2/24/13

Hoo. Ray.

This morning I started hand-stitching the binding on the Two Grandmother's quilt, and taking just a few potty breaks and breakfast breaks and fill-my-coffee-cup breaks, I didn't stop stitching until it was finished.


There are few things in life more gratifying than a freshly-finished binding.  Don't you agree?


And I love how the binding fabric looks with the fabric I chose for the border and the back.  The colors blend perfectly.


Here's how it looks from the back.


I started restoring this quilt back on January 23, 2012.  (It seems like longer, but it's been just a little over a year.)  You can read the history of this project right here.  (And that will be the last time I link to this project, Regular Readers, I promise you.)  Here's how it looked when I started it last year:


When I sewed my mother's perfectly embroidered blocks together originally, I was not a quilter.  I simply sewed them together, gave it a plain aquamarine backing, tied it with Knit-Cro-Sheen, and bound it using double-fold bias tape.  I hope I've improved it in the time I've been working on it over the past year.  What do you think?

And this is the project I committed to finishing for these two challenges:



Never Too Hot to Stitch!

So I'll be heading there to link up eventually.  But here's a little quiz I created for you.  I think this question should be on the SAT next time around.  See if you agree:

Question:  It is not possible to finish the last few inches of a hand-sewing project without first having this happen:

A.  Your thread breaking

B.  Your thread inexplicably tying itself into a hopeless knot

C.  Both A and B

D.  A, B, and C.  (The SAT always has four answers, thus the need for "D".)

Today, I would have to choose the "C" option.  Oy.

So with that project finished, I'm feeling light as a feather.  Time to dig into the pile of projects and pull out another.  Speaking of feathers, I think next up will be to make a couple of more blocks for the Yard Art quilt.  Here's what it will look like when it's finished:


Looking for that post, I realized I haven't worked on this quilt since last November.  I think it's time, don't you?

After that, I'm going to do a "not quilting" project.  I'm going to try to make a genuine sock monkey.  I even shelled out for the genuine Red Heel socks for it.  If it turns out, I think I'll give it to my friend Lisa's cutie pie little grandson, Ezra.  Looking forward to that.  The sock monkey was my favorite toy growing up.  I don't know whatever happened to my sock money.  Being in a military family, some things tended to disappear from move to move.  I don't want to say my mother was chucking the ballast on our many moves, but I'm afraid sock monkey got thrown overboard at some point in time.  Hm.

How's your Sunday going?



21 comments:

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

You amaze me! I spent the better part of the day sewing on on bird perch and one hole (opening) to my birdhouse.

Quilting Babcia said...

Yep, A+B+C and I'll add a D .. the last piece of thread cut to stitch down the binding is always 2 inches too short to complete the job (ask me how I know)! Fabulous finish my friend!

Teresa in Music City said...

Agreed! Love the look of a quilt with it's binding all freshly applied! Great finish :*) Sorry about your sock monkey... stuff happens when we're growing up, doesn't it? Little did you mother guess back then that you'd be blogging about that today. My grandchildren tell their mother the therapist is going to be amazed at the things they tell him about her someday :*D

Brown Family said...

I would have an E to that quiz. Run out of thread within the last few inches and it is midnight and I can not get any more till the next day!

My son is in the military and they start culling six months before a move. They are only allowed so many pounds that the military will pay for. On one move, they sold the boys beds (all 5) and bought more at the new location!

Lucky Duck Dreams said...

It looks great! Im amazed at what you have done. You have inspired me to someday use some red work blocks I have in a quilt.

evelyn said...

Mom would be so pleased. That is an awesome finish.

WoolenSails said...

I really love the new photos, it really shows off the quilting and the stitchery designs.

Debbie

Dora, the Quilter said...

While I've said it before, now that it's finished, I just have to say again that I am just enchanted by your wonderful nursery rhyme quilt. Glad it's done. I hope it lasts at least another 100 years!

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

What a remarkable job you did on this piece. I am amazed at your tenacity and that binding... Perfect fit - looks super.

Diane Wild said...

Beautiful job. And what an accomplishment. Your yard art quilt looks intriguing. I took the day off from sewing and working out and went to a movie today all by my own self. I haven't been to a movie theater in 15 years. Even ate buttered popcorn. Oy!

Rachel said...

D. Must have been worth it, because it is beautiful!

quiltzyx said...

D, I say with delighted devilishness.

Flamingos - oh boy!

Junebug613 said...

I think your skills have more than improved since you last tried tackling this quilt! I am certain your Mom is proudly smiling down on your excellent work! You are right about a freshly finished binding! Ilove the upcoming tropical piece!

Dana Gaffney said...

Be careful with the sock monkey, it leads to constantly buying weird and wonderful socks to make into monkeys.

Snoodles said...

I agree with Dana....sock monkeys are another passion of mine and I'm constantly looking for socks that will make the "best monkey yet"!! Haha!

Kate said...

Since both versions of your quilt were made with love, I'm not sure it matters so much how they turned out. Though your newer version is definitely a work of art. Congrats on getting it done.

Michele said...

Yes a huge Hoo Ray to you. Congrats on a job well done.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Hip, hip, Hoo Ray! It looks great!

Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts said...

What a fantastic project. It's so perfect in everyway!

Thanks for linking up.

Denise :) said...

My husband just commented that he really likes the colors you used in your Two Grandmother's quilt!! I agree. Congrats on a marvelous finish! :)

Lynne said...

What a beautiful renovation!