3/6/14

ALYoF: Joseph's Quilt Completed

My March goal for ALYoF is complete! Not only that, but it's the oldest UFO in the pile! Of course, it still needs quilting and binding, so it's not quite finished. But at least the top is sewn together, and it's been waiting a long time. This was originally the Blogger's BOM, which started in August, 2011. 



Of course, it took a full year to collect all the monthly blocks. Nevertheless, all the blocks were completed in September of 2012, and it's been waiting to be sewn into a top ever since. So, hey!


When I left off yesterday afternoon, I had it to this stage:



It still needed two more borders. Usually, I only sew in the afternoon, but I had some time this morning, and so I started early. Bossy "Other Me" said I could sew only if I agreed to stop when it was time to go swimming. She is such a witch sometimes, but I agreed to her terms. She drives a hard bargain, let me tell you.

Do you ever have days when you start thinking you shouldn't be sewing? First, I pinned one of the borders to the quilt before cutting it to the right length. That was dumb enough, but when I sewed the fourth border on, I actually sewed it to the quilt before realizing that I hadn't cut it to the correct length. About that time, Other Me started whining because it was time to quit and go swimming. I talked her into letting me rip that border off because I knew it would be hard to start there later today. I mean, who wants to go into the sewing room knowing that your first task is to rip something out? Am I right about that? So I did that, and when I left to go to the pool, I had three of the four inner borders sewn on.


Things went a little more smoothly when I came home. Swimming must have done me some good...made me more alert or something...because I got the fourth border sewn on without incident.


And then I moved on to adding the outer border without any mistakes. Do you get all confused trying to figure out the length of a border minus the cornerstones? I get it eventually, but not without a lot of figuring and drawing and re-checking my math. It isn't really that difficult, but I seem determined to make it so. Anyway...Voila! Joseph's Quilt. Crazy colorful, I know.


It's not my usual quilt, and that's the truth. Still, I'm happy with how it turned out. I'll use that same blue/green batik for the binding when the time comes. I have some even wilder fabric for the back. 


It's a true scrap quilt...made completely from scraps, and the back will be no different.

Our weather hasn't improved one iota today, although possibly the rain drops may have been a little farther apart. Smitty and Gracie know what to do.


They're keeping the home fires burning.

At the end of the month, I'll be linking this post to the finishing party at ALYoF.

And speaking of parties, this is the last day to link up to February's NewFO Linky Party and Giveaway. The party's over at one minute before midnight. Don't miss out!


18 comments:

sophie said...

Congratulations!! I LOVE the backing fabric. What a bright, happy quilt it will be.

Sher S. said...

with all the borders on, the polka dot fabric calms down and looks great. The kitties do know what is best on rainy days. I'm with them.

KatieQ said...

That backing fabric is going to be great. If I was at your house, I would be tempted to stretch out on that fuzzy rug in front of the fireplace.

Vicki W said...

Wow, you really made those scrappy block is going together well!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

The setting is perfect for such a busy quilt - and I think you raided my stash as I have the same fabric you are using for the back, somewhere.

carla said...

HI!!!! It is bright and cheerful!!!! I love the backing fabric!!!!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

What a terrific quilt and I love the background fabric.

quiltzyx said...

Congrats on another finish! I'm so proud of you for not letting the borders get the best of you & putting it back into the "later gater" pile. The last border really has contained the polka dots too. :)

Gracie & Smitty have the right idea!!

Kate said...

Congrats on the getting this to the flimsy stage. The outer border is a great frame for the center, it adds just a bit of calm to the bright.

Tami C said...

I really like that wild fabric that you have picked for the back. It's a perfect match for your Joseph's Quilt.

Anonymous said...

A wonderful finish!!! I'm with ya on that idea of taking care of the "unsewing" before leaving the sewing room!!!! That final border is just perfect for this quilt!!!! Am excited to see what quilting will bring it to life!!!!! Hugs.........

Jeanie said...

Looks great! I love a busy, bright quilt... nice finish!

Denise :) said...

I love that backing fabric, too -- it's *wild*! Glad the cats are keeping things real on the hearth. :)

kc said...

Whew, Other Me must be exhausting at times...she's so darned particular. And always, always seems to know what's best. But you were right - I'd have ripped first too...same reason I always try to put the clean dishes away before retiring for the night..who wants to wake up to housework? It's bad enough just making the bed first thing out!

That backing fabric couldn't be any more perfect! I'm liking the idea of a fireplace...we have one in our Texas home, but it's unusable. Sore subject, but no thanks to the home builder who messed up the flue.

We have a little portable electric one, looks like a stand-alone stove & that works well, however...I was persuaded not to bring it along, as it was too much extra weight, and we were "going to Florida, for gosh sakes...it'll be WARM." Ha. I guess I've got the last laugh, as good as that does me (not a bit!). At least it's warmer here than Virginia. Not by much, but some. And I've not yet seen snow or ice, PTL!

Brown Family said...

THat is not so bad! I have been known to sew the left border onto the right one! It does not work to have a double border on one side and no border on the other!

Brown Family said...

THat is not so bad! I have been known to sew the left border onto the right one! It does not work to have a double border on one side and no border on the other!

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

Last throw I put together I had to change up the design at the last minute cuz I sewed one side on upside down. Instead of ripping it out, I sewed the other side the same Wrong way and got a great new pattern. Love the versatility of log cabin blocks.

Your backing fabric is wild. I've never seen fabric quite like that before.

Michele said...

Yeah for you for finishing it. I'm sure it feels good. And that is one REALLY wild backing you picked.