After hand stitching binding for 4 hours last night I have this much left to do. I might have time to finish a small project yet by the end of the month, or maybe get the border sewn on the batik star quilt for another finished top this month. I can dream anyway........
Yesterday I went through my pink/coral/azalea print fabrics and pulled my favorites in the value range I need for the new project. I cut off a strip to die cut triangles and squares and another strip of some for one of my solid and print series quilts.
Then I sorted my postage stamp blocks into piles of color to see which I needed to add more to and also some more neutrals. If you wonder why I have so many solid color fabrics I explained when I was starting the series with solids and prints that I thought I was going to be able to participate in another Nancy Crow workshop several years ago and we were required to bring 100 or more different color solids. Circumstances beyond my control happened and I wasn't able to attend the workshop.
About 1/3 of the hand stitching on the binding is done. I like the binding with both sides of the quilt. The backing fabric said Roaring 20s on the selvage. I'm really not as much aware of the fabric of the 20s and it looks like 30s repro to me.
I'm still cutting for a future project. I will probably have at least another week (maybe 2) of cutting before I am ready to sew. A lot of the fabric will be cut from yardage rather than scraps so there is a lot of pressing out fold marks before cutting. You know the routine, choose the fabrics, press the fabrics, cut the fabrics and finally.......sewing. I'm really going to make the effort to use my favorite fabrics this year.
This is the quilt that I chose to finish next. It is 70" x 94". I got the backing fabric pressed and seamed yesterday morning and loaded it on the longarm.
I didn't get to the quilting until 6 p.m. I planned on a small meander but ended up with closer to a medium size meander. I used Hobbs 80/20 batting and So Fine thread on top, Bottom Line in the bobbin.
I was hoping I would find a piece of lavender 30s reproduction fabric in my stash but the only piece I found was too dark. This pink goes really well with the quilt top and is a good contrast with the back and I have enough of it. I have 6 days to get the hand stitching done on the binding to be a January finish.
I tried to get inspired to cut and press fabric for a large backing yesterday but in the end I just spent the whole day cutting pieces for 3 quilts. Last night I sewed 2 more postage stamp blocks. I have miscounted the blocks three times now. I thought I had 50 made but there are only 44 and I need 63 so I have 19 to go to finish that top in February.
Winter weather is back, snow overnight. Now we will see how much will melt with temperatures slightly above freezing.
The zipper quilt top is finally sewn together and I love it! It is 60" x 72". Here is where the inspiration quilt and cutting directions are found. Lynn calls hers "Zip".
I chose the backing fabrics too. The large leaf print will be full width and the other 2 fabrics are from my "long strips" box, leftovers from trimming other backings.
I was going to piece another backing yesterday but instead I spent 3 hours sorting a blanket box full of scraps into "I want" and "I don't want" and also into 2 size groups. The box is now half empty.
I decided to put all of the zipper blocks up on the design wall and then decide what I needed for the last 4 blocks.
This is the group of fabrics I cut for the last 4 blocks.
Later in the afternoon I got the blocks sewn and last night I sewed the top together. I will get it pressed today and have its photo ready for tomorrow.
