Coming Along Well With the Bindings

I am deliriously happy with this Sampler Spree quilt. It is my favorite quilt that I've made in a while and I am also happy to say I got the binding on it in one long marathon session. I had so much fun making this quilt, with the large variety of blocks it called for. Some were challenging, some were not, but there are 100 of them. The setting is modern, which sets off the traditional style of a sampler quilt. It is just a perfect effort and I am so pleased with it. The quilt is from the book Sampler Spree by Susan Ache.

No trick photography, That binding is sewn on. 

With all the football going on this Sunday, it was another great binding opportunity. My hands are sore, but I am plowing through it.

This pretty quilt has been waiting for binding for longer than I care to admit. I don't remember precisely what pattern I used to make it, but it is very similar to a pattern called Apple Crisp from a book by Evelyn Sloppy called "Log Cabin Fever". The pattern in her book calls for three rounds of strips around the center block and my version has four rounds. I am pretty sure I got the block somewhere else and just made lots of them for the quilt top. I had tubs of Civil War scraps and was determined to make a dent in it. 

I have no idea why I have let this quilt languish for so long. It really is a beauty.

I think the quilting design suits it well. It's fun to look at all the fabrics I used because it brings back memories of past quilts I used them in. 

Hope you had a great weekend! I went down to my father's house and worked with the family to clear things out. It really looks like we are emptying the place. I spent the night there by myself and got quite nostalgic about how long it has been in the family. Over 60 years my parents lived there and there are so many memories of my sisters when we were all young, thousands of meals around the big dining table, family members and friends who are no longer with us, and lots of happy times. There were a lot of ghosts who kept me company while I was there on my own. 

Comments

[Mary]

The last quilt you showed looks like a retreat-friendly project. I have a box of homespuns that needs up be used up; will consider this one.

[Margaret]

Isn’t it just the most wonderful feeling to finish up a quilt that has been languishing a long time? I am doing that very thing myself, and am so pleased with the results. I have told myself that I can’t begin anything new until I have completed 2 quilts that have been around awhile. My self imposed deadline for the 1st one is this Wednesday. I hope I can make it!

[Pamela Dempsey in Northeast Texas]

Kind of spooky/sad, all the ghosts who kept you company that night. Probably thinking good job, well done on the clearing out. Your second quilt is my favorite 😻

[sue s]

I love the repro quilt. I,too, am making myself finish old quilts. I just recently got one done, and another is a finished top waiting for backing. They both have a winter theme/coloring and that is my incentive to get them done!

[Jan]

Your binding project is speeding right along! That’s a very satisfying feeling! It sounds as if you had some quiet time with wonderful memories of life in your family’s home. 🥰

[Diane]

You are getting a lot done! Isn’t it amazing how many memories can be tied up in one place?

[Ina]

those quilts are gorgeous. 60 yrs is a long time to know someone/someplace. hopefully, you will see the light at the end of the tunnel soon so the house can sell. it's time for a new family to make memories there.

[Mary Truax]

love both quilts one modern and one vintage in similar colors. the quilting is wonderful and also your hand stitched binding. glad you were able to get some work done at your father's place and heal a little from your loss surrounded by good memories.

[Colleen]

Our son bought my parents house when they passed away. At first I didn't know if it would be too hard but I am so glad now. It makes me happy every time I go there. Too bad we don't live close ... I like doing binding.

[Nancy B]

Quilts look great. I've got a few that could go to my longarm person. I got way more fabric and ideas that need to be 'addressed!' I stick to pretty simple stuff. The complicated efforts go into my needlepoint. I would feel nostalgic about my parent's original house too. I have so many of my family's things that no one will want. They can have a big estate sale when I go!

[Jennifer in Indy]

I really love the Sampler Spree quilt, such a neat layout that gives it so much more interest. I can imagine you in the house, how neat that it has been in the family so long. Will it go to one of the family members or is it time to sell it for a new family to make memories?