Back to Back...

I just finished the backing for the filmstrip quilt...YAY!  (more on it later).  While working on it, I thought about the backings I've put together for my other quilts.  Some quilters prefer to use a single fabric on the back...nothing fancy.  Why?  I suppose because it's meant to be 'the back'.  Ya know?  Who looks at the back when all the gorgeous piecework and fabrics are on the front!  I get that.  I really do.  

However.  I must say, I actually prefer pieced backings.  I almost always opt to put together my backing with fabrics left from piecing the front of the quilt .  I think it's just more interesting to have a fun back.  As I gazed with love and admiration upon the quilt backing I finished this morning {grin}, I thought that it might just be easier for me to make backings.  Only backings.  And, then, ya know...use them for fronts!  {grin} 

Here are some of my fave backings...with links to the original post so that you can see what the fronts look like, for more information on the quilt and, perhaps, additional photos of the backs.

Whirlygig - I love this big floral fabric!  I pieced two pieces together almost perfectly...follow the link to see a photo of that. 

Carole's Quilt  - This is a single fabric backing, too.  I made this quilt in a hurry, so opted for simple.  This is one of my all-time fave quilts.

 

Postage Stamp Quilt - Another single fabric quilt backing...so many fabrics used in the squares (1296), that simple seemed better.  Plus, I suppose the hours and hours put into making the front did me in.  Well, probably not, but it could have been that I just wanted to be done with it, couldn't it have? 

Okay, so that's enough of that!  Now on to the pieced backings...the ones that are more fun to look at...more interesting...

 My First Quilt - Piecing my backings started with my very first quilt.  I'm not sure how much reading of quilter blogs I had read by that point...probably not many.  But, apparently, pieced vs single fabric was an early decision.  Actually, though, for this one, I think I only had a small bit of fabric left.  I know I don't have scraps of it anywhere.  (And, by the way, this is the only quilt with the brown dog label...I really should do something with that idea.)

Iced Mocha - This blue, chocolate and cream colored quilt was made for me Mum's birthday.  I used to get a bit perturbed because she liked this back so much.  I kept asking her if she knew how much time was put into making the front...but she didn't care.  She thought this looked awesome.  Or something.  {grin}

 

Ashley's Blush Quilt - This backing is so simple...just 4 rectangles put together.  What makes this one special to me is how the rectangular spiral done with brown thread looks on these solid colored pieces. 

  

Ashley's doll quilt - Usually, the smaller quilts are backed very simply.  But, I couldn't resist playing around with this one (and a few others done at the same time). 

Tag's Blanket - Joanne of Snippets & Scraps of My Mind sent fabrics for this little quilt for Tag.  I couldn't resist fancying up the back (a piece of muslin) with the little blocks in the center.  Case you're wondering...yes, he does lay on this blanket.

Sherbet Pips Wonky Charms Quilt - I think this backing is quite fun! 

Summer Sampler Quilt -  This, though.  One of my very most favorite backings.  I wanted to keep some of the Hope Valley fabric for another quilt, so had only so much that I was willing to use for the backing...but it worked out perfectly!  I love it.  LOVE.  

Kashmir Filmstrip (no link...first time shown) - I think that this may become my all-time fave of the faves.  I cannot wait...can. not. wait. to put this quilt together!  To quilt, bind, and finish it!

So.  What about you?  Which do you prefer...single fabric backings or pieced backings?  Do you have a fave?  Of mine...or of yours?  


Inquiring mind and all that.







"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Iced Mocha in a Bag!

okay...now.

Me Mum has read my blog approximately

6 times in the 3 years I have had it.

(OH...which reminds me...my blogoversary is coming soon!)

Back to me Mum...she usually reads this blog only when I ask her if she has.  Gosh, you'd think she would want to see what I'm up to.

Ya know?  

So, now that I don't want her to read it, she will.

Isn't that the way things work?

If you are my Mother...STOP!  EXIT my blog! 

(is she gone?)  

Okay.

I showed you the tote bag I made for my Aunt Bev.

(Refresh your memory here.)

It's a combo Mother's Day/birthday gift.

I was telling me Mum about it

and it sounded like she thought it 

would be a nifty thing to have.

So.  I made one for her!

For Mother's Day.

(yeah, I know...late!)

I used up some scraps of the Iced Mocha fabric

that I had left from her quilt.

The lining is the fabric I backed Janer's quilt with.

Here it is...

I'm not sure which one I like better...

Mum's or Bev's.

I think I like them both.

Haven't shown you these...

Here's me beautiful Mum

with her Iced Mocha quilt. 

(My sisters posed her & took the photo.)

A simple holiday table runner for my Aunt Bev.

Measures ~12 x 40 inches.

The back of same table runner...

Merry Chrismas printed all over it.

Julie's quilt top all pieced. 

Sad to say, she won't be getting it until January,

as it isn't yet basted/quilted/finished.

Mostly cuz I'm not sure how to quilt it...

and I don't want to rush it.

The backing/binding will be the same fabric as the border.

Second Day

Julie wanted to buy a digital camera.

Finally! I've had one for over 6 years.

How can one get by without a digital camera???

So, we went shopping.

She got a nice little Nikon...plum colored.

She has now left and will be out for the evening

with a good friend, so I am on my own.

Whatever will I do?

ahhhh...perhaps read.

Or, cut pieces for a new quilt project!

hmmmm...I guess time will tell!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the meantime, here is the Iced Mocha quilt.

All done.

Laundered, label on, ready to go.

Measures 46 1/2 x 55 inches.

As you can see by the photos,

I had a lot of fun quilting this one.

Random lines in the center,

stippling on the inner border,

zigzags on the floating squares and

intertwining lines on the outer border.

I am very pleased. In fact, I love it!

Allegra and Sisters

Update on Allegra: she's doing about the same. No better, but no worse. We're hanging in there.

Other news: I am trying to get everything done this weekend...my sisters are coming. Several years ago, I read Nicholas Sparks' book, "Three Weeks With My Brother". It's an exploration of relationships between the two brothers (Nicholas & his brother, Micah), & how life has influenced them, etc., as they go on a trip around the world. I loved it! And, I have an autographed copy!

At any rate, I determined then and there that time spent with my family was the most important thing in my life. Sisters Weekend resulted from that. Joyce lives in Alaska. Julie lives in Colorado (though she still lived here by me when I instigated this idea), and Jill lives about 2 hours away here in Wisconsin. Once a year, when Joyce comes to Wisconsin to see family and friends, we set aside 2 days for the 4 of us to get together. It's not always a weekend, and it's usually only one overnight. But, we spend time together, just the 4 of us...the 4 J's. We don't do anything special. Sometimes we shop, sometimes we just hang out. The one thing we always do is eat well! Julie missed the first year after she had moved to CO, and we didn't have the opportunity last year, so this year is very special. We each buy 4 gifts...not birthday or Christmas...just a special something for each of us to have from our time together. I've been busy, but I cannot tell you what I'm giving...you'll have to wait until next week when this is over.

Julie and Joyce are flying to WI today. They'll stay in Eau Claire where our Mom lives. Julie will come to Madison on Tuesday, while Joyce takes more time to spend with her youngest daughter, her grandson, & friends. Julie will spend time visiting friends in this area, bathing my dogs, and just hang out with me. I only work Monday & Tuesday. We will probably do a bit of shopping...I know Julie needs a digital camera. On Friday, Joyce and Jill will come down. It'll be a great time and I am so looking forward to it!!! It'll come slowly, but will be over much too soon. They'll all leave Saturday night. I hope to have lots and lots of photos to show you!

Here's what I'm working on right now...just need to hand sew the binding...trying to get it done before my sisters are here. Nooooo, it's not for any of them. Just want to get it done. Look at all the quilting on this one...I had some serious fun! Random lines in the center, stippling in the first border, zigzag lines in the floating squares, then just some lazy lines on the outside border (which you cannot see too well because the binding hasn't been turned to the back, yet). I used a brown/cream variegated thread...so pretty!
Have a great weekend.

Unplugged...the end result

OH!!! I am soooo happy!

This looks so much better to me now.

And, no, the randomness of the 4 blocks in the centers doesn't bother me...

nor do the randomly colored floating squares in the border.

It just looked choppy or something before.

The End.

Unplugged...the explanation

Okay. Here it is. The explanation.

I made this quilt top.

I liked it, but I wasn't thrilled.
Kept looking at it and decided the squares should be made
with the same fabric all the way around instead
of trying to look scrappy, or whatever.
Not striving for perfection.
In fact, I know the recipient would be absolutely delighted,
no matter what.
But, I want to be happy with this.
I want to smile when I look at it.
Ya know?
So.
I proceeded to do some reverse stitching...
took the middle of the quilt out...
left the borders intact.
Took the blocks apart, but only to the point that I had to.
I have now resewn the 11 of 20 blocks that
weren't the same all the way around.
Didn't take that long.
Here it is on the floor, awaiting my final approval. I'm going to let it sit for awhile...
then come back to it fresh.
If you're wondering why the browns are in the middle...
they show up best there, away from the brown border.

I think Allegra approves.
...either that, or she's waiting for me to walk away
so that she can lay down on it.

Iced Mocha...unplugged.

I'll explain later.

Iced Mocha...

All done!

YAY!

Guess I should clarify...the quilt top is done.

Still have to put the backing together.

It measures about 52 x 58 inches. Am I a doofus, or what?

(No need to answer that.)

Thought I was hanging it the other way...

wasn't until I was trying to get the hangers to

balance that I noticed it was hanging by its side.

duh.

ohwell.

Just turn your head sideways...hahaha.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyone want to quilt this for me? huh?

A Bigger Picture...

Okay...I need your advice.

The quilt top now measures about 42 x 48.

I would like it to be about 10 inches bigger...

in both length and width.

(cuz it'll shrink when I wash it, ya know)

See the X? As in 'X marks the spot'?

(this photo actually enlarges when you click on it!)

Well, that is the backing fabric.

Perhaps the binding, too.

I'm thinking I need to add another border.

Should I just add a 5 inch border of the blue floral?

That seems kinda boring.

How about a row of 2 1/2 inch blocks all the way around...

OR, half square triangles...

with a 2 1/2 inch strip of the blue floral for the outside border.

Any thoughts?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

edited Saturday a.m. to add:

By jove, I think I've got it!

I'll make 2 1/2 inch strips

alternating squares of brown

with squares of cream and blue.

Then, I'll add another 2 1/2 inch brown border.

The squares will look like they're floating!

Genius, I tell you. Pure. Genius.

(do you not agree?)

Sneak Peek...

Not done, yet...need to add a border (or two).

I like it...I think.

So Far, So Good...

Working with the Iced Mocha collection...

making blocks.

Gonna quit for the night.

Here's How It Is...

I called work (yesterday) as soon as I found out that Ray's surgery was rescheduled. Instead of today and tomorrow, could I have off Monday and Tuesday? Well, since someone was already scheduled to take my place these 2 days, the answer was no. Bummer. I actually could have gone in and worked on other things that I am seriously behind on. ohwell. So. I'm not excited about having 2 days off that I don't need to take off...BUT! I decided that I had best be productive. I cut strips out of the Iced Mocha...was thinking of doing another strip quilt, but then decided that these fabrics would be better showcased with another pattern. So, that's what I'll be working on.

I made my June BOM block...not really liking those fabrics. No doubt, this will NOT be one of the 9 I use of the 12 we're making. May not even end up in a pillow. And, I see that I didn't do such a great job matching seams on one row. I'll probably redo it.

Just so you all know I'm NOT perfect, I'm gonna show you a big mistake. big. HUGE! (remember Julia Roberts in 'pretty woman'???) I knew better...but...hmmmm...still went ahead doing what I was going to do.

Remember the swap goodies I showed you from Erin? Well, I had made my mini quilt to swap with her...Kansas Winter charm pack...gorgeous fabrics. As I may have mentioned before, my machine is giving me fits, so I am not able to do free-motion quilting...I'm stuck doing wavy lines or straight lines with my walking foot. I decided that a rectangular spiral would be really cool. Okay. Stick with me here...don't fall off your chair laughing...or hit yourself upside the head with a 'duh' so hard that you hurt yourself. Obviously, starting on the inside is the best way, so that any excess fabric would move to the outside. Right? Well. I wasn't sure I could do it and come out with all sides of the rectangle spiral on the edges of the mini. Ya know...figured I'd end up with 2 inches of empty space on the end of the mini. So. I started on the outside. It was going very well, mind you, until the last 4 times around. Well, here...take a look. See how the center is skewed? I didn't notice until I was done...thought about taking alllll the quilting out, but just couldn't make myself. So. I finished it. I love it. Skewed center and all! But, I don't feel that I can send it to my swap partner, so I am in the process of making a different mini for her.

I love this charm pack, kinda prim/rustic looking. (yoohoo...kelley!)

Look at this back...are you able to see that the quilting is done in a rectangle? I love how it looks. Best get moving on that Iced Mocha fabric. I'm hoping to get the quilt top done today.

Have a good day!