Double Irish Chain, Red White and Blue - Officially addicted to Quilting
 

I saw a picture of an antique quilt like this and it is what made me declare - I'm going to make one like that! Never pieced anything in my life - done some costumes for my daughter as she did theatre in HS and the odd sewing project - what was I thinking! Now I'm an addict!! I have now been quilting for a year - I'm not prolific - slow and lots of ripping is my motto! I can't stand it when things don't line up - think I've used up at least 2 seam rippers - or maybe they are just hiding somewhere in my sewing room in self defense-lol. Anyway - this is my first quilt top - I was actually going to do straight line quilting on it and donate for a fund raiser at my husbands office (Air Force Christmas party:-) Anyway - DH declared "We are keeping that one!" So I pieced a back (the last three pics) and put both away until I worked up the courage to sandwich and quilt it. I've now decided that it deserves more than my skill set for quilting so will be sending it to a LAer, I suspect someone from this board if they will have it. There are so many on here that do phenomenal work.
The Hopi quilt was my second pieced top and the first that I actually quilted. Two in a year - pretty darn slow since I'm not hand piecing and quilting:-) I must say thanks to all on this board - I have learned so much here and have improved because of you guys. Thank you!

Must always keep your first! You'll regret it if you don't. Be sure to take pictures of the ones you give away. Another regret. You are doing fantastic, keep up the great work!!

You did a great job!! :o

Double WOW for your Double Irish Chain!!!!!!!!! I would keep it too!

Gorgeous! Enjoy them.

your first is always a keepsake and becomes an heirloom. so glad you kept it.

Looks great! Just one comment.
Long arm quilters are often not able to line up pieced motifs on backs, especially when your motif is centered both left to right and top to bottom. You really need to have a heart to heart talk with your long armer BEFORE he or she takes the job ro see if they can handle it.
Here's one of several posts on this topic:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/persona...s-t208948.html

Wow! Great first quilt! Congrats! Keep up the good work!

Matching Back to Front
 

Thank you for your response. I'm not so concerned about the back - it was fabric I was using up - bought way to much blue - a result of not really knowing what I was doing and the graph paper I drew it out on did not give me yardage - go figure!! The star fabric was some stuff I bought years ago at Hancock fabric on clearance - think I was going to make PJ bottoms for my daughter - you can see how far I got on that. I guess I was building a stash before I even knew what a stash was-lol. I'm not trying to get a reversible quilt - just wanted something on the back that wasn't boring:-)

very nic job!!!!

they look great!

You did a beautiful job!!!!!

Great! You did such a precise job on both the top and bottom, I didn't want you to be disappointed.
The quilt is really stunning!

Beautiful work, front and back. I would keep it.

Gorgeous quilts!

I love it!! Your doing a great job! Quilting is like Lay's Potato Chips, you can't make just one! LOL

wow! I LOVE THIS!!! I love patriotic red,white, and blue quilts and your quilt is gorgeous. I love how you made the big star for the back. It is going to be awesome! I can't wait to see it quilted :)

I love your Double Irish Chain - I am always looking for new ways to use patriotic fabrics and you really hit a home run on this one. I love it - I can see why your DH said this one is a keeper. Although I am sure the charity would have loved it. I make patriotic quilts for our local fire dept - I may be borrowing your idea for this year.

they are very nice

Yep, that's a keeper all right! You did a wonderful job of lining everything up!

Spectacular work!

Beautiful quilts! Congratulations on your new addiction. It's a fun one, for sure!

Gorgeous! Front and back both. I'd have a hard time deciding which way I wanted facing out. Think I would probably end up switching out often.

You have done a wonderful job on both quilts!

I can see why your husband wants to keep it. It is beautiful. The fact that it is reversible is wonderful.

Beautiful work! I agree. Keep it. Also take pictures or keep a journal of every quilt you make.

I love it. Wonderful job. Can I buy a ticket!!!!!

How beautiful!!

Your hubby is right - keep it! Well done on your first quilt.

Your irish chain is just beautiful and the piecing looks so perfect. Great job!

That Irish Chain is gorgeous! You did some job making points meet. Very Impressive and I love the colors. Don't give it away. It's a very generous thought, but it's your first quilt. You should keep it. Make another to give.

Those are stunning!!! You are doing great work. Thanks for sharing.

OMG both are stunning. You did a wonderful job matching up the squares.

It is a lovely quilt, both the front and the back. It is absolutely gorgeous. I would be loath to give it away. I find it difficult to give away anything especially if it is a quilt! :D There is nothing boring in either the front or the back of the quilt! I would agree with PaperPrincess about the LA. If I may just say that the back of the quilt is too pretty to have it spoilt in anyway. Then again, it is entirely your call and I hope that when it's done we can all have a look? For someone new to quilting, you certainly do have the gift of making lovely quilts. Look forward to your next quilt! Thank you for sharing. Best wishes. :)

Wow- they are great quilts! I love your accuracy and the star looks really crisp. Love the Irish chain also. I cant believe you have only been quilting for a year..fantastic work.I would love to see what you will make next.

both are beautiful, great job

Wow!!!!!!!! It came out beautiful! You did a wonderful job. Quilting is very addicting, isn't it?

Kat

Your quilt will be beautiful when quilted. It will be reversible, I love the back as much as the top!