Almost A Log Cabin -- Finished!!

After stitching miles and miles (412 inches) of binding.... it's done!  It would definitely be a super fast finish to do the entire binding by machine, but bindings are one of my "things".   I like the look of the finished quilt  so much better when the binding is completed by hand.

Soon I will make pillow cases and pillow shams.   I have matching yardage in woven fabric for pillow cases and there should be enough flannel to make at least two shams with a log cabin of some kind that will coordinate with the quilt.

Next up  --  catching up on the monthly ornament club and spending some time with Lizzie.

 

Almost A Log Cabin - Quilted

The "Almost A Log Cabin" is quilted!  In order to have the grid cross the center of each block the quilting is spaced at about 2.75".   I like the look of simple grids -- must be why I also like needlepoint and cross stitch.

I was asked about the time difference in quilting on a home machine vs on a longarm.  Since I don't currently do free motion on my Elna it isn't a straight comparison, if I had done the quilting on my old longarm I would have used a panotgraph and the result would be totally different.  With that in mind, my estimate is that it takes me about about 8 times longer to do the quilting on a home machine vs longarm.

Almost A Log Cabin Quilt

Almost A Log Cabin Quilt

As I was getting the backing ready for the "Almost A Log Cabin" quilt, I decided to try grid quilting using masking tape to mark the stitching lines. Hee, hee -- that didn't go so well... the fabric is flannel and the tape got a bit too strong. Add to that -- the "almost" part of the name of my quilt -- the lines are not as straight as they should be.

This was my first log cabin quilt. I finished the top several years ago and added a border a couple of weeks ago. It was originally planned to be an oversized quilt for a twin bed. The addition of the borders should make it large enough for a queen.

A couple of the anchor lines are stitched and now I am marking the grid lines. The final quilting will be a grid pattern with spacing at about 2.75". It is definitely easier to mark a quilt before pinning, but -- you work with what you have.

Elizabeth Mears at Week 20

Elizabeth Mears - Week 20

During the past week I completed the queen stitch band and a portion of the baskets and words.  It looks great but it will go on the back burner while I get some quilting done.

Elizabeth Mears Stitching - Week 19

Lizzie at Week 19

On to the baskets!  Don't you just love the berry baskets on this sampler?  I continue to follow the schedule and the suggestions that have been made by Barbara of Queenstown Samplers.  The queen stitch row is marked and will be stitched after completing a small portion of the section just below it - the leaves of the baskets, top of the building and the fruit words.  So glad that she provided the stitch schedule through July!

Elizabeth Mears Stitching - Week 18

Lizzie at Week 18

After taking a couple of weeks off, I am back to stitching with Lizzie.  There are a couple of color changes in the rice and eyelet alphabet... not by design.  Since there are no sampler authorities in my home I will be the only one to notice.

The four sided stitch is fun and fast, I should have the band finished this weekend and will be able to start the over 1 inscription row.  I am totally keeping up the group!!

Woolie Baskets Quilt Top - Done!

Woolie Baskets - Done

This is the completed quilt top with all three borders.  It will hang on the design wall while I try to decide how to quilt it.  After taking a free motion quilt class and continued practice... I seriously dislike the technique.  So,  straight lines and soft curves are what I will be looking to use to complete the quilt.