Back to working on quilts this week, I got a couple things accomplished. First, I finished the binding on the Christmas whirlygig quilt, so it is officially done!
I took advantage of the bright sunshine and a fresh snowfall for these pics.
The quilt really does lie flat; it's just over a snowbank and part of a buried hedge.
The back:
Closeup of the quilting, by Angie at Five Little Monkeys. Love it!
One more crossed off the PhD (Projects Half Done) list!
Next, I put together a black and white (and a wee bit of red) quilt top.
I talked about my fondness for black and white quilts and gave a hint of this one in the previous post.
This top went together fast, after I got done fussing with the layout. The pattern is Perfect Ten by Swirly Girls Design, which calls for 10 fat quarters. I had nine, plus some great scraps from Jenny, so I mixed those in too, including the one black/white/red piece. It was too perfect not to!
This quilt may be a little busy, but I really like it. It still needs a border, and I have no idea what I'm going to do there yet. Suggestions?
I'm linking to Sarah's Can I Get A Whoop-Whoop Friday linky party. Be sure to visit—she's having an awesome giveaway!
I have only the tiniest bit of sewing to show for this week, but I guess it's something. It does move me a little further along the line toward finishing one of my PhD (Project Half Done) Challenges as well, so that's something too.
I don't know...I was just kind of motivationally challenged this week. I could name any number of possible reasons—lack of sunlight, hibernation mode kicking in big time, something involving a cycle and not the kind with wheels, etc.
But never mind all that, we're here to focus on the action.
I finished adding the ornaments to the backing of the whirlygig Christmas quilt. Christmas is only 331 days away, you know!
They had to be fussy cut and fused in place. Then I stitched around each one, while watching American Idol on Wednesday.
I was originally going to strew them on randomly, but that didn't look right, so I grouped them above and below the center panel in the middle (it's folded in the pic below, so you can't see the whole panel). They seemed to need anchoring around something. I don't know; it may have been a hormonally-motivated decision. It is what it is.
Now the backing is really done. In fact, by the time you read this, it will be taking a little vacation south courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service. Wish I were going along too!
You see, I won a $50 machine quilting gift certificate last week on Such a Sew and Sew. Yay! Thanks to Elizabeth's generous giveaway, this quilt is on its way to Angie at 5 Little Monkeys Quilting to be machine quilted. I am so excited to be sending it to her! We've chatted by email, and she's got a wonderful idea for the quilting on it.
Since Angie's doing the PhD Challenge too, I think we can both count it as a finish when it's done, don't you? :)
So there you have it. It's no big whoop, but I'm still going to link to Sarah's Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? You should check it out too!
I basted this adorable baby quilt together tonight. It's not mine; it was made by a friend's daughter and they asked if I would quilt it.
I am honored that they have entrusted me with it, and I'll do my best. They understand I am still learning so it is bound to have some...idiosyncrasies. The plan is to use a blue variegated thread and stipple it.
I came across this post at Shelly's Quilts several months ago, and I bookmarked it to read and re-read whenever I need a quilting pep talk. I really should print it out and post it somewhere in my sewing room.
Last week, I bought a couple of delightful quilt patterns. The first was this awesome Funky Peppermint table runner from Penny at Sew Take a Hike. It's for sale in her Etsy shop here, but the first link has a nice, close-up photo. It's a paper pieced pattern, which I didn't know until after I bought it, but I guess it's as good a time as any to give paper piecing another chance and hopefully get more comfortable with it.
Next was the Chain Linked pattern by Amy at Diary of a Quilter. I fell in love with this quilt at first sight and am so glad she made the pattern available.
Finally—oh-my-gosh!—is the Mod Beads quilt pattern from Liz at Lady Harvatine. It looks a little tricky with those curves, but she claims it's easier than it would appear. Check out the Christmas version she is working on now (scroll down toward the end of that link). Too cute!
Sorry to have you jump around with all those links, but remember you can right-click and select "open link in new tab" instead of navigate off the page and back. Most of you probably already knew that.
Before I can start on any of those, however, I need to get a few other things finished. Remember the Christmas whirlygig quilt?
'Tis the season to get it quilted! I found the Sheri Berry fabric on clearance at Fabric.com recently and ordered what I hope is enough for the backing. Unfortunately, the 4 yards came in 3 pieces, which will present a "design opportunity."
Did I ever show you the selvage from this fabric from when I pieced the top?
Cheistmas? (The green writing is mine). That's definitely an E not an R. You can see both below, for comparison.
If I were the designer, I would be more than annoyed.
Anyone need a proofreader for their selvages? Call me—will work for fabric!
