First Quilt Completed -- On to the Second

Hello my Cottage  Friends,

I hope your week is off to a great start.

As for me, I'm happy to have completed a project.  Remember the quilt I started last October?  I finished the quilt top in my beginners quilting class, and it's been sitting in my workroom waiting for me to take a machine quilting class to finish it.  Several weeks ago I completed a class in free motion machine quilting, and last week I used my October quilt as a guinea pig to try out what I learned.  The quilt was already pretty wonky -- my piecing skills have improved considerably -- so I didn't hesitate to practice some radical free motion quilting.  It's pretty amateurish, but that's okay.  I learned a lot.


I finished binding the quilt this afternoon, and washed it.  I love the way new quilts look after they're washed the first time -- the crinkly look they acquire.

So yeah, I'm happy it's done.  And now I'm ready to begin my second quilt.


 
 
It's a 63" x 74" quilt in the Piece of Cake pattern.  I'll use the 3 Sisters Lario Layer Cake by Moda to make this quilt.


I've got the pieces cut out and plan to start sewing tomorrow.  Anything that's a "piece of cake" sounds good to me.   We've been so busy with house plans and getting bids that I'm worn out.  (More about all that later.)   

How about you?  What are you doing this week?

On another note, if you have a bathroom post you'd like to share at Every Room In The House, please do.  It doesn't have to be a recent post.  We're partying in the bathroom the entire month of April, and I'd love it if you'd join in the fun.  Here's the link: Every Room In The House Party - #4



I'm sharing at these lovely parties:

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
What We Accomplished Wednesday at Green Willow Pond
Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
 





31 comments

  1. Your quilt is lovely! I like the designs. It has the look of an antique quilt. Good for you for finishing the project! I've started small quilts but never finished. My sewing skills are not the best. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tina, I always say that my seam ripper is my best friend. Truthfully, I had to force myself to finish this sampler quilt. I really just wanted to move on to something else, but I've vowed to myself that I'll finish one project before starting another. Thanks for visiting and for your encouragement. :)

      Delete
  2. So lovely Nancy - your quilting talents are amazing! I've sewn just about everything and anything in my lifetime EXCEPT a quilt! Perhaps I need to try one if I can ever get enough time and stay home long enough.
    this week I'm in the garden working daily - used to be able to spend dawn to dusk out there, now only a few hours each day. Getting older is making garden work much harder - but I do love the satisfaction and beauty it brings.

    Have a great week - know it's a busy time - and hopefully you can relax and enjoy the blessings of Easter.
    Hugs - Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Mary, you're just too kind. If you were to look closely at this quilt you would have second thoughts about my quilting ability. LOL. I know what you mean about aging and gardening. But, like you, I love the satisfaction and beauty it brings, and when we have our own garden space again I'll do whatever gardening I'm able to do. Even if it wears me out, I'll be happy. Have a great day!

      Delete
  3. Just love the quilt. I used to work in a fabric shop (quilting) and saw all the beautiful quilts that the women made. I never could get into quilting, however I did make quilts for my four grandchildren. I will have to look up the pictures and post on my blog. I am going to start the cleanup of the sewing area today. Then begin a new project by the weekend. Not sure what it will be, depends on what I come across in the process. Maybe I get back to a UFO. I certainly have many. Have a great week. Anxious to see the progress of your next project.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One of my favorite things to do is visit our local quilt shop, Jean. I just love looking at all the fabric and imagining what I could make with it. Quilting has given me the courage to tackle other projects, too. I made pieced pillows for my grandchildren's Christmas presents. I doubt I would have attempted that before. I'd love to see your quilts. ~ Nancy

      Delete
  4. You did an amazing job on your first quilt, Nancy!!
    I LOVE the pieces you've chosen for the new quilt top. The colors are just beautiful!
    Have fun with your new project.
    Debbie@Seashells and Lavender (formerly Lakehouse).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so sweet, Debbie. Thank you. I'm off to visit your new blog!

      Delete
  5. Congratulations! It's beautiful :)
    I love the colors. Your next quilt will be awesome. You're using two of my favorites ... 3 Sisters and Thimbleblossoms. Can't go wrong!
    Hugs & Blessings ...
    Lani

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops ... I used the wrong account! I'm at http://www.simplyfreshvintage.com. Hope you'll come by!

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Lani. I'm so glad you came by. I'm off to visit you. :)

      Delete
  6. Your quilt is lovely, Nancy! I love that rippled look a clean quilt gets also! My aunt was a master quilter and I have always been in awe of the craft. I know that when you showed your first pieces, I said that I would love to try quilting. I still have not had the chance, but your finished project has inspired me to move it to the top of the crafty list! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're naturally crafty, Kim, so I know you'd have no problem quilting. The quilt I'm working on now is really easy. Frankly, I think it would be a great beginner's quilt. :)

      Delete
  7. It looks amazing. I admire anyone who can quilt! The new ones looks very springy with its fresh colours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Magali. I really like the fabric for the new quilt. I worked on it yesterday, and love seeing the blocks come together. Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  8. That is a beautiful quilt Nancy! Have a Happy Easter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sherry. Happy Easter to you, too.

      Delete
  9. Good for you girl! I never quilt my own and it can get pretty pricey some times. If I waited for me to do it, it would never get done. lol! Love the fabric you are using for your next project. I think your firs quilt turned out just fabulously! Working in the garden before I head out of town with a few friends next Weds. Have a fabulous Easter my friend! And thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jann. If I had someone else do my quilting, I'd have to forego the craft entirely. I'll never win any prizes with my quilting, but I enjoy the process. Enjoy your garden and have fun with your friends. xx ~ Nancy

      Delete
  10. Congratulations on finishing your first quilt, it turned out beautiful. Thank you for sharing a Fluster's #CreativeMuster, I hope that you will come back and join us again.
    Hugs, Smiles & Blessings,
    Robin @ Fluster Buster

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Robin. I'm sure I will link up again. Thanks for hosting, and for visiting my blog and taking the time to comment. Much appreciated. xx ~ Nancy

      Delete
  11. Your quilt turned out wonderful. I have never tried quilting. I love the colors and fabrics you've chosen for your next quilt too.
    Blessings, Deborah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Deborah. Have a great week! ~ Nancy

      Delete
  12. Nancy,I'm a lover of items that look hand made. I don't like quilts that are perfect. I love your first attempt,it's my kind of quilt. I never buy fabric for my quilts,I do what my grandmother did,I use scraps and old clothing. Isn't it nice to finish a project?well done

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jeanette Ann. I like the idea of using old clothing and scraps. I have my late husband's shirts that I plan to make into quilts for my grandchildren after I get a little more experience under my belt. :)

      Delete
  13. I love your quilt and I know you are proud of it. Can't wait to see the next one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm happy I took the first step toward learning to quilt. My mother was very crafty and was a member of a quilting guild when I was a little girl. I still remember playing under the large quilting frame while the ladies worked on a bride's quilt. It was appliqued with tulips. All hand done and absolutely beautiful.

      Delete
  14. Wow, beautifully done! Wonderful fabric! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh, I LOVE it...and I love the way washing makes a quilt look...prewashing is not for me, though I may some day regret it. I love the fabric you chose for your second quilt. I have a quilt ready to do the hand stitching part of the binding, and I also have a small quilt I am working on upstairs. Was gone for a month to California so been back a bit over a week and still don't feel rested up. Trying to get back into the stuff I was working on before I left.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't prewash my fabric either, Rose. The quilt shop owner where I buy my material said it's not necessary with the newer fabrics, as long as they're good quality. I know what you mean about losing momentum on a project when you're away from home for awhile. That's always the case with me. I'm soon you'll be back at it by the time I come over to your blog for a visit. :) Have fun!

      Delete

Your comments bring me joy! Thanks for stopping by.