"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.

 

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.

A Little Holiday-Inspired Quilt...

"Tribute To Betsy" Quilt Pattern

 

I have a number of quilt kits that I'm sorting through. Some I will keep, and some I will make available in my shop. This is a quilt I'm going to keep and make...perhaps this weekend. This was a kit I purchase a few summers ago when Kathy and I went on one of our annual shopping days (in the Sun Prairie, WI area).

 

It's called "Tribute To Betsy" (from Em and Me Designs), and I have everything I need to complete the top, except backing, which I'll choose from my fabric room. When complete, it will measure 52" x 57", with 24 flag blocks in the design.

I can imagine this quilt placed across the back of my chair on the porch, or resting in the hammock we'll be hanging from the trees in our northern tree line. I love the simplicity of this design, and look forward to using it.