Somethings About Me

Sunday, June 24, 2018

A Finally Finish: The June Quilt

Last year, I participated in Crazy Mom's June QAL and I finished the top in July (you can read about it here) and has sat in the studio waiting to be quilted.  It was on my Quilty Confessions, UFO Busting List which I have to admit this list has been put on the wayside along with some of the other lists I made for 2018.  Even though the June quilt would have been perfect to finally finish in June, I still hadn't plan to quilt it until I happened to come across a photo of the top on my Pinterest board this past Tuesday.  My eyes immediately saw the quilting lines, just simple diagonal and horizontal grid lines and I was suddenly in the mood to start machine quilting.  It also helped that we were experiencing days of heavy rain which is perfect quilting weather for me.  So, with less than ten days left in June, my June Quilt was rightfully and finally finished during her namesake month.
The machine quilting was an absolute breeze and made me wonder why I waited so long.  But it's a good thing I did because I only started machine quilting the Jacqui Gering and Christa Watson method of starting the quilting on the side rather than the center.  In the past when I did grid quilting and started in the center, there was always the inevitable puckering and pinches when quilt lines intersected and for some reason when you start the quilting on the side, this doesn't happen.
I chose to use black thread for the quilting which went well with both the top and the perfect backing which I love.  Last year when I was on my fabric diet and  really didn't want to purchase any new fabric, I did break down to buy more of this fabric since I didn't have enough of it and didn't have any other fabric in my stash which would work as well as this print did.
The binding was done with the happy green polka dot fabric which is the same print Crazy Mom (Amanda Nyberg) used in her June Quilt in her book No Scraps Left Behind and was generously given to me by my good quilt friend Mary Etherington who got me involved in participating in the June QAL.  I normally don't machine bind quilts which are for me but I had to so I can show off the black thread some more.  
And now for some glamour shots which were taken on Saturday, our first day of sunshine and no rain.  The grass was so soggy and there was no way I was going to lay it down so I thought I would use my cute bicycle as a prop to hold the quilt.  It's sad to admit that I don't ride this bike which was a birthday gift from my hubby two years ago.  Three years ago, he gave me a choice of either a new sewing machine or a bicycle and it should be no surprise my Juki 2010Q came home.  The next year, I had no choice and I found this bicycle waiting for me on the front lawn.  Her name is Banana and it has some really pretty patchwork details on the frame which still doesn't inspire me to ride it.  My old legs need a bicycle with gears since we live in a hilly area and the cruiser is only good for level roads (at least this is what I tell Hubby).  I thought my vintage looking quilt would look pretty with my vintage looking bike; they go together, don't you think.
And another photo with my metal farm animals.  I've been wanting to use my metal goat, which I purchased when I was in South Carolina in April, for a photo shoot with one of my quilts and I thought my June Quilt which also has a farm vibe would look good with it.  I haven't named my goat yet but Mary Etherington suggested Susannah which is the name of her dearly loved and departed goat which when she was alive was how Mary and I became friends since I was such a fan of Susannah.  My hubby still talks about the time Susannah butted him and is just glad that this goat won't, so he thinks.  Since Mary did give me the happy green polka dot fabric, I should name my goat Susannah.  I also think since I have some blocks left over from the June Quilt, I should make a small quilt to place over her back and sides; won't that look cute?  I would love to keep my goat out on the front porch, decorated with quilts and all, but hubby is afraid of it disappearing because Susannah is just that cute.

I'm so glad I finally have a UFO quilt to cross off my list; would you believe it's only my second UFO finish for this year.  I have ten more on my list but won't be working on anymore for the rest of the month since my dear, sweet granddaughter, Micah, is arriving next week for a six-day visit which means there is no chance of quilting in the forecast.

22 comments:

  1. Rose I do love this quilt. You know I love the simple quilting too. I am so glad hubby bought you that great prop for photos. Love Banana.

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  2. Well, you know I love this quilt, Rose! It's so bright and colorful! Banana is a very cool bike and compliments your June Quilt so well. I think Susannah definitely needs a little quilt of her own; maybe one from one of Mary's books?! Every time I see her name, I want to make another one of her quilts! Cute post! Enjoy your time with little MIcah!

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  3. It is lovely. Fabric choices and quilting. Thanks for sharing all the pics and comments.

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  4. Your glamour shots are perfectly styled. Where did you get that backing fabric? It is wonderful.

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  5. This quilt is so delightful - the pattern, your color/print choices work so well with the scrappy. Your backing fabric is Fabulous! Where did you find it? And your photo shoot made the quilt all the more charming. I thought the idea of a small quilt for Susannah was great - sort of the frosting on the cake.

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    1. Hi Kay, I'm replying to your question regarding the fabric since I'm unable to send you an email. The fabric is part of the Basic Training line which consisted of this patchwork print along with dots and strips. It came in different color ways and I am sorry that I didn't purchase more of the black and white patchwork print when it was available at Fabric.com. I just checked their website and they are out of stock. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your wonderful comment.

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  6. Beautiful quilt, simple quilting was certainly the way to go. The quilt on Banana said picnic time to me. Enjoy your time with Micah.

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  7. Beautiful quilt! I love the scrappy look but they all tie together with the background. Love your glamour shots!

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  8. No chance of quilting because of Micah is A-okay right?! At first I was like 'meh' (said in a goaty voice lol) on Susannah, but by the end, yes, I like her! and a little matching quilt (love this one you've done) on her back would be wonderful! You could change it out with the seasons...always wanted to do that; now you've made me see my metal sandhill crane (bird) in a new light....

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  9. Hi Rose!
    What a fabulous finish. Could that backing BE anymore perfect for this quilt?? No, it is not possible to find anything better! Oh, and a visit from Micah!! How fabulous. I know you will be enjoying the next few days, and those six days will just fly by. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Happy Sunday! ~smile~ Roseanne

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    1. P.S. I forgot to say I love, love, LOVE your quilt on Banana! It looks fabulous.

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  10. It is a beautiful quilt Rose, and it goes perfectly with Banana and with the goat. Love that black and white check and the green binding. 6 Days with Micah, you'll be in Heaven.

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  11. I love the gingham matched with that gorgeous green Rose! And yes to Susannah, a nod to your friendship!
    On a side note, I am about to try the email notification fix one last time in the effort to get it working. Would you mind going over to my blog and commenting? I'd love it if it worked!

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  12. What a great quilt, Rose! I love how it is "old fashioned with a twist." That backing is so, so perfect! And yes, you need to make a mini with the scraps for Susannah The Goat :)

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  13. Oh, Rose! You are such a brave quilter, showing off black thread on green and white polka dot binding!!! That bike is the perfect quilt photo prop!!! Who cares if you never ride it! It's just so cute with quilts. Love that it's named Banana. As for naming the goat Susannah, I'll have to ask my daughter Susanna what she thinks about that! Great quilting on your quilt. Great finish!

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  14. So pretty! I see that bright green in other people’s quilts and I think I need some in my stash. Great finish!

    Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

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  15. What a lovely June finish, Rose! I love the way the navy and white gingham and the green center squares tie all the scrappy goodness together. That's interesting about starting your line quilting from the side rather than working from the center out. All of the machine quilting books I've read said to start from the middle and work out to the sides, and I used to get the same discouraging pleats and tucks you describe. Maybe those quilting authors were thinking about how to fit the quilt under a smaller domestic machine throat? On a longarm, you do the quilting starting at the top and working your way down to the bottom, more like how you did your lines this time. In any case, you did a great job.

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  16. A fabulous June finish indeed! I love all the great props in your shots, especially the bicycle! And, yes I do think Susannah needs a quilted saddle!

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  17. Such a fantastic finish! I've had my eye on that pattern since I first saw the book (got it from my local library) and though I wasn't able to join the quilt along last year, it's still on my "eventual" list. I have a nice bucket of strings. Love your goat and I think a quilt on her back will look super cute!

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  18. Congrats on your finish! I love your choice of simple diagonal lines for the quilting. The beautiful bright green binding sets the quilt so well. LOVE the stages photos!!! Enjoy your visit with Micah <3

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  19. This is a wonderful finish! I absolutely love it! Cute and clever photo shoot, too!

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