Friday 17 July 2015

jumping the queue {a finish}





close up of the lacy quilting 


I wasn't going to finish this quilt off just yet, lots of other things to deal to first. But, my daughter spotted it, and - you know where this is going to go don't you? - we know someone who really needs a colourful quilty hug just now! So I re-organised things, and jumped this lapquilt up to next in the queue. Probably in just a bit too much of a rush I think, look what I did...


 I was just 2" too short! 
*note to self - remember the old 'measure twice, cut once' rule next time! 













This is the second HST values quilt I've made recently, they are fast becoming yet another of my 'go-to' patterns for using up all those scraps! You can use value - the lights & darks -  in a predicable and repetitive way like here or, you can play a little more and end up with something a bit more scattered like I did on this quilt! {click here for more details & inspiration about this quilt} The machine quilting is in an allover lacy pattern by Annette de Raat, and looks very pretty on the all-solids backing!  

I found a few interesting binding links, there's lots around. This one here is a machine-binding-tutorial and seems do-able but I haven't tried it yet, and this one has some excellent binding tips for attaching the binding. Which do you prefer to do... to machine stitch both sides down or machine then hand stitch to finish off?

Linking up to tgiff over here this week


15 comments:

Sew Quilt Designs said...

Love those half square triangles...looks great :)

Karyn said...

Sounds like it's going to a good home.

I always hand sew the back of the binding down. I reckon I would 'miss' in a lot of places trying to machine the whole thing!

Julie said...

Your daughter makes a great quilt pimp:) I enjoy handsewing the binding down - it's quite relaxing after everything else is finished with the sewing and so nice to knot off that final stitch.
Have a great weekend.

Melanie said...

I always machine stitch the binding. I hate sewing by hand so this is my option :)
It might not be perfect yet, but I am getting better besides I feel like it will be more durable.

Unknown said...

I always machine stitch the binding with the same experience as Melanie. Every quilt is better. Sometime it will be perfect.
This quilt is beautiful. Playing with the color values results in keeping my eyes looking for patterns. I like that. Great gift and do not forget to be proud at yoour daughter!!

Tawa said...

Thanks for the links to binding tutorials, my attempts so far have been suitable for family lap quilts, but not much more. I actually got completely side tracked looking at the dish you store your threads in. Great idea for all those antique dishes with a chip or two.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Hi, it took me a while to get my bindings really good, wish I’d found that 2nd post earlier, never mind!
Yes, I love the little dish, Carltonware. The bottom of it has a little stain that I can’t remove and there is a repaired chip in the side... but it’s perfectly pretty for my sewing bits! L

M-R Charbonneau said...

What a fun scrappy goodness! Thanks of linking up to TGIFF!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Thank you! Ha-ha, my daughter is my biggest fan! I do hand sew the back of my bindings down, but I am finding though, if it’s a big quilt my hands get really sore. So I was hoping to find an easy way out! Sounds like practice is the key with machine binding, I must give it a go next time!

Sue said...

Oh wow Linda, looks like youré a great machine quilter. Your daughters new quilt looks fabulous! Do I know you from Auckland Quilt Guild?

Sue said...

Sorry Linda - Just re-read that Anette de Wraat did the quilting. Lovely!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Thank you! Yes, I’m always looking for ways to use up those precious scrappy pieces! And thanx for stopping by, Linda

Mystic Quilter said...

Lovely HST quilt Linda - lucky daughter! Annette does great quilting she has done a few for me in the past.

Stacey @slostudio said...

Beautiful! I love your scrappy fabrics, just gorgeous.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Oh I am glad it jumped the queue - what a great finish.... except for the 2 inches short sort of thing - that always makes me not happy !