a little bit

I finally got my second quilt of the year done!

It was supposed to be finished in March, to give to my brother Blake for his birthday. I guess a whole month late isn’t so bad.

The pattern is “Little Bits” from Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. It really did come together quickly. The time consuming parts were waiting for the fabric to get here and locating my one-inch bias tape maker.

And the quilting. I tried some straight line quilting and it took FOR.EV.ER. I would start out straight but my lines would eventually get a little wonky so I would have to straighten them out. The machine attached binding I was dreading wasn’t too bad. I like the way the whole thing turned out, and so did Blake.

It ended up being 63 x 64 ish. I’m not sure what happened to the extra four inches that were supposed to be in the length (I’m sure I had to walk away to make chocolate milk or kiss an elbow) but it still works as a lap quilt. The fabric is all Kona cottons in avocado, spearmint, cactus, peridot, ivy, green tea, tarragon, and ash for the backing.

Now I just need to quilt Evelyn’s and I will have another 30 by 30 item to cross off my list. I, however, will make many more than three quilts this year. I already have another one cut out and waiting for piecing and another twenty on the drawing board. The forecast calls for rain this week so maybe I can get some more sewing accomplished.

Today, though was beautiful. I got all of my flower beds cleaned out. I no longer feel like I have the dirty house on the block. Now I need to get the ugly tree in my back yard cut down and measure for a fence and things will be on track. And I won’t feel so guilty for doing so much sewing.

Here are some pictures of the family from the weekend.

See you next time!