My enthusiasm for finishing quilts in the cupboard has started to wane. But I'm not disappointed, of the five quilts I pulled out, four are finished and the fifth just needs the binding sewn down. I'm sure I don't have to explain just how good this feels. There was a time when I wondered if I would ever get around to finishing them.
This is the lastest finish and the one I'm most excited about.
It's called The Finches quilt and was designed by Susan Smith from Patchwork on Stonleigh. I started this over 5 years ago full of enthusiasm thinking it would soon be hanging in our home; by the end of the year at the lastest! I have to smile at that thought. I can't stop myself taking a little look at it every now and then.
In between all this finishing off I did start another small quilt. I bought 75cm of striped fabric, thinking I would make another strippy quilt but once home that idea suddenly lost all its appeal. What to do with the fabric? I was determined to use it and not find myself refolding it and placing it back in the cupboard for the next five years. I think part of the problem was it wasn't red, so I was working outside my comfort zone.
As luck would have it I found the perfect quilt in the book American Folk Art Quilts by Maggi McCormack Gordon.
This is my second favourite book after Childhood Treasures for small quilts.
I couldn't believe how perfect The Texas Star Crib quilt on page 103, was for the fabric I'd just purchased.
I just looked at the picture and said that's the one I'll make without giving it any real thought. It was only when I began to cut the corner and side triangles I realised all the edges would have to be on the bias if I wanted the stripes to run in the same direction. A quick call to Jan (more like an SOS) and we agreed that it was only a small quilt and it wouldn't be too much of a problem if it was bound straight away. I'm glad I persevered with the fabric and triangles. Not what I usually make but its good do something a little different.