Batik Quilt & Quilted Rug Finished in time for Christmas
 

The first quilt uses the pattern "Are We There Yet" with about 14 fat quarters. My sister-in-law did all of the cutting and piecing for me. I did the quilting and binding (by machine). We gave it to my mom on Christmas Eve. Blue is her favorite color. She financed the quilting machine and frame, so she gets as many quilts as she wants!

The next picture is the finished product of a Betty Cotton (quilt as you go) rug that I started in a class last February or March. It has been sitting around for months, only needing trimming and binding. I finally finished it. The finishing wasn't nearly as demanding as the rest of the rug. I think I left it sitting for so long because I resented a few details of the class. The teacher had us pin EVERYTHING, through at least 6 layers of fabric and two layers of binding. I had to get special, extra strong, sharp, fine pins that turned out to be painful and difficult to grip. I'm only 39 years old, but after that one day class, I had pain, numbness and tingling in my fingertips for about 4 weeks. I am a music teacher and pianist, so there is no way I'll ever put my hands through that torture again! (Sorry, fans of Betty Cotton.) I think the part I resented most was that at the END of class, the teacher mentioned that some people prefer to use soluble fabric glue instead of pinning. Blech! I am never making another one of these again!

The next quilt is a minky blanket made by my sis-in-law. I only helped with the binding. In the last month or so, as she debated what to make for gifts, whenever she'd suggest giving this one, I would say, "No! You want to keep that one!" On Christmas Eve, she gave it to me! I already fell asleep under it last night. :) When my little niece comes for a sleepover, which she does frequently on the weekends, she will stay night and warm and snuggly under this cuddly blankie!

Last is the quilt that started it all. I had bought quilt magazines for years, but when I saw this quilt top in a Joann's ad, I finally had to make one for myself. It's been sitting around, waiting to get quilted, for about 3-4 years. It has been washed as just a quilt top, so the seams were fraying. After my mom bought the quilt frame & machine, I decided that this quilt would be a good one to practice different designs. I used rulers for straight lines and continuous curves and I quilted freehand. My mom's favorites are the butterflies and the piano! There's only one piano on it, so it feels like an I Spy puzzle to find it! The quilt now brightens my sewing chair.

Thanks for looking!

Beautiful quilts and quilting.

All are lovely. Your fmq is great. Keep at it. Btw, the rug is great.

Nice work! Love the piano - and the notes & treble clef :) LOVE the batik 'are we there yet' quilt!

I totally understand about not being a Betty Cotton fan. I made one table runner and gave it to my sister. After I completed the runner - I GAVE the pattern away! No more for me either. :thumbdown: I did lots of grumbling while making that runner. My quilting friends were happy when I finished it! I worked on it at a retreat.
Your items are wonderful!

Glad you are enjoying your quilting machine!! All very nice projects

Very nice! I love the "Are we there yet" pattern. Can you tell me who makes it? Was it in a book? I can't find it online.

They are great and I love the stories of how they came about and their purpose. I too love the first one in blue a lot. Glad you persevered with all the creations.

What a wonderful bunch of ufos.

Everything is beautiful! What a sweetie to give you the minkee backed quilt. She will be thrilled when she finds out you used it right away! I loved the piano you quilted. Keep up the great work.

Kat

Awesemo quilts and rug for an awesome mom.

What beautiful work.

All are just lovely, thanks for sharing
Have a Blessed day and a Happy New Year
Ellen

All are just beautiful and the quilting is great.

How fun. Looks like a lot of work.

WOW -Good job. Love your quilting.

Nice, and I love the first ones pattern

They are all so pretty.

Fabulous quilts and I love the rug!

Very nice job! LOVE the blue.

They are beautiful and your quilting looks great. Love the "Are we there yet" and the last one. The rug is also beautiful, but after all you came through, you must have extra courage to step on it.

You've been really productive! I know the rug was painful, but it is really pretty, and I love that piano.

Katier825, It's from Banner Creek Designs. It looks like I got the title wrong. When I searched, I found "Is It Done Yet" that looks very similar, although the photo is different from the pattern I bought while on vacation in TN. Check the website for Quilting on the Square - http://www.quiltingonthesquare.com/ They sell the Banner Creek patterns.

I know it's ridiculous, but I take satisfaction in stepping on that rug. I've done a little dance back and forth across it just to prove that it has been conquered! It's final home is in front of the big TV, so other than my spiteful steps, it will be visible every day without seeing a lot of traffic.

I'm right there with you on the Betty Cotton stuff!!! I made four place mats and vowed "never again". However, I do like your rug!

Those are great, I love your Mom's quilt!

Love these quilts and rugs!

I love all of them. I thing you did a fantastic job!

Very pretty!!

love them all great job!

Busy girl, great projects!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very nice quilts, I really like the first batik quilts, love the colors

Those are very pretty, great quilting too. I hope I can fmq that good someday.

I just love the colors and your piecing is wonderful. I can't imagine going through that many layers of fabric with a pin! But the end result is fabulous.

Worth the wait - they're all terrific! and Ha! love the piano!

I love the rug. The quilts are great too and your quilting is done very well. Thanks for sharing.
Pat

These are all so terrific. but I especially like the last one, I guess it's the colors. Can you tell us the name of that pattern?
And I'd be doing a victory dance all over that rug, too!

I love your quilts and rug. But if you had a problem with the rug, next time try ladder hooking. You get almost the same results and it so "fun" and relaxing.Try googling it if interested.

Oh, they are lovely.