It has been Bind-a-palooza around this place lately. That is another way of saying that I got two quilts back from the long-arm quilter and instead of letting them sit around I have bound them toot.sweet.
Now I will drag out share a story of how my mind works. Let's start at the beginning.
I think clicking to make big shows better representations of the quilt, although photographing red with black and white is nearly impossible.
In the beginning Gillian bought a new couch that while she could afford it, she didn't love it. Wouldn't it be great if Mum could make a quilt to throw over it? That would be great, thought the Mum. I have posted the real beginning of this story before, but a recap: Gillian is the easiest person to quilt for. She likes simple lines and can make her mind up quickly. At the quilt shop she saw a quilt she liked, chose all the fabrics (twenty fat quarters with no repeaters) in one trip and left me to it.
This is what 20 fat quarters can do for a quilt top. The pattern is from an Atkinson Designs book, Happy Hour. Apparently Gillian and Terry Atkinson have a similar aesthetic, the last quilt she chose was Yellow Brick Road by the same designer.
Happy Hour is a cleverly conceived pattern book. There are designs perfectly written for using fat quarters, but after the initial cuts are made there are still substantial scraps. Luckily, there are projects designed expressly for using those scraps. One of the ideas is to strip the scraps, add another fabric and make another quilt top. I thought about that for almost obsessively while I pieced the top and while it was a close call, in the end I decided to add some of the scraps to the back of the quilt (isn't that zebra fabric awesome!?).
I did have to add two fat quarters to the mix, only because a couple of the original fqs were smaller than the standard size.
I am so glad that I got to the binding right away. There is something about finishing up WsIP that clears the brain for new projects (am I the only one that is bugged by that, the WIPs vs. WsIP? I mean they are works in progress, not work in progresses and while I get the WIPs idea, I just cannot bring myself to use it. Is there a rule that covers that?). I sent Gillian's quilt off to her and I'm hoping it arrives today. I can't wait for her to get it and love it. (Note to Gillian: You WILL love it. That is all I want to hear, got it?)
Princess (more commonly known as Prinna or other not as kind nicknames) acknowledges that you appreciate her beauty and wisdom. I appreciate that at least one person realized how flipping difficult it is to photograph a cat! Even the most docile old woman of a cat will move anywhere and look everywhere to avoid the camera lens. I tried again today and ended up barely breathing I was laughing so hard with the effort. Or maybe it was the costume I was forcing her to wear. Maybe I'll post them if I can get my battery to stay charged long enough to get them onto my computer.
One hundred four. Or day six. You haven't seen the last of this fabric, not by a long shot, BUT, seeing as I would like my scrap project to be a surprise for Gillian and I am posting every day this month, you will just have to wait for me to dribble out the rest of the fun!
That quilt is fantastic. I love the simple and geometric style.
Posted by: Carole | November 06, 2009 at 07:22 AM
Each square is a piece of art and what a great idea for the backing!
Posted by: margene | November 06, 2009 at 07:40 AM
It's a wonderful quilt; simple, clean graphics, yet your eye always has something interesting to land on.
Posted by: Ruth | November 06, 2009 at 07:44 AM
I'm with Gillian, that's my kind of quilt! Simple and with PUNCH! Great job. Love the striped back.
Posted by: Judy | November 06, 2009 at 07:52 AM
What a lovely quilt! It nice to see piecing on the back a bit too, really makes it custom.
Posted by: Renee | November 06, 2009 at 08:22 AM
I love the zebra fabric!
Posted by: CyndiG | November 06, 2009 at 08:43 AM
I bow before anyone who can sew.
Posted by: susan | November 06, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Terry...I love it! I have this book too...now I want to make a quilt from it. :)
Posted by: Kim | November 06, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Oh the giggle I got from the costuming of the cat! Your camera will be rendered useless if she has her way. Hehe.
Love the quilt! May Gillian love it too.
Posted by: Manise | November 07, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Wow - I really love that quilt. It's striking, modern, cool, and filled with so much love. You are such a talented and loving person. Gillian is so lucky to have you.
Posted by: Jennifer | November 07, 2009 at 09:46 AM