Friday, July 15, 2022

Handsome in red

 Hi everyone! How was your week? I'm happy to tell you that my head is a bit better. It helps to stay indoors, away from the nasty allergens outside. Thankfully, it is plenty warm and humid, so I don't mind it so much. But I do hate the treadmill! It's much better to walk outside. 
 
So, I would have shown off this quilt top much sooner today, but Google was acting very strange. It didn't want to upload photos or save things, which seem to be among its primary functions. Anybody else have that happen? Maybe it was messed up by our recent storms. It was frustrating, but I finally got everything put together correctly, just to show off this handsome red and twisty quilt top:
 
 
Hurray, it's together! This is the quilt I'm making for Preeti's Positivity quilt along, which benefits Mercyful Quilts. There is still time to jump in, and Preeti has a very easy and genius method for making the blocks. They go really fast, and even I could not mess them up.


I wanted to make my quilt gender neutral and good for anyone, and I also wanted to use up these fabrics that are not really my style. I think I succeeded on both counts. I think it looks kind of woodsy and cozy and good for people who like many different things. This quilt top finishes up at just about 60 by 76, which makes for a nice generous size.


You'll notice that I didn't make 80 blocks, as directed in the pattern. Yeah, I kind of ran out of the tan fabric. I made as many blocks as I could, then dug through a couple of bins and found these pieces that I had cut from a panel. Thank goodness I save everything, because I was able to piece them together into two large blocks to fill out the quilt top. I like how they look like puzzle pieces, too. I also added a narrow border all around the top just to corral all those seams and bring up the size a little bit.


I had to piece together the final three blocks from the leftover bits and pieces of the tan fabric. It wasn't that difficult, but I did sweat it out a bit. I did have a backup plan if I needed it, but thank goodness I didn't. As it turns out, the fabric in the picture above is literally all that's left of the tan fabric. I can't even say how happy it makes me to use all of that up. Unloved fabric turned into something cozy to comfort someone? Yes, please!


So, there is my finished quilt top! I was thinking about how to quilt this, and I think it's just going to get straight lines. I like cross hatching, so I might do that instead, but I think the straight lines would work really well for this. Open to other suggestions! I have enough of the red left for a binding, and I'm thinking about just a plain tan for the back. We'll see what I can find lurking in the stash. Before anybody asks, I did wash the red fabric before I used it, so I'm hoping it doesn't bleed. I'll wash it again before I send it off, too.


And there we are! It seems that Google is behaving now, so I'll get this posted. This weekend we are going to see my parents, which is always a treat. They now use their oven to store cookies, and have discovered the joys of takeout. I think that's the makings of a great visit! Everyone enjoy your weekend!


Sharing at Finished or not Friday, Brag About Your Beauties, the Patchwork and Quilts linkup at Quilting Patchwork Applique, and the Positivity linkup at Needle and Foot.

17 comments:

Nann said...

The panel squares add such visual interest to the design!

Sara said...

I think it turned out great a. The panel sections worked well.

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting said...

Wow, fabulous finish, and for such a great cause! I love how you added in the extra little panels.

piecefulwendy said...

I am so glad you are feeling better, but I agree about the treadmill vs. walking outdoors! Your quilt looks great, I like the combination of the red and tan. Adding in the panels was a great idea, too!

scraphappy said...

Having those extra panel pieces makes your quilt unique. It couldn't have worked out better if you had planned it that way.

quiltingbydawn said...

Nice job! It always feels good to use up not so loved fabric with positive results. I agree that those added panel pieces makes it look like a puzzle! I'm sure it will be loved by whomever receives it! Love your photos!

Laura said...

Very creative, and it turned out terrific! :)

The Joyful Quilter said...

The panels you added really make that quilt top, Mari! It's nice to have a place for the viewer's eye to rest. Happy quilting! This will make a lovely donation for Mercyful Quilts.

LA Paylor said...

the printed inserts just sing in that red quilt! Looks good and green there, all that rain. We even got 25 drops of rain today! The sound you hear is the trees slurping it up!

Ivani said...

It is beautiful and you had a great idea including the mini painels Mari.

Bernie Kringel said...

I have to say, I LOVE the panel blocks. It makes it so interesting. I may steal the idea for my quilt. It would work with some of the fabrics I am chopping up for the blocks. Gotta think on this for a bit. :-)

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Mari! What a beaut this quilt is. I just LOVE the dark red with the tan and those cardinal/pinecone insets are so perfect. The leftover tan pieces aren't going to take up too much room in your scrap bin! That's a huge win for you and someone will really love receiving this wonderful quilt. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

That definitely is handsome in red, Mari! I love your lighter Twisties with the darker red as background. And the bird prints are so perfect with the red and green prints. Beautiful!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

I am glad google finally behaved so we could see this!! it is beautiful!!
I like how you used those panels!

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Very striking quilt! Love the bird panels you incorporated into the quilt. I also hate the indoor bicycle, but guess it is safer than walking in the horrible heat wave we are experience in in South Texas. Yesterday was 111 and today and the rest of the week will be higher! UGH - I am counting the weeks for September. We need a tropical depression to breat the drought and heat. Hope that comes In August! Hugs

Preeti said...

So handsome that I would happily cuddle with him :-) Stay cool.

Nikki said...

great quilt. Love the i spy blocks! Clever!