I started a thread in March about some projects I had going on. It ended up talking about so many other things that I thought I just start a new one.

I can't believe I got so much done this week, even with all the hysteria going on here...

If you remember me talking about those ironing boards I made, I finally had a chance to use mine this week. It doesn't work well on my round table, but it will when I have a regular one someday.

I've been working on a quilt top for about 3 years now. The first 2 1/2 was gathering just the right pieces for it. It's for a child-hood friend of mine. 5 of the 7 pieces in each block are pieces that she used to make projects in 4-H that her mom saved. I got almost all the fabric from her mom in the first place as this quilt is a surprise for her. I have the top almost completed now. I followed the directions in the pattern. I just made a few cutting errors, but nothing major. It was to be my first larger than lap size. When I had it all done the first time, I measured it and it was WAY too small....so I ripped off all the borders, made 8 more blocks, which made 2 more lines, and made it a bit longer. Then I put top and bottom borders back on. Now I just have to make side borders. The border material is the same as the backing as I was originally given 26 feet of it. If any one of you could give me instructions about how to post a pic here, I would love to show it to you now that it's done sans side borders. I'm just so happy it's almost F*********. I'm trying not to use the F-word.

I was going to start a foundation piecer next, but I've changed my mind...i'm sure that's never happened to any of you. :D The pastor's wife at my church was just diagnosed with breast cancer. I dug through my old quilting magazines as I knew I had just the perfect pattern in there somewhere. I did!! It's called Healing Hands and the pattern and fabric were from some type of breast cancer awareness line. The fabric is all impossible to find, but I just substituted EVERYTHING. The only thing that stayed the same was the main color. I won't sell it, so I don't have to worry about copyright. I have almost all the pieces for it including the tea-stained muslin for the handprints. I'll put all the kids in children's ministry handprints on it for her as she is in charge of that ministry. She'll need a nice heavy blanket for those cold chemo visits.

And I put on some patches on a leather vest...never to do it again!! But I am happy that quilt top is almost done. I want to show it to all of you, but don't know how.

Have a great one....any recent completions you are proud of???

Like you, I have one that is almost done. Twenty-five years ago, before she died, my m-i-l, made a quilt for each grandkid. My oldest daughter got one with a butterfly applique. My m-i-l made her own pattern for this. She used scrap fabric and made the butterflies in 12" blocks. She also sewed the blocks together into a top. Unfortunately she became ill and died from cancer before finishing.

At that time, I did not sew or quilt or want to do either, so the quilt top sat in a bag in the closet for someday.

Fast forward, twenty years or so and my daughter moved out into her first house. We found the quilt top while searching for stuff for her house. This daughter knows how to sew and embroider and decided to hand quilt it herself with the help of a friend.

Three years later daughter sells house and moves to nearby city for better job and quilt sandwich is unearthed again. She has finished 1/3 of 1 block. Now I have learned to quilt and am asked to finish quilt for her.

I don't hand quilt, I machine quilt due to a lack of patience. In March I started and now the quilting is done. I have cut the binding and just need time this weekend to sew it on.

I will ask my youngest how to put a pix on here as it is really neat.

Any ideas on a label for this quilt that would reflect this uniqueness of the quilt?

Marybeth

Abig label to carry all the history, Dose it have a name?

marybeth, i sure would like to see a pic. of this quilt. sounds like so much history went into it. thanks tia sarah

i hope I'm adding the pic right so you can see the top I did...sans two borders of course.

Oh, before I forget:

Tim and Patrice...you were right, I can make quilts bigger than lap size. Thanks for all your encouragement!!

I think it is wonderful! Keep them coming! :D

The pattern for the appliques was made by my m-i-l and I don't know if it has a name or not.

I was hoping for some different ideas on how and what to label this quilt.


Marybeth

Marybeth,
How about

Quilted through the generations.

Top made by..._______ and a date

Quilting by.....________and a date

Stitched with Love!

I googled "quilt sayings" and it is amazing the number of sites that have all sorts of sayings. Start looking. One will be perfect. :wink:

Wow :) Two great ideas in one post! I had no idea there are web sites like that. I do like the one you suggested also.

Thanks a million

Marybeth

Them fabrics look like something out of my quilt stash. ( I can neither confirm nor deny the existence of a quilt stash, but if I had one, those fabrics would be right at home) Nice work.

Go gettum.

tim

Thanks again...now that the quilt is over I have a stash now. I have a whole lot of extra fabric and I'm not thrilled with what any of them look like. Just not my style...but I'm sure I'll put each of them to use someday.

That is definitely the beginnings of a stash.....especially the I am sure....someday! :D

I've never been one to purchase more fabric than I need. Well...just a little bit to cover shrinkage and my warped sewing. I dont' buy fabric that I think looks neat or anything like that. It's mostly a storage problem. I have no where to put it. Just garbage bag after garbage bag of fabric.... I tend to go to the store with my pattern to make sure I buy just enough.

you are very welcome.

that's a great top. you made those fabrics work and play well together. looking forward to photos of the [what-you-call-it-when-it-isn't-a-UFO-anymore] quilt

yep ... those are definitely "Tim-type" fabrics. I can see the shirts now ...

sometimes it's good to pinch your nose and dive into fabrics you wouldn't normally use. the process often gives a few pleasant surprises along the way. (I wouldn't want him to know i said so, but i'm even starting to like some of the combinations tim uses. shhhhhhh!!!! don't tell.)

I won't tell.

tim in san jose

I took a class this winter for beginning quilters and was determined to select my fabrics from the sale rack.I ended up with nice fabrics but not what would have been my first choice.

The quilt turned out better than I ever thought it would.

Sometimes leaving your comfort zone is a good thing, scary, but good

Marybeth

4 of the 7 pieces used were fabrics from projects she had done in the past. 1 was a bed skirt, 1 was going to be a blouse/skirt combo she never made, 1 was placemats and napkins, and 1 was home made sheets. Then the border and backing fabric I had 28 feet or so given to me as they were curtains she never used because they didn't match the color scheme in that room. She has loved all things western/native american since I've known here. About 21 years or so. Her mom gave me all the fabric plus tons I didn't use over the last 3 years. In the beginning, all she sent was a pattern, a swatch of the backing material, and a note. Now it's planned for a big surprise. She won't be at our high school reunion this fall, which is the next time I go home..So I'll have to send it to her and say surprise!!

Again, thank you for the encouragement. I remember not too long ago someone saying to just dive into a pattern for my next project. I'm not sure if it's beginner or not, but the instructions, after reading them over about 25 times, seem to explain it all out...I've bought all the fabrics now and just hvae to start. Probably this week some time.