My first finished item
 

I would like to share picture of my first finished item. It started out as a lap quilt but of course I didn't take into account the seam allowances and it ended up as a table topper. I learned a lot of things on the way to completing this project. I learned the importance of measurements (as I ran out of binding), the importance of seam allowances (which will obviously reduce the size of your finished product if you don't take that into account), the importance of ironing (which will make nesting and matching seams much easier), the importance of extra rotary blades (I messed up good fabric with dull blades), the importance of preparation (how many times I stopped to wind a bobbin and then ran out of thread), and so many more lessons.
My quilting is not straight because my seams aren't straight and I tried to follow the seams. My qulting bar doesn't fit well into my generic walking foot. Sheesh.
You can see I used extra fabric to sew on a piece to hide where I ran out of binding. The good news is that there are no quilters at my job that I know of who will see my work so to all the untrained eyes at work, I've made a masterpiece and they think I did it on purpose.
This piece lives on a part of my desk in my cubicle at work where I keep my family pictures.
I bought the fabric from Wal Mart. I think I used one print charm pack and pieces out of a white charm pack that I had. I referenced several hourglass quilt tutorials to get the basic idea and then went to it. I used a solid matching backing piece. I didn't label it!! So I am going to use a fusible label tomorrow to complete it. Please tell me what you think.

I think you did a fantastic job! And of course you intended it to be exactly like that. Nobody needs to know or think any differently. Keep up the good work!

I love it! It's so CHEERFUL! I love that you are using and enjoying it although you feel it has imperfections. That's what it's all about!!!!!!!!

I love it!The colors are beautiful. Love the way you quilted it too, on the diagonal- looks great. Welcome to the world of quilting. It's so much fun isn't it? Thanks for sharing your photos.

I think you did a Fantastic!!! job, and the little bit of color in the binding makes it extra special.

I love it and the fabric you choose. Love it!

You are off to a great start, that turned out to be such a pretty table topper.

Congratulations on your first quilt. I am pleased that despite the challenges you were able to conquer them and complete your first project. I am wondering how many of us finished our first attempts and how many of us are brave enough to share our first quilt. Great job!

It is wonderful!!! You did a really great job!!!!

I like it! I do my binding like you did sometimes, If I want to use special fabric and only have a little of it. my explanation? It customizes it and really makes it yours.
Great job!

nicely done

It is beautiful!!! You did a great job. I would never show my first one to ANYONE.
It makes a great dog or cat cover for it's bed, LOL.

You did a great job.

I think your table topper is very smart looking. i hope you get a lot of enjoyment from using it. I especially like your use of black to accent your vibrant colors.

Great job and you learned a lot.

I think it's great. Very bright and cheerful. I'm sure on a tiring work day it brings some sunshine in! You did a nice job and I have to tell you, I LIKE the binding. Adds some interest and creativity.

It looks great! Try to spend more eye-time on the wonderful parts; less on the other parts ( which likely you're the only one who can see)

Wow that turned out great! don't be the quilt police, not even for your own quilt ... just enjoy what you do, no one else will notice anything amiss if you don't mention it.

well if this is your first then I see you in a quilt show soon. It is lovely, I love it. And just think how much you learned.
We are always hardest on ourselves, don't be just enjoy the process and the outcome.

I think you have a very pretty table topper. Your tips meet perfectly. Very good. Keep it up.

It's cute and with all the challenges looks very nice, love the colors you used, nice save!!!

Oh I think it so pretty, bright, and I love the accent on the binding. I will have to do that. :)

Well, I looked at the picture before I read what you wrote and I think it is beautiful. Just so you know, every quality quilt needs to have at least one mistake in order for it to be a good quilt. So, I know you really planned to have that in your first quilt. Great job!!!!!!!

Awesome! I think you are off to a great start. You appear to have a good eye for color AND for the ability to improvise, which we ALL have to do. Sometimes improvisation provides great design opporunity - like your little piece on the binding - its adorable. Hope you enjoyed the process and will continue to create more great art.

The pink binding piece certainly looks deliberate to me! Of course you intended it to be that way. Very cute and really brightens up your space
My seam ripper and I are very close--but I learn something everytime I mess up. Keep at it.

Beautiful quilt, especially for your very first one. Can't wait to see number 10.

Great job! I like the colors and pattern. I like the binding with the sneak peak to what's on the back. :)

I love it a lot and I especially love the extra piece in your binding!! I think it looks very modern like that!! Good job!! I can't wait to see your future projects because you did an excellent job on this one!! :)

Looks great to me! Love the bright colors.

You did a terrific job! Its bright, cheerful and makes me smile - which is what a really good quilt should do! Congratulations! Can't wait to see your next creation!

Wonderful result for a first time quilter. Would never have attempted an hourglass pattern to begin my quilting adventures.

Beautiful colors and I bet it brightens your cubicle!!!

Nice job, I know you are proud of your self. I know I was when I finished my first project. Looks wonderful.

I think it is a pretty table topper! that is the size you intended it to be, right. That extra little piece on the binding, thats your signature piece. good job!

Great job! I like the colors you picked! And the diagonal stitching is straight on target to me :)

I can only say that I wish I was as brave as you the first time around. Showing and telling!! This looks great and if you don't mention what you feel are the imperfections, no one will notice. They will just be jealous of your talent, as well they should be. Thanks so much for sharing!

Congratulations! You did a great job!

Love your fabric choices and your quilting.

Looks great!!

It's beautiful! lovely!