Back...Back...Backings....

I was going to make backings on my retreat but that doesn't sound very exciting! LOL 

I'm hoping to get them pieced and done before my retreat,

This little one will be easy to back. No piecing necessary. 

This one is just large enough to need to piece it. 53" square

I have bits and pieces, hardly any over 1 yard. Here's a photo I snapped to my machine quilter- asking her which one she prefers. LOL Too many decisions and it is easier for me to ask her advice. We went with the one on the left with a few more similar prints.

I got a backing pieced for this one too and it is on it's way to Ohio! Perfect since I swapped with my quilter, Kathy, from Ohio. (swapped with Kevin too!)

These are next in line for backings. 

I start by taking out larger pieces from my stash and putting them where I can see them all.

There is usually a measuring tape and math equations involved!! LOL 

A classic from 1999!! As Sandra Starley said on Facebook- the 1900's!! LOL

Love the details on the selvage. 

I had planned on working Monday night on these, then was reminded about a meeting I needed to attend. At the meeting an older man side swiped my new car!! EEeck! The repair shop is an hours drive away so that is what I took care of Tuesday (spendy sideswipe estimate). There is always today!

Lincoln Blocks and More!

 I've made a little progress on the Lincoln blocks. I need to get a few Ohio stars cut out now to catch up with the 16 patches. This is a fun bold project to work on!

I got some of this in 108" wide for a backing on the Fall Festival quilt. 

It has made its way to the quilters! Sometimes on an especially large quilt an extra wide backing is so much easier than piecing. 

And then others are pieced, as usual. This is my backing for the Bricks of Wabash Co blue and tan quilt. This one made its way to the quilters as well. 

My Instagram feed for the week. It's been a good week!!

Make it a wonderful weekend!

Vintage Quilt from Arkansas

 I showed a small section of this quilt the other day and a few asked to get a closer look. Today the weather was perfect for photo taking outdoors.
I purchased this humble quilt from a friend's sister because the style didn't really suit her decor. It came from Arkansas and it looks to be from 1890-1910's. That fan quilting is amazing and I even used it to make a fan quilting pattern for myself to use on another quilt.

The back has faint signs of feedsack writing. This is the clearest section. 

It appears to say B-R-I-C

the below it S-H-E-E

It's one of my favorite vintage quilts!

Frantic Friday!

I'm not frantic but this post may be! I'm continuing to recap my wonderful weekend.

I told you I went to the quilt exhibit at Quiltworks. Well Saturday they were having a parking lot sale. It wasn't the quilt store, just quilters who needed to get rid of some stuff.  Needless to say I found a few items to come home with me.

I've made one of these, but still couldn't pass this up. Isn't it cute? I can add a few stitches and finish it up and it will make a wonderful gift.

 Painted quilt block boards to put up on your house, barn, or garage.

The weather had been extremely hot and this day was too. I think they would have had more people selling if it wasn't 100 degrees!

 I found some classic Pilgrim and Roy prints.

 And a few other beauties I couldn't pass up.

Isn't the piece of toile pretty?

 Later that day I attended the Vintage flea market at Pomegranate Home and Garden. (first Saturday of the month all summer long)

 And picked up this cute little red chair. It will fit perfect in my home.

As far as any sewing......

 I'm probably the only one that could read my notes on how I want to piece my quilt backs.  I'm not sure I'll be able to figure it out when I get to this one! LOL

 I did get one backing pieced.

 And fabrics chose for one more. This is going to be for my Stars in a Time Warp top.

These sheep made their way into another pieced backing.

My son and gf have finally made a decision about where they are traveling next. (they've been traveling around the western part of the US for a month) and now they are in Boston, heading to Norway, then Denmark.  My son hiked for a month in Norway and lived for a year in Denmark, so it will be fun for him to show his girlfriend around that area. We'll miss them, but we are glad they aren't heading to South America. (not yet anyway!)

And my Instagram feed for the week.

Adventure awaits! make it a great weekend!

More Thoughts on Fabric Shopping

I had thought about this post since having a question about it at the guild meeting last Monday. I saw Diane's thoughtful  post HERE and am following up with my own blog post. 

My fabric shopping has changed with my quilt style. Almost always I stop by Fabric Depot when I head into Portland- it's right on my way to my daughters. It is huge and can get overwhelming if you are just going in without a plan. 

 First, look what I saw the last time I was there. This lovely display of Victoria Findley's new fabric line and a wonderful story that I took the time to read. Congrats Victoria!!

And then there is rows and rows of beautiful fabric.

Lovely Lovely reproductions. 

 Oh wow! I haven't seen these before. Carolina Blues by Paula Barnes. I LOVE them!

Even with 30% off everything I think 9.45 is more than I like to pay if I don't have a plan for the yardage..  Unless I'm  looking for something really specific I rarely purchase yardage at Fabric Depot.

This is my favorite corner (remnants) and it suites most of the quilts I make- scrappy. 

 Here's a fun piece of reproduction. 

A gorgeous piece designed by Laundry Basket Quilts

 Lots of fun modern pieces too!

The last time I was at Fabric Depot I did purchase 1 yard of Bella solid- Fig Tree Cream for the 1857 quilt, but I also found these lovely reproductions on the remnant rack. The blue one is by French General and the madder is a lovely repro by Judie Rothermel. I also grabbed that great piece of linen. All 3 of these were about $7. I'm happy making purchases this way.

Now you know why most of my quilt backs are pieced with various fabric! I forgot to show you the back of Jill's Jewel Box on Monday. These fabrics came from her stash as well.

Have a wonderful Wednesday! I'm finally feeling better.

Backing Prepping

I didn't have a lot of energy or brain power to do much sewing but I had to do SOMETHING! So, I made backings this weekend. 

I don't have many large fabric  pieces and if you've seen many of my quilts you'll know most of my backs are pieced with a variety of fabric. 

I'm planning on Baptist fans for this quilt. 

 Backing for 9 patch/ snowball

Fan quilting on this one too.

Backing for Jewel Box

Legends and Lace Basket sampler

Basket sampler backing

Ohio Sampler 

Backing for Ohio Sampler 

Not too exciting for a Monday post and for some reason I couldn't get the photos to load the proper direction.

Have a wonderful Monday!