Finally a Finish --- 30 Months Later!

Remember this???

It is finally finished, complete with label!  It is 60" square.  I've named it "Scrappy Strings, or is it Stringy Scraps?"  *giggle*

I showed the first two blocks in my July 30, 2010, post.  I was so excited about it, and showed the completed top in my August 22, 2010, post.  It has hung since then,  unfinished, on a quilt rack in my back bedroom, just begging to be finished, but I kept ignoring it until last week.  I had foundation pieced it on cheap muslin, and truly loved it, but not enough to tackle quilting it.

A week ago, I decided the time had come, so using my Viking, I stitched in the ditch  between every block to stabilize everything.  I didn't like how the Viking was stitching, so I decided to change to the Singer Quantum CXL, which really makes a nice straight stitch.  Much to my surprise, it wouldn't sew a stitch!  After much frustration and reading the book again, I changed the needle, and re-loaded the bobbin, and it worked perfectly!  I stitched 1/4" into the white strips all around each block.  The pictures hardly show it, but next I stitched a four-petal "football" in each square.  It certainly is not perfect, but hey, it's FINISHED!

The quilting shows a little better from the back side.

I used a Hobbs Thermore batting; first time I've ever done that.  It is 100% polyester and  very thin!  I think the package said 1/16" thick.  It doesn't really give the fluffier look I prefer, but  I like the fact that it can be quilted 8" apart, and is not supposed to beard.  Since by color, it definitely is a summer quilt, I think it will be just fine for a light weight quilt.  I'll probably use it on my den loveseat during spring/summer, and it will probably be washed often.  I'm curious how it will hold up to that, but with the foundation piecing, I'm thinking it will be a sturdy quilt, even if it is thin.

You may recall I was worried about whether or not I'd get the binding on successfully, and I think I did okay!  *Surprise!*

Every step of this quilt has been a new experience for me, but I think I'll be pleased with it. 

This is probably where I'll be using it --- when Spring comes!

Don't know what I'll work on next.  I still have several tops to be quilted, but I may send them out when I save enough cash!  I have another panel I need to do for a gift to a fireman, so I may do that next.  Those fabrics are in the dryer now.

Friday I'll be going to Waco, TX, with a group of local quilters to the Heart of Texas One Stop Shop Hop.  www.heartoftexashop.com  Quite a number of quilt shops in the area, plus some on-line shops maybe, got together and reserved a large room in the newly remodeled Waco Convention Center.  They are expecting bus loads of quilters from all over Texas, or at least central Texas.  Should be a fun day!  Sounds like the weather will be nice too!  (NOTE:  I'm just going along for the ride; I plan to stay on top of the wagon!  Yeah, right!???  We'll see!  *wink* )

I've enjoyed seeing all the pretty things everyone has been working on.  All of them helped to inspire me to get back in the groove. 

Keep up the good quilting!

---"Love"