Wow, 3 great quilts posted since I was last on the site. You go, girls! Great jobs.

I finally hooked up a different printer so I can show you mine. When I finished it, I had no idea where it was going. Then I checked the measurements and sure enough, it is just Quilt of Valor size. I discovered you can donate locally as long as QOV guidelines are followed - yeah, no postage. I went to the VA clinic and the social worker has two young injured returning female soldiers in mind. I will let her choose. I just need to do a presentation case (pillowcase) and the label and it can be delivered. My FMQ is still on a learning curve, but the loops were fun and the orange peel pattern suits the big blocks. The colors look a little light here. The stars are very coral and the back is very purple.
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irishrose! I love it. I love the colors. Your coral stars are pretty. I love LOVE your quilting. I hope you don't mind I may copy you. Besides my first one I made with the group, I've got five tops finished for my MotherInLaw's grandchildren and 14 cut now ready to sew. I decided Judy's scrappy mystery train pattern was perfect for these. And they all get the same design so nobody thinks I'm picking favorites. I do think I'll also add a small border all around to use more of grandmas fabric. Can you tell me how big your outside border was cut? I want to guess 2.5". Here are my last five: I'm using denim for some stars. That's what's in Grandma's stash. I think they'll be great for the boys!

Wow, five and each one very pretty with more to go. Yes, I think the border was 2 1/2". That's all I could get from a scrap left from another quilt. It was wide enough to tie the colors together and not lose any points on the outside stars. I wanted to come back with the coral for binding, but I didn't have enough. I found the coral and purple print at my LQS - that was my only purchase for the whole quilt. I had admired that fabric for some time so it didn't break my heart to buy a small amount. The binding is wider than usual - I seem to like wider bindings and especially if the fabric is attractive.

FMQ - I went around each star 3/8" inside the stitching line. It worked quite well with my big plastic FM foot. I was surprised. Then I did a little star in the center of each star. The cream sections were just small loops. When I took one FM class, the instructor said to never cross a line, but I've discovered I like loops as well as meandering and they seem easier. Then orange peel in the squares with a continuous vine and leaves for the narrow border. It does lay perfectly flat - I just threw it on the floor for the pic and it looks like I could have straightened a few edges. I love it, but not for me - I am pleased it will go to a soldier.

I think your quilt will be perfect for a QOV. It's beautiful. Thank you for your quilting details.

Thank you Evie. And I'm currently sewing one of 14 I'm doing this scrappy star pattern. Then I have six for Grandmas sons I want to do a square in square pattern out of grandmas plaids. Then....you know all those tiny HST we can cut off these stars? (160) I'm making two quilts of those for grandmas daughter and one for ME. Total...25 left to finish....

SheriR, I LOVE how you've got the stripes all going the same way in the border and sashing strips. You've got some great quilts for your nephews. Your DMIL would be soooo proud.

LoL you're the second person who has noticedy stripe direction. It really wasn't hard and I only messed up once lol.

Hey dear Judy, any more mystery train rides in the near future? I am crossing my fingers as are so many others...