Seems I’ve been thinking for a long time that the Hopscotch quilt is almost done. Well, I’m saying it again!
Today, as soon as I finish this, I will be putting the last of the binding on. See!?!
When I decided to seriously start quilting, I knew I wanted to send my first quilt to my aunt. I practiced on orphan quilt blocks that I found in the house when we moved in. The dogs have a few very nice pads for their beds and the floor now (that I’ve posted before). Then, I started a beginner class on Bluprint, after I got tired of spending too much time searching out tutorials, for a start to finish Friendship Star quilt. I bought backing, but I think everything else came from my stash. Alas, I got part way through the quilting part and put it away in frustration. I will go back to it. I think I know what to look for now.
There were a couple of other projects I did for practice and to put off doing this quilt. But when I saw this kit on Bluprint it reminded me of my grandma’s quilts. It is not done perfectly. There are many places I would like to pick it out and do it better, but the problem is that I would pretty much be doing the entire quilt! I am going to accept it, and I am going to send it to my aunt as is. She is one of the kindest, most accepting people I have known in my life and I don’t think crooked free motion quilting will change that. Some of the little errors are funny to me, like when I am so focused on keeping steady as I sew and the dog gives out one sharp warning bark to some unknown she sees out the window. There is an eighth to quarter in jump in needle placement when that happens. Messes with my straight, wavy, line of relatively even stitches every time.
Another disclaimer, this time on how long this has taken. I am still learning time frames, and the incredible amounts of thread, it takes to quilt something. And, this is not my only project. This week it is spring break, painting an old chest of drawers to be loved and used again, and the usual other stuff. So many wonderful ideas I want to act on that I have been making notes and checking resources, which leads me to tutorials…. when ends with time passed at the computer, again.
I know I am not a fast hand binder, but I am excited about getting this shipped. It is still cool here so pleasant to have a quilt on my lap in the evenings. Sadly, she will get it in time for summer in Oklahoma, but hey, it’s not a treasure and can be a picnic quilt, table cloth, or on the floor for pets. It’s hers and I hope she feels all the love. I could not think of a better way to honor her, and my grandmother, and wrap this person in love.
Short and sweet today. I want to get this quilt off the table. I’ve got another almost ready to put together that I have been piecing when quilting seemed too big in time, focus and space. There isn’t much I love about the next one, but I got the kit at a great price and wanted the practice. I might even get that chest of drawers moved up today!
Love you. Take care of yourself!
Cathy
Busy Cat Studio 
Beautiful!
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