Could it be?? Another Finish?

Yep – it’s true. I have another finish to share. The very small, almost non-existent, silver lining to the fires and smoke we are experiencing is having to stay inside. The smoke is thick and the air very unhealthy so we have been indoors continuously for a long while. This means I can sew!

OK – I started this quilt ages ago. The fabric was leftover from the twin size quilt I made for Julia’s bed in our Downieville house (which we sold this summer.) I made that quilt back in early 2016.

Downieville Quilt

This was a huge quilt as I wanted it to hang over the edge of the bed by a ways. I had planned to make two matching quilts for that bedroom but the second one never happened. However I had already cut many squares intending to make the second one. I decided to use the leftover fabric to make a Mercyful quilt for the families at Mercy Hospital in Sacramento. I matched up a number of the squares, making sure each was partnered with the tan solid and made large (10″ finished) half square triangles with (some of) the leftovers.

Quilt Top Completed!

I made the quilt top in November 2018 and promptly stashed it away – for almost two years!! Why?!?

Basting the top – Finally!

In my last post, I shared I was basting the top and planning to finish it up.

Marking my lines with painter’s tape.

After some thought, I decided to go with simple straight lines for the quilting. Marking the quilt with wide painter’s tape, and starting from the center, I did a two lines of stitching with my walking foot. I used the width of the walking foot to mark off the separation for the second line in each set. This, naturally, went very quick.

My quilt holder, aka Julia, and I took some quick photos on the deck. Didn’t want to stay out long because it was too smokey! I am so pleased with the way this quilt looks.

For the off-centered diamond, I did some extra quilting on the diagonal. I didn’t measure this accurately and my center line is a bit funky. Such is life. I am not overly bothered by this.

The overall effect is good and as we know, I am not one for precision.

A peek at the backing.

For the backing, I used one of the vintage sheets I have stashed. I know many quilters dislike backing with sheets but I have not had a problem with it. They quilt up fine and I have washed the finished quilts (those I have kept) many times without issue. I love how the soft purple and greens complement the darker shades in the quilt top.

This quilt is headed to Mercy Hospital and I hope the family it is given to will take comfort from it.

Unfinished Quilt Tops

About two weeks ago, I made this collage of the unfinished quilt tops I have. I have finished two of them since then which makes me so happy. I haven’t decided which one I will tackle next. I think I need to decide on backings and see what I have available.

For my next project, I need to make a bunting (with the letters of her name) for my youngest grand daughter. When we were up in Seattle, my son reminded me I had made one for older sister before she was born yet this baby is nearly 6 months old and I haven’t made hers. Yikes. Better get on it!!

Take care everyone. If you are affected by the fires (and pretty much everyone in the west is) please take care and be safe. If you have extra rain, please send it to us. We are all in dire need.

Sharing at:

Brag About Your Beauties, Finished or Not Friday, UFO Busting, and Can I Get a Whoop Whoop

28 thoughts on “Could it be?? Another Finish?

    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Carol. How are you coping with the smoke? Hope you are staying inside as much as possible. I do love using the painter’s tape. I had forgotten about it. It is such a quick way to mark a line and doesn’t require anything to remove the line. 🙂

      Reply
  1. Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl

    Congratulations on the finish and I am sure it will mean a lot to its recipient.

    Being inside for 3 weeks without my evening walks has really started to bother me; I’m not sleeping as well and even though we are keeping the house closed up, there is ash inside and our air and water filters are clogged. Anyway, we are super lucky to not be near any fires for the time being and I am counting that as a huge blessing.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      I get it Yvonne. We have been indoors for weeks now. It is trying for sure. Smoke, ash, it is all horrible. Just wishing for rain and hoping it comes soon. Till then, keep on sewing and hang in there!!

      Reply
  2. Wendy

    We are having very chilly, wet days here. How I wish I could send the wet your direction to help douse those fires. Glad you are safe, but sure feel for those who have lost homes or have had to evacuate. Nice finish on the quilt, Bernie. I’m sure it will be a comfort to someone!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Oh my gosh Wendy – we need that rain terribly. I feel like the whole west coast is basically on fire. It is frightening and difficult. Hard to describe actually. But thanks for thinking of us. I am lucky so far!!!

      Reply
  3. Carol Dean Jones

    Bernie, I love your straight line quilting with the double line. What an excellent idea and it complements the triangles beautifully. I have always sent my quilt tops out to a long arm quilter but with all this new free time we have I have been attempting to learn machine quilting. Can’t wait to try this one! I have officially given up on free motion but I’m learning that there are endless ideas for straight line quilting with the walking foot.
    My very best wishes, carol

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      This is a great way for you to quilt the baby quilts you have been working on. With smaller pieces you can’t really creative with your walking foot. I would love to see a picture or two of the quilts you’ve been working on. Hope you are feeling well Carol. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Kathleen McCormick

    Congratulations on a fine finish! I love the way you marked and that ever so workable edge of the foot for the double line! It looks perfect to me and I know the family that gets it will appreciate it. How nice to have 2 out 5 of those quilts done now. Great job. Hope the fires stop soon; it really is an awful situation.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      It is hard to describe how bad the air is out here these days. Yesterday afternoon it was just dark – night time dark – all afternoon. Eerie, spooky dark. Today it is terribly hazy and a shade of orange out there. We are just trying inside. Really unhealthy to be outside. I feel very fortunate to have a good A/C unit since it is mighty warm still and we aren’t opening the house to cool it off at night. I know it will pass but fall weather and RAIN cannot come soon enough. While stuck inside, I am certainly getting lots done, so that is a good thing. Take care Kathleen.

      Reply
  5. Mari

    This is a great finish Bernie! I love how it turned out. I wish I could send you the rain we are having. Until we figure out how to make that work, stay safe and I hope the smoke blows away from you soon. My brother is having the same issues, with a different fire. 2020 is just not getting better, is it? On the happy side, I’m sure your tiny granddaughter will love a happy new name banner! The things that Grammies must do. . . 🙂

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Hi Mari – I happily woke up to cool temps (53*) and clean-ish air this morning. Such a nice change! I am sure your brother is inundated with smoke and ash. It is everywhere!
      I do love my Grammy chores – nothing better. I have the pieces cut out for her bunting so just need to put it all together now. So cute!

      Reply
  6. Linda Rush

    Bernie I LOVE this quilt! I love the fabrics and the simple pattern. The quilting is just perfect, and I want to remember that center grid quilting for my next project. Even though I admire spectacularly quilted quilts, I love simple quilting best. It looks very cuddly and comforting.
    Don’t you love how our children “remind” us of quilting or sewing projects? My daughter is waiting until we move in, then she wants me to “help” her (do it for her) make some decorative pillows for her bedroom. 😉

    Reply
  7. Emily

    The entire west right now sounds absolutely terrifying. I hope you get some much needed rain soon and that things get at least a little bit better. It’s so scary.

    Your quilt looks great! I like the straight line stitching. I’ve used painter’s tape a few times but I don’t remember it as often as I could–it’s such a nice way to quilt without marking.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Hi Emily – yes the West coast is pretty much one huge smokey mess. It is scary and we are in dire need of rain. At this moment, our house is safe – it is just the smokey air that is problematic – We truly are not going outside these days. Looking out the window, one would think it was foggy. Wish it was!!
      I forget about the painter’s tape too and when I do use it, I love it. It worked well for this quilt.
      Take care and stay healthy!

      Reply
  8. Preeti Harris

    Congratulations on a lovely finish Bernie. Straight line quilting with a walking foot is my favorite.
    I agree precision is overrated. Embrace the wonky. Hope you get the much needed rain soon. Stay safe, Bernie.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Preeti. Everything is wonky these days – life in general – so my quilts may as well be too. Hahaha. Doesn’t look like rain is in the forecast for at least the next ten days but I am hoping, hoping, hoping. Take care friend.

      Reply
  9. Sandra Walker

    What a beautiful quilt Bernie! I just love the way you quilted it, especially the centre, which, btw, I didn’t even notice was ‘a bit funky’ until you pointed it out! And I love the vintage sheet on the back. The first quilt I made for my Dayna I used a sheet, and it was fine and that quilt is over 20 years old, no problem.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Hi Sandra – thank you so much! I am far from a perfectionist with my quilting – which is why I don’t think I will ever enter anything in a show. I can’t do that sort of pressure! As for the backing with a sheet, I haven’t had any issues either. Sometimes I think it is a fun way to finish a quilt and I have a small stack of them for when that opportunity happens. Some of them are so pretty!

      Reply
  10. Quiltpiecer

    Lovely quilt! I like the color combo. I’m guilty of having some quilt tops that have been put away for a few years. I’m determined to get them quilted this year, but it’s already September so may not happen. I’m in So. Calif. and the air quality is horrible. Yes, we need rain desperately, but glad the weather is starting to cool down.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      I am sorry you are also dealing with the awful air quality. Yesterday was just the worst for some reason – our air quality index was at 339! Like you, I am waiting for rain. Until then, let’s you and I just keep sewing! Pull out one of these quilt tops and finish it up!! Take care and stay inside!!

      Reply
  11. Alycia Quilts

    Beautiful quilt!! it will be loved and loved!! So – you said downieville! my aunt and uncle were forest service rangers there – and it was one of my favoritist places to visit!!! Thanks for that good memory!! Now you stay safe and do the rain dance!! we did it here in colorado… and got snow – haha – but it helped the firefighters a little bit…

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Wow, what a fun coincidence. Downieville is such an obscure, tiny place. Fun to find someone (other than locals) who knows of it. We really enjoyed having a house up there for weekends. I hope the people we sold it to are enjoying it now!

      Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Sally. I am really happy with it and also happy to have finished it!!! I don’t know why things just sit there for as long as they do. 😉

      Reply

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