Another Finish!

I went on a cruise in April 2014 sponsored by Swirly Girls Design and Kelly Ann's Quilting. The quilt was a new design by Swirly Girls Design called Stars at Sea. The pattern called for a white background, but I decided to use a black background instead, so I guess it's now Night Stars at Sea!

I used the machine applied binding again and did a little better this time, I think.

This brings back good memories! I'm roomed with my friend Suzanne on this cruise, and I am still in touch with a couple of ladies we met on that cruise. Fun times.

Concept for Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Quilt

As I recently stated, I am planning to do the monthly sew along for the Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album quilt. As I am wont to do, I have created a drawing of my concept and picked some scraps to visually get an idea of that concept.

Conceptual Drawing

Concept with Fabric

Final Selection of Background Fabrics

 
I like it and I'm interested to see it play out in the 20" block size. I'm making it the size of the original because I plan for it to be my Spring bedspread. As much of these colors that I have in fabric, I do not have much that is large enough for backgrounds for the size block I'm making since I got them for a Dear Jane quilt (which will be the Spring wall hanging in the bedroom) and bought mostly fat quarters.

Darn, must go shopping! In my defense, I plan to use fabric from my stash for all of the applique pieces. Well, unless I find the perfect shade of green (or fuschia or pink or periwinkle) while I'm out and about.

And a Finish!

In 2013/2014, I started quite a few BOMs and BOWs. I am determined to get them finished this year.

I have finally completed the BOM from Riley Blake in 2013 called "Things We Love".  I enjoyed this one a lot, and I am happy with the bright and cheery result. I had it quilted with a pattern of a needle and spools of thread to go with the theme.

Finished Top

Detail showing fake flange on the binding

I used the fake flange method for the binding. See here for details. It's not super fast to do; it takes less time, though, than hand-stitching the binding on the back in the traditional binding methos. I've decided to use this method on a couple of the quilts I have left to bind to speed up the number of finishes for the year.

I had a hard time stitching in the ditch. I am hoping once my eye surgery is done I will be able to better determine where that needle is going. Or not! Time will tell.

Applique Project Starting....Yes, I Said Applique

I have decided to embark on the sew-along from the Virginia Quilt Museum at the blog:

Virginia Quilt Museum's Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Quilt (SVBAQ) Sew-Along

The pattern is purchased from the Virginia Quilt Museum, in either paper version or digital download.

I'm planning on a lavender backgrounds because I plan to use my purple/pink/periwinkle Dear Jane on the wall in my bedroom and think this may work on the bed from time to time. I may piece the backgrounds as well so I can use the fabric I used in the Dear Jane - I do not have pieces large enough for the 20" blocks and I want to use my stash for this project.  I may lay out the first block with the pieced background and if I don't like the look I can always buy background fabrics.  I have not decided on other colors yet.

I am surprised that I am signing up for this, but the block are very large, so I'm hoping the applique will not be too difficult. We shall see.