A little more.................

All of the 8" strips were cut for the top sashing on 40 blocks, and sewn on but not pressed yet.

I spent a couple hours in the kitchen prepping a some meals for the next few days.  If I had stuck with the sewing I could have had this top done but I'll be happy I don't have to prepare any meals for a few days.

Last night i put a few blocks on the design wall to check how it is going to look.  Picture it in your mind with a medium to dark floral print for binding which will cap the edges.  The blocks will have a floating effect.  5 blocks across would be 39" so I could use one width of fabric for backing.  I could stop at 25 blocks for a small square baby quilt.  I could make it 7 blocks down for 54".  That would be a nice baby quilt size or lap quilt or wheelchair quilt.  I would have 5 blocks left over or I could add one more row down for 61.5" and that would use all of the blocks.  40" x 60" was the size I used to make for baby quilts, thinking of them as play surfaces on the floor.

Working on a quilt top.................

This is the first quilt top I needed to work on.  I cut enough sashing strips to sew one to each of the 40 blocks.  I'm not sure how many blocks I'm going to use in a quilt but any left over will be made into a small project.

I haven't decided if there will be cornerstones or if I will cut the sashing strips for the tops of the blocks longer.  I hope I know what my decision is this morning so I can get to it.

My granddaughter was craving some Chex Mix so I told her if she would pick up the cereal I would make it for her.  The 2 little great-grands came along to deliver the cereal to me.  Then they were on their way to play at a park.  It was another beautiful day so I made the Chex Mix right away.  Next week is predicted to be hot and very humid so we need to enjoy every minute of this nice weather before the A/C will be running again.

First finish for August 2026.....................

When I first heard of William Morris many years ago, upholstery fabric and wallpaper were things associated with him.  I'm so happy they printed his designs on quilting cottons.  I didn't have a large selection to choose from but I think this Trip Around the World turned out nicely.  It is 62" x 76".

I wasn't sure I had anything for a backing that would be of the same style, and then I spied this Jinny Beyer fabric on my shelf.  I had over 6 yards of it so I have enough for another backing.

I think I have a piece of another color of this print too.

The binding is the same as the border since there was 3/4 yard of it leftover after piecing the top. 

I have published a full tutorial of how to make a TAW like mine on this blog.  On my label list (right side bar) it is Trip Around the World tutorial.  There is a yardage chart included.  I have one more installment to finish writing on fabric selection and order of fabrics, coming soon.  It will have the same label.  

I wanted all of my green fabrics next to each other in my order of fabrics and the reds are also together. The rest of the fabrics are used in value runs rather than color groups.

Here is a better view of the greens and the reds.

The center has mostly neutrals, black and gray predominate with a touch of coral.

I'm still thinking about which top to finish before the end of the month, lots of time spent on that yesterday.

 

Binding finished..................

 I thought maybe I would have the binding done before dark but doing laundry and watering plants outside took some of my daylight hours away.  I put in the last stitch at 8:30 last night.  When I was in the basement earlier I noticed one of the 8' bulbs didn't come on in the area where I take my photos of finished quilts.  I thought waiting until morning was best.

All of the predicted rain yesterday was tiny little spots on radar and they either dissipated before they got here or went south of us.  No more rain is in the forecast for awhile so I may have to water plants again on Saturday.

One more day needed......................

There are four corners finished in this photo.  I have 52" left to stitch on the 4th side.  I worked on it 4 different times yesterday.

I also baked the chocolate chip cookies and shopped for groceries at two stores.

The humidity was up a little but still tolerable with the windows open.

When I could see I wasn't going to be able to finish the binding I picked up my knitting.  I was thinking about which quilt top I might be able to finish before the end of the month while I knitted.  Some years August is a big month for finishes.  This year, not so much.

 

Still hand stitching.........

A couple more days will be needed to finish the hand stitching on this binding.

This is the pile on the sewing cabinet as I stitch.  I get to enjoy all of the fabrics....for hours.

I mixed some chocolate chip cookie dough but it was too late to bake the cookies.  It will be cooler this morning so that worked out OK.  I put the dough in the refrigerator for the night.

It was another beautiful day so I took my clippers out and cut some trees that are popping up everywhere, and also cut down two peony plants.  A little every day will get it all done eventually.

 

Relaxing Sunday...............

My plan was to get at least one side hand stitched on the binding of the Wm. Morris Trip Around the World quilt.  I got one short side stitched and then went on to stitch 22" on a long side.  Then I took a break and went out to trim dead leaves off the tomato and cucumber plants and fill the bird feeders.

The only other thing planned was baking cookies.  I was going to make chocolate chip but changed my mind and baked shortbread instead.  I could swear my eyesight was clearer after eating 2 cookies.

Yesterday's weather was a 10,  You can't beat 75 degrees. low humidity, sunshine, and a light breeze.  I would like a whole month of that.