"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.

 

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...

On My Short List...

I saw this quilt last week on FaceBook. It was created by Diane Miller Hedrick as a Birthday gift for her husband. I saw it posted on a page called "24 Blocks". You know about me and patriotic quilts by now. I was immediately smitten.

I don't need a pattern, per se, for this one. I can see that the stripes and stars were created with the fabric. I went on a hunt.

It didn't take me long to find what I was looking for. This fabric line is called "Stars and Stripes" (Stonehenge), and was produced by Northcott. Within the hour, I'd found a supplier and had ordered the basic fabrics I'd need to make the quilt. I still need a solid navy for the star blocks, but that won't be hard to find. The fabrics I ordered arrived yesterday. How's that for quick?

I'll draw this out on my EQ7 program (on my Mac), and I'll be able to start sewing on it next week. (Another open house on the weekend, so I'll stick to smaller projects for now. They're easier to put away quickly.)

It's always fun to dream about a new quilt even if I don't immediately have the time to work on it. But I wasn't kidding. This one is on my short list!