After a wonderfully restful week off, it's time to head back to the office today. I'm not ready, but I'll get over it. The Scientist in Training headed back to college yesterday. She'll be home for winter break in two weeks.
I got to spend a lot of time in the sewing room last week. The last border was stitched onto the Red White and Blue Stars quilt.
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| Red, White and Blue Stars, Setting self designed |
It just took 15 plus years to get this project from inception to finished quilt top. But it was worth the wait. I'm happy with how the top worked out. The blocks were started in a quilt shop class on how to make Lone Star blocks when we were in Texas. We made one block in class. Life at the time included a 6 year old, a job working at a manufacturing plant where I was on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week, two hurricanes (Katrina and Rita) and a move back to Oklahoma. Best I can tell the two blocks I'd finished before we moved got put away till 2012. I didn't finish making the blocks till 2018. It took me about a year to figure the final layout.
I also got a pretty good start on the label last week.
All the red in the stars makes me think of a red gingham table cloth my grandmother used to cover the picnic table when we went to the lake when I was little. So Picnic Stars seemed an appropriate name for the quilt.
I have the fabric for the backing, I just need do the final measurements, figure out how to cut the fabric for the back and then sew it all together. The plan is to tackle that sometime in December. Between work and the holiday prep, quilt clean up and final pressing probably won't happen till after Christmas. Besides, Trudy has her own holiday to get ready for. RWB Stars won't get finished this year, but will be my first finish in 2021.
Linking up with Monday Making and Monday Design Wall.
It will be an awesome finish!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, Kate! I like your plans for the label, too. This quilt will be a fabulous first finish of 2021!!
ReplyDeleteWell, it’s just gorgeous. This must be the month of the longest UFO ever, because I finished mine too. Congratulations! Isn’t it great to get those old-timers finished?
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful. Great job on designing it. Do you come up with the whole design and then proceed or does it speak to you from your design wall? Nice to have an early finish to look forward to in January.
ReplyDeleteOh, congratulations on getting the quilt top pieced, it's stunning! I can see the gingham as well. This is sure to be a quilt that is used and loved for years. :)
ReplyDeleteThat label is delightful, and fits with the quilt perfectly. That top turned out great. Don't worry about this taking 15 years to finish. Just imagine how much your 15 years of additional quilting experience has led to an even more beautiful product.
ReplyDeleteKate, it is such a beauty -- the similar-but-different stars sparkle. (And now I realize it was your setting idea that I channeled for one of my projects last week. Thank you for the (subliminal) inspiration.)
ReplyDeleteRed, White, and Blue stars is turning out wonderfully! I love the story behind its beginnings, and so glad you pulled it out again to work on!
ReplyDeleteIt’s very pretty with the bright blue and red. Glad it’s become a finished top and soon will be a real quilt. I’ve been working on my oldest UFO too, but am not nearly done. Perhaps by the end of December I’ll have borders on.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worth the wait! What a classic American beauty :)
ReplyDeleteSome things are just worth the wait, and I think there is more than just you and I who have a quilt that's 15 years in the making! Beautiful work Kate!
ReplyDeleteReally love your quilt.
ReplyDeletePicnic Stars is just beautiful with such great colors and each block different. Is that a cloth label? My goal for 2021 is to start labeling my stuff!
ReplyDeleteWe were in south Texas during Katrina and Rita. My husband had just started a new job in Edmond OK, and my Mom and I had stayed behind to sell the house when Rita hit. A tree fell onto our roof - only did minimal damage - but we were without power for 3 weeks - ugh.
What an awesome quilt!! and the memories that go with it - Holee Cow!! you will hold on to this one for a long time!!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! I have a quilt that was started 10 years ago that I am thinking of getting out and finally finishing. Some projects just take awhile when life limits our time and energy.
ReplyDeleteMichelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Beautiful quilt top finish! It must feel great to have this off your UFO list.
ReplyDeleteYour red white and blue quilt is fabulous. The sashing and border fabrics add so much to it yet still allow the stars to shine!
ReplyDeleteI recently too finished a project from the early 2000's. My it felt good to get that off the UFO list so I know how you must be feeling. It's so freeing isn't it?
Woo-Hoo!!! Congratulations on finishing the top. It looks gorgeous!!! I love it. Now write a pattern for it :-)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely ADORE this quilt ~~~ but that's really no surprise, as I usually love, love, love all of your quilts. This one, though, (along with the dresses quilts) has got to be my favorite! It is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWow, it looks great! Sometimes it's fun to think about all the life that happened during the lifespan of making a quilt!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on another gorgeous finished top! It must feel especially good to complete such an old UFO. It will make a wonderful first finish for 2021!
ReplyDeleteGood for you for keeping track of it and pulling it out to finish after so much life passed by - it’s a really striking quilt!
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