Final Finish!

I mentioned in my last post that I thought I'd have a quilting finish before the end of the year.  You may have noticed, but I've not been sewing a lot this year.  When I have, I have been working on this quilt.  I decided to give it to my sister for Christmas.  Long story, the gift was very unexpected by her for many reasons.  No one knew I was doing it except my husband.  When my sister opened it, she started crying.  It was a very touching moment.

The photos, taken at night and inside, don't really show the richness of the reds.   I don't prewash my fabrics and didn't have any problems with bleeding at all.  I washed the quilt with Retayne which is a color fixative.  I also washed my Christmas Harvest Quilt with it.  These two quilts are made with fabrics from two different manufacturers.   

I also tried a new to me technique - machine binding.  I machine bound placemats before and was not pleased with the result.  This is a HUGE quilt and I just didn't have the time to hand sew the binding down.  Also, I thought a machine binding would be more durable.  My quilter recommended Susies's Magic Binding.   I used the stitch in the ditch foot for my walking foot and it worked so very well.  Definitely a technique I'll use again.  

This quilt was a BOM from Michael Miller from 2012.  

Looking back over 2014, I wanted to thank you for sticking with me.  I've not posted as much this year and probably will never reach posting a couple of times a week again.  I do plan on posting once a month and think I can reasonably meet/beat that schedule.  Your visits, comments and YOUR blogs inspire me so much.  I need that inspiration!  

At 2015 is just around the corner, I am feeling very hopeful and inspired. I hope you are too!  I'm not going to post a 2014 retrospective or goals for 2015.  But I will send you all a wish for a happy, healthy and safe new year - a year that is hopefully full of happy stitches!  Much love to you all!


Those of you who are stitchers may want to check out the blog for my EGA Chapter.  Lots of great finishes showcased!

Sarah Elizabeth Brooke

I have a last stitching finish for the year to share with you.  Oddly enough, this was one of my two New Years starts.  I finished both - the other was Sarah Seifer.  The color is off in the pic here.  Sure was a fun stitch.  The thread used for the house bricks is just one color - the beauty of a variegated skein of thread! 

Sarah Elizabeth Brooke 1842

The Scarlet House

40 Count LL Vintage Light Examplar

Called for Belle Soie 

Substituted Mer for Herb Garden

I think I'll be back before the end of the year with a quilting finish too - the red and white quilt I've been working on for a very long time!  

Wishing you all a happy holiday season - and a safe one as well.  Greg and I have had a relatively stress free one but this weekend is going to be a busy.  We'll enjoy it though!  Since our kids are older there isn't much stress in the season.  We're pros and have learned to pace ourselves!  Haha! (you probably shouldn't believe all of that)