It started a few months ago, my friend's birthday, and no idea what to get her. She had mentioned wanting a 12" Wolverine Action Figure, so I thought, excellent, can't be this easy can it. No, she went ahead and pre-ordered it. So there was that idea out of the window. Then I thought maybe a DVD boxset she hasn't got. Also not easy, I don't know just how extensive her collection really is. Then one evening on my way to work, it hit me. Why not make her something as she really likes her crafty stuff. Perhaps a quilt, I used to sew when I was much younger, how hard can it be to re-learn. With the guidance of adult supervision (Mum) I began to design, something simple, something I was capable of making without breaking anything. But as with all my ideas, it did get a little out of hand.
I started with a 12" by 12"(1ft) design sheet, for which I drew out a simple line design. A mate of mine has a printing firm and he then enlarged it for me to 36" by 36"(3ft). This would give me my template to start cutting sections of cloth for the design.
I used the enlarged version to create the templates seen above. the stage was particularly tough to cut out as it is made up of alot of akward shapes that all overlap one another. Then I had to find the right colour fabrics, I knew what I wanted in my head, I just needed to find the same. It needed to be right. The hardest was trying to match the hair colour, but I think I got there in the end.
With the main character cut out, I continued to cut out all the sections for the U2 logo and the Claw stage. Very fiddly but satisfying when finally done. I grey backing was chosen (although apartently it is Duck Egg Blue!) and the sections were stuck into place ready to be stitched on.
Once the matching thread had been chosen, I began the long process of stitching the sections in place. I had never used a sewing machine before, after a day of pratice, stitching spare pieces together, checking accuracy along the edge of the pieces. I then came up against what seemed like a huge obstacle. Loading the bobbins. I spent several hours trying to load the bobbin in the machine but it just wouldn't work. Finally I went off to work, dejected, wasting a whole day of work. Beaten by a small metal reel. Following day, I was back in my stride, getting loads done. With each passing day the quilt becoming more and more like the image in my head.
Then came the lyrics, for anyone looking at the quilt and wondering, why is she floating? Tori isn't floating, during the encore at the 360 concert, Ultraviolet began and she starting jumping about like a loon. This is the defining moment of this quilt, a snapshot of the evening which stuck in my mind. So the lyrics needed to be on this quilt, very, very fiddly but necessary to capture the atmosphere. With these stuck in place and stitched on, I was happy. The U2 360 logo was also fiddly, I made and then remade the 360 sections as these were too small to cut and stitch. makingthem a faction bigger made it easier without ruining the overall effect I wanted. Then with alot of the big work done, all I needed to do was complete the smaller, detailed pieces. The two embroidered 'TOUR' letters on the 360 logo were attempted twice. I wasn't happy with how they came out so I unpicked them and asked Mum to have a go. Turned out much better. The finally details were the black wires holding the spire in place and the metallic red thread to replicate the red lasers bouncing off of Bono's jacket during the song.
I wanted to back the quilt with a navy blue fleece. I knew that with winter drawing in, I hoped this quilt could help keep her warm. I tried 6 different shops across Sussex and even a couple of shops in Liverpool. I was beginning to think there was a nation wide shortage of navy blue. Finally found some in Tunbridge Wells. Got the matching thread to blanket stitch around the edge to frame it. Then I got carried away again. I'll make a bag for Tori to store it in when not using it. Back into Tunbridge Wells, for some more Duck Egg Blue and also to find a mirrorball for the top of the spire. The bag, also has a larger U2 logo, so if required, can be used as a shopping bag. Only took a day to make and finished the project off nicely.
And then it was finished. With a week to go until Tori's brithday, sorry birthday, I found a suitable box and wrapped it up. On the Saturday morning, I was as nervous as hell. When I got the message she had opened it, I was made up. She loves it. Thank god!
But now I am left with quite the dilemma. As with the U2 360 concert being my first concert, have I peaked too early? With Christmas only 2 months away, what to get her for a present?
Oh crap, time to get my thinking cap out again......
