skip to main |
skip to sidebar
I honestly thought I would have Aidan's quilt finished by now, but spending nearly three weeks in bed with an upper respiratory infection does not make it easy to accomplish anything. The few times I did have a tiny bit of energy I used it to either throw in a load of laundry, empty the dishwasher, or take a shower. Today, was the first time I was able to get into the sewing room in well over a month. It was a treat!
I used all the fabrics I had left over from the front, both Alabama prints and the houndstooth, then added a red blender and a black/white print from my stash to make the backing. It's about 77" by 86" at this point, plenty big enough. Next up -- basting!!
I love all the projects I began last year (well, except for that DISASTER in June!), but I am bothered that I added five things to my UFO list without removing any! That's why this year I am going to be linking up twice a month with Shanna and Melissa for their "Lovely Year of Finishes." The first week of the month I will declare my goal. The last week of the month I will share what I have completed.
First up -- January's Goal -- Aidan's Alabama Quilt. I hope to make the backing and get the quilt basted this month. I put the top together fairly quickly when he asked for a new quilt, and then all the Christmas Hubbub began so it has been waiting. It will be good to have this one completed since he is so excited about it and has been so patient!
I am linking up to Shanna's page here. There are a lot of goals posted there so take a look!
For some reason I have been really motivated on this project and have Aidan's quilt already into a top. Using a pretty easy pattern helps, but the fact that Aidan checks on my progress whenever he's here doesn't hurt! The blocks go fast and stacked up pretty quickly.
Getting to spend time sewing with friends one day last week helped, too. I got all the strips made and most of the rows put together that day.
This is such a fun quilt. I really love the way you "see" curves but all the seams are straight lines. Putting on the first black inner border made it really float.
If this is to be a real Alabama quilt I needed to get some Houndstooth into it so I ordered that from Fabric.com. Once again, I am happy to report great service. Not only was it delivered within a few days, but apparently they have an "end of the bolt" deal. I got an extra 17 inches of fabric. Can't argue about that!
I had found another Alabama print (online of course!) which I used for the final border and got the top finished today.
I'm pretty pleased with this one. I'm going to cut the binding from what's left of the Houndstooth fabric and use everything else that's leftover for a pieced backing.
The next time Aidan is here to check on my progress he'll have a surprise!
It's already time to share my October project for the 2013 NewFo Challenge. A few weeks ago my grandson, Aidan, asked me to make him an Alabama quilt. (As in the football team -- The Crimson Tide.) The last quilt I made him was his Star Wars Quilt in March 2011. I was thinking that one would keep him happy a little longer than this, but my grands can ask me for just about anything these days. (Well.....since always, I guess!) The only fabric I could find locally was this print which I paired with my favorite black, Michael Miller Jet Black.
Since it was the only Bama fabric my local quilt shop had left I was really hoping Aidan would like it. He was here the other day and in a very casual way said, "I really don't like Star Wars anymore." Where did that come from? Could he possibly be thinking about the quilt he had asked me to make? I told him that just happened to remind me that I bought some Alabama fabric and got it out to show him. He looked at it closely, thought about it, then gave me a "thumbs up" and said, "Good job!" Whew! Good for me.
I decided to keep the quilt pretty simple (he's only 7 after all!) so went with one of my favorites - "Over and Under" by Paula Hughes.
I love this pattern because it's so simple! 4.5" x 6.5" focus fabric with a 1.5' by 6.5" strip on each side. When you alternate the blocks and then but a border around it you get a woven effect.
I'm using this pattern for the fifth time on this quilt. I think I'll have it ready in record time.
I am linking up to Barbara's Linky Party. Go take a look at all the NewFo's started this month!
