Quilting Friends Are the Best

I am actually completely thrilled with this photo. I have finished all 12 blocks for the Fat Quarter Shop 2011 Designer Mystery Quilt! Can you imagine? These blocks were just scraps of fabric that languished in a tub for 11 years. Well, no more languishing. They are going to become a quilt.

But there was just one problem. Back in 2011 when I wasn't working on these blocks, the finishing kit was offered for sale by Fat Quarter Shop. And I did not buy it. The finishing kit had all the fabrics for a fabulous setting, alternate stem blocks, borders, and binding. 9 extra yards of fabric to make a quilt that finishes at
76 x 94.

I reasoned to myself that I didn't have to complete the quilt as intended. I would have 12 great blocks and quite a bit of background fabric, which would be enough for a lattice and inner border. For the outer border, I would need a print that coordinated with the blocks. The fabric is by Fig Tree & Co., and their reds are very consistent. So, no problem. I wouldn't end up with such a large quilt, but it would be pretty and it would be finished.

Then the quilting gods smiled upon me. My quilting friend Lisa D. reads my blog. She emailed me to say she had the kit also and had never made it. Sadly, she had lost the love for this quilt and doubted that she would ever make it and therefore planned to sell or donate it. And she had the finishing kit. I offered to buy it from her and she agreed. Can you hear the sound of angels singing? She has mailed the finishing kit to me and as soon as I receive it, you can bet I'll start work on it.

Oh, and here is something else that makes me happy:

Yesterday I used up a big spool of Aurifil thread! I started using it in April 2020. I was thinking it would last me a year, but I did not sew much in 2021, so it has lasted me 20 months!!! Now, that seems like a good deal for $48. $2.40 per month. I wrote 1/22 on the inside of the cone and will be interested to see how long this new spool lasts.

Hope your weekend was great. If you have today off, make the most of it!

Comments

[gailss1]

Well, how exciting to find a backing kit and there you go!!! Gotta love this quilt group and they always come thru!!! This is going to be so pretty and just love everything FigTree... will watch for a finish in your future.

[KimS]

I love a story with a happy ending. That quilt is so pretty. I bet it's like falling in love with it all over again. I have many quilts languishing in the queue, so I hope I have that same feeling when their number comes up.

[Kerry]

Well Nicole, you definitely win first place in my books! It’s going to be a beautiful quilt when you get it sewn together. I can hardly wait!

[CarolE]

How excited you must have been when you read Lisa D's note to you! Your blocks look fantastic! It is going to be a lovely quilt!

[Debbie R.]

Congrats on finishing the blocks. And on lucking into the finishing kit. It will be a beautiful finish. Carry on, Nicole. You're really on a roll!

[Jan]

That's exciting to finish the blocks AND find the finishing kit! Aren't you glad you put it out there to your quilting friends? I agree that it's so satisfying to finish a spool of thread! My guess is that this new one isn't going to last as long! Hoping your family members are feeling much better this week!

[Ina]

YAY!!!! Something good has happened in 2022!!!

[Lisa]

Wow, look at you finishing all 12 blocks! Fabulous. I can't wait to see it all together.

[Wendy Currie]

What an exciting post!!