Gone To The Beach: 04.29.2022

Friday, April 29, 2022

Back from the Quilter ! Binding Choices and Other Quilt Project

Hello, hello on April's final day this year. Out like a lion, April thinks she is March, all blustery and cold.

blue bird [indigo bunting] in my friends' secluded backyard

What a thrill it always is --- the big box arrived from my quilter the other morning. [Lori C / Quilter's Imagination]. So fast! I think she did both quilts in just one week, and so beautifully done as always. Note the gorgeous Baptist Fans on this eye-popping beauty.

Now to choose bindings. Always good to audition with phone photos here on my big screen. It's so often a surprise to me, the final choice. I don't know how other quilters can choose and cut bindings ahead, I just adore this final step in the process.

This is my Antique Block Challenge quilt. I still am not showing it completely till it's all done, but you --and- - I can see enough.

I was sure I'd pick the red and almost did go ahead and cut it.

Then other ideas in the stack of new fabrics clamored for their turns. How about cheddar?

I was amazed at how much I love the grey mushroom sprig.

No to the red and tan lozenges, no to the dull mustard matchstick.

Which do you think I chose in the end?

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Lori C also beautifully finished this wild and colorful antique top. You'll recall its wonky piecing.

Amazing that the careless construction doesn't show at all on the front. She knew perfection did not matter once hidden. I planned to use a double pink, but considered the green backing fabric too. The green on the left is a repro from Annette Plog for Marcus Bros. Isn't the match great.

I like pink better than I like green so pink it is. [pink also from Annette Plog, Petite Perennials lines]

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Lori C also enclosed this beautiful stack of 10" cuts called Prairie Dry Goods by Pam Buda.

I never see Pam Buda's fabrics to buy when I shop online and I really am impressed, love them all. I immediately had ideas for this fun gift, but perhaps will let it simmer and not jump in too soon. Repro fabric lovers may enjoy seeing the entire line, one source listed below.

Prairie Dry Goods

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I enjoyed using Hourglass squares on my Antique Block Quilt [ABQ, as I call it], so I'm making a few red and cream squares at the end of each sewing session. To surround the redwork Giraffe in Egypt block. (Head start on next year's challenge?)

And last, inspired by blog friend Nancy who always sets a monthly goal in her quilt projects, I have been setting a goal for my Winter Marsh project each month, kind of like a solo quiltalong. April plan was to make ''a stack'' of scrappy Flying Geese, 2" x 4" sewed, for spacers and sashing/ borders.

These are untrimmed!

I made about 30+; suddenly stopped because I realized I need large pieces of fabrics for the Stars. The Geese need a 5 1/2" square for the method I use, really consumes a lot of fabric quickly.

So for May I will try to make the 8 smaller stars. Then probably set the project aside til next winter? I always write myself notes when I stop sewing for the summer, and by next January I know I ll have NO IDEA what to do next. Below is a copy I made of the basic design, for notes.

Laid out on my bed, not sure I love it anyway. Maybe a long summer nap will improve things?

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Here is Mo my little boss, wondering why our deck sewing circle is not happening yet. [A sewing bee comprised of just Mo and me.] Mo loves cold weather, he'd sit outside for sewing hour in January if I would do it.