Garnet and Gray Complete

 Actually completed last Friday, I'm revealing Garnet and Gray for Finish it Up Friday at crazy mom quilts. I rushed to finish it so Bill could bring it to his dad last weekend. Bill did go for a visit, but did not bring the quilt yet. Ed was in the hospital then and now is in rehab, so we'll hold onto it until he gets settled again.

For the back, I pieced a giant bento box with pieces of garnet and gray.

I showed this quilting pic before, but wanted to mention again how much I loved using the Halo on this project. This tool is perfect for smaller quilting motifs. The quilting is so dense, I almost ran out of thread. I filled the last two bobbins with a darker gray.

I included washing instructions on the label, as I expect it will be washed a lot.

I love the texture created from the quilting and washing!

The colors were inspired by the school colors of Union College. My husband, his father, sister and brother all graduated from Union, and his dad was a professor there through most of his career. The hockey team recently won the NCAA hockey championship. I opened the school website in the quilt shop to make sure I bought the right shade of garnet!

Garnet and Gray

Made for my father-in-law Ed Craig

Started 4/17/14

Completed 5/2/14

Actual working time 6 days

60" X 75" before washing

57" X 72" after washing

Bento Box pattern by Tracey Brookshier

Circuit Board quilting design by Leah Day

Garnet and Gray, Day 3

It's fun to track the progress of a quilt this way. I don't work on one project from start to finish very often. I'm too easily distracted by pretty new fabric and projects!

 On day 3, the top was assembled and the binding prepared. I might have time later to piece the backing, but I need to take a break.

Hope you're enjoying some sunshine today!

Garnet and Gray, Day 2

 Wow, I love this pattern! Just two days of cutting and piecing and I have enough blocks for a lap quilt. I am loving the assortment of reds and grays.

I went to my stash for one more gray and dug deep for the marbled print. It is at least 20 years old! You might be able to pick it out. It is the only one with a yellowish cast. The newer grays are bluer.

I pre-washed all the reds and grays together and this is the only piece that picked up any red dye. One color catcher did a great job, but the second one got trapped in the bottom of the machine. After a few minutes in the sink with some detergent and the second color catcher, the gray print came out clean.

I should be able to sew together the top tomorrow. I'll just need to buy something for the backing. At some point, I should probably decide on an Easter menu and go grocery shopping!

Garnet and Gray

I'm ready to start working on a lap quilt for my father-in-law. I picked up a few more "garnets" yesterday at Knit One Quilt Too and Just Quilts. I'm hoping I have enough fabric to make a 60 x 75" Bento Box quilt.

I've gotten out of the habit of pre-washing fabric, but I think it is necessary in this case. This quilt will be washed a lot, so I want to make sure the reds don't run. This fabric is in the washer with the 9-Patch Swing quilt and two color catchers. I'll be cutting up a storm this afternoon!