every post and picture. Thanks for sharing the process. The finished quilt is spectacular!
I’m so glad Lisa had a photo of you with the quilt and Jen; hooray for others taking pictures in workshops (thank YOU for photos from QuiltCon)! ❤
Love that you finished this quilt AND found a photo of you and Jen. It was a long and winding road to get there but good for you sticking it out and making the changes you felt strongly about. My hat’s off to your motivation all along the way.
Your interpretation of the Jen Kingwell quilt is just beautiful, interesting, fun! Great photo shoot too. (Funny – and true – ham joke).
What a great quilt finish. It is a beauty.
Your Small World is no small accomplishment. I loved following along with you in your journey to finish your quilt. The details are delightful. Excellent finish with those great backings. Good luck with your EPP class. Spread the word so we can all learn this fantastic technique.
I am just now binding My Small World quilt that I pieced while living in CO (moved in Mar 2017). It took me forever to complete my backing because I embroidered the names of every place we have lived since we were married (26 1/2 years in Air Force). It will hang in our entry way when I get it done. I love yours and I’m pretty happy with mine, too!
such a fun quilt and Love the backing.
wonderful photos too – congrats on your finish
Elizabeth, your version of this quilt is spectacular! I love, love, love it! 💕