Quilting for Abby

Don't you just love a happily ever after story? I think I've got one in the works here at Jayne's Quilting Room. 

A month ot two ago, my niece Abby and I worked out a little bartering situation. She had two old benches that she wanted rid of. They look like park benches from back in the day. The wrought iron sides hold slats for the seats and backs.

I sorta' wanted them, but just couldn't pull the trigger. She had a yard sale, and they didn't sell, so she was at the point that she just needed them gone. Knowing I'd expressed interest, she asked if we could trade benches for quilts.

Bingo! My eyes lit right up with that possibility. If anyone really wants a quilt, then they should get a quilt, right? I have so many made and ready to finish, I surely could come up with something that'd suit her taste.

We took delivery of the benches about 3 weeks ago. They are wonderful to have around out by the fire pit, and we have used them for several bonfires throughout these recent cool evenings.

In determining what suits Abby's taste in quilts, I learned that she likes  simple, traditional designs made with muted reds, whites, and blues that become soft and cushy and snuggly over time. She sent several pictures of quilts she like as well as a picture of one her family is currently enjoying.

I searched my closets and found some strong candidates for her. I sent her pics of these two quilts.

She went for them straight away. Now all I needed to do was select backing fabrics for them and quilt them up.

Easier said than done, with the way my brain works. I dithered for many days on what to use as a backing. I ended up using a large piece of batik I had on hand for the blue one, even though in my mind I don't generally think of batik as becoming soft and cushy over time. Hopefully, it will. The blue one is quilted and ready for binding. 

I loaded it Friday and quilted it Saturday. Whew! It was fun, and I really got along great. I know that using a dark backing with dark bobbin thread and a light top with white top thread is not recommended, but I think that with a laundering, the 'pokies' that show through on each side will diminish. 

I have the binding prepared for this quilt, and I will be putting it on straight away. 

The red one will go on next. I have the backing already loaded on the machine. I will stay-stitch around the quilt then load it on. I plan to use the exact same curly-que and loop-d-loop free motion design that I used on the blue one. 

Maybe by week's end I will have them both ready for delivery! 

Stay tuned!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne