Quilt Is Finished

I picked my quilt up from the shop yesterday after she had done the long arm quilting on it. Oh, it looks so pretty!!

I trimmed off all of the excess batting and fabric, and got ready to put my binding on.  When I make my binding, I put it on either an old wooden spool I have, or something that will fit onto my machine spool pin.

This way, when you are ready to sew the binding down, you don't have to wrestle the binding.  If it is a large quilt, there will be lots and lots of it!!  If I have a large spool of binding, I use my free standing thread cone holder, and set it up just next to the right side of my machine. 

This way, the binding feeds off the spool as you need it, and you can control how much to bring out at a time.   I always use a walking foot when I am putting binding down too.  Gives you much better control holding those three layers of the quilt sandwich together. 
When I begin to bind, I leave a tail of about 4 inches, and when I finish, I leave another tail of about 6 inches.  I use the no bulk method to finish off the binding, which leaves no piece overlapping another, and it gives you the perfect fit.  If any of you would like to see a tutorial on this method, I will do one on the next quilt for you.  I promise you, once you know how to do it this way, you will never do it any other way again!  Once finished with the machine sewing of binding to the front side, I press it out to the back, and then using clips, I fold the binding over and press well before I begin to hand sew binding down.  I began to hand sew the binding last night, and finished it this morning.  I took a few photos before I took the quilt in to the quilt shop, where it will reside on the wall until the Vintage Picnic line of fabric is sold out. My photos all turned out very over exposed. 

This quilt was a lot of work, but I enjoyed every single minute!!  The backing is one of my favorite prints from this line.  The aqua is just yummy!  The photo below was taken in the house before I put the binding on.  A much more true depiction of  the color.

This was taken outside.

I hated to part with it, but I know I get to keep it forever when they are done with it.  I had told myself that I wouldn't do any shop samples unless I loved the quilt!  The time it takes is tremendous, and it keeps me away from doing some of my own projects.  But..........I walked in, and they had just received their shipment of the new line by Sandy Gervais, called Refresh.  I was giving it all a longing look when Diane asked me if I wanted to do another shop sample using this fabric line.  Who could say no to that!  So off I went with another bundle of lovely Spring fabric and a fun pattern to play with.

It kind of reminds me of the beautiful vintage sheets that I have been collecting for a few years.  Such soft and pretty shades. 

This quilt is much smaller than the last one.  Only a lap size.  And no applique.  It should go together fairly easily.  And then I shall have two lovely quilts to call my own when the quilt shop is all finished using them!!!
I am going to keep this post short.  Lots to do here.  I hope everyone is enjoying this Spring weather we are having.  I loved the rain!  The skies are so fresh and blue today!!! 
Tata For Now..
xo Kris