Saturday, August 31, 2013

August NewFO Challenge

While on our trip to Salem to the Oregon State Fair the other day I lamented to Barbara that I had no NewFO for August nor much chance of starting one before the end of the month.   The precious little sewing time I've had has been devoted to completing the piecing and beginning hand quilting the new grandbaby quilt, and time is getting short.  The little bundle of joy is due in about 15 days!

Then yesterday it occurred to me, those leaders and enders stitched as I was sewing together the blocks for grandbaby's quilt count as a new project - tell me they do!  When I finished the Toddler Quilt last year there were not only a huge pile of 2 1/2 inch squares left over but nearly half the panel blocks from the original project.  So I decided to start working on making a second bear family patchwork quilt.  And here is the pile of sewn-together squares along with the scrap bear panels waiting to be cut apart and reassembled.
I think this new one will be a bit smaller than the first quilt, and with any luck I'll have some sort of design inspiration so it won't end up looking just like the first one here:
So, progress on the new grandbaby quilt is coming along, albeit slowly.  I think the hand quilting of the blocks is about 1/4 completed, and the plan is to do a simple double cable in the outer border.  Here it is as of this morning, the traditional top:
and the more modern back:
Though it's a bit difficult to see in the photo, I'm really liking the texture the quilting is adding, especially on the green backing fabric.  The batting is an 80/20 cotton from JoAnn's.  I seem to have tossed the wrapper and can't remember the exact brand name.  Quilting thread is Coats & Clark 100% cotton glace.

I'll be linking up with Barbara at Cat Patches August NewFO Linky Party where you can also add your new August projects and see what others are creating during these lazy (we wish) days of summer!

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday weekend!

16 comments:

Barbara said...

Well, we're pretty hard and fast about the rules here, and so I'm saying, of course it counts! The first quilt is adorable, BTW. Glad you figured out a way to link up. Your new baby quilt is so sweet.

Elizabeth said...

You solved your NewFO problem quite handily! Very cute quilt projects! And I LOVE the green backing for the baby quilt. I used that whole line of fabrics in Jacob's Jungle for my little grandson last summer! Bravo!

Janet O. said...

Love that bear quilt. And you hand quilting is beautiful!

Ray and Jeanne said...

Love the traditional top with the more modern back. The quilting is perfect! ~Jeanne

Needled Mom said...

That scrappy quilt is fabulous.

Tami C said...

Your baby quilt is looking really wonderful. I'm sure your next bear quilt will be just as nice as the first one.

Dana Gaffney said...

Of course it counts, sometimes I have no idea what month it is, LOL. That quilt is really cute, if the second one is similar it's still going to be seriously cute :)

Ruth said...

The bear family quilt is adorable and how nice to get another quilt out of the blocks. Your family baby quilt is lovely and being a few days late won't matter, if that's what happens. Gorgeous colors!

Martha said...

That baby quilt is going to be a treasure!!! Love the hand quilting.
I am going so slowly on mine. Too many distractions and worries lately. I will soon be back on it and her brothers. Still trimming Coopers blocks, then they can be pieced!!
The bear fabrics are really cute. One of our favorite shows to watch with Cooper is the Berenstain Bears :^)

Lynette said...

Hey, good progress on the baby quilts. :) And YES! The new leaders/enders count as a NewFO, I'm sure1

Aileen said...

Great baby quilt! One day I will hand quilT!

Junebug613 said...

Fabulous quilts! Someday I'm going to try hand quilting too.

Sandy Panagos said...

So glad your quilt project counts! lol Love the shade of green in the baby quilt and the fun backing, too!

Teresa in Music City said...

Such a sweet little grandbaby quilt! And due soon too!!! I really like the traditional front with the more modern back - great idea!!!

Dawn said...

Love seeing your heirloom baby quilt. Very special. Your hand stitching is wonderful.

Ray and Jeanne said...

Your traditional baby quilt is adorable. I hope you get it done in time. I always want the quit ready before the baby arrives but sometimes things go awry. So glad you found a newFO too! ~Jeanne