Finger Lakes

If you are familiar with quilting and quilting-related blogging, then you are also familiar with "Friday Finish". You work diligently on a project the entire week and on Friday, you have a "finish" to share and discuss. YAY!!!

I, on the other hand, never finish anything on a Friday. I finish my work week and my timesheet, but no quilting project ever gets finished on a Friday. Since I work Monday-Friday (UGH!!!), I finish projects on the weekend. Everything exciting in my life happens on weekends.

So here is a glimpse of my exciting weekend - Finger Lakes.

Several months ago, I came across a super-simple pattern from Elizabeth Hartman, called Charm Squares Quilt Redux. It is perfect for a baby shower (that I happen to have several around me).

I did not have to buy any fabrics for this. I had scraps, waiting their turn patiently, to become something.

I've got scraps and you've got scraps
Let's get together and use those scraps.
Let's go....

So, I decided to try out this pattern with  my scraps.  These were the original fabrics - blue green and turquoise. Scraps but still color-coordinated.

The pattern is simple - alternate squares and rectangles and stitch into columns. Add white strips to separate the columns. And you have a quilt top in no time.

I used my favorite Warm & Natural Batting and this cute fabric for the backing. I bought a bolt of this fabric (Good Thinking!) and it has come in handy for all the baby quilts that I make for all the baby showers around me. 

Although the pattern came together effortlessly, I cannot say the same for quilting. It has to be the commonest question - how do I quilt this? Of course, I could just stitch straight lines and be done but where is the fun int hat?

Let us add some gentle curves (that is Jacquie Gering's voice in my head). I quilted the white strips first.   As I was gently moving the quilt sandwich to create the curves, I was thinking - what shall I name this quilt? 

I remember seeing a quilt with a similar pattern and it was called Sea Glass. Did not want to use that name. The column of blue green colors are like fingers (somewhat) and the quilting is like ripples in a lake. The blue-green colors also evoke images of river/lake/sea. Therefore, I decided to call it Finger Lakes.

Did you see, I am getting a tad adventurous with those curves. Looks a little like wood grain effect.

I used a dark blue binding (It is a BOY!!!). Once I folded it in half and ironed it, I folded it into thirds and ironed it again. See the picture below. The raw edge section and the middle section were the same width, but the folded edge section was a bit wider. 

Doing this really helped when I was sewing the binding. The crease provided a guiding line as I stitched the raw edge binding to the quilt back. 

The remaining folds made it easier to bring the binding to the front, where I stitched it using my favorite squiggly stitch.

The finished quilt measures about 40" by 44".

Quilt Labeling

When I first started labeling my quilts, I was using .01 Pigma Micron Pen (based on advice found on a popular blog). Boy, that point is so thin, that it takes a long time to write a simple label. I had to write each letter thrice, at least, for it to be visible. Further, the super-skinny tip and the fabric (even with the freezer paper) did not get along well. It was a long bumpy ride.

Researching other pens, I found this beauty - Pentel Gel Roller for Fabric 1.0. 

Just look at the results. Single stroke writing and it really stands out. No, I am not getting paid for endorsing this or any other product. Just sharing my experience!

Seriously, try this pen once. You will be a convert.

Here are a few more pictures. 

This is Quilt #2 for 2015 and it is for Leah. She is due in April and the shower is on Wednesday, 2/4.  Thanks to Elizabeth Hartman for the pattern and Jacquie Gering (I highly recommend her Craftsy Class) for the quilting inspiration. 

Hope you enjoyed this trip to Finger Lakes :-D  I'd love to hear from you, as always.