My Quilt Project is Finished

A long view of the quilt.

A close up of the quilt.  Don't look to closely or you'll see all my errors.

This is the backside of the quilt. I just machine quilted following the different sections of the crazy quilt. You can also see the binding from the back. This approach to quilting was suggested by my instructor because I didn't want to do free motion quilting on my first quilt or I might never finish in time.  This quilt is actually ironed but I didn't have a flat surface to iron it on.

It was a challenge to finish the quilt in the timeline I had but I did finish it and was able to deliver it to mom on Thursday at the nursing home. She loves the colours and the patchwork design.  I know my errors in making this quilt but I also didn't have all the right tools so I am pleased with how things turned out. I did want to "fix" some stitching but in the end I decided it was an adequate job given the time frame and there isn't any error too great that I should delay giving mom the quilt.  I meant to take close ups of the quilt's mitered corners but in my haste to get to the nursing home I forgot all about it.

I have to say I really enjoyed making this quilt and feel encouraged to make another one. But first I have some other projects to make headway on.  If any of you are like me, afraid to try quilting, I would encourage you to take a class and give it a whirl.  It is quite relaxing and enjoyable and if I can do it, I am certain you can do it.  I'd love to see your quilt if you do make one *wink.

One helpful tip I learned from my instructor after I purchased plain fabric for the quilt back, is to purchase a fabric with a pattern on it.  This way any errors you make won't be so readily viewed. I won't forget this tip!

Look What I'm Making ~ Part Two

Monday was an exceptionally busy day. I went to my quilting class in the morning after packing all night and half the morning.  My brother thought I was crazy to go to quilting class on moving day, lol, but frankly I needed a diversion and a stress buster and this class seems to do the trick. I also want to finish the quilt for mom to have it in her new home.

While I was at my class I found out mom was going to be moved from the hospital to the nursing home on Tuesday morning. Yikes! So much to do and so little time. We were of course expecting the transfer and we are pleased it happened so soon but we were also very surprised to have things move so quickly.  I thought I would be here another week and a half or two, preparing things for the move.

Though I have been busy packing and my brother and nephew have been busy moving furniture, there is just so much to do. Ready or not the end of the month is here and the apartment has to be cleared out pronto.   We are working as fast as we can.  Tuesday we managed to move most of mom's things to the nursing home and I had to deal with a lot of administrative and financial matters. These matters continue on Wednesday and I will also be setting mom's room up properly with her photos and things.I hope to finish the quilt too or most of it.

I learned how to cut out and attached the internal and external borders. My instructor is behind the quilt cover and holding it up for me to take a photo.

This is a close up with the two borders sewn on and the batting and quilt back attached and ready to be quilted.

This is the quilt after I've attached the backing and borders with a seam or two and cut off the excess batting.  I only have Wednesday to try and finish the quilt as well as finish packing so I was up late again. After the progress seen in the photo above, I am machine quilting by making a bit of a border/margin around each sections of the quilt cover. I am rushing this process a bit and it will have do.  Wednesday I hope to attach the binding and give it to mm

It is now almost 1:30 a.m. and I'd better get to sleep.

Look What I'm Making

I have finally got around to taking a class on quilt making. The evidence of my first session on the Wednesday just passed, are in the photos below.  I was in a class with one other person and we were together for 3 hours being instructed step-by-step though we were at different steps of the quilt making process.  The other lady was not a true beginner. In fact she has made several quilts and was half way through a similar one as mine though she was making one for her nephew.

This quilt is called a Stack and Slash Lap Quilt and is perfect for beginners like me. While the fabric shop had all kinds of wonderful fabric I chose to use 6 fat quarters that were on discount for my first quilt.  Even at that the fat quarters and the trim fabrics came to a whopping $32 (Canadian) dollars and that was after the sale price and the 20% discount.  The tally also doesn't include the quilt batting, binding and backing fabric I still need to buy. I am making the lap quilt as a "welcome home" gift for my mom who will soon be moving into a residential facility for seniors.

On Wednesday morning I made and sewed these squares together.  Here they are on the design wall at the store where I had my lesson.

This is a close up of my "crazy" lap quilt on the pressing board.

This isn't the best photo but the "yellow-beige" strip of fabric in the middle-left of the photo will be my inner border.  The burgundy floral on the far left will be my outer border. I will add a picture here later when I finish the quilt.

I probably need one or two more sessions with the instructor to finish this lap quilt. It will depend on how quickly I can pick up the rest of this project and how long it takes for the actual quilting part of it.