2016 Projects in Review

I had lots of big ideas for 2016.  Looking back on my post on my quilting goals, written in early January, I even then had an inkling I was being too ambitious for myself.  While it doesn't seem like I accomplished all that much, I'm happy with what I did make.

I finished Rondeau (aka La Passacaglia), which I consider one of my more significant projects to date.

And I finished Ocean View, a simpler but still satisfying project.

I have two major WIPs.  First, my version of Plantation Road by Red Crinoline Quilts.  I made this quilt from stash, always very satisfying.  I have the backing pieced (also from stash!) and just need to get it to my quilter.

And I tackled another project in my Fig Tree Harvest collection.  I'm thinking of calling this one Pieceful.  I made all the blocks and just need to sew them together.  So there's a good possibility I'll have two early 2017 finishes.

I have several projects in mind for 2017, but first I need to clean up and re-organize my sewing room. I want to start the year with a fresh outlook.

Last Finish Of 2016

It's Ocean View, quilted, bound, and labeled.  This will be my last finish for this year.

I finished the top six months ago, sent it to my longarm quilter, who got it back to me very promptly. But I hand stitch my binding down and I didn't want to sit with a big quilt over my lap in the summer. I kept putting it off and putting it off, then sewed the binding on in early December and took the last hand stitches in it on Christmas day when we were all lounging around the house between brunch and dinner.

I made Ocean View using a Moda Bakeshop pattern called Simply Woven.  The directions call for two jelly rolls plus some background, to make a twin bed size quilt, 72" by 96".  This is what a single block looks like:

It's a real "slice 'n dice" pattern and I enjoyed making it, only botching one block in the process.  My photo tutorial is here.  

Karen Thompson of Greenbrier Designs did the quilting, using a swirly motif.  

You can see the quilt design a bit better on the back.   I used a light green and aqua batik for the backing and a turquoise and green batik fabric for the binding.

I have several WIPs from this year that won't get finished until next year, but more about them in my next post.

The Ultimate Power Tool

It was my birthday on Sunday.  Among my gifts was a t-shirt sent by my sister.

It even got a laugh out of Mr. Main Street.  My sister suggests I wear it to the gym.

My La Passacaglia - Quilted, Bound, and Labeled

Isn't she gorgeous!?  It is my finished La Passacaglia quilt, finished and hanging in place.  

I made my version to hang in a particular spot in my kitchen.  I had to reduce the size a little to fit in this space.  The finished quilt is 38" by 55" which I managed by making fewer "blocks."  And I knew when I started that I would not use a border.  I used one of the green fabrics to make a narrow binding.  

I named my version Rondeau.  The quilting was a custom job done by Karen Thompson.  The quilting enhances the design; I like the loops in each pentagon.  Karen is making her own version of La Passacaglia and gave this one some extra attention to figure out what would work best from a quilting standpoint.  

More quilting...

Rondeau looks great in my kitchen space.  I like it so much that I'm already thinking about another English Paper Piecing project!  So many quilts in my head!

Did I inspire you to think about making your own La Passacaglia?  Well, here's a little help.  I happen to have an extra copy of the book that started it all, Millefiori Quilts by Willyne Hammerstein.  Time for a giveaway; just leave a comment here if you would like to win a copy.  But US addresses only.  I'll do a random draw of the winner on Sunday evening, Dec. 11.  Added Sunday night:  The winner is Karen!