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

WIP Wednesday

 I've been trying to squeeze sewing time in between family stuff. Nothing serious, just time consuming. I did manage to finish a couple of things this past week.

Garnet and Gray is done, but I haven't done the big reveal post yet. I need to get a decent full length pic first. I'm super happy with it!

I made 11 more bandana drool bibs for Mollie, my grand niece. 

 

Today, I'm replacing the binding on this well-loved quilt from a customer. I have three sides to go with hand stitching while I watch NCIS.

 

There is so much in progress, I'm afraid to list it all! Instead, I'll show you my buddy, the Baltimore Oriole. I can't get enough of this beauty. (Please ignore the dead grass in my backyard.)

 

At the top of the To Do list: my block for the American Made blog tour. This is going to be fun!

Right now, I think it's time for a little surfing...

WIP Wednesday- Garnet and Gray Day 4

After a few days off, I'm finally back to Garnet and Gray. Time is ticking, as we'll be visiting Bill's dad this weekend. As I searched for a quilting design, I wanted to do something other than straight lines with the walking foot, but not a frilly FMQ design. I found "Circuit Board" by Leah Day, which is absolutely perfect for the pattern and for a man who was an electrical engineering professor.

 

 The texture is amazing! It's like a straight line stipple.

I'm not very good at free motion straight lines. The Halo makes it much easier.

In other WIP news, I finished a couple of non-quilty things this past week.

I'm planning to make a few more of these drool bibs/bandanas for Mollie. We'll be seeing her this weekend, too.

The crocheted bucket was a totally random project. It was a fun way to use up some old yarn.

Happy Wednesday!

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!