"Tribute To Betsy" Quilt - Complete...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Tribute To Betsy" Quilt Detail

My current quilt project is machine quilted, bound, and complete! I shared photos with the Brynwood Needleworks FaceBook page today and was asked about the flags, and whether or not they were actual little flags sewn into the quilt.

If you look closely, you can see that they've all been pieced. There is a block of stars, joined to a short stripe strip, and then joined to a longer stripe strip. You can see in the flag in the bottom of this picture, they aren't all matching and perfectly pieced. They definitely weren't little flags. They were pieced.

I wanted to keep the quilting as simple as possible, to follow the lead of the simplicity of the finished quilt. Straight lines all around.

Brynwood Needleworks - Completed "Tribute To Betsy" Quilt

 

So, here is my finished "Tribute to Betsy". I've even sewn a little symbolism into the borders. There are nine parallel lines that march around the outside of the quilt. The nine lines represent the nine letter in our last name. 

 

I've got my Brynwood label on the back, but I'll also add another label with the quilt name, my name, date and location where the quilt was created. I'll do that today, handstitching it onto the back when I've printed it out.

 

I also worked on another project yesterday, so you can expect to see that tomorrow. Hint: I'm already working on the next holiday! 

So, I have a question for you. Do you add symbolic touches to your work? If so, does it depend on the piece, or is your secret touch consistent on everything? I'd love to know.

 

A Good Sunday...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Sandwich Bread

I know I made French bread last week, but Handsome requested sandwich bread, so I made a double batch yesterday. A double batch yielded five loaves, and again, the farmhouse smelled heavenly.
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Nearly Finished Tribute To Betsy Quilt

 

I was concurrently working on finishing my quilt, but got interrupted. I opened the package of batting, only to find out that the last batt I had was already cut into (I usually mark the outside of the package), and I didn't have enough on hand to do the quilt.

 

As soon as I put the completed dough into the pans for the last rise, I ran out to Walmart to get more "Warm & Natural" quilt batting. I got home in time to put the bread into the oven, and then went back to the studio to work on my quilt.

 

I accomplished a lot, but not enough to get to the binding. I'll finish quilting today, and then add the binding. I'll share the fully completed quilt on Wednesday. Tag will be back tomorrow!

 

Background Chosen...

Brynwood Needleworks - Tribute To Betsy Border and Background Fabrics

 

It's been snowing and blowing all night, but I managed to get to Menasha yesterday before the storm. I had to get a bit more border fabric (the one right under the pattern page), and then chose the fabric I'll be using as the back of my quilt. It's another coordinate from a different line from Primitive Gatherings, and the colors are almost identical.

So, while it's blustery and cold outside, I'll be busy working to complete this quilt over the weekend. Of course, I'll be back to the Habitat to make sure there's food for the critters and birds, too. Tag and Bella will only go out when they have to, spending the rest of their day inside with Handsome and me.

Hot coffee is definitely on my agenda this morning, and then it's off to the studio to get this quilt done. See you tomorrow!

Quilt Top and Fresh Bread...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Tribute To Betsy" Quilt Top

I got a lot accomplished yesterday. In addition to making and baking five loaves of French bread, I assembled the "Tribute To Betsy" quilt top. I can't believe how perfect the fabric I bought at Primitive Gatherings this week matches up with the flag blocks I made. It's spot on!

Brynwood Needleworks - Primitive Gatherings "Stars & Stripe Gatherings" Fabric Detail

 

Not only are the colors a near perfect match, but the design on the fabric couldn't be better either. Look at the tiny, little stars! 

I'm going back to Menasha today to get my background fabric, and I may get another coordinate (or more of this fabric) to make the quilt top slightly larger. The finished quilt is supposed to be 57" square, but I'm thinking I'd like it just a bit bigger. I'll get my fabric, and then decide as I work on it back at home.

My plan is to finish it as done by the designer (Em & Me Designs), with an all-over stipple quilting. I think I should keep the design simple, in keeping with the flavor of the quilt. I'll finish this one over the weekend, and then I'll begin my work on the dresses for my nieces. (I can't wait!) I'll have photos on Monday to show you this finished quilt.

The Search Is Over...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fabrics For "Tribute To Betsy"

I purchased a kit for a patriotic quilt top years ago, when Kathy D. and I were visiting quilt shops in the Madison area. I started assembly of that piece over a year ago, but came to a screeching halt when it was time to join the flag blocks with the background fabric included with the quilt.

What the shop included was a blush-y/primitive dyed fabric that, in my mind, was of a color wholly inappropriate for the project. I set it aside, and figured I'd wait until I could find something I liked better to finish assembling this quilt.

Brynwood Needleworks - Background Fabric Information

 

After Sit & Stitch on Tuesday, I met up with Kathy at Primitive Gatherings (the shop). I started looking at Lisa's "Star & Stripe Gatherings" line. Kathy pulled this fabric, and after laying my flag blocks on top of it, we declared that it would be perfect. I bought the fabric and brought it home.

 

Yesterday was a "running day", but I'm home today, so I'll assemble this quilt top. This is a really simple design, putting Old Glory front and center throughout the design, with my chosen background fabric used as sashing and borders.

 

I haven't chosen the fabric for the back of this quilt (yet), but I'm sure it will be from the same line. Once the front is assembled, I'll make another trip to the shop to choose the backing. I'll show more as my quilt develops...

Memorial Day - Resting and Reflecting...

"Tribute to Betsy" Flag Blocks

I began blocks for the "Tribute To Betsy" flag quilt by Em and Me Designs on Friday. I had hoped to have the quilt top finished by this morning, but it was hot yesterday and I didn't want to fire up my machine in my un-air conditioned farmhouse studio. (I'm not complaining. There's always a breeze here at the farm, and it keeps the house cool enough. I just didn't want to add heat upstairs.)

The twenty four blocks are now complete and squared, so I'll cut the sashing and borders first. After those are cut, I'll assess whether or not I'll turn on the machines and sew, too. I'd really like to get it assembled today, so I'm leaning toward sewing.

Kitchen Garden Finished

We completed our kitchen garden yesterday, too. We got up early to do the mulching before the sun was shining down on the garden. We did pretty well, too!

I'd love to think that I might someday look like Tasha Tudor, working barefoot in the gardens, but the reality is that the only similarity is my bare feet. Gardening is a pretty unglamorous pursuit for me (especially when my hair is at this awkward stage). I have to tie it out of my face, and well, you get the picture. I have a decision to make before my hair appointment tomorrow (go short or keep growing).

Anyway, I digress...We're really proud of our hard work, as we watched last year's planting emerge, and then, added more to compliment what's already there. We weeded, cleaned up, planted and mulched. Now, we'll just make sure it's all watered in every day, until it rains and Mother Nature takes over for us.

Farmhouse Kitchen Garden

On this end, I have new sweet basil plants, cilantro (that's decided to spread since last year!), mint, chives, silver thyme, and rosemary. Four of the five hostas re-emerged and are already doubled in size, I added a red Dianthus in the opening left by the fifth hosta, creeping phlox along the front, and lots of English lavender. I also planted three shasta daisies around the bird bath in the corner (Mom Grace's favorite flowers), and hollyhocks and delphiniums along the back wall.

We put down newsprint to hold back the weeds, and then generously covered it with the mulch. I've left room around all the plants so they can get nice and full, too.

I have plans for the grassy area to the right of this garden, too. We're going to pull the cracked slab in front of our "friends and family" entrance, and then have it repoured, along with a walkway in front of this garden to meet up with the orphaned sidewalk in front of the porch.

Once that's done, we'll add a section of garden across from this one. I'm still planning, but think there will be an ornamental tree and more herbs and flowers installed. We'll probably do all of that next spring. For now, I'm going to sit back and admire the fruits of our labor.

Soon, we'll be able to begin harvesting some of the herbs. I'll be making pesto and lavender jelly to share with family and friends. We already have fresh mint to add to our lemonades, and the fresh herbs will be a nice addition to our grilling and fresh vegetables. All our hard work will be well worth every minute.

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As you go about your day today, spending time with family and friends (or just doing something you love), please take time to remember and honor the sacrifices of those who gave their all for the freedoms we enjoy.

 Memorial Day. We will not forget...