My July ALYoF goal was to make some progress on my oldest WIP. Specifically, it was to finish the snowball blocks so I could reassess what my next step would be on this project.
I "gave" this quilt to my brother in 2004 for Christmas. I had 8 blocks done at the time. As of the beginning of this month I had... 8 block done. ;-) Now I have 40 completed blocks, and I've decided that I'll set them in a 5 block by 8 block rectangle and add a 10-12" border (in some boring solid, probably) to make it approximately twin sized. I figure about 65" by 90" is a reasonable lap quilt size for someone who is 6'5" tall. And it would have the added benefit of being able to be used as a bed quilt in the future if he'd like. Here are all the blocks together. (Oh yeah, that's a little busy! My 2015 self is kind of asking my 2004 self what she was thinking.)
I'm excited about making progress on getting the oldest WIP off my to do list. I've decided in a manner of letting some things go that I'll send out a few of my WIPs to a long-arm quilter once the tops are complete. (I recently sent out my first quilt to a long-arm quilter. It was like quilting magic! More on that later.) Since I'm not particularly excited about this project (sorry, Chris) I think skipping the quilting step will make me happier since it will allow me to move on to some other sewing. It will also ensure that it gets into the finished column sooner since it would just get pushed aside for more exciting sewing in the short term if I held onto it to quilt it myself.
With less than an hour to spare, I'm linking up to A Lovely Year of Finishes July Finishes Party. ;-)
BillieBee
Really cute fabric!
sarah
Post authorThanks, BillieBee. I do really like it... I just think it could have used something a little less busy mixed in there to calm it down a bit. ;-)
Carrie wikander
I laughed out loud when I read how you "gave" the quilt to your bro eleven years ago! Good for you for even finishing it. I have one that is three years old that I just am Not interested in quilting at all. I made it for my dad for his birthday. Just can't make myself quilt it though. Since he is now 80, I guess I better get on it...
sarah
Post authorThanks, Carrie. It is quite comical. It's not done yet though. My July goal was to get the blocks done. Now to get them sewn together and add borders. Probably not in August since I have some other urgent sewing to complete. Good luck on your project for your dad. Is a long arm quilter an option?
Melissa
Great quilt! Congratulations on finishing!!!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Melissa. It feels good. Thanks for the inspiration.
Marji
Sarah,
Truly a pitcher's dream quilt, or a batter's, but maybe a catcher's nightmare! Anyway a perfect one to have quilted by another since the fabric pattern won't really let your quilting be the all-star! Although the reverse could be very interesting in a solid with the quilting as texture.
I'm sure your long tall brother will enjoy many cozy hours under it. A gift of love.
Marji
sarah
Post authorA solid on the back is a great idea. :-) Thanks for visiting, Marji.
Marji
I do love the way you sometimes integrate a stripe of contrasting fabric on the back.
sarah
Post authorI'll keep that in mind. :-)
Allison
How wonderful to have 'grasped the nettle' of an old wip and pushed it through to the final stages. Funny how our tastes change over time and with experience!
sarah
Post authorThat is the biggest struggle with my WIPs... my taste has certainly changed in the last 10+ years. ;-)
bo
You will have one happy brother once it is done. And you will be happy!! :-)
sarah
Post authorLet's be real. He might just roll his eyes at me for taking ELEVEN years to finish it. :-) Ha ha. Thanks for visiting, Bo.
Anja @ Anja Quilts
Congratulations on making progress. Good call on sending it out for quilting.
sarah
Post authorThanks, Anja. Now to keep up that momentum to finish piecing the top.
Wanda Dotson
I have a long suffering WIP but not that old. It's hard to make quilts for other people. My WIP was supposed to be a quilt for my father but I'm going to tie it and give it to a local charity. I think clearing that from my to do list will lift a burden from me. I hope using a long arm quilter will give you that weightless feeling as well.
sarah
Post authorI suspect it will. Good luck finishing up your quilt. I'm sure the charity will be thrilled to receive it. :-) Thanks for visiting, Wanda.
Helen
This made me smile , Those old wip always gang up on us in the end . Isn't it funny how styles have changed ? So much more negative spaces and quietness in quilts now
sarah
Post authorI really struggle with negative space in my own quilts currently (or maybe sometimes I just achieve negative space without it being solid white), but I'm working a lot with blenders so fabrics don't compete quite as much as these two do. ;-) I'm trying to think what other WIPs might be from that era and surprise me when I pull them out to work on them. :-)