OK, so here it is, my Spectrum quilt finished except for the binding. I decided to quilt it with a lot of texture and a violet thread. I used some white Hobbs 80/20 batting, a little flatter batting. It’s got a ‘lot’ of texture!

I learned a lot while making this. I hadn’t paper pieced in years but that comes back pretty quickly. The paper piece part of this quilt is very simple.  I should have taken the paper off the piece sooner and everything would have lined up perfectly but I learn my best lessons through hindsight.

Getting varying shades of grey is important if you want the gradient look. If you look closely you’ll see the colors also fade from left to right. I now need to pick a binding. I found this backing in my stash and it doesn’t photo well but has all the colors from dark to light so I might use that for binding. I found the best places to get solid fabrics was at Lolly’s and Yoder’s department store in Shipshewana In.

Now that I know what I’m doing with this pattern, I have some other ideas for making it again but with different colors and backgrounds. It won’t happen right away. I have many other quilts that need finishing first. Doesn’t everyone?

If you want this pattern here is a link to Coleens website: Northwater Quilts.  She will be teaching this class in Feb 9, 2019, in Evansville, Indiana for the Raintree Quilters Guild.

This is Martha’s Strip Sensation Mystery Quilt. The quilting design is Two Simple, her batting is Hobbs 80/20 and the thread is pale green. It’s lovely!

Here are quilts for the Veteran Honor flight being sponsored with Quilts out of Delphine’s Quilt shop. Cathy pieced and is donating this one.

And this one

Martha pieced these.

Martha came over for another sewing day on my Spectrum quilt. I’m really grateful for her help.  Its a little more challenging than I thought it would be. The sewing isn’t hard but getting all the pieces in the correct place is.   The darkest corner was done and we added a couple more diagonal rows.

It’s hard to see in the photo but the background grey fabrics are getting lighter. The colored pieces are also getting lighter. This will continue each diagonal row until I get to the lower right corner. You can see the pattern on the floor. I’m using it as a guide to laying this out. The sections are paper pieced so I’m pinning them onto the design board. We are just about half way there.  I’m running out of design board. I think I have to put some blocks together to make more space.

I’ve decided to sew the diagonal pieces so I can grab the #2 grey & the #2 color pieces and not get them mixed up. Design board is a must.

Spectrum quilt pattern is by Coleen Merte and can be found on her website http://www.northwaterquilts.com.  If you want to quilt along with me here’s what the finished quilt looks like.

You were expecting ladies with fins right?  This is a pattern by Colorgirlquilts.com using her Classic Curves Ruler. Cathy’s made this Mermaid Quilt. It’s quilted with Modern Curves allover design. A couple more of us have these in the works. I’ll post photos when they are done. I like how this turned out.

I’ve returned from a trip to visit my daughter and stopped in Shipshewana, Indiana on the way home.  This barn sign is across from the post office near Lolly’s quilt shop. It’s also a great place to park.

I went in looking for a specific fabric for a friend and came out with some fabrics I couldn’t resist from the sale room. I also grabbed some stripe and herringbone for bindings.

What great luck, they had wide backing for 1/2 off. I’ve had my eye on some Tim Holtz wide back. They also carry some 60″ wide flannel, which will be nice for smaller pieces.

I didn’t go into Yoder’s this time but they always have some cool notions and great bundles of fabric.

I miss my daughter already but I’m glad to be home.

Here’s Kathy’s 5 & Dime quilt. The quilting design is Brittany B2B, White Hobbs 80/20 batting & silver thread.

She chose a print backing. You can still see the texture. 

This is a vintage quilt Kathy finished with a bird print border. I dropped this over a chair for the photo. The quilting design is Frond, the batting is Hobbs 80/20 cream & the thread color is blue.

She chose a flower print for backing fabric. This is a nice little quilt. 

So I still have a few more client quilts in my closet to do. Martha S, Connie M, Cathy L & Liz C I’m getting there. Connie’s is next & then Cathy L.

I have 3 openings for Sept 24th – 27th retreat at the Lake Huron Conference Center. I need to know before Aug 1 if you want to fill a space. We have to report our info to the conference center so they can prepare for us. Email or call me if you want to attend.

I know it’s been hot and humid but soak in what you can because the days of summer are flying by!

Enjoy!