Monday, September 30, 2019

Stringing Along in September, and a Finish

September seemed to fly by, what with the last of the garden harvest and canning, and changing over to autumn mode that I'd hoped would be more leisurely, though maybe October will be the start of that, who knows?

I made great progress on the 2019 Stringalong hosted by Lori at Humble Quilts.  There were extra batik rails left over from piecing last month's flimsy Joseph's Coat, and I had been hankering to use that piece of red/orange batik that was a runner-up for the alternate strippy panels on that first flimsy.  So I pieced a few more rails, cut some strippy panels and borders and came up with this.


I love the stained glass effect of a sunny fall afternoon, however when I brought it inside for another shot I was a bit disappointed in how the borders kind of faded away.  I'll need to be on the lookout for the perfect binding to punch it up just a bit.
This second flimsy measures 55x72 inches before quilting.  I'm thinking I'll give these two a quick machine quilting and keep them here.  I had originally begun piecing the first Joseph's Coat for a young girl known to one of our quilt ministry members, however the family seems to have moved from the area and haven't been heard from in a couple months.  The quilts are about a perfect size for the grandkids to use when they visit and are sleeping on air mattresses in the sewing room, or an adult napping on the couch.  Never can have too many utility quilts it seems!

Lest you think I've totally forgotten about Sing the Blues Mama Lou, not so!  I've been busy cutting and marking the final 80 quadrants and getting them ready for stitching the strings.  And here is the mess by the Singer 201 as I write this!
I have high hopes of completing the stitching of the strings in October and then begin assembling the blocks in November, or maybe January depending on progress on a couple other Christmas projects.

And finally, to finish off September, over the weekend the last stitches were put in the Swiffer Box quilt, and it is now done, washed, and ready for delivery to our grandson - yay!!   After the outside photo shoot in the back yard Sunday afternoon I wanted to call this one "the green, green grass of home" but I guess I'll stick with the original name.   Still need to make a special label for this one naming my grandson as  the block designer and color coordinator for the sashings and borders and me as the stitcher.  Finished size after a wash and dry is 67x52 inches.  I hope he likes it!



Linking to Lori's Stringalong Progress post here.  And a good Monday to all.


16 comments:

Barbara said...

Beautiful quilts, and a beautiful day to photograph them. Your grandson is going to love that quilt. Nice job.

Lori said...

Wow! YOuve been busy making some terrific quilts!! I love that red border, but on your beautiful wood floors it does blend in.

Debbie said...

Sounds like a good month to me! Love how the string making quilts turned out. A nice mixed scrappy bits and pieces would be a very fitting binding for them. And I think just right for the grands. And the grandson's quilt....what a great finish. Proud you must be!

Hill Top Post said...

What beautiful work you do! It surely was a perfect day for photographing the new quilt. It does look like stained glass. Just beautiful! I would like to be a fly on the wall to watch as your grandson sees his finished quilt for the first time. By any name, it is a wonderful quilt with a great story to go with it.

Chantal said...

Gorgeous quilt! It looks like windows in a cathedral. Just gorgeous! Wish I could see his face when he gets his new quilt. A Hallmark moment for sure! Enjoy! ;^)

Janet O. said...

Your stained glass quilt is beautiful even inside. The softer sashing is like the brick of a building between the beautiful windows, allowing the windows to shine.
Sing the Blues Mama looks very ambitious. I will be interested to see how it comes together.
Your grandson will be thrilled with the quilt made from his design. What a good grandma you are!

Sandy said...

Amazing how those batiks just glow. Beautiful work!

Kyle said...

I did think of s stain glass when I first saw your beautiful quilt glowing in the sunshine. You've been busy. The quilt for your grandson will be a treasure. I know he's going to love it. Keep working on those beautiful blue strings. You'll have them stitched in no time.

---"Love" said...

Your string quilt is beautiful! The black really sets everything aglow! Your grandson's quilt will be much loved I'm sure! ---"Love"

audrey said...

The grandson quilt is awesome! I love the fact that he designed the blocks.:) Interesting the way certain lighting can change the effect of different fabrics! Your quilt looks wonderful though. Great job!

Quilting Babcia said...

Thanks for your sweet comments!

Nancy said...

As soon as I saw your quilt with the sunlight coming through I immediately thought of stained glass, too. I find it interesting to see how colors change when in light and shadow.
I love your grandson's quilt. I'm impressed with its size: for some reason I thought it would be smaller when finished. How could your grandson not love it?!

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Your mini challenge piece in the last post turned out beautiful. Your quilts featured here as well. Lots of progress at your house!

Susan said...

Well done on all your strippiness!

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

I love your quilts' names; they're all lovely! I love that top, with the batik rails. I don't think that those outer borders fade away but, rather, that they let the rails take center stage and SHINE! Well done!! No, one can never have too many quilts that are used and re-used again!

Barbara said...

You've been busy! Love how your string quilt looks like stained glass. And your grandson is going to love 'his quilt'!