The Highs and Lows of 2020 - Temperature Quilt

This quilt top has been sitting around, waiting for it's turn. Well, really it was waiting for some inspiration to hit me, to then be finished.

It was upon receiving an email last week, asking if I'd be interested in my quilt being included in an article for QuiltCon that I finally thought, well geez I really need to knuckle down and get it done.

The problem was that I wasn't sure how I was going to incorporate those last few blocks as they didn't fit a row completely. I could have just left them out, but that was no fun as it wouldn't have been the complete year. So I put the quilt top away and let it sit, unloved, for 9 months. 

I decided that I would embroider the quilt name and incorporate it in the quilt top. To embroider, I printed up the wording using a google document and then needed my lightbox to see the lettering. I traced the letters using a sewline fine chalk pencil.

To stitch, I used 2 strands of Aurifil 12 wt cotton. Floss is nicer to work with as it sits nicely on the fabric, but once I'd started, I had to keep going. I was on a mission to finish!

I quilted in the ditch and finished off the quilt with a dark charcoal binding. 

Once stores re-open here, I would like to buy some clear vinyl to create a pocket on the back to insert my key (colours and temperature ranges for each colour) and all of my printouts from the weather website.

I am absolutely pleased with how this quilt has turned out. 2020 certainly had a lot of lows for me, but there were a few little highs in there too. I'm not sure if I'll make another temperature quilt, but am glad that I have ticked this item off my bucket list.

If you'd like to follow my Temperature Quilt journey, here are the previous posts regarding the process and progress.

Started in April 2020

May 2020 and making the peels

Again in May 2020 and the decision on how I'd keep track of the dates

June 2020 and lots of peels ready to applique along with a yummy cake recipe

October 2020 and a re-start after fizzling out for a few months

November 2020 and still working on the first half warm months

Again in November and the cooler middle months were coming together

January 2021 progress and waiting for some fabric

February 2021 and the quilt top was finished (except for attaching the bottom row)


44 comments

  1. A stunning quilt! I love how you have used these colours to represent your persona; highs & lows. And the simple quilting leaves your orange peel piecing to shine.

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    1. 2020 quilt is beautiful to me. I have no idea what a quilt would cost. I love the patern.
      Can you let me know your prices so i may order one from you?

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    2. Thanks Linda - it was lovely to make and even better now that it's finished.

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  2. That quilt is beautiful! I love your idea of adding the label to the front in such a clever way. Great idea to trace the wording as you did. The quilt pattern is gorgeous. Another lovely project completed. Go girl!

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    1. Thanks Ondrea. I dithered about so long, undecided how to finish it. I'm glad it's done now. This was the binding I was busily working on during our zoom. Hope you're having a lovely week :)

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  3. Love your version of a temperature quilt...first example I've seen using orange peels...no wonder QuiltCon want to feature it...lovely to see you again zooming yesterday...

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    1. Thanks very much. It was an exciting message to receive and it's all submitted now. I'd always wanted to make an orange peel quilt, so I combined the two. Zooming is always such fun and I'm glad when I can squeeze in a few hours and see that there are still people there to chat along with :)

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  4. As I've said again and again, I adore this quilt. You did such a nice job of choosing colors to represent temperatures, and your embroidery at the bottom is absolutely lovely. I'm so glad you were contacted about this quilt appearing in the QC magazine! I was contacted too! I happily submitted my info and details, and will also enter my quilt into QC... though who knows if it will be accepted. I'm sort of wishing I'd made my quilt in 2020 (rather than 2019), but who would ever have guessed 2020 would turn as sour as it did!

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    1. Thank you very much Linda. I'm pleased that it's finished, FINALLY. I may make another temperature quilt, but I'll give it a few years. Good luck with your quiltcon submission! I hope it's selected and that you can attend the show.

      I used to be a member of the Wollongong MQG but the kids were little and always had weekend sport and activities which clashed with the meetings, so I gave it up. One day I may join up again :)

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  5. Great idea adding the embroidered title and year. It’s a great quilt

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    1. Thanks very much.
      I'm pleased with it, but moreso, I'm pleased that it's finished :)

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  6. oh it is a beauty! I love it and well worth the time. I started a mini quilt in 2019 representing my birthday month in temperature and it is still not done..ha

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    1. Haha we always start our projects with such enthusiasm, don't we? You'll get there :)

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  7. I am in love with your temperature quilt. What a great quilt to commemorate the highs and lows of the year. Great way to incorporate the name of the quilt on the front of the quilt. Congratulations on a great finish!

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    1. Thanks very much. I'm pleased with how it turned out and glad that it's all finished and out of my UFO pile :)

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  8. One day I'll make a temperature quilt. 2020 - for many reasons would have been an interesting year. Certainly 2021 is the same. Fantastic job!

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    1. Yes 2020 or 2021 both make for interesting quilts, especially if you include something personal within them. I saw one person was making a temperature quilt with applique circles. The size of the circles increased the better the day she had. I love that idea.

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  9. Well done! Your quilt is really lovely.

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  10. Beautiful quilt. I love the colours. Hugs, xx

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  11. I was always of the opinion that we have more cooler days than hotter - you have now confirmed my theory. Great "fill in" idea to make up the gap.

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    1. I honestly was surprised by how cool our summer was. February (when the kids go back to school) is generally really hot, but it didn't seem that bad.
      It would be interesting to make another one in a couple of years time (maybe not as big) but using the same fabric key.

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  12. I really love your temperature blanket.... it looks wonderful....
    Hugz

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  13. Well done on the finish, it looks amazing. I love the embroidered section on the bottom.

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  14. How exciting not just a beautiful finished quilt but Quilt Con???

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    1. Yes, very cool that’s it’s for Quiltcon magazine.

      Apparently they’re doing a temperature quilt exhibit next year at the show.

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  15. Oh, I'm glad I came back to read more of the details on your lovely temperature quilt! And how exciting that QuiltCon contacted you! That's a real credit to the striking design you have created here! You finished it off perfectly with the embroidery! Congratulations on a wonderful finish!

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    1. Thanks very much! Yes it was that message that made me actually finish it. Otherwise, who knows how long it would have stayed in the UFO pile.

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  16. Your temp quilt is fabulous. I love the colors and the weather made it random! Great job.

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  17. I love it. I think it is one of the most effective temperature quilts I have seen.

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    1. Thanks very much Janice. I'm pleased with how it's turned out and glad that it's finished :)

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  18. The way you finished this quilt is a wonderful idea, no temps were left out and you had room for the title, well done indeed!

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  19. It looks great anorina..... I've been tempered to make one but not so far as to start........

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    1. I think you should absolutely make one. Maybe in different shades of blue.
      It’d make a perfect zoom project now that your lanterns quilt is almost done.

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  20. Oh that is cool ( and warm!! haha) I like the way you finished it!! and Yay for a little push to finish!

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