Wednesday, November 8, 2017

November Finishes!

Wowzers, three finishes in less than two weeks?  Unheard of around here, until now that is.

I stayed up late Monday evening sewing the binding onto these two quilts.  You've seen the in-progress tops before, but here they are, all quilted, bound, washed and fluffed. These two are both destined for our local nursing home as part of our quilt ministry.  So, drumroll ...

First up, the Bow-tie Quilt, made up of vintage scraps from the quilt ministry's stash:

Machine quilted simply, ditch stitching all vertical and horizontal seams, that's all it seemed to need.
A closer look

And the fun vintage men's shirt quilt pieced over the summer, again with pieces from our ministry stash:

This too was machine quilted, ditching ESS (every-stinking-seam), then a serpentine stitch diagonally through all the triangles, the quilting may show up a bit better in this shot.

In some ways, my favorite part of this quilt is the back, an older piece of very soft batik, that was gifted to me when I retired from a co-worker who was downsizing her stash in preparation for moving to a much smaller home. I've wondered for years what I was going to do with this batik, given the design, which actually appears in reverse at the opposite end of the piece. I had to piece the side borders to give it the needed width, but still have a good size chunk of the fabric left.
I wondered if there is any special significance to the design/emblem? If anyone knows, please let me know!  

While I hated to cut up the piece, it makes for a wonderfully soft and cozy backing for this quilt! Here's a slightly closer view that may show the quilting a bit more. 

I wish I could say that I'm on a roll and there will be more November finishes, though in all likelihood if there are any they will just be those hexie table-toppers that are sitting patiently, all layered and pinned and awaiting their turn under the needle. But that's OK, I'm pleased to have these two finished and on their way to their new home. These are number 7 and 8 on the Opportunity Quilts side of my 17 in 2017 scoresheet. Don't ask how the other side is coming along ...

A bone-chilling 17 degrees here this morning, and the ground was pure white with heavy frost. A sign of things to come, I'm sure.

14 comments:

Janet O. said...

Two wonderful quilts from your ministry.
Your off-set barn raising turned out beautifully. I still have not quilted mine. What am I waiting for?
That batik makes me think of some designs on fabrics my brother brought back from a mission in Thailand many years ago, but it is probably not related in any way--just what it brought to mind.

Sarah said...

Congrats on your finishes - I'm sure the recipients will greatly appreciate their warmth. We had a heavy frost here in Castile this morning as well, altho you appear to have been a touch colder. Can't wait for Friday - high of 22 and 1" of snow! Woohoo!

Debbie said...

Be still my heart.....I love the look of the bow tie. And then you throw in the vintage shirts....both special, simple and will be well loved I know. You have done well, girl. Remember this life and ministry is a journey, not a race. Enjoy it and all you do.

Pat said...

Well done and so gratifying to have those quilts completed from your 17 in 2017! The years my own Mom and Dad were in the nursing home, I would see all the lap quilts that the residents had - it brought them much comfort. We are cold here too and getting colder...

Barbara said...

Wow...look at you go! Great quilts. I love the bow tie quilt. I made one similar from blocks received in a "bee." Such a fun pattern.

Kyle said...

There's something so charming about a true scrap quilt. Both the bowtie quilt and the men's shirting quilts will make someone warm and cozy and put a smile on their faces.

Ruth said...

Wonderful quilts! I really like the off kilter HST blocks and of course the bow tie quilt. Brrr! It's getting colder here too but not that cold!

Ann said...

Two lovely finishes. Bow Ties always work out well. I love the mens shirting quilt, front and back. Great way to use that batik. I have the same problem with backs. What to put on them? And hate to use the "good stuff." Then I realized it's all good stuff. I'm trying to make better stories (or at least better cohesion) of the back pieces. Your border of the back is a great match for the center. Congratulations.

Chantal said...

Congratulations! Most feel so good to be finishing two more quilts. I wouldn't know I haven't finish something is such a long time. I am too busy starting things instead, lol. ;^)

Cathy said...

Congrats on the finishes! I love a good scrappy bow tie quilt. Wish I did some good ditch stitching. I can never seem to stay in the ditch and it all looks horribly wobbly. And any quilt with shirts seem so vintage-y to me since my grandmother used to make all her quilts from old clothes. There's something very inviting about men's shirt plaids. And that sure is a lovely back and a very unusual batik.

Angie in SoCal said...

I'd be on the first plane out of there if it was 17 degrees outside. I can't take the cold. Lovely finishes.

Nancy said...

These are two great quilts! I keep forgetting how bowtie blocks look when set the way you have them in the first quilt. That quilt is too fun with all its bright colors. Your second quilt -- gosh, I love plaids. Those half-triangle squares sure pack a punch when they are set the way you have them. I think the back fabric is terrific.

audrey said...

Both are great quilts! Very timeless looking. I bet the people who receive these feel very blessed.:)

Paulette said...

Two wonderful quilts! I especially like the men's shirt one - very cool!