Allowed: Quilting Only

I have finished piecing Minature Menagerie from Urban Threads and it's hanging in the closet with 17 other quilt tops! (yes, 17! )

Here it is spread out on top of our bed. It took me weeks to find my way back to where I had left off piecing this quilt.  Then finding out I had not actually made all the blocks needed for the bottom row. That meant I had to hunt for some of the 9 patch tone on tone fabric and hope I still had it in my stash. Remembering also that is why I had quit sewing on this at retreat---I had run out of the fabrics, and they were at home.

Trying to recall, (even with instructions) what I had to cut out of the fabrics to create the blocks. ???

I will never-never do this to myself again! Trying to pick up where you left off on an unfinished project that is years old is brutal, to say the least.  It would have been so much easier to just stuff it in a bag and donate it to the guild, or to Legacy, our local senior center thrift shop. But, really, I love this quilt so much, determination prevailed.  I'm glad I didn't give up.  Now I have to decide how to quilt it. That is another  thing---which brings me to my semi New Years resolutions.

I have done all the sewing I'm not going to the sewing room for now---and have refocused my attention to those unfinished quilt tops waiting in the closet to be quilted! I don't want to be tempted to start anything new. I will only making binding at the machines and quilt labels. (keep repeating---)

I want all those tops quilted! Yesterday I finished this top that had been on the frame since Christmas. (shame on me). It's one of my friend Shirley's quilt top that she requested be quilted for one of her family members. Shirley passed in July.  I've done several of her tops, and they are all colorful and beautifully made.  Shirley had a wonderful way with scraps and combining colors. I miss her so much----

After this her quilt was off the frame ( literally dusted off!) and squared up,  I loaded onto the long arm one of my quilt tops that I'm sure you have seen before.  A Double Slice Layer Cake pattern from Jenny Doan at Missouri Star quilts.

I'm using a wide backing from Riley Blake and the top was also a Riley Blake "layer cake" 10" square packet.  I'm quilting it with one of my template boards. "Cosmos".  It's going fast! And maybe today I'll be finished! (what a wonder)

Proving once again that procrastination should not be acceptable, and that I can accomplish a lot if I set my mind to it. You would think that would be so obvious at my age.  Obviously that concept has never truly sank in.

Cosmos quilting motif. 

My sewing machines will collect dust from now,  until I get all these quilt tops finished. My inspiration is Mary Johnson of Making Quilts from Stash. One of my favorite quilt bloggers.  She sticks with her projects until they are finished.  I'm constantly amazed at how much she accomplishes. A true time manager if there ever was!