Thanks so much to all who have followed my progress and offered words of encouragement - I don't think I would have kept going without cha! Here is the finished product, ready for DH to take his nap. I've learned so much doing this one, it's gonna be hard to remember it all. The final touch is Sulky Blendables 30 wt thread; I used the Primaries color (#4106) to do the loops in the green borders. I got so excited to take my pictures I didn't even smooth out the bed from the Boyz getting up on it :oops:

I should quilt the runners I have done while the machine is set up, but I think I'll have a Dr. Pepper and rest my muscles first :lol:

Its beautiful Roben.....can believe that is your first start to finish quilt!! Boy you have got talent!! :D

You did a great job.....congratulations :D :D :D

It's great!!!! Are you hooked yet?

Its awesome!!! love this quilt!

Beautiful quilt. The quilting looks wonderful. I'm still just quilting in the ditch. Not brave enought to try free motion yet. :-)

Roben that is absolutely AWESOME!!! You ROCK kiddo! Thanks for sharing your progress with us, its been sooo much fun watching you go through the steps!! Soooo when ya startin your next one? :D

That is one good-looking quilt! Feel proud--now you're an artist!

great job!

That quilt is WONDERFUL! Awesome job!

Beautifully Done!!! :D :D :D When will you start the next one, I would love to see more of your work!!!!! :D :D :D

Shh...don't tell on me, or I won't be able to buy new fabrics LOL The next one in line is for my #1 Son, for whom I made the trek all the way to San Antonio in July several years ago to watch him graduate Air Force Boot Camp. The fabrics remind me of the River Walk (stepping stones fabric and the design circles 'cuz I sure felt like I was walking in circles LOL), the Alamo (the tiles fabric and the green 4 patch like the spot by the well) and how *hot* it was the whole time we were there (pretty much everything orange!) :lol: I plan on writing down why I chose each fabric, and giving that to him along with the quilt.

Congratulations on finishing your first quilt!!! I love your fabric choices and you did a WONDERFUL job on the machine quilting!! Pat yourself on the back :)

I love a quilt with a story and I know your son will love this quilt. Again-great fabrics. You have an eye for color.

That is beautiful Roben! How talented you are with this just being your first quilt. Love the colors for the quilt you are making for your son.

Debbie

Where can I find that pattern? I really like it. What is it called?

Both are very pretty! Great Job!

Very good work I just love the new one too.

Thank you all for your kind comments! :oops:

The pattern of the finished quilt is an adaptation of Eleanor Burns' 9 Patch and Stripes from her Still Stripping After 25 Years book. That pattern actually makes 2 quilts at once (one with positive 9 patches and negative stripes, the other with negative 9 patches and positive stripes); for the finished quilt, I mixed the positive and negative blocks in the same quilt. The first ones I did from that pattern are here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/6285.page

The quilt on the design wall is Eleanor Burns' (as a newby, I like her directions!) Bits and Pieces blocks. I just made notes from watching her show on that block on Quilter's TV. The center of the quilt is a combination of a Fons and Porter block called Spin Wheel (May/June 2008 magazine) that I added the star points to. I sewed the whole thing to fusible interfacing, and will appliqué it onto the center.

WOW! That's awesome :thumbup:

Great job. The San Antonio quilt will be awesome when you're finished with it. You are off to a stunning start!

I love your Button Quilt... The material is gorgous.. If you ever get tired of it send me a pm.. I would give it a good home :mrgreen:

Very nice. Good color choices. I agree - this can't be your first!

The finished quilt is just really great - love the colors. The new one looks just fabulous -- I LOVE your fabric choices - the colors really complement each other. Way to go!! :thumbup:

Roben...your quilt is lovely. Doesn't it just make you feel terrific to look at it and say "I made this!" Good job. Thanks for sharing.