I’m sort of on a roll!
I finished 3xS (Stars, Squares, and Scraps)!
I’m enjoying the way some of the squares and HSTs disappear into the backing fabric. There’s unexpected depth to the pattern because of that.
I used Sandi’s mid-arm frame again. As I’ve said previously, I’ve given up on the Janome, and after quilting this top, given up on the Little Gracie II frame entirely. It’s just too limited for what I want to do, for what I’m capable of doing.
Anyway, the details! The entire thing was quilted on Saturday, the 24th. I used a pale aqua-ish thread in the top, and the same light grey Bottom Line in the bobbin. Rather than do an all-over meander again, I got brave decided to play a little. This time, I did three leafed clover shapes in varying sizes. Getting braver yet, I set myself a challenge to echo each of the leaves in one of the clovers, and discovered I could do it with a decent amount of accuracy. I then randomly spaced the echoed clovers through the quilting.
I wasn’t sure how the quilting would show up after washing – I experimented and used a wool batting in this quilt. I’d bought the wool batting with the intention of hand-quilting a different project. However, since this was my January goal for finishes, I figured I ought to just use the wool rather than buying more batting. This particular batting required quilting in every four inches – I didn’t see that as a problem, though I expected this top to take me quite a while to finish quilting.
I can’t tell you what any of the prints in the backing are – I didn’t save the selvage for the lovely print on the left. The purple paisley was a scrap cut from Fat Quarter Shop. The purple floral print was something from Joann’s, and the smallest cut of fabric in the backing was something I bought ages ago and cut the selvage off.
To give this a really strong finish, I used up a yard(ish) of a fabric that had been in my stash for ages. I cut 3″ wide strips, and made sure I left half an inch of batting all around the top’s edges when I trimmed down the batting and backing after quilting. As a result, I’ve got a nice wide, and full, binding on this top.
Linking to A Lovely Year of Finishes, for my January finish!
Also marking this for the 2015 Finish Along! My list of goals is here!
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Grey Cat Quilts 
Not sure what the S is, but I like this : )
🙂 3xS is my shorthand for the name for this quilt: Stars, Squares and Scraps. It was the only thing I could think of, so I’m leaving it, lol.
Looks fantastic .. I love scrap quilts. Love the clover quilting – looks fun!
I don’t live very close to any of the shops here that rent time on their longarm machines, but someday I’d really like to try one out.
I’m in love with machine quilting on a frame! I keep trying FMQ on my domestic, but it’s not a fan. Eventually, I might master it, or I might just figure out a way to get at least a mid-arm machine into my home.
That’s a great pattern for scrap use! Love the effect. Renting time on a longarm isn’t feasible for me, either, so I’m always jealous of those who can. ;D
Unfortunately, it’s not feasible for me to rent time on a longarm either. I’m just lucky to have a friend who doesn’t object to me using her mid-arm frame. If it weren’t for that, all of my projects would stop at the top phase and go no further.
What a great use of scraps! It makes you want to move in close and check out each individual piece. Thanks for linking to TGIFF!
I love scrappy quilts! I’ve got another one planned – I still have plenty of scraps to use.
Lovely scrap quilt, with depth! Well done!
Thanks so much! I had a lot of fun with this quilt.
This is a beautiful quilt, I too love how some of the pattern blends into your background. Also your quilting is a nice compliment to the design.
Thank you! I wasn’t sure at all how this would work out, but I’m really happy.