New Patriotic Quilt

 I successfully completed my BIG "secret sewing project" a few days ago. So, being in-between BIG projects, I decided to sew up a patriotic quilt I cut out 6 months ago.

Standing Strong is a pattern designed by Shabby Fabrics for use as a Quilt of Valor pattern. Find it on the Shabby Fabrics website here: Standing Strong Pattern

Here is my completed top. The instructions are clear for all the cutting--each fabric is cut in a variety of sizes. It only took two days to construct the top, since all the cutting had been done months ago. But, you have to be very careful to follow the layout diagram as you assemble each long column. Keeping the fabrics labeled correctly is essential: Blue #1, # 2, Red #1, #2 , Cream #1, #2, etc.: I used up lots of fat quarters and parts of fat quarters so mine is pretty scrappy: 

The two borders are great pieces from the line Olde Glory by Sandy Gervais for MODA fabrics. They have been in storage for quite a while. I love the outer border--it is the Pledge of Allegiance:

I have selected the back and batting, made the binding and will add it to the "Quilt Labels Needed" list. Eventually, I'll quilt and finish it.

Another fun thing I get to do is meet by ZOOM with 9-12 friends in the UK and Spain. We had been meeting weekly for an hour beginning early this year, but we are all getting busier now so we are on an every-other-week schedule at the moment. And we are taking August off. 

Say hi to the ladies, hosted by my wonderfully talented friend, Barbara Chainey:

When we talk about the weather, as we are likely to do each time, I have my phone handy so I can convert Celsius to Fahrenheit. Somehow, when they complain about it being 32 I don't get it until I realize that's 90 to me. I love their accents and the fun words we don't use, like "car park" and "fortnight". We share what we're doing quilt-wise and life-wise. Today I saw a Western Sun quilt in the quilting phase, that was the class I taught for them in February. It is lovely and fun to see them getting made.

It can be a small world.

Let's quilt.

Barbara