My First Quilt Top

I finally finished my quilt squares a couple of days ago and it looks like if I add some borders I can make it big enough for the queen size bed in our guest room. I'll be bringing it to class on Monday - can't wait to hear what our teacher Mary has to say about my intersections. Let's just say I never realized how much 1/16" matters when piecing it all together. Luckily, I don't think anyone else would even bother to notice that they are a bit off and I want it to have a home grown look anyway.I'm really happy with how the fabrics turned out together. I started with the center fabric in the photo - an "oriental" fabric with abstract tulips and went from there, bringing on four other fabrics (two of which are Amy Butler, one of those young, fabric designer moms that I envy.)


I think to some it may seem like a bit much - my friend Julie who works at the quilting shop thinks I have an aversion to solids - but I just love it and can't wait to wrap up in it - I adore the exquisite functionality of the fabric arts. It definately takes on a very different tone than my grandmothers quilts, especially with the bolder, more contemporary patterns in the fabric.


But my hope is that once it is actually quilted it will attain that timeless quality that her quilts seem to have. Since I've begun this new endeavor I often go to my old quilt that she made for me when I graduated highschool. It is extremely weathered now and barely hanging on - in some places there are just stitch holes where the quilting thread used to be. But you can still see the intricate, hand stitched design, especially on the back. It truley blows my mind that she once pumped several of these out on a regular basis.


Our next project in class is a Rail Fence (or Fence Rail) quilt. I've already bought the fabrics with the very last of my grant money and I think it will be amazing - check back for the finished results.


On a completely separate note, Rodeo de Santa Fe starts up soon and Finn decided to get decked out in my cowboy boots and hat the other day. Yee haw!