A Multitude of Finishes.

Hi.  I have a few quilts done, and wanted to share about them.  It's been a while since I had so many at one time, and I know there are more to go, but I needed to get some off my "plate", so once the machine was set up for binding, I decided to keep binding.  

First, I finished my Sleep in Heavenly Peace donation quilt, the June Islnd Batik Ambassador challenge.  I added a label with that info, as well as washing instructions, to the back, and it's ready to ship.  These photos are over the deck rail, because I broke my clothesline trying to hang this one up.  Add another item to purchase for the to-do list.  

I used the Studio 180* 4 patch square up tool, and Squiggles, Dots and Lines, by Deb Tucker for Island Batik strip pack.  I made a ton of 4 patch units, added sashing and I love how it looks.  It measures about 68x80", so it should give some child a comfortable sleep.  I used a red wine wide back I have in my shop, and the panto is Whisper, by Mycreativestitches.

That set me off on doing more binding.  I have a Janome Horizon 9450, which has a special walking foot, and a single hole plate that you use together.  Once that's on the machine, if I have other stuff to bind, I usually try to do it.  If I'm set up for piecing, with the 1/4" foot with guide and standard plate I tend to keep piecing.  

Anyway, I used a great matching wine color thread for the binding, which I machine stitch to the front, then make sure the bobbin matches the border (or most of the border, if pieced) and stitch the binding to the back of the quilt, and sew in the label along the way.  

Quilt #2 was sitting in a pile, and the binding was already made.  So, change the thread to golden yellow, and get that done.  This was a tossed 9 patch quilt (pattern by Quilt in a Day)  I started about a year ago, during a sew day for charity quilts.  I made an error when cutting, though, and set it aside until I could decide how to fix it.  I finished the top earlier this year, and did the quilting, but never got it bound, until this week.  Fabric is an older 5" collection by Island Batik, with a fun multi-color border called Spikes Birthday, that I sell in my shop.  

This was taken before quilting.  The one I took tonight was too dark, but it's now done.  I used a white wide back for this and the next quilt, getting both quilted on one back, with the same Aurifil 40-3 Marrakesh variegated thread.  2 charity quilts, one backing, and no extra thread changes.  That's efficient when doing charity work.  

Panto is Dancing Flowers. Binding is made from Spikes Birthday, too.  It's a fun, bright quilt and measures about 52" square.  My guild has a few charities that love to get quilts, so this will make someone happy. 

#3 is this one.  It's a top that someone made and donated to the Evening Star guild and I volunteered to finish it.  I've had it for a while, but it's done.  

This is a smaller one, about 37 by 47" and the colorful fabrics have all sorts of fun prints, including robots.  That inspired me to use Robot Road for the panto.  I made the pantos large on both, so the quilts would be really snuggly.  This one has striped binding, which was donated, as well.  

But wait, there's more! 

#4 is another top that was donated.  This one came with backing, batting and fabric for binding, so I just needed to quilt it and do the binding.  

I used a bronze colored thread, again 40-3 by Aurifil, and the Malachite panto.  

These 3 will be going to Evening Star at the next meeting. 

And #5.  

I made this in January, as a door decor for February.  I got it quilted on Sunday while I was waiting for someone (stuck in traffic) to come pick up a chair.  Quick story, I ordered new recliners.  One wasn't working, so they sent a replacement and told me to keep the other.  A local charity that fixes/rehabs homes for needy people suggested another, who would be able to fix the chair and give it to someone who needs a lift/recliner.  So, rather than waste time, I threw this on the Handi-Quilter Amara, put in the Double Hearts border panto, some pale pink Aurifil 40-3, and it was done in no time.  

Pattern is Made with Love, free from Fat Quarter Shop.  Mine measures 17 1/2 by 33", and was made with scraps of pinks from Island Batik.  I added a hanging sleeve, because I have a hanger I plan to use on the door.  I plan to make other seasonal quilts.  This may hang for a little bit, though, lol.  It's too cute to put away.  

And #6.  Yes, 6 newly complete quilts, all done since Friday.  I said I was on a roll, lol

I need to get a better photo of this open, but it was too dark outside.  It's a duplicate of a quilt I made last year, Geese in a Row.  I submitted it to Island Batik for their Fall catalog, and it was accepted.  I had to make it again, for the catalog, and didn't get the binding done before photos.  So, now it's done, and will be added to my Etsy shop.  It uses the Brilliant Blues 10" Stack collection, part of the Basics, and solid Grey for the accent, plus some shades of blue for the setting rows.  If you want the pattern, let me know.  I highly recommend the Wing Clipper tool from Studio 180 for this.  Quilted with Aurifil 40-3, in a variegated blue, using West Wind panto from Mycreativestitches.  The original didn't have Island Batik on the back, so they asked me to make a second, in case a shop wanted the patterns and trunk show. 

This is the original. 

All 6 have labels, too.  I'm thrilled I got so much off my UFO list, and hope to start something new Wednesday.  I'm getting ready for another cornea transplant next week so I think that's why I NEEDED to get something done.   I have keratoconus, and it's especially bad in my left eye.  I had a transplant about 12 years ago, and it lasted for a while, but the stress of taking care of my mom, with Alzheimer's, caused it to need a partial replacement.  That was done in September of 2021, but my eye never cleared.  I guess I rejected the donated part.  It took me a while to find another group of doctors that accept my insurance, and then to get an appointment for surgery.  I'm hoping this second full transplant will allow me to see again, from my left eye.  Right now it's like looking through a curtain.  I can see colors and some shapes, if the lighting is good, but nothing clearly.  I'm grateful that my right eye works pretty well with the RGP contact lens I have. (20/30)  I'm also hoping it lasts about 10-12 years.  Just say a prayer that it works, please.  I appreciate it!  I'm not sure what will happen if it doesn't, but I've gotten used to being half blind.  It would be really sweet if I could see to thread a needle.  Right now?? Not usually.  It's more of a luck thing.  

Thanks for reading, and I hope you get some quilts done, too.  It's a great feeling to celebrate.  

5 large and one small!  Yay, me! 

Yes, the UFO pile is still big, with more to quilt, and maybe some small stuff to bind, but the binding is not made, lol   I had the binding already sewn, pressed and tagged with the name of the top for these.  

Maryellen