UFQ FQs? – These are the Fat Quarters I received as part of the UnFinished Quilts project at my local quilt shop. In January I provided a list of 6 quilts-in-progress that I wanted to either finish piecing and get to the top stage or tops I wanted to finish. Yesterday I “turned in” two more – the Christmas Row quilt I finished last month and Mom’s 4-patch Stacked Posies. I have one more quilt to finish — the Crossword Puzzle.
I’ve been missing in action, but I’m back now.
I just finished this quilt top that my Mom started in September/October 2008. For several years my mom had me and my knitting and/or quilting buddies out for a weekend retreat. Food, friends and creating in the country. What more is needed for a great weekend? The weekend retreat was around the end of September or early October. That year, I was planning on showing my friends how to make a 4-patch Stacked Posies quilt.
The weekend after Labor Day there is a big parade in the town where my husband was teaching elementary band. My husband asked my niece if she wanted to march in the mass 6th grade band (between 675 – 700 kids, so what’s one more?) She did, so my mom, brother and his family came to town to watch the parade. Afterwards mom and I went fabric shopping.
Our first stop was Hobby Lobby where we got the fabric for this quilt. Then we drove over to Heritage Fine Fabrics where mom picked up fabric for a Laurel Birch Christmas wall hanging (now in my stash). The weekend of the retreat I showed mom and my friends how to make the quilt. Mom got most of the 4-patches finished. I just needed to finish a few and put the top together.
This is just one of the five recent quilt UFOs she had when she died. The baby quilt is finished and will go to a future great-grandbaby. When I finish this quilt and the other 2 “new” UFOs I’ll let my brother and sister choose which they want. That way all three of us will have a quilt that my mom started. The last UFO is from the 70’s. A brown, gold and orange quilt as you go log cabin with polyester batting. Originally for my brother, if/when I get it finished, I think I’ll give it to his son.
Now to decide on an arrangement.
I’m running a day behind, but I still think I’ll be able to finish this top Friday night in time to have a “finish” for September. All the blocks have been squared up and enough sashing is prepared to get me to the arrangement of the rows. We’ll see if I get them up on the design wall by this time tomorrow.
I looked at the calendar and changed my mind on what I needed to work on. Of course I may change my mind again before the end of the week as I’ve not finished anything this month.
This is mom’s 4-patch stacked posies. Yes, I know some of the pieces are turned wrong, but I decided that if I fixed them, it wouldn’t be mom’s quilt top. I’m about 1/3 of the way through the framing process. Hopefully I’ll finish the framing and move on to sashing by the end of the day. If not, I may switch back to doing the quilting on the Texas Braid.
The other quilt which has moved to the front of the line is the Crossword Puzzle quilt. Actually, it’s never been at the back, but between car repairs, plumbing and weekend work, there simply hasn’t been a chance to reschedule the long arm. I’m going to call and make an appointment and see if I can get in sometime in the next two weeks.
Too much excitement around here this past weekend to get the quilt finished. I’m guessing I’m halfway finished — unless I decide it needs more quilting.
Follow the links over at Patchwork Times to see what other quilters have been working on.
Just a bit of fabric used for the mystery quilt. Since I’m not quilting it until after I get my notes transcribed, I’m not counting the backing fabric I’ve prepped and put with it. On the other hand, I am counting the two tablecloths as inbound fabric — which pushes me over 100 yards purchases. Even so, I’ve still used more fabric this year than I’ve purchased and that is a good thing.
Fabric Added Last Week: 8.5 yards (in the guise of two tablecloths)
Fabric Added to Date: 108.134 yards
Fabric Used Last Week: .833 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 143.161 yards
Net Used for 2011: 35.027 yards
See how others are doing with their stash by following the links over at Patchwork Times.
While walking down the Clearance Aisle at the neighborhood WallyWorld, I spotted this tablecloth. Actually a whole stack of them.
100% cotton, 60 x 102 $10. I bought two. I need a backing for my QIAD Birthday quilt.
I found this fabric in a box of fabric I gathered up from Mom’s estate. There’s roughly 6 yards and it’s 54-inches wide! It’s perfect for the back of the mystery quilt. Once bound in red, it will make the quilt reversible.
Now, to start the tedious process of translating my notes into usable directions with illustrations.
This is the Fall 2011 Retreat Mystery Quilt. Since the retreat is underway and there is no internet access (and sketchy cell reception), I’m safe posting this now. The table runner measures 17 1/2″ x 47 1/2″. Wouldn’t this be cute for a birthday quilt with 12 “bows” done up in pastel on white or light yellow? Or how about brights on black?
